Mage Ray paced anxiously back and forth at the entrance of the Dungeon gate. His eyes darted toward the massive tree with its swirling portal, now a disturbing crimson hue instead of its usual calming blue.
Every passing minute felt like an eternity, his mind consumed with worry about the candidates trapped inside. What is happening in there? The question gnawed at him. It had already been two hours since he'd sent the spirit bird to the Earl, yet no word had come back. He could only hope that the bird had made it and that help was on the way.
