The ledges along the ridge were covered in blood, shredded flesh, black gunk, and torn limbs from dozens of dead beasts.
Morgana's chest heaved in ragged, painful gasps. Her clothes hung off her arms in torn, bloody strips, showing deep claw marks that bled down her ribs. Her dark hair had come loose from its knot, strands stuck to her sweaty face.
Every time she swung her heavy sword, her torn muscles screamed. But she couldn't stop. High above the ridge, the Grade 8 Gate sat in the sky like a bleeding tear in space.
A huge, blood-red eye hung in the center of the dark rift. It didn't blink. It didn't move. The massive eye just hovered there, pushing down a heavy, crushing pressure that made Morgana's bones ache just standing under it.
Two huge, shadowy arms made of solid dark energy were gripping the edges of the tear, holding it open.
The monster wasn't stuck... it was waiting.
