Axel's face had gone pale, his voice rising in anger. "I warned them repeatedly not to enter the mountains after dark, but they didn't listen. And now look what's happened."

The Patoajo warrior, Buzz, spoke in a deep, rumbling tone. "Chief Flintspire, we found the bodies right outside the forbidden zone. I think those city folks may have entered the sacred area."

His voice grew quieter with each word as if even speaking of it filled him with fear. By the end, he was barely audible, and he cast a wary, guarded glance at Andrew and the others, suspicion clear in his eyes.

The moment the word "forbidden" was mentioned, Axel visibly flinched. His whole body tensed with dread. He muttered, "This is bad. Really bad. Buzz, take our best warriors and head into the mountain immediately.

"If you find that group, bring them out—by force if necessary. We cannot allow these reckless outsiders to disturb the resting souls of our ancestors."

Buzz hesitated, eyes darting anxiously. "Chief Fl