Kyle's eyes opened slowly, blinking against a dull red glow that filled the sky.
A throbbing ache pulsed at the back of his head.
His limbs felt heavy, like he'd been crushed under rubble.
Groaning softly. He pushed himself upright and clutched his head, trying to gather his thoughts.
His memory was foggy, scattered.
But then. Like a dam breaking. The memory returned.
The dungeon.
The gate.
How it had turned pitch black in the middle of activation…
How the swirling vortex had pulled him and the others in.
His breath caught.
He looked around, and immediately froze.
Just a few feet away. A corpse lay sprawled on the dirt.
Its black armor cracked. Dark blood dried across the breastplate.
The knight's helmet had rolled off, and the man's lifeless eyes stared blankly at the sky.
Kyle scrambled backward in alarm. His hand brushing against cold, cracked stone.
His heart pounded in his ears. Where were they?
