"Keep your ears open," Liora said quietly, his voice cutting through the ambient tension like a blade. His gaze was sharp, darting between the uneven shadows along the walls. "The cavern's quiet now, but quiet doesn't always mean safe."
Kael swallowed hard, his throat dry despite the damp air. "What am I supposed to be listening for?"
Liora's expression didn't soften. If anything, it grew more focused. "Anything that's not us. Movement. Breathing. The scrape of claws. If it feels wrong, it probably is."
Kael nodded again, his fingers tightening around the straps of his satchel. He tried to mimic Liora's sharp awareness, his eyes scanning the cavern for any sign of danger. The Glowmoss around them flickered softly, its light casting shifting shadows that made Kael's heart skip every time they moved.
