He gripped the chain again, pulled harder this time, and it slid another few feet. The sound it made was sharp and alive, like something waking. That was when the shouting started. At first, just faint echoes carried by the wind and then clearer, urgent voices.
Elias turned and saw three men scrambling down the slope toward him, faces drawn and pale, waving their arms. “Leave it!” one shouted. “For God’s sake, don’t touch that!” The men reached him fast, breathless and angry in the fading light.