Leaving Sylvia behind, Alexia and Alden stood in front of the glowing floor core.
"Ready?" Alexia asked, her voice low but steady.
Alden nodded, his jaw tightening. "Let's get this over with."
Together, they placed their hands on the core. A surge of energy coursed through them, and the world around them blurred and shifted.
As their vision cleared, they found themselves in a dense forest. Tall, twisted trees stretched overhead, their branches weaving together to form a thick canopy. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and leaves, and the occasional rustling hinted at small creatures moving in the underbrush.
Alexia's hand instinctively went to the hilt of her blade, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Alden raised his guard, his muscles tense. The forest was unnaturally quiet, save for the occasional snap of a twig or the distant hoot of an owl.
As if on cue, the silence was shattered by a guttural groan.
