Adam burst out from the suffocating darkness, gasping violently as though he had just surfaced from drowning. He collapsed onto one knee on the cold stone floor, chest heaving, lungs burning from the lack of air. Sweat mixed with dust clung to his pale skin.
"Damn it…" he rasped, voice echoing hollowly into the void. "We've been separated."
He closed his eyes and reached through the telepathic bonds he shared with his companions.
'Lilith? Ignis? Can you hear me?'
Only oppressive silence answered him.
'Lilith! Ignis!'
A few terrifying seconds passed before a calm, familiar voice finally broke through the static.
'Adam.' Lilith's tone was steady, though slightly strained. 'I'm alright. Isolde is with me.'
Adam exhaled sharply in relief, shoulders sagging. "Thank the gods…"
Another moment of silence stretched painfully.
Then—
