The air in the tunnel felt heavy, thick with the scent of rust and damp concrete. After hours of running and fighting, Cassius and his team finally saw the faint light at the end of the passageway. For the first time in what felt like days, a trace of relief broke through the exhaustion on their faces.
Brent exhaled with a shaky laugh. "We're almost there."
Sophia nodded, brushing her sleeve across her forehead. "Finally. I thought this nightmare would never end."
They all began to pick up their pace, hope flickering in their eyes—until the faint echo of footsteps reached them from the exit. Cassius slowed down instinctively, his senses sharpening.
From the shadows at the mouth of the tunnel, two figures emerged, both covered in dust and ash. The dim light revealed their faces. Reynold. And beside him, Jeric.
