Noah moved through the tunnel slowly, each step echoing against the stone.
His breathing was heavy from exhaustion and the lingering sting of his wounds.
The faint hum of mana still ran through his body, but his reserves were dangerously low.
Every few steps, pain flared in his ribs from the earlier fights.
Captain Roderick, and of course, the octopus which had nearly broken him, and now, he could feel his body's limits creeping up like a warning bell.
But he didn't stop.
The air grew warmer as he descended, and the faint smell of smoke began to tickle the edge of his senses.
The deeper he went, the more the temperature rose, until beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.
Then, the tunnel opened into a new chamber, one that took his breath away.
The cavern stretched wide and tall, the ceiling sealed and glowing faintly from the flickering flames that danced along the walls.
