WEBVTT

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The earth had been whispering for weeks. a

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low. restless rumble beneath the soles of our

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boots that made the water in our canteens

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tremble.

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But tonight. the mountain stopped whispering and finally

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screamed.

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We had set up camp on the distant

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ridge. foolishly believing we were safe beyond the

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tree line.

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Then came the sound. a deafening crack that

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tore the silence of the midnight wilderness in

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two.

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I bolted upright from my sleeping roll just

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as the horizon fractured.

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With a cataclysmic roar. the volcano erupted. ripping

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the night open in a blaze of violent.

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primal fury.

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Instantly. the world was painted in a violent.

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hypnotic palette of dramatic red and orange light.

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High into the velvety black sky. a geyser

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of molten lava burst forth. liquid fire defying

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gravity before cascading down the jagged slopes.

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Every intricate detail of the ancient rock texture

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stood out in stark relief. illuminated by the

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relentless glow.

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Overhead. billowing ash clouds swallowed the stars. glowing

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from within like thunderheads packed with embers.

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We stood frozen. spellbound by the sheer. terrifying

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majesty of the earth's raw power.

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The heat washed over us in sudden. scorching

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waves. carrying the sharp scent of sulfur and

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ash.

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As the river of magma began its slow.

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inevitable crawl toward the valley below.

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painting the darkness in brilliant shades of crimson.

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we packed our camp in frantic silence.

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The mountain had reclaimed the night. and we

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were only fleeting witnesses to its wrath.