The fall felt like drifting through deep water. There was no wind and no rushing sound. The roaring crowd of the nightmare arena and the blinding flash of the shattered sword faded into a distant memory. Valeria held tightly to Silas. His arms were a solid anchor in the absolute void.
They landed softly. Valeria opened her eyes. They were no longer in an arena or a ruined courtyard.
They stood in the center of a perfectly circular clearing surrounded by towering, ancient pine trees. The ground was covered in a thick blanket of pristine silver grass. High above the canopy, a massive, brilliant full moon cast a gentle, silver glow over the sanctuary. The air was crisp and cold. It smelled of winter frost and old parchment. It was absolutely silent.
"Where are we?" Valeria whispered. She did not want to disturb the profound peace of the clearing.
"We are at the absolute bottom," Silas replied quietly.
