Part 1
The stone stairs descended at a steep angle, carved directly into the rough rock of the abyss. Each step echoed with a dull sound that seemed to fade into the depths. The atmosphere was imbued with a cutting cold, the kind that pierced through skin and reached the bones. Broke felt every breath form small clouds of vapor in the chilly, damp air.
Only the torches provided any illumination, their flickering flames casting dancing shadows on the damp stone walls. Without the light, one could not see more than a few steps ahead. The darkness felt alive, an entity that enveloped everything in a suffocating embrace. Silence was interrupted only by the occasional drip of water and the muffled sound of the group's footsteps.
Finally, the stairs ended, opening into a narrow and irregular corridor. The walls of the corridor were made of dark, cold steel, covered with patches of rust and dust, which created a heavy cloud of dust in the air. The metal floor was damp and slippery, forcing everyone to proceed with caution. The air carried a strong smell of iron and mold, heightening the sense of oppression.
Ethan, the Explorer, was at the front of the group, holding a high torch that cast sinister shadows on the metal walls. He turned to the others, his serious face illuminated by the flame.
"I'll go ahead..." Ethan said, his voice firm.
"I know these paths from the map and can identify any danger before you get close."
Garen, the sturdy warrior, frowned. "I don't think it's a good idea. We should maintain a more defensive formation. If there's an ambush, you'll be the first to be caught."
Ethan shrugged, undeterred. "I'm the guide. That's my job. And besides, if something happens, you'll be prepared."
Garen opened his mouth to protest, but Ellen placed a hand on his shoulder, subtly indicating that he should let it go. Reluctantly, he sighed and nodded.
"Fine." Garen said, clearly displeased.
"But stay within the range of our torches. I don't want you disappearing into the darkness."
Ethan nodded and began to advance down the corridor, the others following closely. Lirian, the elven archer, kept his hand close to his bow, his eyes alert for any suspicious movement. Thalon, the mage, murmured protective spells under his breath, while Ellen, the rogue, moved silently, her eyes always searching for traps.
Broke walked in the middle of the group, her large sword in hand, ready for any eventuality. Every step seemed to echo into the void, the feeling of being watched increasing with every moment.
The corridor stretched indefinitely, the darkness ahead and behind them seeming like a living entity, always present, always threatening. The cold intensified, causing the Adventurers to tremble under their armor and cloaks.
Part 2
Hours passed as the group navigated the winding corridors of the abyss. The persistent cold and oppressive darkness were constant challenges, but they pressed on with determination. The torches cast dancing shadows on the metal walls, creating a sense of constant movement around them.
Lirian, the elven archer, glanced at Garen and chuckled. "Hey, Garen, remember that time you tried to cook at the camp and nearly set the entire forest on fire?"
Garen rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Oh, yes. Of course I do. And who convinced me that 'anyone can cook', huh? Certainly not a certain elven archer who thinks soup is a complete dinner."
Thalon chuckled, raising a hand. "I tried to warn you that such a big fire wasn't necessary. But who am I to compete with Garen's great culinary skills?"
Ellen, the Terian rogue, shook her head, laughing. "I think we all learned a valuable lesson that day: never let Garen cook again. At least, not without proper supervision."
Lirian feigned shock. "And to think I trusted you with my stomach, Garen. That was truly an unforgivable mistake."
Garen laughed and lightly shoved Lirian. "Well, at least I never fell into an obvious trap, unlike someone we know."
Ellen grinned mischievously. "Oh, that's true. Lirian, you really need to improve your perception skills. That trap was so obvious that even a blind person would have seen it."
Lirian threw up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I admit, it wasn't my finest moment. But at least I have you guys to save my butt."
Thalon looked at Ethan and then at Broke, realizing that both were outside the internal conversations. He turned to the others and whispered something, making them laugh.
"Do you remember that time when Ellen tried to steal the crown of a goblin commander and ended up unintentionally leading a riot?" Thalon asked, trying to include Broke and Ethan in the conversation.
Ellen shook her head, laughing. "Oh, yes. Who would have thought that goblins could be so easily impressed by a bit of sleight of hand? They really thought I was a divine envoy."
Lirian shook his head, smiling. "You and your acting skills, Ellen. I'm sure if we wanted to, we could overthrow an entire kingdom with your deception skills."
Garen looked at Broke, who remained silent, her eyes alert around her. He sighed and returned his attention to Ethan, who seemed equally focused on the mission.
As they walked, Broke sensed something different in the air. A feeling of discomfort washed over her. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the darkness ahead. That was when she saw it, on the floor, something that made her heart race: a human foot, mutilated and bloody, thrown there like a grim warning.
"Stop the chatter," Broke whispered, her voice firm and low. The group immediately fell silent, following her gaze to the floor. The trail of blood led down the corridor, leading to grotesquely scattered human body parts.
"Everyone stay quiet," she ordered, raising a hand to signal that something was wrong. The ensuing silence was oppressive, the darkness seeming to close in even more around them.
Broke closed her eyes for a moment, trying to isolate the sounds around her. That was when she heard it: a crackling of embers, a sound that shouldn't be there. She opened her eyes again and whispered to the others, "There's something here."