The moment they stepped through the portal, the world around them changed.
A gust of freezing wind slammed into their faces.
Aeres: "Ugh! It's freezing! Are we in the Arctic or something? W-Wait, Ka—LOOK OUT!!"
A mage in a black cloak hurled a blast of ice magic at Kyle, but he dodged it just in time and sprinted after the attacker. The mage disappeared into the mist, vanishing without a trace.
Riven: "Was that an ice-type mage?"
Aeres: "Yeah, definitely. Why? Something wrong?"
Riven: "No… Nothing."
Kyle gave him a quick glance.
He's hiding something… but now's not the time....
Kyle: "Let's just keep moving until we figure out what's going on."
The cold pressed in on them. Tension built with every step they took.
Then, —
"Riven struck from behind.
A blade aimed straight at Kyle's back—
But a glowing shield snapped into place just in time, conjured by Aeres with a desperate chant."
*Kyle stumbled back, heart pounding—not from the attack, but from the betrayal.* "What the hell are you doing, Riven?! We're friends!"
*Riven stared at him, grinning wide* "Friends?"
He stepped forward, eyes cold, and said, "You really don't get it, do you?"