Night deepened, making the city welcoming its much-needed silence.
Beneath the city, that silence turned absolute, save for the faint hum of a mana lantern floating before Erik and Valcroy. Its soft glow cast long shadows against the damp stone walls of the tunnels, illuminating their winding path.
The air was thick, carrying a stale scent that hinted at years of neglect. Moss clung to the crevices, and occasional droplets of water fell from the ceiling, creating faint echoes in the otherwise oppressive quiet, while also telling about the water system that crossed these paths from place to place.
The lantern bobbed ahead, its movements steady, as if it knew the way, though Erik and Valcroy trusted only their map. It only moved when they did.
