He stepped onto the array plate, glanced back at the crowd, his lips curving slightly, and then disappeared into the light curtain.
"Vera."
Vera took a deep breath and stepped onto the Teleportation Array.
Her back was cool and resolute, and in the instant the light curtain engulfed her, Duke saw her slightly turn her head, as if checking something.
...
"Duke."
The old man's voice came from the front.
Duke stepped forward, passed through the giant array plate, and onto the silver-white metallic surface.
The runes beneath his feet glowed faintly, and a warm energy surged up from the soles.
Light illuminated, swallowing everything.
The blue light dissipated, and Duke's feet landed on the soft ground.
He opened his eyes and looked around.
This was an endless expanse of barren landscape.
Grey-brown gravel covered the earth, stretching to the horizon.
A grey-white sun hung in the sky, its light dim, as if viewed through thick frosted glass.
