[Samael Ashwood's POV]
The distant, rhythmic thudding grew louder, reverberating through the dimly lit corridor. The walls themselves trembled with each impact, and an unsettling growl echoed from the darkness ahead.
We stopped, instinctively tightening our formation. Seraphina raised her hand, and a soft, shimmering illusion of mist and shadow spread outward, making it harder for anything lurking beyond to see us clearly. The team fell into a practised silence, each member shifting slightly into position.
"Everyone, ready up," I whispered. I could sense the tension building, each of us bracing for whatever awaited us in the depths of this dungeon. The weight of the earlier battle lingered, fatigue threatening to set in, but there was no room for hesitation.
The thudding stopped abruptly, and an eerie silence followed. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Something wasn't right.
CRACK!
