Crossing the Abyssal Gate felt like plunging through a storm of light and shadow. The swirling energies pulled at Daniel and Mira, disorienting their senses. For a brief moment, there was silence—absolute, crushing silence—before the world reassembled itself around them.
They emerged into a realm of eerie beauty. The water here was a deep, ethereal blue, shimmering with threads of bioluminescent light that wove intricate patterns in the currents. Strange coral formations spiraled upward like towers, their surfaces glimmering with crystalline growths. Yet, despite the breathtaking scenery, an oppressive weight lingered in the water, pressing against their scales.
"This place…" Mira whispered, her voice barely audible. "It's alive."
Daniel shivered, glancing around nervously. "Alive how?"
"Not like us," she said, scanning their surroundings. "It's... watching."
The system chimed in its neutral tone:
[New Layer Reached: Abyssal Veil.]