The tunnel was a claustrophobic nightmare. Eren pressed his back against the rough stone wall, the flickering light from his makeshift torch casting grotesque shadows that danced around him. Every creak, every groan of the ancient structure sent shivers down his spine.
He navigated the uneven path, his boots crunching on loose rock and damp earth. The air grew thick with the stench of decay and something else, something metallic and unnatural. The closer he got, the stronger the metallic tang became, a chilling reminder of the monstrous creature lurking above.
Suddenly, the tunnel took a sharp turn, and Eren stumbled forward, scraping his hand on the rough stone wall. A hiss escaped his lips, the sound echoing through the oppressive silence. He froze, his heart pounding against his ribs. Did something hear him?
Straining his ears, he could make out a faint dripping sound, like water trickling through cracks in the stone. Relief washed over him. Just his imagination playing tricks, he thought.
He continued his trek, the tunnel seemingly endless. Doubt gnawed at his resolve. Was he even going in the right direction? Had L misinterpreted the map?
Just as despair threatened to engulf him, he spotted a faint glimmer ahead. Hope surged through him. Could it be the passage? He quickened his pace, his muscles burning with exertion.
As he rounded the final bend, the tunnel opened into a small, circular chamber. In the center, bathed in an ethereal blue light, stood a swirling vortex of energy. The celestial symbol from the map pulsed above the vortex, its intricate lines glowing with an otherworldly power.
This was it. The passage.
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Eren's breath caught in his throat. Relief battled with a surge of apprehension. Was this portal the key to freedom, or simply another trap set by Deus?
He cautiously approached the swirling vortex, the energy crackling faintly as he drew near. He could almost feel a pull, a beckoning from beyond.
A loud rumble echoed through the tunnel behind him, sending a jolt of fear through him. The creature. It had broken through Lucy and L's defenses. He had to act fast.
With a deep breath, Eren stepped through the swirling vortex. The world dissolved into a blinding flash of blue light. The deafening roar of the creature faded, replaced by an unsettling silence.
When his vision cleared, he found himself standing in a lush meadow bathed in the warm glow of a setting sun. The air was crisp and clean, a stark contrast to the stale, oppressive atmosphere of the arena.
Eren looked around, his heart pounding with a mixture of relief and uncertainty. He was no longer in the arena, that much was clear. But where was he? Was this his world, or some other unknown realm?
A soft voice startled him. "Eren?"
He spun around to see Lucy standing behind him, a bewildered expression on her face. "Lucy! You made it!" He rushed towards her, engulfing her in a tight embrace.
Relief washed over him, so intense it almost brought him to his knees. Lucy clung to him, her body trembling slightly.
"Where are we?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Eren shook his head, unable to answer. He had no idea. All he knew was that they were no longer in the arena, and they were together.
But their escape was far from over. They had left L behind, and the question of where they had landed hung heavy in the air. This new world, beautiful though it seemed, might hold dangers of its own.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the meadow, Eren and Lucy knew their fight for survival had only just begun.