章 14: Into the Void

Alex stood frozen, their mind struggling to comprehend what had just happened. Jim was gone—swallowed by the shadows, taken into the void beyond the archway. A suffocating emptiness filled the chamber, and the silence was unbearable, pressing down on them from all sides.

Their legs trembled as they backed away from the arch, but no matter how far they tried to distance themselves from it, the pull of the void was magnetic. It seemed to beckon them closer, whispering promises of answers—but at what cost?

Alex's breath hitched, and for a brief second, they considered running. They had just seen the only person they trusted disappear into darkness—how could they possibly follow him? But then a memory of Shadow flashed before their eyes, trapped and lost in the same abyss. Leaving Jim behind was not an option. If they were going to find Shadow and save both of them, they would have to go in.

Alex swallowed their fear. "Jim… hold on. I'm coming."