THE CORE WORLD

As I forced my eyes open, my surroundings were a hazy blur, engulfed in a pool of lumen. My head was pounding, and it was hard to concentrate. Looking down, I saw the tentacles still clinging to my body, their grip causing searing pain. Summoning all my remaining strength, I yanked at them forcefully, feeling the agony intensify before gradually subsiding as they released their hold. A desperate urge to shout filled me, but the breathing apparatus lodged in my throat stifled any sound.

After being freed, I launched myself towards the lumen's surface and emerged into the world above. I scanned the area with my eyes, looking for Eliora, but she was nowhere to be found. It meant that she was still within the lumen, encased in that protective barrier once again. After walking out of the pool of lumen, I prepared myself to remove the breathing tube. When the mental countdown reached zero, I pulled it out, coughing and retching as I struggled to adjust to the sudden change.

“Shit.”