The portal was already open by the time we reached it the next morning — a jagged seam of light cut into the very air of the small room. The edges were pale gold, fading to a blackened center. Two of Vael’s magickers stood on either side of the portal, chanting something low and rhythmic that almost sounded like purring. The vibration was too deep, though. It was something I could feel running along my jawline.
“Once you’re through, it seals behind you,” Vael said. “It’ll open again when the Heart falls. Not before.”
We let the implication settle over us.
“So we come back winners or not at all,” Frankie said.
“Comforting,” Ken added flatly.
“It’s not meant to be comforting,” Vael said, “it’s meant to be honest. To make you aware of the true stakes.”
I nodded. There really was no turning back once we stepped through.
“And take these,” Vael said, tossing each of us a glowing disk with a small clip. “There won’t be much light there.”
I examined the disk. It looked like a modified Sunmark Shard. We all latched them onto ourselves, then stood and faced the portal.
“We were also able to craft one Rot Cure Potion. If one of you gets afflicted like Frankie did earlier, use it straight away.” He handed me a vial filled with a viscous, golden liquid. I added it to my Quick Bar.
Dom stepped through first, with no hesitation. Marcus was a half-step behind him. I got the feeling this was the sort of threshold they’d stepped through many times.
I went next. The instant the first part of me touched the portal, it activated. There was a flash of light and the same disorienting tilt that occurred before the tutorial, then my feet were on solid ground. A breath later, Ken and Frankie had winked into existence next to me.
INSTANCE — THE HOLLOW HOLD
Population: 5
The disease spreading across the Hallowed Reach has built itself up into a fortress. Somewhere deep within these walls lies the Heart, protected by corrupted guardians.