They advanced deeper into the gate, the twisted landscape growing more oppressive with every step. The sky above was a perpetual twilight, shot through with veins of purple lightning that never touched the ground. The air smelled of ozone and decay.
Sein led the way, her crimson gauntlets casting flickering light across the jagged terrain. Andrey followed close behind, the katana held low and ready, his Ki senses stretched to their limit.
They encountered scattered packs of goblins and imps—nothing they couldn't handle. Sein's punches obliterated the smaller creatures, while Andrey's katana carved through anything that came too close. Their movements were becoming synchronized, almost without thought.
"Hn," Sein grunted, shaking goblin ichor from her gauntlet. "This is too quiet. Where's the resistance?"
Andrey scanned the area ahead. "Maybe the artifact is deeper. The system said—"
A scream cut through the air.
Sein was already moving. "This way!"
