Talia inhaled sharply.
"Easy… easy…", Axel's voice came from the side. "I'm here. We are safe."
Talia blinked to see a starry sky above her and the moon bathing her in its light.
She craned her neck to see smooth tall rocks arranged in a U-shaped formation, surrounding them from three sides, and an opening to a sparse forest on the fourth side. She was lying on the unkempt grass, and the air was fresh with the night breeze.
Cassandra was standing with her hands connecting behind her back and staring into the open space, and Axel was squatting next to Talia and observing her with a small frown on his face.
"What happened?", Talia asked Axel.
"You opened the portal.", Axel said. "We passed through."
It took her a few seconds to react. "We are in the realm of witches? Why is it night? How long was I out?"
"Slow down.", Axel said while pressing Talia's shoulder gently to keep her down.
