The new area stretched wide before us, the sky clear and bright, yet the ground was muddy and uneven, telling a different story.
Weirdly enough, dead trees stretched in every direction instead of the lush forest usually found in such wet ground, their trunks twisted and scarred, bark stripped bare of any sign of life.
Above them, layers of thick green webbing hung across the canopy, uneven and heavy.
Unlike the webs from the lower floors, these had a jelly-like texture, making them look like slimy palm fronds from a distance.
I crouched down and touched the ground. Whatever made this area wet was not water.
Frowning, I raised my hand.
"Everyone, helmets on. Now."
The team moved at once. Seals clicked shut, nano suits flowing upward to form visors and filtration masks.
A low vibration followed as the gears activated and adjusted to the environment.
