The flames weren't done yet.
Though the group had found a small safe spot, the fire, hungry and relentless, continued to creep toward them, licking higher and hotter with every second. The stone walls around them radiated unbearable heat. Sweat poured down their faces. Sera and Mariel were the first to break—they began to cry uncontrollably, the heat scalding their skin even though the fire hadn't reached them yet. Their sobs were lost under the roaring of the inferno, but Liam could feel the despair rippling through the group.
The air itself seemed to boil in their lungs.
Sophia crouched protectively in front of Mariel, shielding her as best she could. Borik had his back pressed so hard against the wall it looked like he was trying to merge with it. Even Von, unshaken by most things, was visibly rattled, shifting his weight uneasily from foot to foot.
Jason clenched his teeth, his knuckles white around the staff he still held.
