The faint glow of the runes along the wall thickened into threads of green and violet, spreading outward like a web of light spun across the resin. Each line twitched and pulsed, arcs sparking between them as though the tunnel itself had been caught in a spasm of power.
The sigils wove together into an intricate lattice, the glow crawling farther and farther until the walls looked alive, veins of light throbbing in anticipation of release.
And just as everyone was expecting the explosion...
There was silence...
The retreating party slowed, breaths harsh, their eyes snapping to Kalrek in confusion.
"Did you even activate it?" Veyra hissed, loosing an arrow at the beetles that were rapidly closing the gap.
"They're gaining!" Tholn barked, blades flashing as he cut one down, "If this was your grand plan, Kalrek, it's failing."
Kalrek stayed on Riven's back, jaw tight, his grin faltering but not gone.
He forced composure into his voice, "It's working. Just… wait for it."
