Consciousness returned to Marcus slowly, like wading through a thick fog. He blinked, his vision gradually coming into focus. Above him, a familiar face swam into view – Rylee, her brow furrowed with concern.

Bryce moved quickly through the brush, heading directly west, and he set a pace fast enough that Gregory was struggling to catch up. He was panting from the exertion and wanted to ask for a break to catch his breath.

The world exploded into a cacophony of light and sound as Marcus and the team plunged into the swirling vortex. He felt as if he were being torn apart and reassembled, his very essence scattered across time and space.

As soon as they saw the smoke, Gregory felt the prince tense up next to him. Bryce was on edge, clearly affected, though his face was calm and devoid of all emotions. They stopped walking and stood in a clearing, watching the smoke filter into the clouds.

As they made their way through the frozen outpost, Marcus couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The motionless figures around them seemed to stare with unseeing eyes, their faces caught in expressions of surprise, fear, or determination. "Do you think they can see us?"

“We need to keep moving,” Bryce said.

"What was that?" Marcus asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Rylee shook her head, her expression grim behind her helmet visor. "I don't know, but we need to move. Now."

Bryce nodded, then stretched and motioned to the guard with his manacled hands. The man seemed annoyed but didn’t object when Bryce stood and started walking into the forest. They disappeared into the foliage, and Gregory thought again of how arrogant these men were.

As the shuttle descended through the planet's atmosphere, the team huddled around the viewscreen, their expressions a mix of anticipation and dread. The swirling clouds parted, revealing a landscape that sent a collective shudder through the crew.