The narrow passage ended abruptly at a circular chamber, stone walls smooth and worn from centuries of passage. At its center yawned an opening in the floor, spiraling down into darkness that swallowed the faint glow of Lira's silver vial. The spiral stairs were carved from the same stone as the cavern, uneven in places, slick with moisture, and disappearing into an abyss below. There was no visible end; the bottom seemed lost in shadow, as if the labyrinth had decided to hide the depths from any who dared enter.
Serelyth knelt beside her, shifting to his human form again. "These stairs lead downward, little flame," he said, his voice steady but tinged with gravity. "They spiral deeper into the heart of the labyrinth… and eventually to the Spirit Temple. But the path will test you. Shadows—your own memories, your own doubts—will attempt to distract you. You must remain focused, patient, and aware."
