Climbing back to surface took much longer than going down. A silver glow from the rope guided them back up the rock steps while showing small dark shapes around them. No one spoke at first. The forest above already understood they had transformed even before the team emerged through the heavy atmosphere.
The star-studded night sky covered them as they stepped onto the ruined platform. A light breeze moved over the tree limbs. After their descent many tree layers began to share quiet greetings with them.
Lucian became the first to walk on the natural green carpet below. He drew deep air through his nose and exhaled. "It's different now."
"It feels… clearer," Arden said. The energy within this space seems to have unlocked.
She hugged the knot to her breast. The stone had cooled down as all its light once stored settled into a soft reliable glow. She examined their journey's path until it ended when the stone lights flickered out and the woods returned.
