By the time the last of the survivors filed through the winding corridor, the coliseum’s echoes had faded behind them. Their new environment felt like a cathedral carved into the earth. Luminescent crystals dotted walls and ceilings, casting a soft glow that revealed natural rock formations—stalactites hanging overhead, mineral veins crisscrossing the floors. Tucked into a corner lay a shallow pool of clear water, fed by a thin trickle from above.
They halted there, forming a loose circle. Although the air was cool and damp, beads of sweat adorned every face. People seemed torn between relief at leaving the blood-soaked arena behind and trepidation for whatever challenges lurked in these caverns.
Gideon Pierce paused, leaning on his crutch. Despite Lauren’s continued healing efforts, his wounded thigh still caused him to limp. “We should check if the water’s safe to drink,” he said, nodding at the pool.
Harold, the man with Purification Light, chimed in. “I can try a small purification test. Maybe it’ll reveal toxins.”
Elijah Merrows stood nearby, bow in hand. He’d been half expecting an ambush around every corner, but no hostile creature had emerged yet. “That’s a good idea,” he agreed. “We might need a reliable water source if we’re trapped here for any length of time.”
Brittany—the timid singer—hovered close to the group, wringing her hands. “It feels… quieter here,” she said softly. “Not as heavy as the coliseum. But maybe that’s just because we’re not surrounded by bodies.”
Elijah caught himself grimacing, recalling the carnage left behind. “Let’s hope it stays this quiet.” He nodded at Harold. “Go ahead. We’ll keep watch.”
Harold knelt by the pool’s edge. A soft white glow formed over his hands as he cast Purification Light, diffusing into the water in faint ripples. The rest of the group stood in small clusters, speaking in hushed voices.
Lauren slowly approached Gideon, worry etched into her face. “That leg is still bleeding,” she said, pressing one palm gently over the bandaged area. “Let me try again.”
Gideon swallowed, wincing as the Recovery Sigil activated. “I appreciate it.” Despite the stoicism, he looked exhausted.
Nora Reyes hovered near them, scanning the far side of the cavern with a pensive gaze. Her wind-infused blade remained unsheathed. “Anyone else notice how large this place is? I’m worried about an ambush from above.” She gestured at the stalactites overhead, some of which were massive enough to conceal entire creatures.
Vince Anders, standing beside her, tried to peer into the gloom. His conjured spark of electricity lit the recesses above. “No motion, as far as I can see. But that doesn’t mean something isn’t lurking deeper in.” His voice quivered slightly, but he steadied himself.
Elijah cleared his throat. “All right, let’s start setting up a perimeter. We won’t stay here forever, but we need some rest—and time to treat the wounded. Everyone who’s armed and relatively unhurt, pick a spot around the pool and keep an eye out. We’ll rotate.”
Almost everyone complied. A few still too shaken from the coliseum lingered behind, but Sandra Lewis stepped in, calmly guiding them into simple tasks: collecting pieces of crystal, checking the rocky walls for possible hidey-holes, or rummaging through scraps of cloth for makeshift bandages. Slowly, an improvised camp formed around the water’s edge.
Harold finished his purification test and stood with a small sigh of relief. “It’s not contaminated as far as I can tell. My skill might not be perfect, but we can at least boil it if we find a way to make fire.”
Sandra crossed her arms, eyeing the crystals. “We haven’t seen any wood or anything like it. The coliseum was stone, and these caverns don’t exactly look forested.”
One of the IT guys, named Greg, timidly raised his hand. “I—I might help. My class is something with conjuration? I haven’t tested it much, but the description mentions manipulating basic elements. If I can conjure a small flame, that might suffice.”
Vince perked up, electricity dancing over his knuckles. “Between your conjuration and my sparks, we might get a fire going. Though what do we burn?”
Elijah glanced around. “If there’s any dried moss or mushrooms, possibly we can use that. In fantasy worlds, there’s often weird fungus that burns if it’s dry enough.” He paused, hearing himself talk about “fantasy worlds” in a dead-serious tone. Less than a day ago, the notion would’ve been absurd.
Greg and Vince headed off to examine cracks and crevices for anything remotely flammable. Meanwhile, Lauren continued working on Gideon, and Harold moved from person to person, providing small purifying touches to injuries that needed cleaning.
Elijah himself stood with Nora and Sandra, near the entrance they’d used. He kept his gaze on the massive gate behind them, half expecting it to slam shut or vanish. But it remained open, revealing the corridor they’d come through.
“You think the System’s waves could chase us down here?” Nora asked, her wind-laced blade sheathed for the moment.
Sandra spoke quietly, “I wouldn’t be surprised if it can. But at least we won’t be pinned in an arena again.”
Elijah nodded. “We need to keep exploring. But first, rest.”
He paused, noticing that a faint System notification hovered in his peripheral vision:
Status: Elijah Merrows
Level: 1 (90% EXP)
Free Attribute Points: 10
Bow Sigil (Minor) Acquired
He’d almost forgotten to assign the points he’d earned. Thinking back to the fights, his biggest advantage seemed to be mobility and precision. He considered funneling more into Agility and Perception. With a silent command, he allocated four points into Agility, three into Perception, and the remaining three into Vitality. A wash of warmth coursed through him, the System’s subtle way of affirming the changes.
Off to his right, he heard Vince exclaim something about “mushrooms that might be flammable.” Elijah allowed himself the briefest smile before forcing his focus back on watch duty.
Over the next hour, the group established a rudimentary camp. Greg succeeded in conjuring a small flame in the hollow of his hand—flickering white fire that looked oddly magical. With Vince’s sparks, they managed to ignite dried fungal material found deeper in a crevice. It burned quickly, producing acrid-smelling smoke, but it boiled water enough to sterilize it.
Lauren and Harold split their time between the severely injured, focusing especially on Gideon, who insisted on hobbling around to oversee security. Eventually, he conceded that rest might be wise, letting others stand guard. Brittany’s quiet singing hovered at the edges of the makeshift camp, giving a subtle boost to everyone’s stamina and morale.
When Elijah finally found a moment to breathe, Nora brought him a steaming cup of boiled water. “Tastes like dirt, but it’s safe,” she said. Her smile was wan, but genuine.
He took a careful sip. The earthy tang was indeed strong, but relief washed over him with the warm liquid. “Thanks,” he murmured.
In the flickering light of conjured flame, Nora studied him with concern. “You haven’t rested either, you know. You’re still wearing that cloak we salvaged. Might want to catch a few minutes of shuteye.”
Elijah rubbed his eyes, nodding. “Yeah, soon. But I want to see how Misha’s arm is and check if we need to do a perimeter sweep.”
Nora set a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Don’t burn out.” She stepped away, likely to coordinate a rotation for the watch.
It occurred to Elijah how quickly these roles had formed—Sandra, Gideon, and he were the group’s de facto leadership, each in their own style. Nora was stepping into a protective role, often flitting around to help or reassure. Vince, beneath his twitchy exterior, had become a crucial ranged fighter. Lauren and Harold took care of healing. Brittany offered moral support. In less than a day, they’d built a rudimentary chain of responsibility. Necessity is the mother of invention, Elijah mused grimly.
A gentle hush settled over the cavern as most people dozed or kept themselves busy with small tasks. The glow of crystals and conjured fire painted the rough stone walls in swaying shadows.
It was perhaps two hours later, in the midst of their cautious respite, when a faint skittering sound echoed from somewhere beyond the pool. Elijah stiffened, quickly rising from where he’d been sitting. The noise repeated—a soft scraping, almost like claws against rock.
He glanced at the watch, a few coworkers armed with gnoll spears and hound-claw daggers. “Did you hear that?” They nodded, tense.
Immediately, Elijah motioned for silence. He gestured for Nora, who’d been on the other side of the pool, to circle around. Vince, noticing the commotion, discreetly joined, electricity arcing between his fingers in a silent glow. Gideon tried to rise, but Elijah shook his head, pointing at Gideon’s injured leg. The older man scowled but yielded.
Elijah crept forward, focusing on the dark recesses behind a cluster of stalagmites. He activated Archer’s Eye. Under its effect, his vision sharpened, letting him pick out subtle shapes in the gloom. The noise came again: scratch, scratch, scratch.
Then, from between two jagged pillars of stone, he saw movement. A shape about waist-high, with a carapace that glistened in the crystal light, edged forward. Antennae quivered, and multiple legs twitched. The creature looked like a cross between a giant centipede and an armored insect, its chitinous shell a dull gray.
Elijah’s stomach clenched. Giant bug? Great.
He motioned for Vince to circle wide, and for one of the spear-carrying staffers—Oscar, the custodian—to come up behind him. Nora positioned herself on the flank, wind swirling faintly. With slow, precise steps, they closed in.
Suddenly, the creature turned as if sensing them. A pair of mandibles clacked, and it let out a harsh hiss. A second shape emerged behind it—another of the same species, similarly sized. Elijah mentally cursed. They hunt in pairs?
He pulled his bowstring back, forming an arrow of pale light. At that moment, the creatures charged, scuttling with unsettling speed. Elijah released his arrow, striking the lead bug in the upper segment of its shell. It screeched, flipping sideways, but the second one lunged past it.
Oscar yelped, jabbing with his spear. The bug’s mandibles snapped around the weapon’s shaft. Vince reacted, flinging a crackling burst of electricity that caused the bug to jerk violently, releasing the spear. Without missing a beat, Nora dashed in and sliced the bug across its thorax, wind-charged blade biting deep into the chitin.
The first bug recovered, scurrying forward with a shrill hiss. Elijah fired another arrow, aiming for the crack in its shell. The arrow punctured deeper this time, greenish goo splattering. The creature spasmed, then collapsed.
Oscar and Nora finished off the second bug in a concerted effort—Oscar’s spear pinned it down, Nora’s blade severed its mandibles. The creature gave a final shudder, then went still, leaving the echo of their fight ricocheting through the cavern.
At the small camp, a few startled survivors stood up, hearts pounding. Vince wiped sweat from his forehead, grimacing at the bug corpses. “Is this what we have to expect in these caves? Giant insect things?”
Elijah breathed heavily, kneeling to get a better look at the creature’s segmented body. “Likely. The System called them gnolls before, or hellhounds back in the arena. Maybe these are just local fauna.”
“That’s… comforting,” Oscar said quietly, stepping back. “You think they’re edible?”
Vince made a face. “Gross, man.”
Elijah didn’t blame Oscar for the question. They had limited food, only the water so far. He carefully used Identify on the corpse:
[Cave Crawler – Level 2]
Status: Dead
No further details. “Guess we can check if we can harvest anything,” Elijah said, though he looked skeptical. “But let’s be careful about just eating random monster meat.”
Nora sheathed her blade with a soft sigh. “We should probably expect more of these. That or worse. Hopefully, we can keep them out of the camp.”
They decided to drag the bug corpses away, far enough that the smell wouldn’t attract scavengers. Vince called a few others to help. At least there were no immediate injuries from the scuffle.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
After that short-lived fight, Gideon insisted on a brief meeting with Elijah, Sandra, Nora, Vince, and a couple of other key figures—Lauren for healing insights, Harold for his broad vantage, and Brittany as someone who’d proven adept at steadying morale. They settled around the small conjured fire, with the rest of the group either resting or maintaining watch.
“We can’t just sit here indefinitely,” Gideon began, tone clipped. “I need all your thoughts on how we proceed.”
Elijah nodded. “Agreed. These caves are full of unknown threats. On the other hand, we can’t march the wounded around blindly. Some are still too injured to fight off giant bugs.”
Lauren looked down at her hands. “If we had more time, I could heal them. But it’s slow going. My Sigil is limited; it can’t instantly mend severe wounds, just speed up recovery.”
Sandra pursed her lips. “Maybe we should organize scouting parties. A small group can map the tunnels, find a safer area—maybe even an exit. Or more resources.”
Gideon inclined his head. “We do need food. We have water, but that won’t last forever.”
Vince quirked an eyebrow. “I saw some fungus out there. But no clue if it’s toxic. We need to figure that out before we end up poisoning everyone.”
Harold cleared his throat. “My purification magic might help, but it’s not a panacea. I can purify certain toxins in water, maybe even in plants if they’re not too potent. But we won’t know until we experiment.”
Brittany hugged her knees. “So, a scouting group tests the fungus and sees if there’s a better area for shelter?”
Nora nodded. “That’s the gist. We should keep it small—people who can fight and move quickly if we run into trouble.”
Elijah quickly volunteered, as did Nora and Vince. Gideon opened his mouth to join, but Lauren shot him a glare. He sighed. “Fine. I’ll stay here and coordinate. But you keep me updated.”
They decided Sandra would also remain, partly to manage the camp and maintain organization. That left Elijah, Nora, Vince, and two of the more experienced security personnel—Thomas (who’d survived the first wave in the coliseum) and a woman named Patrice who had discovered a minor stealth skill, Shadowslip. Together, they’d form a five-person scouting party.
After some rest, they headed deeper into the cavern. Thomas carried a gnoll spear, while Patrice had a salvaged hound-claw dagger. Vince’s hands crackled softly with electricity, and Nora held her wind-laced sword at the ready. Elijah, naturally, kept his conjured bow in a loose grip.
The luminescent crystals grew more frequent as they ventured farther, lighting the winding passages. Occasionally, water dripped into shallow pools. Strange fungal growths clung to the walls—some tall, pale stalks that pulsed faintly, others squat and spongy. Vince used his electricity to zap a small chunk of fungus, then tested it with Identify. He got no helpful information, but Harold’s earlier mention of possible purification gave them a slim chance.
They proceeded cautiously for what felt like a half hour, leaving subtle markings with a chunk of crystal to track their path. The tunnels branched occasionally, but they chose whichever route seemed largest and easiest to traverse. No new monsters emerged—just the faint trickle of water, the echo of footsteps, and the quiet hush of the subterranean world.
At last, the tunnel opened into a broader cavern. The air grew noticeably warmer. In the distance, a dim red glow illuminated craggy pillars of rock. An acrid scent—similar to sulfur—tinged the air.
Nora held up a hand, signaling for quiet. The group slowed, creeping behind a natural ridge. Vince extinguished his crackling aura to avoid drawing attention.
They peered over the ridge. Down below lay a small hollow filled with shallow, steaming pools. Thin plumes of vapor rose from cracks in the ground, painting the area in drifting haze. At the far side, a cluster of large, reptilian creatures lounged near a pool—each one shaped like a stocky lizard the size of a large dog. Their scales gleamed a dull red, and occasional puffs of smoke rose from nostrils. Some sort of volcanic lizards?
Thomas swallowed hard. “They look… hot?”
Patrice squinted, pressing close to the rock. “I see at least five. Could be more hidden in the steam.”
Elijah carefully invoked Identify on the nearest one, though he didn’t expect it to work from this distance. After a moment of focusing, a partial readout flickered:
[Lava Drake Hatchling – Level ???]
Status: ???
He winced. Hatchlings? Great. That implied bigger parents might be around.
Vince mouthed, “Drakes?” and shook his head in disbelief. “If those are their babies, I don’t want to see the grown-ups.”
Nora leaned in. “They haven’t noticed us yet, but if we need this path, we might have to go around. Or risk fighting them. But we’re not exactly in top shape for a potentially high-level encounter.”
Elijah nodded, adrenaline prickling his limbs. “We can try another route. If this is their territory, better not poke the nest.”
Thomas exhaled in relief. “Good call. Let’s slip away quietly.”
They eased back into the tunnel, marking the route as dangerous. However, as they began retracing their steps, Patrice’s stealth skill faltered for a heartbeat, causing her foot to slip on a damp rock. The scrape of stone echoed louder than expected. Elijah’s pulse leapt.
From the hollow behind them came a sudden series of hissy growls. A guttural, reptilian call echoed through the steam-filled cavern.
“Move,” Nora whispered urgently, leading the scramble back. They pressed forward down an alternate passage, hoping to lose themselves in the labyrinth before the drake hatchlings decided to investigate.
They hurried, guided by the crystals’ soft glow and their scratch marks on the walls. After a few twists and turns, they slowed to catch their breath, ears straining for any sign of pursuit. The hissy echoes remained distant. Elijah let out a tense sigh, shoulders sagging.
“Seems we avoided them.” He looked around. “Now, where does this corridor lead?”
Vince ran a shaky hand through his hair. “Could be anywhere. We should at least check if it loops back toward our camp or deeper away from it.”
Patrice nodded. “Let’s see. I’ll scout ahead with Shadowslip if the passage gets narrower.”
Before they could proceed, a flicker of movement caught Elijah’s attention. Something small scurried along the ceiling—another Cave Crawler? He raised his bow. But no, this shape was smaller, with wings. A batlike creature, black eyes glimmering in the crystal glow. It squeaked, took one look at the group, and flew off into the darkness.
Thomas exhaled shakily. “Now even the wildlife’s trying to scare us. Let’s just keep going.”
They navigated a narrower tunnel, stepping over uneven rocks. Eventually, they emerged into a quiet, half-flooded cavern. Water dripped in from overhead, forming shallow pools across the floor. A cluster of pale fishlike creatures darted around in one pool, though they resembled blind cave swimmers more than anything monstrous.
With cautious curiosity, Nora crouched by the edge. “They look edible,” she whispered, using Identify. She got only Cave Minnow – Level 1 – Non-Aggressive. “That’s good news. Might be a safer food source than gnoll or bug meat.”
Vince brightened at that. “If we can catch them, that is.” He glanced at Thomas. “Think your spear can manage?”
Thomas shrugged. “Not exactly an expert fisherman, but we can try using a piece of gnoll cloth as a net or something.”
Elijah made a mental note. This is exactly the kind of resource we need. But for now, they were still on a scouting mission. “Let’s remember this spot. If it’s stable, we can bring the group here—assuming it’s closer than the previous pond. But we don’t know if it’s safe for a big camp.”
Patrice stepped gingerly through the shallow water. “I see an exit on the far side. Let me check it out.”
She moved quietly, activating her stealth skill. The rest waited, scanning the walls for any sign of more insects or predators. A minute later, Patrice reappeared at the mouth of another tunnel, gesturing for them to come. “It seems clear,” she said in a hushed tone.
They pressed onward. The passage climbed upward, twisting and turning, until at last they found themselves on a higher ledge overlooking the same broad cavern they’d started from—where their group had made camp around the pool. Elijah recognized the subtle glow of conjured flame and the silhouettes of people moving below.
Relief bloomed. They’d looped around, discovering an alternate route that might be a safer hunting or fishing ground. Carefully, they climbed down an outcropping, returning to the group.
Back at the camp, Gideon was on his feet, leaning heavily on a spear instead of his crutch. Sandra waited too, arms folded. The two looked equally anxious until they saw the scouting team’s faces.
“Find anything?” Sandra asked immediately.
Elijah summarized the route, mention of the Cave Minnows, and the nest of Lava Drake Hatchlings they’d narrowly avoided. He concluded with, “So we do have some possible sources of protein, but also we need to be aware of these bigger dangers.”
Vince chimed in, describing the fish. “Level 1, apparently. I doubt they’ll put up much of a fight.” He forced a small smile, though tension still lined his features.
Sandra let out a breath. “Food and water are our main priorities. If that area’s easily accessible without going near the drakes, we should send a team to gather fish.”
Gideon nodded, but his gaze remained hard. “Yes. And we’ll need more guards posted. Those crawlers might show up again, or something worse.”
Nora gave Gideon a once-over. “You’re standing on that leg again. How’s it holding up?”
He grimaced. “Better, thanks to Lauren. Not perfect. But I can help coordinate defense.”
Elijah studied the faces gathered around, noting the fatigue in everyone’s eyes. “We can’t spend too long in these caves, or we’ll starve or run into bigger beasts. But for now, we have no map, no sense of how to exit.”
Brittany’s voice wavered. “We can’t go back to the coliseum, right?”
Sandra shook her head. “Seems we’ve moved on to the next stage. For better or worse.”
Gideon tapped the butt of his spear. “Then we systematically explore. Secure food, water, shelter. Push forward as soon as we can. The longer we linger, the more the System might escalate.”
Lauren frowned softly. “But half our group is in no condition to wander tunnels. Some can barely walk.”
A hush followed. Elijah swallowed, recognizing the dilemma. If they moved too soon, they risked losing the injured. If they stayed put, the environment might throw something else at them. No perfect choice.
Sandra closed her eyes briefly, then spoke in a measured tone. “We’ll remain here for one more rest cycle—maybe six to eight hours. Long enough for the wounded to recover a bit more under Lauren and Harold’s care, and for the rest of us to gather fish. Then, as soon as possible, we pack up.”
Gideon inclined his head in agreement. “That’s our best shot. Meanwhile, we keep guard rotations. If any serious threat appears—drakes, bigger bugs, or something else—we’ll respond.”
Quiet assent ran through the circle. Plans began forming for a fishing expedition at the half-flooded cavern and the creation of a small perimeter around the camp. Volunteers readied crude nets fashioned from shredded cloth and spears hammered with bug carapaces, hoping to improve their catch rate.
There was no true night or day in the subterranean domain. Still, the group fell into a pattern of rest, waking, and tasks. Elijah alternated between catnapping near the conjured fire and patrolling the cavern perimeter with his bow. Whenever he tried to close his eyes, glimpses of the hellhounds, gnolls, and guardians haunted his thoughts. Each memory carried a rush of adrenaline, followed by grim acceptance—this was their world now, at least for the foreseeable future.
While most dozed, Gideon quietly limped from one person to the next, checking on them, ensuring they had water and some leftover ration scraps from the coliseum breaks that a few had in their pockets before everything turned to chaos. Brittany hummed softly, her melodic skill weaving a barely audible aura of calm. The effect wasn’t dramatic, but it seemed to soothe frayed nerves.
At some point, Nora drifted over to Elijah’s spot. She sat down, resting her blade across her lap. Neither spoke for a long minute. Then, finally, she murmured, “I’m curious. Where do you think this ‘System’ is actually taking us? Another world? Or is it warping ours?”
Elijah closed his eyes, exhaling. “I wish I knew. Feels more like we’re somewhere else entirely. Hard to believe Earth has hidden caverns with lava drakes.”
She gave a quiet laugh devoid of humor. “Guess it doesn’t matter right now. Just got to survive it.”
They lapsed into silence again, a sort of unspoken understanding passing between them. Eventually, Nora rose to rejoin the watchers along the tunnel.
When their makeshift day cycle resumed, the fishing team—led by Thomas, Vince, and Patrice—set out, while Elijah and Nora stayed to guard the camp with Gideon, Sandra, and others. Time dragged. The occasional skitter of insects made people jump, but no large swarm or monstrous threat showed.
At last, the expedition returned, laden with a handful of small fish in crude nets. Their success brought muted cheers. It wasn’t a feast, but enough to feed a number of the group. Harold used Purification Light on the fish, carefully analyzing them for toxins. Then they were boiled in conjured fire, the aroma drawing hungry survivors.
Elijah tried a piece. It was bland, a touch rubbery, but far from inedible. Misha and several others who could barely stomach the tension found it a welcomed meal, their first real sustenance since the day began.
Some also attempted to harvest the spongy fungus found along the route. Harold’s purification revealed mild toxins in certain varieties, prompting them to discard those, but a few types proved harmless enough when boiled thoroughly. The taste, however, was another matter—like chalk and bitterness combined. Still, desperation overrode pickiness.
Feeling marginally fortified by the meager meal, the group began packing up. The severely injured, including a couple who still couldn’t walk on their own, were supported by those with healing magic. Not everyone was fully fit, but at least they weren’t on the brink of death anymore.
“Are we sure we want to move now?” asked Greg, conjuration flames flickering nervously around his fingertips. “We’re still not at full strength.”
Gideon looked around, voice firm. “This cave is only going to get more dangerous over time. We can’t risk a swarm of crawlers or something worse. Plus, the System might trigger another wave if we linger. It seems designed to push us forward.”
Sandra nodded in agreement. “The tunnels are a labyrinth. Our best chance is to find a path that leads to the next stage—like how that puzzle opened the coliseum gate.”
A subtle sense of unity solidified in that moment, however fragile. People started gathering their meager belongings, forging spears from bug legs, salvaging cloth from gnoll corpses for bandages, and storing water in any sealed container they could scrounge or conjure. The objective was clear: push deeper, find an exit or another puzzle, and hope for a path that might eventually lead them out of the System’s clutches.
Standing at the head of the group, Elijah exhaled, gripping his bow. He exchanged a determined nod with Nora, Vince, Sandra, and Gideon. Quietly, they led the survivors away from the resting spot that had served as a temporary refuge. The path ahead wound through dripping stalactites, winding corridors, and faint luminescent crystals.
The deeper they went, the more Elijah felt a stirring in his gut—a blend of dread and anticipation. Every footstep echoed with possible discovery. Another wave of monstrous foes, or maybe a hidden chamber with a new puzzle. The System’s motives remained elusive, but the one certainty was that it pushed them to fight, learn, and survive.
The line of survivors snaked through the shadowy passage, shapes flickering in the half-light of conjured flames and glowing crystals. Fear gnawed at them, but they pressed on. Because in this reality, standing still meant death or entrapment. Forward was the only option.
Elijah could almost sense the presence of the System everywhere, like it watched them from the shadows, calculating their progress. And so, with wounded steps and hopeful hearts, the group ventured on, deeper into an underworld that promised both peril and possibility—bound together by the silent vow that they would not abandon one another, no matter what the darkness held.