Alaric stood up slowly.
Rolled his shoulders. Stretched his neck left, then right. Worked through the stiffness that came from sitting against cold stone for extended recovery period.
Clenched and unclenched his fists.
Closed his eyes and checked his essence channels mentally, probing carefully, assessing reserves. They weren't full. Not by a long stretch. But they were functional. Stable enough to fight if needed.
Then he exhaled through his nose.
Good enough.
And picked a direction Brandon had said and started walking.
The cave system was quieter now. No Crawlers skittering in the shadows. No distant roars echoing through passages. Just the sound of his footsteps and his own breathing as he navigated.
He walked for what felt like twenty minutes. The passages gradually changed, becoming smoother, more deliberate.
Less natural cave and more constructed space. Then he stopped.
And in front of him was a door.
Alaric stared at it, and frowned.
"This is really an exit?"
