When Adrian's gloved hand brushed against the cool surface of the magic crystal, an immediate jolt of pain ripped through his mind.
It wasn't a physical ache but a sharp, searing intrusion, as though a thousand invisible needles had plunged into his skull, each one threading chaotic, fragmented visions into his consciousness.
What he saw defied understanding, and the images flashed relentlessly, a torrent of otherworldly scenes crashing against the fragile shores of his mind.
For several agonizing moments, Adrian stood frozen, his hand locked against the crystal as the visions assaulted him.
His breath hitched, his chest tightening under the weight of it all, until instinct finally overrode the shock.
With a ragged gasp, he yanked his hand away, stumbling back as if the crystal had burned him.
He was panting now, his breaths shallow and uneven.
The cavern's blue glow seemed to spin around him as he pressed a trembling hand to his forehead.
