Frantic to adhere to the Headmaster's command, the Elders ceased their mana infusion into the portal. Yet, their actions came too late.
The once pink and stable gateway suddenly began to mutate horrifically. Its bubbling energies darkened to a sinister red, like drops of blood in an alchemist's potion. This transformation signaled the abyss's malevolent takeover, turning the portal into a bleeding wound in the fabric of reality. It's edges bled and tendrils appeared. The portal turned into the familiar eye shape Lassim had just witnessed.
Headmaster Ferrum's voice boomed across the courtyard with a command that carried the weight of impending doom, "Get the students to safety, now!" His order sliced through the confusion, but the surge of demonic entities from the portal gave no one time to respond.
