The hallways seemed to stretch on forever.
Kai had lost count of how many turns they'd taken, how many intersections they'd passed, how many identical stretches of cold, black stone they'd trudged through. Each step forward felt heavier than the last, the oppressive weight of the dungeon gnawing at his lungs and thoughts.
It wasn't just exhaustion. The air was thick with necrotic mana, clinging to their skin like oil. The flickering orbs of light Kai conjured to guide them were dimmer than they should have been, their glow struggling against the all-consuming dark.
Then, the sound came.
A low, rolling clatter like a thousand bones knocking together. It echoed from every direction, growing louder with every breath.
Kai didn't bother waiting. "Brace yourself!"
