The portal that Marcus had activated swirled with dark energy, a churning mass of shadows and whispers that beckoned the unwary. Leo knew they had to act quickly to prevent the Arbiter from crossing into their world. He and Sofia, battered but determined, steadied themselves for what was to come.
"We're going to need reinforcements," Sofia said, raising her comm device to call for backup. But the device crackled with static, a sure sign that the portal's dark energy was interfering with communications.
Leo frowned. "We'll have to go in. If the Arbiter completes his ritual on the other side, it could be catastrophic."
Owen and Evelyn caught up with them, their expressions grim. "We're with you," Owen said. "We can't let the Arbiter succeed."
Evelyn nodded, her usual calm replaced with a steely resolve. "If we don't stop him, no one will."
