Yuki's group stepped through the shimmering portal and found themselves in a labyrinthine dungeon, its endless corridors lit only by the faint glow of ancient runes carved into cold stone walls. Every footstep echoed ominously in the oppressive silence.
"Why is it so quiet?" Serena whispered, clutching her wand tightly.
"It feels like something is watching us…" Kaito replied, his eyes scanning the shadows.
They pressed onward until they reached a vast chamber. In the center stood a massive black rock, its smooth surface pulsing with an unsettling energy. A low, steady hum filled the room, sending shivers down their spines.
"What do you think that is?" Sora asked, his voice wavering.
Before anyone could answer, the rock began to tremble. Cracks spread across its surface as dark energy gathered, swirling into a violent storm.
"Everyone, step back!" Kaito shouted.
In an instant, a surge of shadowy power burst from the rock and lunged at Yuki. The force wrapped around him in a thick, black aura. His eyes widened in shock before he collapsed onto the cold stone floor, unconscious.
"Yuki!" Serena cried, rushing to his side.
Kaito knelt beside him, panic evident in his tone. "This isn't normal magic… It's something forbidden!"
Sora pleaded, his voice barely audible, "Yuki, please wake up!"
The chamber fell into heavy silence as the dark aura slowly receded. Outside, the magical portal flickered and then closed, sealing the dreadful secret within the dungeon. Moments later, urgent shouts echoed through the corridors.
"Students, report in now!" a teacher's command rang out as a group of instructors burst into the chamber. Master Jin, an experienced teacher with worry etched on his face, knelt beside Yuki and murmured, "What dark magic is this?"
Serena looked up, desperation in her eyes. "Master Jin, what happened to him?"
Another teacher answered gravely, "No one has seen such power before. We must get him out of here immediately."
With utmost care, the teachers lifted Yuki and hurried him through the twisting corridors. Soon, the distant shouts of more instructors filled the air as they exited the dungeon and reached the academy. Finally, Yuki was rushed into the infirmary, where dim oil lamps cast soft, anxious light over his motionless form.
At his bedside, Serena gently held his hand and whispered, "Please, Yuki… wake up. We need you."
Kaito paced by the window, his voice low and determined, "I will find out what this means. We cannot lose him."
Sora's eyes filled with unshed tears as he murmured, "You've always been our strength. Please come back."