Utopian System

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.

"It'll only be a day for me," Micah assured. "We'll be back before you can miss us."

"Bring some fun with you when you return," Elio joked. "Kriz is running out of material."

"Hey!" Kriz protested, feigning indignation. "My carbon tunnel jokes are inexhaustible."

Laughter filled the tunnel, a sound that Elio knew he would miss in the coming hours.

♢♢♢♢

Finally, the moment arrived.

The group gathered on the highest platform, preparing for their final ascent. Their swifts hovered nearby, ready for action.

Elio, Zara, Kriz, Brok, Micah, Lila, Valeria, Mei, and Aria formed a tight circle, their bodies tense, prepared for action. Each held out a hand, absorbing the cores that separated them from the imminent threat of the monsters. Elio's electric eel coiled around his arm, sparks dancing along its body.

The air on the tunnel's highest platforms vibrated with tension. Elio watched closely as the cores vanished. "Looks like it won't be an easy exit," he murmured, frowning.

Zara, beside him, gave him an inquisitive look. Her penguin stood at attention on her shoulder. "What's happening?"

"The cores are depleting faster than I expected..." Elio paused, scanning the space above them. "The monster barrier is still too thick."

Micah nodded, his expression serious. "We anticipated this during preliminary calculations. The redistribution of monsters isn't as fast as we hoped."

"Well, I guess we'll have to improvise," Kriz said with a nervous laugh. "Did anyone bring extra mana to bribe the monsters?"

Brok elbowed him, but a small smile played on his face. "Not the time for jokes, Kriz."

"On the contrary," Mei interjected, her voice calm but firm. "It might be just what we need to stay calm."

Lila, Valeria, and Aria exchanged glances, nervousness in their eyes.

"Elio," Valeria said, her voice barely a whisper. "What's the plan?"

Elio took a deep breath. "We stick to the original plan, with some modifications." He looked at Zara, a silent communication passing between them. "Zara and I will use the power of burning carbon to open a breach."

Zara nodded, a fierce smile lighting up her face. "Like Lucien and Selene's combo, huh?"

"The rest of you," Elio continued, looking at each of his companions, "will use helium bursts to separate the remaining monsters and ascend. Micah, you'll coordinate the formation."

Micah nodded, his posture straightening with responsibility. "Understood."

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.

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