Meanwhile, outside the ship in the forest clearing, several groups from different factions had already gathered.
They stood at various distances around the massive portal at the center of the clearing. The surrounding trees had been pushed back many days before and, in recent days, attendants from various factions had further cleared the area. Despite the large number of people present, the space remained very orderly. A wide open field surrounded the portal, and the ground beneath it had been reinforced with layered formations.
At the moment, the portal itself trembled.
Ripples of unstable spatial energy spread across its surface like disturbed water. The circular gateway that had once appeared stable now flickered repeatedly, its edges distorting as though they were slowly being torn apart from the inside.
The gathered figures watched in silence.
Some stood with their arms folded.
Others whispered quietly among themselves.
