Regrouping

As Ash and Shadow burst through the portal, they found themselves on a new floor of this strange, magical place, surrounded by unknown dangers. 

"Where are we?" Shadow asked, their voice hushed and alert. 

"I don't know," Ash replied, his senses on high alert, "but we need to be careful. I hear something."

And indeed, the sound of clashing steel and bestial roars echoed through the air, filling them both with a sense of urgency and dread.

With a single glance at each other, they sprung into action, hurriedly making their way toward the source of the commotion.

As the sounds of battle intensified, Ash and Shadow hastened their pace, following the echoes of steel and roar. 

They rounded a corner, and a scene of utter chaos unfolded before them. 

Adventurers clashed with hulking beasts, their armor glinting in the flickering torchlight, their faces contorted with battle-rage.