The vortex of light spun steadily at the heart of the Transit Gate.
Its power swelled by the second.
Growing more unstable with each rotation.
Pale blue-white light flooded the entire room.
Bouncing off ancient metal walls that had remained hidden for five hundred years.
Not a single word was spoken.
Every eye was fixed on the figure slowly emerging from within the gate.
The silhouette sharpened.
Became solid.
Step by deliberate step.
Until at last his feet touched the floor of the core facility.
Absolute silence descended.
The man was tall.
Long black hair fell past his shoulders.
A dark cloak draped over most of his frame.
And his eyes...
Bright silver orbs that gleamed like molten metal.
His gaze swept across the room in an instant.
Passed Ragnar.
Passed Kael.
Passed Orion.
Then settled on Aurelia.
For a moment that stretched too long.
No emotion touched his face.
Then slowly...
The man let out a long breath.
