The wind blows gently through the forest, carrying with it the last echoes of the snowstorm. The fire still burns faintly, the vibrant red embers glowing under the ashes. Alynia sits with her back against the tree trunk and pulls a small flask from her pocket. She unscrews it slowly, then hands it to Veil without even looking at him. Alynia (calm): "Drink. After this, we move on." Veil takes the flask and drinks in long gulps, feeling the cool water slide down his throat. He hands the flask back to her. Alynia (taking the flask): "Not too much. We don't know when we'll find another source." They eat in silence, their gazes lost in the void. The fire crackles softly, but they both know it's time to move on. After a moment, Alynia stands, dusting off her coat, and glances at Veil. Alynia (dryly): "Let's go." They extinguish the fire and resume their march. The crunch of snow beneath their boots replaces the crackling flames. No words are exchanged. Only the wind and the sounds of the forest fill the air. After two or three hours of walking, they finally see it. The entrance to the dungeon. Alynia stops abruptly, her eyes widening. Alynia (internal thought): ... It's... incredible. Before them stands a massive structure, an entrance formed by two imposing doors at least five meters high. Strange carvings cover the doors, intricate symbols unknown to either of them. The craftsmanship is so exquisite that every detail looks as if it were hand-sculpted by a master artisan. Alynia slowly ascends the frost-covered stone steps, her eyes fixed on the carvings. She runs her fingers along the symbols, her gaze filled with wonder. Alynia (whispering): "How... What kind of craftsman could make this?" She steps forward and pushes against the doors with both hands. Nothing moves. She presses harder, her teeth clenched. Still nothing. Alynia (frustrated): "Hmph. Not that simple, huh?" She steps back and examines the surface of the doors. Her eyes scan every line, every curve of the symbols. Alynia (internal thought): There must be a mechanism... A panel? A lever? She crouches down, searching for any clue. Her tail sways nervously from side to side. Veil (curious): "Find anything?" Alynia (focused): "Not yet... These doors are too precise. They have to open somehow." Veil approaches slowly, his eyes drawn to the door. The carvings catch his attention, and a faint tingling sensation rises in his head, just behind his forehead. Veil (internal thought): ... Why... Why do I feel this? He lifts his hand and touches one of the carvings with his fingertips. Suddenly, a flash of light. The carvings light up one by one, like a network of energy connecting symbol to symbol. Along the lines, bluish glows spread across the surface of the door. Alynia (surprised): "What?!" A deep rumble fills the air. The doors tremble, frost shards falling as a metallic groan echoes throughout the area. The doors begin to open slowly. Ice on the hinges cracks, releasing a gust of ancient, cold air. Alynia stares at Veil, her eyes wide. Alynia (in a sharp tone): "What did you do?!" Veil (bewildered): "Nothing! I just... I just touched the door." Alynia narrows her eyes, her piercing gaze scrutinizing him. Alynia (suspicious): "Don't lie to me. I tried to open it, and nothing happened." Veil (hesitant): "I swear, I just touched it..." A moment of silence. Alynia (sighing): "Tsk. We'll talk about it later. For now, we're going in." They advance cautiously, stepping through the massive doors that release a frigid breath of air. The shadows inside slowly engulf them. Behind them, the doors tremble again. With a slow, deep rumble, they close with a resounding thud, sealing away the light from outside. Total darkness envelops them. The silence grows oppressive, broken only by the faint echoes of their breathing in the enclosed space. The wind stops. Absolute stillness.