Story 449: Descent into the Abyss

The spiral staircase led the team into an oppressive darkness that seemed to consume the golden glow of the Hall of Lions above. As their boots clattered against damp, uneven stone, the temperature dropped, and the air grew thick with the stench of decay. At the base of the stairs, they found themselves in a cavernous labyrinth—a haunting underworld of jagged stalactites and shimmering pools of stagnant water.

“Everyone stay sharp,” Rook commanded, his voice echoing faintly. “This place reeks of traps.”

Shadow scanned the area with her scope, the faint light from their tactical gear casting eerie shadows on the walls. “This isn’t just natural erosion,” she murmured. “These formations are deliberate. Someone—or something—built this.”

Viper knelt by a pool, her fingers brushing against the water’s surface. She recoiled instantly. “Acid,” she muttered, wiping her glove on her pants. “They’re not making it easy for us.”