The light bled away from Asher's vision, and when it settled, he found himself standing in the center of a massive hall. The floor stretched endlessly, polished like obsidian glass, while colossal pillars carved from starlight rose high into the unseen ceiling. The very air trembled with layered voices, echoes of power gathered from countless realms.
Asher's gaze shifted. Figures lined the edges of the hall—some alien in form, some beast-like with horns, scales, or wings, and some unmistakably human. Their eyes locked on him the moment he appeared, and in those gazes lingered awe, caution, and in some cases, envy.
One of the humans, draped in silver robes embroidered with galaxies, stepped forward. His voice carried authority yet also a strange reverence.
"Another one… another human. Great. We have gained another."
The hall rippled with murmurs, and Asher tilted his head slightly, his crimson eyes catching the faint reflection of their curiosity.
