Eccar and the other stood before the portal, the view beyond its shimring surface ca into sharper focus. The landscape on the other side was bleak and foreboding. They can see a scorched wasteland stretched into the distance that pocked with burning embers and dusted with drifting ash.
The sky lood dark and looked oppressive, casting a grim shadow over everything beneath it. Eccar who positioned directly in front of the portal, took it all in with a heavy heart. Even Saeldir and his apprentices who were used to unusual sights grimaced at the bleak scene.
Elena, noticing their expressions, managed a sad smile. "Yes," she said quietly. "That is our world."
Saeldir looked at Elena, then at Darek and Tovan, his expression softening. "We will do our best," he said. Then he turned back to Eccar, his gaze steady. "Are you ready?"
Eccar nodded, his voice firm when he said again. "Ready as I'll ever be."
With that, Eccar stepped forward, followed by Elena, Darek, and Tovan. As he crossed the threshold of the interdinsional portal he felt a sickening, twisting sensation. This is worse than any portal he'd passed through before.
A searing jolt ran through him like a wave of nausea and pressure rolled into one, forcing a low grunt from his lips. Monts later, they landed heavily on the other side, disoriented and sprawled across the ground.
Eccar blinked, his vision clearing to reveal a trench filled with dark, powdery ash that fell steadily from the sky, coating everything in a blackened haze. The air was thick and heavy and even felt nearly choking, but Eccar forced himself to breathe through it and pushing down the discomfort. This is not a big problem for him who have breathed the air of Chaos Realms for hundreds of years.
This was no exaggeration of what they'd described, though. The grim reality of their world settled around him like a weight.
Around him, Elena, Darek, and Tovan struggled to sit up, wincing as they adjusted to the harsh atmosphere.
Eccar grunted, his voice low but reassuring. "Looks like we're arrived. Let's find so cover and figure out our next move."
The group steadied themselves as best they could on the uneven and ash-laden ground.
Darek squinting through the swirling dust and muttered, "This is… outside?" His voice was laced with disbelief, his disorientation the sa in Elena and Tovan's face.
"Yes, but nothing seems out of ordinary," Eccar replied, scanning the wasteland for any sign of shelter or safety or enemy.
"It doesn't matter," Tovan interrupted urgently, forcing himself to stand despite the discomfort. "They'll know where we are now. We've got to move!"
"That's right, Lord Dragonborn. This place is dangerous. They will co soon," Elena said with tense expression and nodded toward Eccar.
Eccar sighed, surprise flickering across his face. He don't know that they will be eting enemies so soon.
"All right then. Let's get moving. Lead the way to your ho," Eccar said.
The three natives people pushed themselves to their feet while gathering their dissoriented thoughts. But as they took in the bleak surroundings, a shadow of fear darkened their faces.
They exchanged glances, hesitant, as if the landscape itself had changed into sothing unrecognizable.
"This place…" Elena said softly, glancing uneasily around. "We don't know where we are."
Eccar raised an eyebrow, his tone sharp with concern. "What do you an?"
Tovan grimaced, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting danger to appear out of the smoke.
"We're deep in enemy territory, my Lord. This region is well within the invaders' control," Tovan said.
"Great," Eccar muttered under his breath. "Looks like Saeldir didn't land us exactly on target."
A sudden, sharp whirring sound split the air, cutting through the oppressive silence. Instinctively, they all looked up then imdiately spotting a sleek black aircraft hovering above. Its form cutting a nacing silhouette against the smoky sky. It began a slow descent, the whirring growing louder as it settled just ters away.
"It's them!" Elena's voice trembled, her gaze fixed on the descending craft. "They've found us!"
"The invaders?" Eccar asked, his voice calm but sharp as he watched the craft intently.
"Yes," Elena whispered, her face pale. "What should we do?"
Eccar glanced back at the three, a smirk tugging at his lips despite the danger. "You said you don't recognize this place, right? Maybe we should ask for directions."
Elena, Darek, and Tovan stared at him, dumbfounded by his audacity. But before they could protest, the aircraft's door hissed open and four figures stepped out in smooth pristine black armor that shimred with alien technology. The soldiers moved with sharp precision, their weapons gleaming as they advanced.
Eccar held his ground, his eyes narrowing as he assessed their opponents.
"Stay close," he murmured to the others, his tone steely. "And follow my lead."
The soldiers paused a few paces away, their faces hidden behind visors. One of them, seemingly the leader, gestured toward Eccar's group, their voice coming through a voice modulator, cold and tallic.
"Halt. Identify yourselves," the soldier demanded, raising a blaster to emphasize the command.
Eccar t the soldier's gaze unflinchingly, his voice steady.
"Just travelers looking for a way ho." He gave a faint, sardonic smile. "You wouldn't happen to know the quickest route out of here, would you?"
A tense silence followed, the soldiers clearly unfazed by Eccar's humor. The leader's helted head tilted slightly, a hint of curiosity or confusion in their body language. But the silence was broken by one of the soldiers who muttered sothing in a language that Eccar couldn't understand, prompting the leader to tighten their grip on the weapon.
"The natives… I suggest you surrender," the leader said, their tone darkening. "Any resistance will be t with imdiate force."
Eccar exchanged a quick look with Elena, Darek, and Tovan, their expressions hardening. A shared understanding passed between them, a silent agreent. They would need to fight soon.
"Guess we'll have to pass on that suggestion," Eccar said and said to the three. "Hope you're ready."
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