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  Teaser:

  To claim I merely loathe portal travel would not capture the full extent of my disdain. The ordeal of near-instant transport from one glaringly bright city to another is already more than enough, yet plunging into a world as dark and engulfing as the Umbradorn amplifies this aversion. Coupled with the unfortunate decision to indulge in wine beforehand—a choice that led to immediate regret—I was thrust with a jarring thud from the portal into complete darkness, my landing softened only by what felt like damp earth.

  I hit the ground with such force that it knocked the breath from my lungs. I rolled to my side, gasping in a desperate attempt to breathe. A rising panic started to claw at me as the encompassing pitch blackness and the sound of my own labored breathing filled my ears, starkly reminiscent of the time I was confined in Killian’s tomb. Terror constricted my chest, trapping me once again in the memory of that silent, dark crypt. Hot tears carved their way down my cheeks. "WAKE UP!" I screamed silently into the void of my mind. Forcing myself to inhale sharply, the cold, earthy air rushed into my lungs, a cruel yet welcome relief. I continued to draw in breath after breath, greedily filling my lungs as if they could never be full enough.

  I felt a touch on my back, a gentle pat, and then calming sounds replaced the harshness of my labored breathing. “Open your eyes, Kieran. You’ve already remembered how to breathe; now, just open your eyes,” Lyra’s voice was soft, infused with kindness. Could it really be that simple? Had I clenched my eyes shut without realizing? I took a few more deep breaths before cautiously opening one eye, then the other. As my vision began to adjust, I could see the dim glow of the surrounding flora that illuminated the vast cavern around us.

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  “Take your time,” Lyra urged with gentle patience. “It was a rough landing for all of us. I think Alexander is still recovering bent over some rocks, and Mylena lost consciousness for a moment.” I glanced around at the others; indeed, they all seemed battered by the ordeal. Emre looked unusually green, even for her, and Rhys was pacing back and forth, hands on her hips, occasionally stopping to bend over and catch her breath. Looking up at Lyra, I saw her face was etched with concern; she was slightly pale, and her forehead glistened with sweat.

  I reached up and gently pushed aside a stray curl from Lyra's face, one that always seemed determined to be out of place. When she smiled, I returned it with one of my own, finding a moment of lightness amidst the discomfort.

  “I don’t understand, traveling through a portal is, well, not always the most pleasant, but to affect everyone like this, is that normal?” I asked her.

  “Aradia is infamous for holding grudges,” Corran chimed in, his voice strained as he clutched his side. “She might seem sweet and helpful, but make no mistake, that woman has the makings of a true devil. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a hand in our rough landing.”

  “Remind me, to steer clear of your past conquests in the future.” I grimaced slowly rising to my feet. As I regained my bearings, I took in the vast, shadowy expanse of the Umbradorn around us. This subterranean world was alive with radiant flora that pierced the overwhelming darkness. The cavern spread out before us, punctuated by towering stalagmites and stalactites, conjuring an eerie and foreboding atmosphere. The gentle glow of mushrooms in hues of orange, red, and blue cast a soft light, illuminating the otherwise pitch-black environment.