Damon's heart sank for a second. He had a feeling that if this thing burns him, then not even a trace of him would be left behind. It would be as if he had never existed. But thankfully, everything simmered down. He was able to open his eyes and see.
In front of him was an ancient, broken forge suspended over an abyss of fire. Chains of flame erupted from the abyss and twisted around him, but they did not hurt him. A colossal anvil floated, fractured, scorched, part of its form fading into the void.
From within that anvil came a voice. It wasn't loud, yet it carried infinite weight, shaking his very soul.
"Bloodsucker… you do not possess the qualifications to stand in front of me."
Damon stood frozen, unable to move even a muscle.
