Chapter 93: Cavern Descent (2)
The tunnel swallowed sound almost immediately.
Zephyr crouched low, shoulders brushing rough stone as he moved behind Ava. The ceiling dipped tight for the first five meters before gradually lifting into a shallow crawlspace. The air was cool, damp, and smelled faintly metallic — like wet minerals and fresh dust.
"This is tighter than it looked," Zephyr muttered.
"Stay focused," Ava said, voice steady. "Eyes forward. Watch the floor."
Brian, crawling behind him, answered dryly,
"Amazing advice. I'd have never thought to look at the floor while crawling."
Zephyr smirked. "Careful. Sarcasm adds weight. You might get stuck."
Brian jabbed him lightly in the boot with two fingers.
"Keep moving."
A faint trickle of water echoed ahead, guiding their ears even though their lamps barely reached five meters forward in the cramped space.
Kael's voice crackled from behind.
"Vitals stable across the board."
"Good," Ava said.
