Mara materialized in the Shroud with the immediate, bone-deep understanding that this was nothing like her previous fights.
First time actually inside one.
Her Clear Mind core activated on instinct, smoothing the spike of fear into cold, usable focus. Her thoughts aligned, emotions dampened just enough to keep panic from clouding judgment.
Clear Light's Eve.
The Grim Hollow escape.
Those had been battles against Crawlers, yes—but on their side of reality.
This was different.
This was Crawler territory.
Their dimension.
Their rules.
An environment steeped in corruption that fed their instincts and dulled human advantage.
Ancient architecture loomed around her—arched stoneways, fractured statues, balconies hanging at impossible angles. Remnants of a world before the Fall. Beautiful in structure. Wrong in atmosphere.
The air itself felt watchful.
Stay alert. Stay mobile. Stay alive, she told herself, turning the mantra into an anchor.
