"From the land of light, I ask for passage.
Grant me permission to the depths of the Abyss, where my Master holds dominion."
As the final words left my lips, the darkness in that corner stirred, shifting and folding in on itself. The black mass gradually aligned into the shape of a tall, foreboding door, from which dark mist began to spill into the room.
The weight of the magic could be felt even from where I stood. To any ordinary soul, this would feel like the very mouth of hell itself.
"It is done," I said, turning back toward the shaken men with a faint smile. "Now, we go in. After you."
"Wh-what?!" Valhugr shrieked, his voice cracking. "Will we even be alive after stepping through that ominous door?!"
"Lady Levina, please, lessen the punishment!" Vilskapa cried, his voice shaking as badly as his hands.
They were so rattled that they could barely move, so I walked to them, took each of their hands, and guided them forward.
