Nikolai squatted at the sunken ground around the entrance to the gate. The pungent scent of sulphur and rotting waste lingered in the air, while the ground trembled and bubbled with a thick, viscous goo.
'Disgusting, like a dead rat alarm clock...'
At first, he thought it might be caused by mud or because of the heavy rainfall the night before, but once digging deeper, his people found a pool of foul, slimy gunk resembling black sludge.
"This nostalgic foulness, so the corruption has already seeped into the ground."
He couldn't afford to think of dates with his wives, knowing that over ten gates hiding underground were close to activation.
"Hurry, we need to dig them out!"
"Yes, sir!"
The blood knights rapidly summoned spades and tools of blood, creating a bizarre and ghostly sight. It was interesting to see them dragging, clearing and unveiling the straightforward doorways to the air.
"Lord Volkov!" The pleasant voice of another maid called out to him from a distance.
