Rudy turned away from the screaming monument in the wall and faced the terrified royal court gathered in the courtyard. He brushed a speck of dust from his tailored suit jacket before raising both hands toward the crimson sky.
This time, he did not wait for Virgil to arrange a formal expedition to the edge of the world. He bypassed geographical limitations by grabbing the very fabric of spatial reality and tearing it open.
"Since we have everyone's attention, I believe it is time to formalize my visit," Rudy stated.
Crimson energy flared around his fingers as he dragged the Netherworld directly to his location. The solid cobblestones beneath their feet transformed into a surreal liquid surface rippling like dark water. Freezing mist spilled from the spatial tear to flood the courtyard.
The blood-red sky above them fractured, revealing a sprawling expanse of distant alien stars and twin moons.
