But maybe Riley was mistaken in thinking the guardians would be any better.
Because when he remembered how they had looked at him before—like they were deciding whether to eat him whole or just nibble a bit—he realized something unpleasant.
They still looked like that.
Like right now.
Thyrran, the giant serpent guardian, slithered forward with the grace of a nightmare. Its scales were a glossy, pitch-black sheen that seemed to swallow light, and the way it circled Riley was far too reminiscent of a king cobra eyeing a particularly confused mouse. It was just that this guy was far, far bigger than just a king cobra, and Riley didn't happen to have the audacity of a mouse.
The unfortunate semi-mouse stood completely still.
Completely.
He had been in this situation before. He had faced Thyrran. He had survived Thyrran. But back then, he had not volunteered. Back then, he had not raised his hand like a delusional overachiever and said he wanted to meet the guardians early.
