The darkness swallowed them whole.
Mallory felt her body stretch and compress at the same time, as if the universe itself was twisting her into something new. Her breath hitched—was she even breathing? She couldn't feel her lungs, her limbs, even the weight of her own existence.
Then, with a sudden jolt, reality snapped back into place.
Mallory stumbled forward, feet landing on solid ground. The cold air stung her face. She gasped, light exploding in her vision as she adjusted to her surroundings.
The others landed beside her.
Greg hit the ground face-first with a groan. "I HATE magic portals."
Elara landed gracefully, scanning the area with narrowed eyes. "Where… are we?"