Falling into the steamy abyss below, Finn felt the blast furnace heat rush against his skin. Flames churned beneath him, smoke coiling like grasping fingers.
He couldn't believe it. 'This is how I die? Cooked alive inside some disgusting monster's throat?
What the hell…'
Time seemed to slow, stretching out just for him, as if the universe itself wanted to savor his suffering—mock him before the end.
The smoky, fire-filled pit rose to meet him. His body tensed, ready for the burn, when suddenly—
A soft golden glow flickered beneath him.
Then it grew brighter. Brighter. Until—
KABOOOOOM!
A massive explosion tore through the chamber below, a tidal wave of golden light swallowing him whole. Finn's body was hurled upward as if caught in a divine cannon blast.
The searing heat vanished, replaced by a rushing gale. Air slapped his face, whistling past his ears. Dazed, he pried his eyes open—and froze.
Above him stretched the open sky.
