The doctor stood by his side holding two pistols, and a faint mist appeared on the barrels of the revolvers, with the chill in the air making his breath visible.
In front of them was an empty street, with some translucent, strange matter emerging from mid-air.
This matter seemed to slowly permeate the air, consuming the world like a living being.
The changes in the world were visible to the naked eye, and this was not a good sign.
For some reason, The Ancient One seemed a bit on the defensive now, which was something completely outside of Su Ming's memory; The Ancient One's strength was well-known.
"Your friend seems to be in trouble now."
Dr. Holloway looked up at the sky, where a gray and white vortex swirled like milk being stirred into coffee with a spoon.
Su Ming smiled and walked forward, carrying the Nightfall Greatsword on his shoulder: "Is it too late to say we're not that familiar?"
"Probably, but I think if we don't solve the problem, we can't go back." Holloway exhaled, turned his head, and signaled Su Ming to look behind.
They had just gotten out of the car at the street corner, only walking about ten meters, but now, looking back, they could only see mist; the world seemed divided, as if they were under a dome.
Seriously, are we playing Silent Hill?
Not expressing his inner complaint, Su Ming, instead, continued to hold the sword hilt and press forward, speaking in a very calm tone: "I anticipated this, whether it's Mirror Space or the world crossing point, those mystical things..."
This wasn't the first time Deathstroke encountered something like this; a warrior's path often allows for no retreat.
Even the most elite Tactical Master can't avoid it.
"Unfathomable phenomena." The doctor touched his mustache, lowered his head to check the ammunition in his gun, uncertain if myths and monsters were encountered, would guns be effective?
The sky now looked like a chessboard thrown into a meat grinder, with black and white merging into gray mud.
"Be prepared mentally, there are very few things in this world that can give her trouble. They must be big problems." Su Ming reminded the doctor, involving oneself in a battle between a Supreme Mage and an unknown entity is extremely dangerous.
"Remember, I'm a surgeon, my mental fortitude has always been good."
Su Ming didn't comment, knowing normal worldviews don't apply in the Magic Domain; he didn't want the doctor to see eerie things inside, subsequently losing his sanity.
They walked through the thin mist towards the New York Temple; the road beneath them became slippery, like a stone path covered in dew.
The monotonous footsteps echoed on the street, while the mist behind them devoured the path they had traversed.
"It's here, close your eyes."
Su Ming stood by the roadside, facing a wall made of red bricks.
"There's nothing here, and it feels like I've forgotten something important at home." Holloway frowned, fighting against the feeling inside.
Reason told him all important belongings were with him, revolvers and eyepatch, while the other previous possessions no longer mattered.
Yet, a voice in his mind kept reminding him to go home, to leave here.
"It's the effect of magic, maybe it's called the Muggle Exile Curse? Ahem, just close your eyes and follow me."
Su Ming had X Metal protecting his mind, so he didn't have thoughts of leaving, only unable to see the Holy Temple.
But his earliest brewery was here, ten meters underground; how could he mistake the place?
If the eyes deceive, then simply close them.
Dr. Holloway closed his eyes, but the desire to return home grew stronger, forcing him to reach out and hold onto Su Ming's shoulder.
The air nearby had a strange scent, reminiscent of a predator.
A bit fishy, with the stench of decaying organisms.
Su Ming grabbed the doctor's wrist, closed his eyes, and led him forward using his Spatial Perception Power, feeling as if he walked into chaos.
The space around squeezed him, though not forcefully, yet repelling him.
It was somewhat like the feeling when he broke into the World Barrier initially.
There was no time to ponder it carefully, but a few seconds later, his combat boots kicked a stone step, and upon opening his eyes, 117 Brick Street stood before him.
The building's appearance was similar to what was seen in films, with a large round skylight on the roof, walls full of age, some vines coiled around.
An ominous aura filled the place.
Dr. Holloway returned to normal, the layer of magic broken, all Illusionary Vision and hallucinations disappeared.
"Is what we see now real?"
"Should be, the surrounding physical phenomena align with perception, and there's no distinct change in temperature and humidity; for now, let's assume my plane and world haven't changed."
Su Ming drew the Godslayer, a versatile weapon beneficial for close-quarters battle, able to transform into a Shield when necessary to protect comrades.
Of course, wielding the Godslayer felt torturous, as its blood-thirsty will was constantly insatiable.
It served as a temptation for Su Ming himself.
Yet for now, it remains manageable...
"What world? Plane?"
Holloway was instantly confused again, realizing that his former life really was too simple.
"It's hard to explain quickly, let's talk later, follow along."
With reality being consumed, there's no time for explanations. With the Golden Scimitar in hand, he stepped onto the stairs first.
"Long-Handled Warhammer."
At that moment, the golden scimitar transformed into a massive Warhammer about two meters long. Under Holloway's surprised gaze, with a loud crash, the door of the New York Temple flew into the dark building like a severed kite.
Instantly, a pungent smell of blood filled the air; this was no longer how it appeared when Su Ming visited previously. Blood and innards covered it everywhere, some tattered clothes and remnants scattered around.
The surroundings and bookshelves were in disarray, many items had become severely damaged.
This was a battlefield, an unknown battlefield.
The scene was so grim that even Dr. Holloway gasped in astonishment.
His experience and keen eyesight quickly discerned that just in this hallway-like room alone, at least dozens had died; if the bleeding didn't cover the surrounding walls, it could surely fill half a swimming pool.
Moreover, the key point was, there were no complete corpses; if fifty died here, at least forty-nine and a half corpses were missing.
Not just flesh, bones were gone too.
"Was it attacked by some beast?"
Holloway too raised his gun and remained vigilant, as if something might emerge from the surrounding darkness.
Of course, Su Ming had no idea what trickery was inside; sometimes mages confine powerful Magic Creatures at home, maybe as Casting Materials, maybe imprisoning dangerous creatures.
Perhaps in a moment, you might pick up a lamp on the ground, rub it casually and make a Wish.
"Hopefully, it's just a beast, prepare yourself..."
Su Ming's response made Holloway swallow nervously; he admitted that when facing unknown realms, he started feeling a bit anxious.