Chapter 48: The Lower Levels
The heavy stone doors clanged shut behind James and his companions, the sound echoing ominously through the vast, cold corridor ahead. Darkness pressed in from every side, broken only by the flickering light of the few torches mounted on the ancient walls. The air was damp, carrying the unmistakable scent of decay and mildew, as if the castle itself had been rotting from within for centuries.
"Feels like we're walking straight into the underworld," Pippy muttered, her nose twitching as she scanned the passage for traps.
Sasha took her place beside James, her sword ready, her face set with determination. "We've made it this far. We push through whatever Valek throws at us."
Yori stayed close behind, her hands already glowing with a faint magical light as she prepared to defend the group against the castle's dark magic. "Valek's power is infused into this place," she said quietly. "Everything here will be trying to stop us."