Chapter Seventeen: Buried Alive
Without a word, the Shrouded One lifted his foot and stomped heavily on the ground. The earth shook violently, and a massive hole opened beneath the girls. Before they could react, they were swallowed by the earth, trapped beneath it. The hole quickly closed, leaving no trace of their struggle.
Darkness consumed them. The only light came from the faint glow of red on their palms, a silent reminder of the peril they faced.
Elara's voice trembled as she spoke, panic evident in her tone. "We're dying, Ari! We really failed… he buried us alive. I can't believe we're going to die like this."
Ariella's voice, though shaken, was calm. "Just be quiet. We've been buried underground. Soon enough, the air will run out, and we'll die. Save your breath. We need to conserve what little air we have while we think of a way out."
"How can you be so calm?" Elara asked, frustration rising in her voice. "I'm scared, Ari! My parents… they'll never know what happened to me, let alone that I'm buried alive."
Ariella took a deep breath, speaking gently but firmly. "Does your complaining save us in any way? No. It's only wasting the little air we have. Just trust me. Stay calm. The Queens promised they would always be with us. They'll save us. We won't die here."
Elara, feeling the weight of Ariella's words, nodded weakly. She tried to quiet her thoughts, reminding herself that the Queens were still with them. They had to hold on.