Chapter 39: Beyond the Portal's Threshold

The world twisted and warped around them, colors blurring and sounds blending into a dissonant symphony. Eliana squeezed her eyes shut, her stomach lurching as the sensation of falling through an endless void threatened to overwhelm her. Then, just as suddenly as it began, the chaos ceased.

She opened her eyes, blinking against the harsh, unfamiliar light that assaulted her vision. The demon realm was a stark contrast to the gentle hues and familiar landscapes of Eldoria. Jagged, obsidian spires pierced a blood-red sky, casting long, ominous shadows across a barren wasteland. The air crackled with an unseen energy, a palpable tension that hummed beneath the surface. The scent of sulfur and brimstone hung heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid tang of decaying vegetation.