(A couple of hours in the past, on the other side of the portal taken by Desmond.)
Desmond's body was subjected to a world of pain as soon as he stepped foot on the other side of the portal. It was as if gravity was a hundred times stronger, space denser, and the natural energy around him too intense. Barely taking a couple of breaths, Desmond's lungs began to burn from the absurd concentration of fire mana in the atmosphere.
Instinctively, Desmond released his bloodline, strengthening his body enough with the transformation to bear opening his eyes, and looking around him. A world on fire would be the best way to describe what Desmond saw.
Contrary to what one would imagine when hearing the phrase, a world on fire, the scenery in front of Desmond was not one of destruction or anything like it. On the contrary, the landscape itself was incredibly beautiful, albeit in a way that was strange and alien to a normal person.
