For your trouble

Eldrin said his prayers inwardly and prepared to immerse himself into the cauldron, previously owned by unknown, possibly lunatic cultists. 

Before doing so, he circulated his mana, creating a thin layer of protective energy around himself, hoping it would mitigate whatever adverse effects the liquid might have. Then, with one last glance at Liam, he stepped into the cauldron.

The moment his feet touched the liquid, Eldrin let out a sharp cry. All the protection he had prepared was a complete waste as his mana barrier and also lightning barrier was ground to dust by the suspicious bloody liquid. Instead, the liquid itself formed a layer around him.

Eldrin gulped. He had a bad feeling. He was almost naked sitting in god knows what god knows where. How did his life come to this? A feeling of utter dread welled up inside him.

He was right to be anxious because the very next second all hell broke loose.