The silence of the Keep began to weigh on him. It was too quiet. After the chaos of the lower levels, the silence felt unnatural.
Daniel didn't relax. He knew that in a place like this, silence was usually a weapon. It meant that something was watching.
He reached a landing. The ramp leveled out for a moment before continuing upward. Daniel stopped to catch his breath.
He looked at his gear. His Twin Fang daggers were strapped to his thighs, ready to be drawn in a heartbeat. His Skyreaver Bow was secure on his back. His C-Grade Deflector Vest was patched and holding strong. He was in peak condition. He was fully healed. His mana was full. His stamina was topped off.
He looked up at the spiraling path ahead and for a split second, he thought he felt a presence.
It wasn't a solid shape. It was a blur of motion high above him, near the ceiling. Daniel froze. He pressed himself against the black wall, blending into the shadows.
