Chapter 58: The guardian at the last gate

As Zafron and Thera emerged from the Labyrinth of Vanity, the world around them shifted dramatically. The shimmering mirrors and twisting corridors dissolved, giving way to a vast, featureless white expanse. The transition was so abrupt that Zafron stumbled, momentarily disoriented.

"Are you alright, my lord?" Thera's concerned voice anchored him back to reality.

Zafron blinked, his eyes struggling to adjust to the stark whiteness. "Yes, I'm fine," he assured her, straightening up. "But where are we?"

The void stretched in every direction, no discernible horizon or landmarks to guide them. The ground beneath their feet felt solid, yet it was indistinguishable from the air around them. An eerie silence enveloped them, broken only by the sound of their breathing.

"The white plane," Thera whispered, her voice tinged with awe and fear. "The final gate."