Andrey stood at the edge of the jagged cliff, the heat from the lava river below rising in waves that distorted the air. His hand rested on the hilt of his katana, but his mind was elsewhere, reaching for the familiar presence that had guided them through so many battles.
'System,' he called silently. 'Can you hear me?'
Nothing. Not the usual chime, not the cheerful holographic screen, not even the faint pulse of the connection he had grown accustomed to.
He tried again. 'System. Status report.'
Silence.
Andrey's expression tightened. He reached deeper, pushing past the surface layer of his consciousness, searching for any trace of the system's presence. There was nothing. Just the oppressive weight of the demon's domain pressing down on him.
His internal thoughts churned, 'This gate is different. It's blocking the connection entirely. That's never happened before. What kind of place did that demon drag us into?'
"Andrey!"
