Seventh Circle, Violence (Part 1)

"We can't use violence," Kaizen muttered to himself, trying to assimilate the full meaning of these words as they followed Adamanthi down the stairs. 

The cold, damp stone steps seemed endless, each step echoing with a gloomy reverberation that added to the sense of despair.

Bloody Lily, always the first to react, snorted with disdain. "Not using violence in the Circle of Violence? Sounds like an ironic joke." Her eyes shone with a mixture of frustration and skepticism.

Adamanthi turned to face her, his eyes serene but determined. "It's not a joke. It's a test. You need to find another way forward. Fighting with violence will only doom you faster than any trap."

Andrew, his face still terror-stricken from the recent revelation, asked, "So how do we get through? What exactly will we face down there?"