[Realm: Álfheimr]
[Location: Outskirts]
The morning had come, but it brought no warmth with it.
The sky hung dully — a pale shroud of gray.
Dante stood before the tall alloy gates, their weight and reinforced thickness was opposing. Beyond them, the Retorta Guild's outpost rose more like a fortress.
He stared in silence as Ivan exhaled, forcing a thin smile as if to mask the tension in his chest. "Well," he murmured, his tone light but unsteady, "I suppose here goes nothing."
Alexander gave a low sigh beside him, running a hand through his hair. "You could say that again," he muttered. "Feels like we're walking into a lion's den. Or a large and very feral Deseruit Beasts."
They started forward, approaching the gate.
Perched comfortably on Dante's shoulder, Tamamo-no-Mae watched them both, her golden tails swaying.
