Kenji's lungs burned as he stumbled up the spiral stairs, his boots slipping on stone damp with blood. His heart hammered like a drum in his chest. The screams behind him were fading, replaced only by the hollow echo of his own frantic breath.
Gods… I made it. I'm alive.
He pushed through the archway into the third floor, nearly collapsing as his legs threatened to give out. He pressed his back against the wall, clutching his chest, his whole body trembling.
No sound of pursuit. No thunderous steps. No metallic roars.
Only silence.
Kenji let out a shaky laugh, almost sobbing. "They're not chasing me. By the stars, I'm… I'm still alive."
