Instantly, the tense crowd widened their eyes in disbelief.
The sudden opening of the ancient gate shattered the fragile balance holding fear and greed in check.
Many awakeners instinctively shifted their footing, bodies angled away from the gate, already preparing to flee from the rising sense of danger clawing at their instincts.
But now.
Everything changed.
Whoosh!
Before anyone else could react, a group surged forward.
Their movements were sharp and decisive, their speed startlingly swift.
In the blink of an eye, they crossed the threshold and vanished into the ancient gate as if swallowed whole.
"Let's go!" someone shouted.
The cry acted like a spark thrown into dry tinder.
Immediately, the crowd erupted into motion.
People began rushing toward the ancient gate in a chaotic flood, fear momentarily forgotten as greed took over.
