Once everyone was seated and buckled in, the craft lifted off with a soft whoosh, rising above the treeline and circling upward.
Within a few minutes, the chopper touched down on a flat helipad carved directly into the mountain's upper ridge.
And there it was: A massive blue-and-violet portal, swirling like liquid starlight and suspended in the air.
At the ridge, three people stood waiting.
Two of them wore dark hooded jackets over battle armor, their faces hidden behind tactical helmets with visors. Quiet. Observant. One held a long rifle, the other carried a set of chains.
Between them stood a woman with a confident posture and chin raised slightly. She had dyed blue hair, streaked with silver at the tips, and wore a sleeveless black coat over tight tactical pants. A lip piercing and jet-black lipstick accentuated her wild charm.
