Lyerin stepped forward, his movements fluid and confident as he led the group deeper into the network of caves.
The atmosphere shifted immediately, the air growing heavier, colder, and tinged with something metallic and sour.
The faint light of their torches flickered as if struggling against an unseen force.
Shadows stretched unnaturally across the cave walls, twisting and contorting like living things trying to break free from the stone.
Each step felt as though it carried them miles deeper into the earth, and every echo of their boots seemed to mock their presence.
The path ahead sloped downward, narrowing into a spiraling descent.
The rock walls were slick with a dark, oily substance that seemed to move, crawling slowly, leaving behind a faint phosphorescent trail.
The soldiers exchanged wary glances, some tightening their grip on their weapons, others swallowing hard to keep the bile down.
