The mechanical hiss of the Aegis-V suit faded entirely as the heavy plating slid open, releasing a cloud of stagnant, pressurized air into the hollow clearing. Elara's eyes cracked open, her pupils dilating rapidly as they adjusted to the oppressive, crimson hue bathing the ancient cavern. She didn't panic, nor did she scream. Her realization of where she was was instantaneous; the heavy, toxic gravity of planet Kraken was unmistakable to anyone who had crossed its threshold.
The only reason she had been unconscious in the first place was because she had stayed on this planet for a duration far exceeding the natural safety limits for a baseline human. The exposure had taken a catastrophic toll on her internal mana reserves, entirely draining her spiritual core to the point of near-collapse.
