The gelatin sensation passed, and suddenly my lungs stopped working.
Not because of panic. Because the air itself felt wrong.
Thick. Heavy. Like breathing through wet cotton soaked in copper and ozone. I coughed once, twice, my chest heaving as my body tried to figure out what the fuck was happening.
"Easy," Misato said from somewhere ahead. "First-time gate shock. Your body's adjusting to the mana density. Breathe through your nose, out through your mouth. Slow."
I followed her instructions and the pressure eased. My vision cleared.
And I saw where we were.
"Holy shit."
The words came out before I could stop them.
