The abyss whispered beneath the ruined archway. Its darkness shifted like a living throat waiting to swallow anything foolish enough to enter.
Lucien stood beside the gathered factions, gazing into the fathomless void. Before he could risk any plan, he needed one final confirmation.
He turned.
"Marie, did you try making an earth bridge?"
Marie shook her head in a grimace.
"I did. It lasted only a second. The moment it formed, something… ate it?"
Lucien nodded, unsurprised.
"Thought so."
He crouched down.
He plucked a pebble from the ground and then... he flicked it into the darkness.
The abyss did not echo.
The pebble vanished as if something erased it from existence.
Lucien's eyes narrowed.
He picked another pebble. He channeled more strength into his arm and hurled it at incredible speed.
For a single heartbeat, the pebble streaked like a comet.
Then—
Gulp.
It vanished again… but not instantly.
