Passing into the next realm felt more like tumbling. Seas of purple and black with twinkling stars melted into burning red.

The landscape melted away from cold mountains to something wet, humid and hot. Every breath they drew felt wet and muggy in their lungs.

They had barely begun to navigate the rocky slopes of the East Wall and Aven’s fingers were already numb.

Marcello couldn’t move. He could only stare helplessly as the Crinti circled around them, the moonlight reflecting off of their ebon skin.

For three days, from dawn until dusk, Lucian trained with Aven. They studied, all the way from the basics to the most advanced techniques.