The cavern stretched far beyond what Damon had first assumed. Massive stalactites hung like the fangs of a great beast, some encrusted with glittering crystals, others dripping a slow, viscous green liquid that hissed faintly as it hit the stone floor.
All the drops of the liquid gathered together to form a big oozing pool at the center of the chamber, its surface bubbling like lava. The air above it shimmered with toxic heat waves. Dense wisps of corrupted, toxic miasma wafted out of it.
"Well, hello." Damon grinned. It looked like another skinny dipping session was in order.
The pool seemed to react to his presence, its bubbling intensifying, sending up fat globules of venom that popped with wet, hissing sounds.
Each burst released an acrid scent that clawed at his lungs, but instead of coughing, Damon inhaled deeply, letting the poison roll through him like a fine wine. His skin prickled, and his blood hummed, the faint burn spreading into something oddly… invigorating.
