The stone stairs leading to the third floor creaked beneath James's boots, the weight of the battles behind them still fresh in his aching limbs. Each step was a reminder that they were descending deeper into Valek's dark stronghold, and each breath carried the stench of death and decay. The air was thick with magic, a suffocating presence that made it feel as though something was watching them from every shadow.
"Stay sharp," Sasha warned, her sword glinting faintly in the dim light as she took point beside James. Her eyes scanned the stairwell, ever alert for the traps and horrors waiting for them on this new floor.
Pippy nocked an arrow, her keen ears twitching at the faint sound of scuttling from below. "I don't like this. It's too quiet."
Yori, her staff glowing with the remnants of a defensive spell, nodded in agreement. "The dark energy is stronger here. Valek's creatures will be relentless on this floor."
