The teleportation hall was a vast, cold chamber deep below the guild. The air reeked of incense and burnt herbs, and blue flames flickered along the walls.
Ashen followed the group to their assigned platform — a stone slab etched with glowing runes that pulsed like a heartbeat.
"Stay close," Jax said, rolling his shoulders. "Teleportation can be rough."
Lyra stepped onto the platform first, her bow strapped to her back. Nina clung to Lyra, her fingers trembling. Jax took his place beside them, his steel arms gleaming in the dim light.
Ashen hesitated before stepping onto the platform. The runes beneath his feet flared, casting dancing shadows across the walls.
The mage at the edge of the platform raised his hand. "Destination: Hollowcrest."
Nina shivered. "I don't feel right about this."
Jax forced a grin. "The guild master said it's just F-rank monsters. We'll be back before nightfall."
Nina nodded, her eyes glued to the floor.
A surge of light swallowed them. The world spun, the ground dropped away, and for a moment, Ashen felt like he was falling through a void.