His consciousness felt like it was sinking into the deep sea, drifting in and out amidst the churning darkness.
His five senses were enveloped by a heavy void, making it impossible to perceive direction or the passage of time.
The giant tongue that had wrapped around Murphy seemed to carry some power beyond comprehension. It had not only bound his body but had also directly shielded him from all external perception.
It wasn't that he hadn't resisted; it was that his resistance had been useless.
All his struggles and strength vanished without a trace, failing to stir even the slightest ripple.
CLANG!
A crisp, Piercing clang of metal on metal jolted Murphy's consciousness from the deep sea of nothingness.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
It was followed by a second, a third… a continuous chorus of forging sounds, striking his consciousness again and again, growing clearer and louder.
Murphy's eyes flew open. The first thing he saw was an impossibly massive, dark-red furnace below him.
