The way back

Right now, I'm walking through the dark mist again.

This is the path I have to take—through the barrier, out of this sealed space—so I can see Eris again.

Step by step, I push forward. Every movement feels like a battle. It's like dragging my body through a swamp of tar. My legs are heavy, my breaths shallow, like I'm choking on poisoned air. The corruption clings to me like rotting skin, wrapping around my limbs and weighing down my soul. The air is thick, crushing, like the mist itself wants to break me apart.

Then, the illusions begin.

They always do.

Dark images surge into my mind, sharp and vivid, scraping at the edges of my sanity—

———————-

Suddenly, I'm standing in the center square of Luminaris Academy.

But it's not the academy I remember.

It's a nightmare.