Kai glanced around the hall, noting the numerous hallways leading out.
Each one was lined with light from the flickering sconces.
Several groups had already left through different paths.
"So," Kai said, glancing around at his group, "anyone got a preference for which path to take?"
"It's all the same." Arlo replied with a shrug. "We're just as lost as everyone else. Might as well pick one and hope for the best."
Phoebe rolled her eyes. "Great. Solid plan."
She gestured at a nearby path. "Let's just go down this one before we waste more time."
"Works for me." Kai said, flashing her a grin. "Lead the way, fearless leader."
Phoebe smirked, brushing past him, Seraphina and Miria following close behind.
Kai fell into step beside Phoebe, with Arlo lounging along at the rear, his hands shoved into his pockets.
The passageway was wide enough for six people to pass at once and a bit damp.
The walls were lined with moss that shimmered faintly under the light of the scones.
As they walked, the sound of their footsteps echoed around them.
"So," Kai began, his tone light and conversational, "how about we all get to know each other's abilities a little better?"
"I'll start. As you can see, I'm a swordsman. And I have an affinity for all four elements."
Seraphina's eyes widened slightly. "All four? That's amazing."
Kai shrugged, a smug smile tugging at his lips. "What can I say? I'm a bit of an overachiever."
"Overachiever or overconfident?" Phoebe quipped, her beautiful emerald eyes glinting with amusement.
Kai shot her a wink. "Why not both?"
"Anyway," Phoebe said, ignoring his comment, "I've got Fire and Earth. High affinity for both."
"Water and Wind for me." Seraphina added, her tone more reserved.
Miria chimed in softly, "Earth and Water."
All eyes turned to Arlo, who yawned exaggeratedly before answering. "High for Water and Fire, low for Air. Pretty standard stuff."
"Pretty standard, he says." Kai said with a chuckle. "Meanwhile, some people are stuck with just one high affinity."
Phoebe gave him a playful shove. "You really know how to make friends, don't you?"
"It's a gift." Kai replied, grinning.
He was about to continue his light banter as they got to a corner when a faint scrabbling sound echoed through the corridor.
He stopped in his tracks, holding up a hand to silence the group.
"Did you hear that?" Seraphina whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Yeah." Kai murmured, his tone suddenly serious.
He gestured for them to stay put as he crept forward, his movements careful.
Peeking around the corner, he caught sight of their first challenge. A pack of five goblins, their green skin glistening under the light.
They were small and hunched, their sharp claws scraping against the stone floor as they shuffled about.
Rusty weapons hung from their hands, their eyes gleaming.
Kai retreated back to the group.
"Five goblins." He said quietly. "Nothing we can't handle."
Arlo cracked his knuckles, a lazy smile spreading across his face. "I'm game."
Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "And what are we supposed to do?"
Kai grinned. "Sit back and relax. Let the guys handle this one."
Phoebe looked like she was about to protest, but Seraphina placed a hand on her arm. "Let them have their fun." She said softly.
Kai and Arlo stepped into the open, the goblins immediately taking notice.
They let out guttural growls and bared their teeth, their hunched forms tense and ready to attack.
Kai unsheathed his sword and held it with practiced ease, his body instinctively falling into a ready stance.
The original Kai's training kicked in, and he could feel the familiar arrogance bubbling within him.
This is going to be a piece of cake.
Arlo, on the other hand, brought his fists up in a boxer's stance.
A brawler? Kai frowned. Well, there's nothing saying that won't work against monsters in this world.
One of the goblins lunged at Kai, its rusty dagger aimed for his chest.
Almost contemptuously, Kai sidestepped the attack and brought his sword down in a clean arc, cutting the goblin down.
Another rushed him, but he lazily parried its strike and kicked it back, finishing it off with a quick thrust.
Meanwhile, Arlo rushed forward, faster than the goblins could follow.
A goblin charged him, but he leaned back beyond the range of its wild swing and bounced back to deliver a powerful uppercut that sent it flying into the wall.
There was a splat as its body broke.
Another tried to attack from behind, but Arlo spun around and slammed his fist into its stomach, the impact leaving it gasping for air before collapsing.
With another punch, it's head burst, splattering brain matter all over the place.
The fifth goblin hesitated, its eyes darting between Kai and Arlo.
It let out a panicked screech and turned to flee, but Kai was faster.
With a quick throw, his sword sailed through the air and struck the goblin square in the back. It fell to the ground with a final, pitiful cry.
Kai retrieved his sword, wiping the blade clean as he turned to Arlo. "Not bad."
Arlo smirked, flexing his bandaged hands. "Same to you."
The ladies approached them, their previous skepticism now replaced with genuine admiration.
Phoebe crossed her arms, a reluctant smile on her lips. "Okay, I'll admit it. That was impressive."
Seraphina nodded, her silver eyes shining. "You both handled that well."
Miria smiled shyly, her voice soft. "Thank you."
Kai sheathed his sword, his grin widening. "All in a day's work, ladies."
Before anyone could say more, a low growl echoed through the corridor.
The sound was deeper and much more terrifying than anything they'd heard before.
The group froze, their eyes widening as they turned toward the source of the noise.
From the shadows of the next turn, a massive form walked out.
Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto them, and spit dripped down its sharp fangs.
The creature's muscular frame was covered in dark fur, and its claws clicked against the stone floor as it stepped forward.
Kai's heart sank.
"A direwolf."