Monday:
The ground trembled once more, but this time it felt different—stronger. The air was thick with an oppressive heat, and the once tranquil surroundings now felt suffocating. The sky had changed overnight, the horizon now tinted a sickly orange, like the sun itself was being swallowed by an unseen force. A faint rumbling echoed in the distance, growing louder with each passing second.
Jas looked up, their heart pounding in their chest. "It's happening."
Roman's face was grim as he scanned the landscape, his gaze locked on the volcano in the distance. A plume of smoke rose into the air, black and billowing, obscuring the once-clear sky. The mountain was waking up.
"Get everything packed," Roman urged, his voice sharp. "We need to move. Now."
But before they could even react, the earth beneath their feet shook violently. The ground cracked, sending a ripple of terror through their bodies. Ash began to fall like snow, tiny flakes of gray dusting their skin and clothes.