The moment Arios stepped through the portal, the sharp glare of blue light vanished, replaced by a dull grey hue that stung his eyes. For a few seconds, he stood still, waiting for his balance to catch up with him. The faint echo of battle — the roar of the construct, the crash of collapsing pillars — still rang faintly in his head. When the noise finally dulled, he realized where he was.
The floor wasn't a new level. It was the entrance chamber of the dungeon. The same stonework. The same sigils along the walls. Only this time, the usual ambient hum of mana was gone.
He was out.
Arios drew in a long breath, his body still tense, his hand resting on his sword hilt. His system interface blinked faintly in the corner of his vision, updating the log.
[Sub-Quest Complete: Illusion Terminated]
[Objective: Escape the Controlled Field — Success]
[Reward Pending Evaluation]
He closed the log. None of it mattered.
There was only one thought repeating in his mind — find the others.
