Around them, the Abyss felt alive. The air shifted constantly, carrying whispers that may or may not have been real. Shadows elongated unnaturally across the rocks, and every few moments, a faint roar or screech echoed from the distance—beasts moving through the thick mist.
Some were clearly massive, judging by the vibrations in the ground. Others moved with uncanny speed, their shapes vanishing before she could focus.
Veronica gulped. This place… it was no man's land.
"Focus," Raen said calmly, though his golden eyes scanned their surroundings like a hawk. "Our priority is to secure the artifact. Stay alert. Everything else comes second."
Seraphina's voice suddenly sliced through the tension like a dagger. "We don't have time to babysit. If you know you'll only drag us down, do us all a favor and use your token now. Losing one weakling won't change the outcome."
Her cold gaze settled directly on Veronica.
Veronica blinked. Wait… was she seriously talking about her?
