Alex stepped through the stone archway, and the exit sealed shut behind him with a low, grinding thud that echoed down the passage like a warning.
Inside, it was utterly dark.
But for Alex, darkness wasn't an obstacle as his vision, was enhanced beyond that of ordinary.
He began to walk, and almost immediately, the sharp tang of sulfur and decaying minerals assaulted his nose. The air was thick, damp, and heavy, clinging to his skin like a wet sheet.
As he moved deeper, he realized he had entered some kind of underground cave network—its walls twisting into narrow, jagged tunnels. The way the place was formed seemed at odds with itself: half-natural, half-deliberate, as if some massive creature had burrowed through the earth with a purpose.
Veins of crystal glimmered faintly in the walls, offering just enough shimmer to make out vague shapes, but not enough to truly light the way.
This wasn't just a cave. It was a labyrinth.
