As the day approached when the first group had to return, Elio shifted the focus of construction.
"We need to expand upwards," he announced. "We have to get as close as possible to the monsters so the group can retreat easily without absorbing too many cores."
Vertical expansion presented new challenges.
The weight of the tunnel increased with each meter they ascended, requiring increasingly robust structures. The elephants worked tirelessly, their trunks shaping the carbon with precision.
"Two hundred and fifty meters," Elio murmured, reviewing his calculations. "That's our goal."
The tunnel hummed with renewed activity. Everyone understood the importance of this final phase. Elio worked tirelessly, directing efforts and constantly adjusting plans.
However, as they approached their goal, a new concern arose.
"If we get too close to the monsters," Elio warned, "the tunnel's roof could become a target."
Selene frowned, considering the problem. "We need to protect the main tunnel," she murmured.
Surprisingly, it was Kriz who proposed the solution. "What if we build sacrificial parts?" he suggested. "Small structures that monsters can destroy without compromising the main tunnel."
The idea was brilliant in its simplicity. Elio nodded enthusiastically. "Let's do it."
The last meters of ascent became an engineering challenge. They built small platforms adjacent to the main tunnel, each supported by a single carbon bar. These structures would serve as steps for the last meters of the ascent, but also as decoys for any monster that detected their presence.
"It's like hair," Lila commented, somewhat dejected, observing the platforms branching out from the main tunnel. "Black carbon hair."
Finally, after hours of incessant work, they reached their goal.
"We did it," Elio announced. "We're ready."
The day of departure came too soon. The tunnel, which had been their home for weeks, seemed strangely quiet as the first group prepared to leave.
Zara approached Elio. "I don't want to go," she admitted softly.
Elio took her hands. "I know," he said gently. "But it'll only be a few days. We need those provisions and for you to explain to Lucien about level 7."
Zara nodded, squeezing Elio's hands. "I'll be back," she promised. "Before you know it."
One by one, the members of the first group said goodbye to Elio. Each had words of encouragement and promises of a quick return.
Then, the roar of monsters filled the air, a cacophony of growls and shrieks that made everyone's blood run cold.
"Now!" Elio shouted.
In an instant, Elio and Zara leaped forward, their hands extended. The air around them filled with carbon particles that began to glow with intense heat. Elio's eel crackled with electricity, amplifying the attack.
"Burn!" Zara roared, her voice mixing with the crackle of flames.
An explosion of fire and heat enveloped the nearest monsters, disintegrating them in seconds.
"Go, go, go!" Micah yelled, organizing the rest of the group into a V formation.
Kriz was the first to jump, a crazy smile on his face. "Yippee ki-yay, monsters!" he shouted, releasing a powerful helium burst that propelled him upward, separating two monsters trying to close the breach. His swift darted alongside him, creating small air currents to help guide his ascent.
Brok followed closely, his large body moving with surprising agility, his swift providing additional lift.
Lila, Valeria, Mei, and Aria moved in perfect synchronization, their movements complementing each other. Each helium burst was precise, calculated to maximize distance and minimize contact with monsters. Their swifts worked in tandem, creating a protective formation around them.
Elio remained on the platform, his eyes fixed on his companions rising to freedom. Zara gave him one last look before joining the others, switching her penguin for her swift as she began her ascent.
"Watch your left, Lila!" Aria shouted, noticing a monster approaching dangerously.
Lila reacted by releasing a burst that sent the monster flying backward. "Thanks!" she gasped, relief evident in her voice.
From below, Elio continued his assault, creating a barrier of fire and carbon that kept most monsters at bay, facilitating the group's ascent.
"Don't look back!" Elio yelled, noticing that Valeria had hesitated for a moment. "Keep going up!"
The ascent seemed eternal and yet too fast. Monsters roared and writhed around the group, but they stayed together, protecting each other.
Finally, Micah saw an opening. "There!" he shouted, pointing to a space where the monsters were less dense. "That's our exit!"
With one last collective effort, the group propelled themselves towards freedom. One by one, they emerged from the sea of monsters.
Elio observed them ascend, pride on his face. With the group out of danger, his expression hardened.
With a jump off the platform, Elio began to descend, plunging into the mass of cores. As he sank, he could hear the roar of monsters above him, closing the breach and destroying the platforms they had built with such effort. His eel wrapped tightly around him, ready to defend against any threats.
"Good luck coming back," Elio murmured, his thoughts with his friends who were now jumping towards the surface.