Sam marched forward and entered the path where the mist split apart.
The thousands of crimson eyes hidden inside the mist still hovered on both sides of him, staring silently while he moved through the narrow corridor he had created.
They followed every step he took, blinking slowly, shifting within the fog like living flames.
But even as they watched him, Sam felt like their presence was different from before.
When he had crossed the path the first time, they had radiated hostility so sharp that it felt like the entire realm wanted to devour him alive.
Now they were almost... passive.
Not friendly, but no longer violent or oppressive.
Perhaps it was because he had defeated the two monarchs who had ruled over this place and forced these eyes and creatures into eternal servitude.
Or maybe it was because he now wore the artifact that controlled the entire mist itself, making him its new master.
