Hel’s chanting wove golden threads of light in the air around them, slowly forming a protective dome that expanded to encompass both herself and Elijah. Sweat already beaded on her brow as she strained to maintain the spell, the shield shimmering faintly in the dimly lit room.

“Hurry,” she said, her voice tight with effort. “This shield’s big enough for the both of us, but it’s draining. We need to be fast.”

Elijah nodded, casting a glance back at her before taking a step toward the portal. “Alright, I’m going.”

“Good,” Hel replied through gritted teeth, focusing on sustaining the barrier’s strength.

Elijah didn’t waste any time. He stepped into the glowing blue light and disappeared in an instant. Hel followed right behind him, her shield flickering slightly as she crossed the threshold.

The weightless pull of the portal lasted only a moment before they were deposited on the other side, landing in a hallway that felt all too familiar.

Hel’s heart sank as she realized where they were.

“It’s the same as before,” she muttered, her voice low as her eyes darted around the dark corridor.

The stone walls loomed around them, illuminated only by the faint glow of Hel’s shield. Torches flickered weakly in their sconces, casting long, wavering shadows. Everything about the space felt… wrong. The silence, the stillness—it was the kind of quiet that felt alive, like something was watching them from the shadows.

Elijah, however, didn’t seem to share her unease.

“Haha! See, Hels?” he shouted, throwing his arms out wide. “Nothing here! And—” He gestured toward the far end of the hallway, where several wooden crates sat stacked against the wall. “The crates have more mana crystals! This is perfect!”

“Wait—Elijah, don’t—” Hel began, her instincts screaming at her to stop him, but it was too late.

Elijah ran ahead, his excitement overriding any sense of caution. He reached one of the crates, crouched down, and picked up a crystal, holding it up to the light as if it were the most precious thing he’d ever seen.

“See?” he said, turning to grin at Hel. “What’d I tell you? Easy pickings!”

But before she could reply, something heavy and powerful slammed into her from behind, sending her sprawling forward onto the cold stone floor.

“Hel!” Elijah shouted, dropping the crystal as he whirled around.

Hel’s staff clattered out of her hand as she hit the ground, the shield around her and Elijah flickering briefly before stabilizing again. She groaned, pushing herself onto her elbows as a low, guttural growl filled the air.

Her heart raced as she turned over onto her back, her breath hitching at what she saw.

The creature loomed over her, its grotesque form half-hidden in the shadows. It was wrong—all sharp angles and uneven proportions, like a monster pieced together from the worst parts of several beasts. Its mottled green skin glistened with a sickly sheen, and its twisted face was framed by jagged tusks that jutted out at odd angles. Its eyes, small and beady, glinted with a cruel intelligence, and its snarling maw revealed rows of jagged, yellowed teeth.

It crouched low, muscles tensed, its claws scraping against the stone as it prepared to lunge at her again. A screech escaped its throat, a sound so guttural and primal that it sent a shiver down her spine.

“What is that thing?!” Hel shouted, scrambling backward as fast as she could.

“I… I don’t know!” Elijah stammered, his sword already in his hand as he stepped forward. “But it’s ugly!”

“No kidding!” Hel snapped, her fingers fumbling for her staff as the creature growled again, its claws raking across the stone floor.

The beast lunged, its claws outstretched, and Hel barely managed to lift her shield in time. The golden barrier shimmered as the creature collided with it, the impact sending shockwaves through the air. Hel grunted, the strain of maintaining the spell nearly overwhelming her as cracks began to form along the surface of the shield.

“Elijah!” she shouted, her voice strained. “Do something!”

“I’m trying!” Elijah yelled back, his hand glowing faintly as he prepared his light spell. But the creature wasn’t giving him the chance—it clawed and slashed at the shield with relentless fury, its blows coming faster and harder with each passing second.

Hel’s arms trembled as she poured more mana into the barrier, the cracks spreading faster than she could repair them. “I can’t hold this much longer!”

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With a roar, the creature slammed both of its fists into the shield, shattering it completely. The golden light dissipated in an instant, and Hel gasped as the force of the blow knocked her back against the wall.

Elijah didn’t hesitate. He raised his hand, a burst of blinding white light exploding outward and engulfing the creature.

The beast screeched in pain, rearing back as it clawed at its face, its small eyes squinting against the searing light. Elijah took the opportunity to charge forward, his sword gleaming in the aftermath of the spell.

Just as Elijah swung his blade with all the force he could muster, the creature lashed out, its movements unnervingly swift and precise for something that should have been blinded.

Its gnarled arm collided with Elijah’s sword mid-swing, throwing both him and the beast backward with the sheer force of the clash.

Elijah stumbled, nearly losing his footing, his face twisting in confusion and frustration.

“It can still see!” Hel screamed, panic lacing her voice as she scrambled to her feet.

Elijah’s jaw tightened, his gaze snapping back to the creature as it steadied itself, its head tilting slightly as though mocking him.

Hel’s eyes darted to the glowing portal just beyond the monstrous creature.

“It’s blocking the portal!” she shouted frantically. “We can’t get through!”

The beast seemed to register her words, shifting slightly to place its hulking body squarely between them and their escape route. It crouched low, claws scraping against the stone floor as it snarled, its grotesque maw curling into what almost looked like a cruel grin.

Elijah clenched his teeth, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by a rare look of grim determination.

“Stay back,” he said sharply, his voice low and firm as he adjusted his grip on his sword.

“What? Are you insane?!” Hel yelled, gripping her staff tightly as her panic grew.

But Elijah wasn’t listening. He didn’t respond, didn’t hesitate. He was already moving, charging toward the creature with everything he had.

“ELIJAH!” Hel screamed, but he didn’t stop.

The creature snarled as it lunged to meet him, its claws glinting in the dim light of the hallway. The impact of its swing sent dust and shards of stone flying as it narrowly missed Elijah, who ducked low at the last second, slipping past its outstretched claws.

Hel watched in horror as Elijah pivoted on his heel, using his momentum to bring his blade down in a wide arc aimed at the creature’s exposed flank.

What are you doing?!” she mouthed silently, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Elijah, entirely undeterred, stuffed as many of the glowing crystals as he could into his bag. He glanced at her briefly and gave her a sheepish shrug as if to say, Well, we’re here, might as well make it worth it.

Hel’s jaw dropped.

Unfortunately, Elijah wasn’t as silent as he thought. As he moved, a couple of stray shards of wood crunched beneath his boots, the sound sharp and distinct in the otherwise still hallway.

The creature’s head snapped in his direction instantly, its small, beady eyes staring blankly into the dark. It sniffed the air again, turning its body toward the source of the noise.

Elijah froze, realizing his mistake.

The creature realized his mistake too.

Then… it charged.

It bolted forward with terrifying speed, its claws outstretched as it lunged toward the pile of crates Elijah had been scavenging from.

Hel’s heart leapt into her throat.

“Run!” she hissed, her voice barely audible over the creature’s thunderous steps.

Elijah didn’t need to be told twice. With a speed born of sheer panic, he darted out of the creature’s path just as its claws came crashing down on the shattered remains of the crates. Splinters and debris flew into the air as the beast swiped blindly at the spot where it had heard the noise.

Breathing heavily, Elijah sprinted toward Hel, clutching his bag tightly as mana crystals clinked faintly inside. The sound drew the creature’s attention again, and it whipped around, growling as it prepared to charge.

“Move!” Elijah shouted, grabbing Hel’s arm as he passed her and pulling her into a sprint.

The creature roared, barreling after them with the single-minded determination of a predator chasing its prey. Its claws raked against the stone floor, each step shaking the ground beneath their feet.

Hel didn’t look back. She could feel the creature’s presence behind them, the air growing colder with every step they took.

The glowing portal came into view ahead of them, its shimmering light a beacon of hope in the darkness.

“Almost there!” Elijah shouted, his voice hoarse with exertion.

Hel pushed herself harder, her lungs burning as they closed the distance.

The creature roared again, the sound deafening in the narrow hallway. Its claws scraped against the stone, growing closer with every second.

Immediately, Hel spun around, slamming the butt of her staff against the ground as she summoned another shield, this one behind her and directly in the path of the rampaging creature.

The golden energy of her magic flared to life, shimmering into a solid wall of light just as the creature lunged forward, its grotesque body hurtling toward them.

With a sickening crack, the creature's head collided with the shield. The sheer force of the impact sent ripples through the glowing barrier, but it held firm.

The beast let out a guttural screech, staggering back as its head snapped to the side. For a moment, it swayed, its malformed body looking almost dazed.

Elijah reached the portal first, practically diving into the glowing light without hesitation.

Hel was right behind him.

The moment her foot hit the portal’s platform, the world shifted. The creature’s enraged roar faded into the distance as the glowing light enveloped her, pulling her away back to the second floor.

When the portal’s magic released her, she found herself stumbling back onto the second floor, the familiar surroundings of the entry portal room bringing a rush of relief.

Elijah was already there, doubled over and panting, his hands on his knees. His bag hung from his shoulder, glowing faintly from the mana crystals inside.

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence broken only by the sound of their ragged breathing.

Finally, Hel straightened, glaring at him with a mixture of exhaustion and fury. “You… are the stupidest person I have ever met.”

Elijah grinned weakly, wiping sweat from his brow. “Yeah,” he said, still catching his breath. “But we got the crystals, didn’t we?”

Hel threw her hands up in frustration, turning away before she said something she’d regret.

“Next time,” she said through gritted teeth, “you can face whatever that was on your own.”

“Aw, come on, Hels,” Elijah replied, his tone teasing. “Admit it—you’d miss me.”

Hel ignored him, her mind already racing with plans to never, ever step foot on the third floor again.