The earth trembled.
At first, it was a faint murmur beneath the world's breath, like shifting soil beneath the skin of the land. But within seconds, the tremor grew into a deep, rolling roar that made the air itself quake.
GRRROOOAAAAARRR !!!
From the south, a surge of crimson-black light pierced the heavens.
The Gate of the Underworld, long pulsing like a slow heartbeat finally opened.
Not like a door, but like a wound in the sky, forced to rip itself apart
Flames and blood-colored light burst outward, devouring the mist, the ground, everything that came too close.
Alicia slammed her staff into the earth. The lantern hanging from its tip swung wildly, its blue flame flaring fiercely.
"Stacia! The first barrier's cracking!" she shouted over the rumble.
