Suddenly, the entrance behind me slammed shut with an ominous finality, the sound reverberating through the celestial chamber. My chest tightened.
I was trapped.
It was either I was going home, or I was going to die here.
Can I actually trust this beast? My thoughts raced, spiraling into doubt. The elder's calm demeanor only added to the tension, making it impossible to gauge his true intentions. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was placing my fate in the hands of a stranger.
This wasn't the perfect decision—I knew that.
But what else could I do right now?
"I'm ready," I nodded, my voice steady despite the unease crawling up my spine. The old rat smiled faintly, his wrinkled face betraying the faintest hint of amusement.
In the next moment, the stars above us began to rotate, spiraling in an intricate, mesmerizing dance. The entire chamber transformed into what felt like a massive, celestial tunnel, its vastness both beautiful and suffocating.
