The oppressive silence hung heavy in the air as James and his group descended further into the dungeon. Each step they took seemed to be swallowed by the darkness, the faint glow of Yori's light magic barely illuminating the walls around them. The cold, damp air clung to their skin, chilling them to the bone as they reached the entrance to the second level.
"We're getting closer," Yori murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can feel it, the magic here is stronger, darker."
James nodded grimly, his grip tightening on his sword. "Stay close. I don't want any surprises."
The stone staircase ended abruptly, and they stepped out into a massive chamber. It was different from the narrow corridors above. This room was vast, with high, vaulted ceilings, but what caught their attention was the massive stone archway at the far end. The archway was covered in twisted vines and thorny plants, and beyond it lay a labyrinth shrouded in shadow.
