---
The cavern shook faintly as the last obsidian block slotted into place. Ruby gemstones embedded at the arch's crown pulsed with firelight, glowing hotter and hotter until the entire frame hummed with an otherworldly vibration. The surface inside the obsidian gate rippled like molten glass, a swirling red and black spiral that churned with heat.
"Portal's stable," Riven muttered, brushing soot from his sleeve. Goldie flicked her tail, eyes glowing faintly, as though she were both approving and warning at the same time.
Then, without ceremony, Aether stepped forward. His blonde hair was swept back neatly, expression calm and unreadable. The iron chestplate he wore clinked softly against the massive broadsword on his back. One step, then two—he disappeared into the swirl.
The portal pulsed. Silence.
Then his voice echoed back through a communicator stone:
"Atmosphere stable. High fire concentration. Visibility clear… for now." A pause. "The land is… immense."
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances.
Aether's image flickered back into sight just beyond the portal, standing on cracked obsidian ground where scarlet trees shimmered like molten glass under a blazing red sky. Behind him, glowing rivers of lava wound their way between jagged cliffs, while glittering embers drifted lazily like fireflies.
"Report's good," he said simply. "It's safe enough. For the prepared."
---
One by one, they stepped through.
Oliver first, the familiar tug of portal magic pulling at his body until he stumbled into Avernal. Heat slammed into him instantly—suffocating, heavy, dry. He squinted against the burning glow. For a brief second, he thought of Earth summers, heat waves on cracked sidewalks, but no… this was alive, this heat breathed like a beast.
The sky stretched above in a constant twilight of red and orange, veins of Vita-light streaking across like glimmering lightning frozen in place. Even the trees here looked wrong—red leaves glowing faintly, their bark black and pulsing as if each trunk held embers within.
"Welcome to hell," Oliver muttered.
---
Garrick Ironhart stumbled in right after him, coughing loudly, clutching the straps of his pack. His blonde hair clung to his forehead instantly with sweat. "Ugh, it's like being shoved in a forge. My beard's gonna singe clean off!"
He tried to fan himself with his hand, but gave up, dropping his gear onto the ground with a clang.
---
Nico Finnikin Faelwyn came through with far more energy, his flames already dancing at his fingertips, his grin wide and reckless. "Ohhh, this is perfect. A place made for me. Finally, a realm that matches my style."
He flicked a fireball absentmindedly toward a nearby stone—it hissed and melted at the edges. Nico laughed.
"Show-off," Garrick muttered.
---
Zack Erebus emerged soundlessly. His black cloak rippled faintly as he adjusted the scabbard at his hip. His crimson eyes flicked to the glowing treeline, the ash drifting from the sky, the cracks beneath their feet glowing faintly with magma.
"Careful," he said simply. "Places like this don't just test strength. They test patience."
No one argued with him.
---
And last of the newcomers came Anne, the shy summoner girl. She clutched her staff with both hands, knuckles white, her hood drawn low to hide most of her face. The small summon spirit hovering near her shoulder—a translucent fox-shaped wisp—flickered nervously at the overwhelming fire Vita in the air.
Anne's voice was barely audible. "It's… really hot."
Oliver gave her a nod, trying to be reassuring. "Stay close. Don't wander."
She nodded quickly, shrinking even smaller into her cloak.
---
The group gathered, staring out across Avernal's vast expanse. Lava seas stretched into the horizon, bubbling and steaming, divided by black stone ridges that rose like scars. In the distance, towers of twisted obsidian jutted up like teeth. Every gust of wind carried sparks.
"This place…" Garrick muttered, tightening the straps on his gloves. "…is gonna kill us."
Oliver's grip tightened on his iron sword. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the shimmering red forest before them. "Then we'd better make sure it doesn't."
The first true step into Avernal had been taken. And the realm was watching.
---