Wei Lin nodded, her gaze focused ahead. "You're right. The monolith was just the beginning. Whatever lies in the Void is still waiting for us."
As they stepped out of the cavern, the world outside greeted them with an explosive burst of energy. A brilliant flash of light seared across the sky, followed by a deafening roar that shook the very ground beneath their feet. The group instinctively shielded their eyes, their senses overwhelmed by the sheer force of the explosion.
When the light finally faded, they found themselves standing at the edge of a vast crater. The earth was scorched black, smoke rising from the charred remains of what had once been a serene forest. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burning wood and ash.
"What in the name of the heavens…?" Mara whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Wei Lin's eyes widened as she took in the devastation. "The fragment… it's already begun its work. This is just a taste of its power."