As Isiah emerged from the transport device that had carried him and Eijar to their destination, he was instantly overcome by a wave of excruciating pain.
He collapsed heavily onto the hard floor, his serpent companion draped limply across his lap. The agony was all consuming, tearing through his muscle fibers and core with such violence that for several terrifying moments, he couldn't form a single coherent thought.
Eventually, he managed to force his eyes open, but his ears were immediately assaulted by a chaotic cacophony of sound. The environment was loudly vibrant and disorienting.
As he fought to process his surroundings, he realized that a crowd of people was standing all around him.
He blinked rapidly, forcing his blurred vision to focus until he finally gained a clear view. To his faint relief, he confirmed he was still inside the primary reception hall of the transport facility.
