The group advanced deeper into the abandoned Kitsune town, following a narrow corridor that twisted downward beneath the ruins. The air grew cooler and carried a faint metallic scent, mingled with the earthy musk of roots that had forced their way through cracks in the stone. Renkai led with careful steps, ears twitching for any sound, while Serelyth hovered near the rear, her eyes flicking to every shadow.
At the end of the corridor, Renkai paused. "There… the floor looks different. Less worn than the rest of the ruins, almost… polished." He knelt to brush away a layer of dust, revealing intricate fox-shaped carvings, each entwined with elemental symbols. "This isn't just decoration. Someone—or something—maintained this."
Lira's eyes widened as she knelt beside him. "A hidden chamber… perhaps untouched for centuries. This could hold something important."
