The walls of the tunnel groaned and cracked as Caelum and Aurelia pushed forward, their bodies weighed down by exhaustion. The ground beneath them trembled with each step, the entire hive shuddering as if it were on the verge of collapse. Every few moments, the sound of crumbling resin and distant crashes echoed through the tunnels, reminding them just how little time they had left.

  Caelum wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest heaving with effort as he forced his legs to keep moving. His body ached, his muscles screaming from the strain, but he couldn’t stop. Not now. They had to find the exit before the hive came crashing down around them.

  Behind him, Aurelia stumbled slightly, her legs trembling from the endless battle and the overwhelming fatigue that clung to them both. She was pushing herself harder than ever, her Guardian’s Aura now barely a flicker, but the determination in her eyes had not wavered.

  Are you okay? Caelum sent through their telepathic link, concern flickering in his thoughts.

  I’m fine, Aurelia replied, her voice strained but resolute. We just have to keep going. We’re close. I can feel it.

  But as they moved deeper into the tunnel, the cracks in the walls grew wider, the ceiling sagging ominously above them. Caelum could hear the distant sound of collapsing tunnels behind them, the hive tearing itself apart with every passing second. The very structure that had once been a fortress for the Queen was now falling apart, and they were trapped inside.

  We’re running out of time, Caelum thought, the panic rising in his chest. He glanced at Aurelia, who gave him a determined nod, but he could sense her exhaustion. They were both barely holding on, but they had to keep moving.

  The tunnel they were following was narrow, jagged edges of resin scraping against Caelum’s arms and legs as they pushed through. The air was thick and stifling, and every breath felt like a struggle. His Appraisal skill flickered weakly in the back of his mind, the strain of using his abilities wearing him down, but it was still working.

  He scanned the tunnel ahead, his heart sinking as he realized it was becoming more unstable the further they went. The walls here were crumbling faster, the ground shifting beneath their feet with each step. Dust and debris rained down from above, and the sound of distant collapses seemed to be getting closer.

  It’s getting worse, Caelum sent to Aurelia. We need to find another way out, fast.

  Aurelia’s telepathic voice came through, tinged with frustration. We don’t have many options. We have to keep going, Caelum. This has to lead somewhere.

  But even as she said it, Caelum could sense her doubt. The hive was a labyrinth of interconnected tunnels, and without the Queen’s control guiding them, everything had become chaotic. The drones and soldiers were no longer a threat—they had scattered aimlessly, as lost and confused as the hive itself—but the collapsing structure was an enemy of its own.

  As they pressed on, the ceiling above them sagged dangerously. Caelum felt a sharp tremor beneath his feet, and before he could react, the tunnel ahead of them began to cave in. The ground split open, chunks of resin and rock crashing down from above as the tunnel collapsed.

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  Watch out! Caelum shouted through the link, grabbing Aurelia’s arm and pulling her back as the debris fell in front of them, blocking their path.

  Dust filled the air, thick and suffocating. Caelum coughed, trying to catch his breath as he surveyed the blocked tunnel. The collapse had cut off their route entirely, leaving them trapped in the narrow space with no clear way forward.

  No… Aurelia’s voice was strained, frustration boiling over as she stared at the blockage. We were so close.

  Caelum clenched his fists, his mind racing. The exit had to be nearby. They had come too far to be stopped now. He scanned the walls of the tunnel again, his Appraisal flickering weakly, but nothing promising showed up. The hive was collapsing all around them, and every second they spent here increased the risk of being buried alive.

  There has to be another way out, Caelum thought desperately, his eyes darting around the crumbling tunnel. We just need to find it.

  Aurelia’s voice cut through his thoughts, calm but insistent. Look, Caelum—there’s a small gap over there. She pointed toward the far side of the tunnel, where a narrow crack in the wall had appeared, barely visible through the dust and debris.

  Caelum squinted, his heart skipping a beat. The crack was small, almost too small to notice, but it could be their only way forward. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

  It’s risky, but we don’t have a choice, Caelum sent. Let’s try it.

  With no time to waste, they hurried toward the gap, their bodies aching from the effort. The crack in the wall was tight, barely wide enough for them to squeeze through, but Caelum forced himself through first, pulling himself into the narrow space.

  The tunnel on the other side was dark, the air heavy and stale. The walls seemed more stable here, but the ground beneath them was uneven, and the floor shifted as they moved deeper inside. Caelum’s heart pounded in his chest as he led the way, hoping this was the path that would lead them to safety.

  Aurelia followed closely behind, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts as she fought through the exhaustion. We’re close, she sent, though her voice was filled with uncertainty.

  The tunnel continued to twist and turn, the walls closing in around them. The sound of the collapsing hive grew fainter, but the tremors beneath their feet still persisted. It felt as if the hive itself was trying to swallow them whole, and with every step, Caelum wondered if they would make it out alive.

  But then, something changed.

  Ahead of them, Caelum noticed a faint glimmer of light—small, but unmistakable.

  There! he sent, his heart pounding with renewed hope. I see the exit!

  Aurelia’s relief echoed through the link. Let’s go.

  They pushed forward, their bodies fueled by the desperate need to escape. The light grew brighter with each step, the oppressive weight of the hive’s collapsing walls giving way to the promise of freedom.

  As they approached the end of the tunnel, the narrow passage opened up, revealing a small exit that led outside. Fresh air rushed in, cool and invigorating, filling Caelum’s lungs as he stumbled forward, his heart racing.

  They had found the exit.

  Aurelia collapsed beside him, her body trembling from the effort, but a look of relief crossed her face as she gazed out at the open sky beyond the hive.

  We made it, Caelum sent, his voice filled with awe.

  For a moment, neither of them moved, their bodies too exhausted to do anything but breathe in the sweet air of freedom. They had survived. They had escaped the hive.

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