Nina, with Rex trotting faithfully at her heels, follows the path Ronan indicates. The cavern deepens, seemingly getting darker with each step. The air gets colder, damper, and a pervasive silence settles, broken only by the crunch of leaves underfoot and the rhythmic thump of Rex's tail. Ronan moves with surprising grace for his size, his immense form navigating the tangled roots and crumbling rock with ease. He doesn't lead directly, but rather stays close, a silent guardian flanking Nina.
The air grows heavy with an unnatural stillness, a feeling that something is watching them from the shadows. The path descends, leading them out into a fairly open yet narrow ravine choked with thick, gnarled vines. They can see faint sun shining through the canopy above the ravine. The silence is broken only by the occasional drip of water from unseen sources. Suddenly a low growl rumbles from Ronan, vibrating through the very ground.
He stops, his head cocked, his senses clearly alerted to something Nina can't yet perceive. A cold prickle runs down her spine, the feeling of being watched intensifying. Ronan emits a series of low, guttural sounds, a communication that Nina doesn't understand but feels in the very core of her being. It is a warning, stark and chilling. The air itself seems to vibrate with a low hum, a sound that resonates deep within Nina's bones.
Rex whimpers, his hackles raised, pressing closer to Nina's legs. The crystal pulses erratically, a frantic rhythm mirroring the growing unease. Whatever lies ahead, it is clearly dangerous, and their unlikely alliance is about to be tested. The silence hangs heavy in the air, pregnant with anticipation.