The Dungeon's 41st floor was an eerie domain of perpetual twilight, its rocky expanse bathed in a dim, purplish glow. The air was thick with an unnatural stillness that put Maki on edge. Every step forward sent ripples through her cursed energy, alerting her to unseen dangers.
Scathach walked ahead, her spear loosely held but ready to strike at a moment's notice. Her presence was steadying, though Maki could tell even she was more alert than usual. The oppressive aura of the Dungeon wasn't just stronger—it was sentient, almost as if the deeper levels were alive and aware of their every move.
"The energy here is different," Maki noted, her eyes scanning their surroundings. "It's heavier, like it's pulling us in."
Scathach nodded without looking back. "The deeper we go, the more the Dungeon asserts its will. It's a living labyrinth, and its heart doesn't appreciate intruders."
Maki gripped her spear tightly, her instincts screaming at her to stay sharp. "Good. I'm in the mood to pick a fight with it."
Scathach smirked at her determination but didn't respond. She stopped suddenly, raising a hand to signal silence. Maki froze, her cursed energy flaring as she prepared for an ambush.
From the shadows ahead, a low growl echoed. The sound wasn't just physical—it reverberated through Maki's very soul, dragging a shiver down her spine. Out of the darkness emerged a massive creature, its body a grotesque amalgamation of sinew and bone. Its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, and its claws scraped against the stone floor with each step.
"This is new," Maki muttered, her voice low. "Looks like the Dungeon's throwing everything it's got at us."
Scathach stepped forward, her spear glowing faintly with her energy. "This is no ordinary monster. It's been crafted to test us. Be ready."
The creature roared, the sound shaking the ground as it charged. Maki moved instinctively, her spear lashing out to intercept it. Her weapon struck true, piercing its side, but instead of blood, a dark, viscous substance oozed from the wound.
"Gross," she muttered, yanking her spear free and leaping back to avoid its retaliatory swipe.
Scathach darted in, her movements a blur. Her spear sliced through the creature's limbs with surgical precision, but the severed parts reformed almost instantly. The monster's body seemed to be made of the same shadowy substance as the surrounding floor, making it nearly impossible to damage permanently.
"It's regenerating," Maki called out, her frustration mounting. "How do we kill something like this?"
Scathach didn't respond immediately, her focus entirely on the battle. After a moment, she glanced at Maki. "It's a construct of the Dungeon. To destroy it, we need to sever its connection to the core energy sustaining it."
"And how do we do that?"
Scathach smiled faintly. "With precision and a bit of teamwork."
Maki nodded, her cursed energy surging as she prepared to strike. She darted to the left, drawing the creature's attention while Scathach circled to its blind side. The beast lunged at Maki, its claws raking the air just inches from her head. She dodged nimbly, her spear flashing out to strike its legs and throw it off balance.
"Now!" Scathach's voice rang out, and Maki moved without hesitation.
Scathach's spear glowed brilliantly as she drove it into the creature's chest, pinning it to the ground. At the same moment, Maki channeled her cursed energy into her weapon and leapt high into the air.
"Let's see how you like this!" she shouted, driving her spear downward with all her strength. The combined force of their attacks struck the core within the creature's body—a glowing orb of pure shadow energy.
The beast let out a deafening roar, its body convulsing violently as cracks spread through its form. The shadowy substance began to dissolve, the light from its core growing brighter until it finally shattered with a burst of energy.
Maki landed lightly, breathing heavily as the remnants of the creature faded into nothingness. "That wasn't so bad," she said, though her sweat-soaked face told a different story.
Scathach approached, her gaze appraising. "You've grown stronger. But don't let your guard down. The Dungeon won't stop here."
Maki smirked. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
As they prepared to move on, the air shifted again. A faint voice echoed through the chamber, soft and lilting, like a distant song. Maki froze, her heart skipping a beat.
"Did you hear that?" she asked.
Scathach nodded, her expression unusually serious. "It's calling to you."
Maki frowned. "What is?"
Scathach gestured ahead, where a faint glow emanated from a passageway that hadn't been there moments before. "The Dungeon isn't done with us yet. This is its way of testing you further. Be prepared, Maki. What lies ahead may challenge more than just your strength."
Maki hesitated, her instincts warning her of danger. But she couldn't deny the pull she felt toward the glowing passage. It was as if something—or someone—was waiting for her.
"Let's go," she said finally, her grip tightening on her spear.
Scathach fell into step beside her, the two of them moving toward the unknown. The glow grew brighter as they approached, illuminating a set of ancient stone doors engraved with runes. Maki could feel the energy pulsing behind them, a mix of power and malice that set her teeth on edge.
"Whatever's in there," she said, glancing at Scathach, "we'll face it together."
Scathach smiled, her confidence unwavering. "Always."
With that, they pushed the doors open, stepping into the next stage of their journey.