The return to the surface was anything but triumphant. The eerie quiet of the Grand Spire's hallways was a stark contrast to the chaotic battle we had barely survived. My hand tightened around the tome as if it might vanish if I loosened my grip. Karina's gaze flicked between the shadows and me, her tension palpable.
"You look like you just stole a dragon's treasure," she quipped, though her grip on her rapier didn't ease.
"That's because I probably did," I replied. "Except the dragon's still out there, and she's not happy."
We pushed through the labyrinthine corridors, guided by the faint glow of glyphs that occasionally flickered and dimmed. It felt like the Spire itself was hesitating—uncertain whether to aid us or trap us.
When we emerged into the open air, the cool night breeze was a stark relief. The capital's skyline shimmered under the twin moons, but there was no time to appreciate the view.
"We need to leave before they regroup," Karina said.
