Chapter 8: And so it begins...

(Olivia's POV)

The world snapped back into focus with a gut-wrenching lurch as we finally landed somewhere dark and unfamiliar.

I collapsed to my knees, trying not to throw up as the remnants of Thalia's teleportation spell faded away. The cold forest air was gone, replaced by something...different. Stale. Like walking into a room that hadn't been opened in years.

"Take it easy," Jay's hand steadied me, his voice tight with concern.

"That spell is normally rough." Thalia muttered as she straightened herself.

Rough was an understatement. My head was spinning, and all my insides felt like it was doing somersaults. I forced myself to take deep breaths, trying to get my bearings.

We were in some kind of underground chamber. Stone walls stretched up into darkness, covered in glowing symbols that pulsed with a faint blue light. The air vibrates with energy, not just Thalia's magic, but something deeper.