A gateway like this could yield countless monsters, yet it was only a preliminary test. Larger, more lethal gates could eventually emerge, each more catastrophic than the last.
"This time," he muttered to himself, "I'll be ready."
He'd already called for Ez's support through their bond, but he didn't intend to wait. He scanned the scene once more, watching as the guards distracted the trolls with haphazard strikes that barely dented their thick hides. It was all he needed to make his move. With a burst of speed, Gates launched forward, slipping through the chaos, and sprinting directly toward the flames.
The fire felt surprisingly mild as he drew closer, nothing like the searing agony he'd seen it inflict on the bystanders. The green glow enveloped him, a warmth more inviting than destructive, though it made his instincts prick with unease. This shouldn't feel welcoming, he thought, stepping closer to the flames. Not in a place like this.
