The declaration spread like wildfire. More and more people turned toward the trench, their expressions shifting from terror to disbelief. Shouts rang out from every direction.
"A portal?"
"Impossible, there weren't supposed to be portals here!"
"What the hell is going on!?"
The already panicked mob dissolved further into disorder.
Some players instinctively backed away, dragging friends with them as though the spiral itself would leap out and consume them.
Others whispered to each other in frantic tones, trying to piece together how the glowing trench had appeared.
Riley stood at the edge of the chaos, watching with narrowed eyes.
The yellow glow from the trench hadn't even begun to fade when a series of sharp, digital tones rang out in the minds and vision of every player present.
Notifications appeared, hovering in the air like solid, luminous objects, their edges flickering against the darkened sky.
