Magnus stood at the precipice of the Abyssal Trench, the wind howling around him as if the ocean itself was warning him away.
But there was no turning back. He had faced death before, walked through horrors that would have shattered lesser men. This was simply the next trial.
He took a steadying breath, the cold air biting into his lungs. His grip tightened on his staff as he whispered an incantation, weaving protective wards around his body.
The blue runes flickered along his skin, glowing faintly before settling into an invisible barrier. Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward.
The moment his foot broke the surface, the ocean swallowed him whole.
Darkness engulfed him instantly. The weight of the water pressed against his body, but his spells held, allowing him to move freely despite the crushing depth.
The deeper he sank, the colder it became. Shadows shifted around him, twisting unnaturally. Something was watching him.
