Trap master

The air shifted. A tangible silence pressed against Seth's ears as the swirling light of the dungeon's exit faded.

When his boots touched solid ground, it was as if the world held its breath as he greedily sucked in all the air into his lungs causing him to sneeze as the air also contained fine dust particles.

Around them stretched a forest, ancient and wild. Trees twisted skyward like contorted giants, their gnarled branches clawing at the dim, overcast sky.

The scent of damp earth mingled with something metallic, faintly unsettling.

Seth blinked, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Well," he muttered,

"It's no paradise."

Alex already sat on the forest floor leaning on a tree, clutching the small pendant Seth had crafted for him.

His face was pale, his breaths uneven.

"I'm fine," he said quickly, though his trembling hands betrayed him.

Malia frowned, her gaze shifting between Alex and the pendant.