One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

The ground trembled beneath our feet.

Cracks spread across the walls, ancient stone breaking apart as the tomb collapsed.

I grabbed Shira's arm.

"Move! Now!"

We sprinted toward the exit.

Behind us, the Keeper stood motionless, watching as the tomb fell apart.

Even as the ceiling caved in, even as the dust and rubble rained down—

It did not move.

As if it already knew.

As if it had already seen this moment happen before.

But I didn't have time to think about that.

Because if we didn't escape now, we would be buried alive.

A Desperate Escape

The corridors of the tomb were collapsing fast.

Chunks of stone slammed into the ground behind us, sealing off paths we had passed just moments before.

I could barely see through the dust, my lungs burning with every breath.

"Keep running!" I shouted.

Shira nodded, her face set with grim determination.

The Elder was just ahead of us, moving far too calmly for someone who was seconds away from being crushed.

It was unnerving.

But again, no time to think.

A section of the ceiling gave way just in front of us.

I skidded to a stop, nearly colliding with Shira.

Blocked.

We were trapped.

I turned, looking for another way out.

But the tomb was collapsing too fast.

The only way left was back the way we came—but that would lead us right to the Keeper.

No.

There had to be another way.

A Risky Choice

"The wall," the Elder said suddenly.

I turned to him.

"What?"

He pointed at a section of stone.

A crack ran through it, faint but visible.

"It's thin here. Break it."

I didn't hesitate.

I stepped forward, summoning my power.

The mark on my arm burned, pulsing as I focused.

I pulled my fist back—

And slammed it into the wall.

The stone shattered.

Light spilled through the cracks.

A way out.

Without a second thought, we lunged forward—

Just as the tomb collapsed behind us.

The Aftermath

We hit the ground hard, rolling onto the soft dirt of the jungle floor.

The tomb behind us was now nothing but ruins.

Dust and debris filled the air, a final breath from the ancient structure before it was completely gone.

I lay there for a moment, catching my breath.

Shira groaned beside me.

The Elder stood without a scratch, brushing dust off his robes.

I clenched my fists.

We had escaped.

But the words of the Keeper still echoed in my mind.

"Prove me wrong."

I still didn't know if I could.

But I would.

No matter what.