Lyerin stood at the entrance to the next cavern, the flickering torchlight casting his shadow long and imposing against the jagged rock walls.
He took a deep breath, his expression hardening as he looked upon the weary, bloodied soldiers before him.
There was no trace of pity in his gaze, only a steely resolve that seemed carved from the same stone as the cavern itself.
"Here they are," he said, his voice low and reverberating like distant thunder.
The simple words were laced with a weight that made the soldiers stiffen. "Beyond this chamber, you will find them—more of those beasts. Stronger, faster, more ruthless than the ones you have faced."
The soldiers exchanged glances, fear flickering in their eyes. Some shifted uneasily, hands tightening around their weapons.
Lyerin's eyes swept over them, catching each gaze and holding it.