As the final seal crumbled away with a faint crack, the massive door groaned. Dust rained down from its frame as if the entire structure was sighing after centuries of silence. The sound was deafening in the otherwise dead stillness.
Then—creeeeeak.
The door shifted open on its own, forcing out a gush of air that smelled like rot, rust, and damp earth. The pressure of centuries released all at once. A wave of musky, stale air hit Oliver's face so hard he gagged. Dust and motes swirled into the hallway, stinging his throat and eyes.
"Ugh… fuck," he coughed, waving his arm in front of his face.
Cautiously, he stepped forward. His boots crunched on a floor layered with grime that no one had walked across for ages. He braced himself for pitch darkness inside.
Instead—
"Holy shit—!"
