The ground shook again.
John immediately stepped forward.
"Everyone, move back."
The others didn't need to be told twice.
Aerion grabbed Darius by the shoulder and pulled him away from the growing crack. Lythriel moved beside Sylvara while Cael kept his eyes fixed on the cloaked stranger.
Another tremor passed through the forest.
Leaves fell from the trees.
Birds scattered into the sky.
Then the ground split open.
A deep rumble came from below.
John could feel it through his feet.
Something was moving beneath them.
Something far larger than any normal monster.
The cloaked man continued stepping backward.
John looked at him.
"You knew this would happen."
The stranger didn't answer.
"You knew the fragment was here."
Still nothing.
John's voice became colder.
"Then you knew what was underneath it."
The stranger finally looked at him.
"I knew enough to stay away."
"That's not an answer."
"No."
The stranger glanced toward the widening crack.
"It's a warning."
