Every drip of moisture from the ceiling made him flinch, his shoulders jerking in silent panic. He was a boy playing a man's game, and the realization was beginning to crush him. The bravado he had carried during their training sessions back home had completely vanished, replaced by a cold, hollow dread. "How much further do we have to go?" Kristoffer whispered, his voice cracking like dry parchment. He hated how weak he sounded, but the silence was becoming too heavy to bear. He needed to hear a human voice, even if it was just to hear his own fears spoken aloud. Allen didn't look back, keeping his eyes locked on the narrow, winding path of slippery stone ahead. His jaw was clenched, the muscles along his neck tight with tension. He knew that showing weakness now would only cause his friend to spiral further into panic. "We keep moving until we reach the primary threshold," Allen muttered, his voice low and steady. "Keep your wits about you. We cannot afford a single mistake in this place."

Chapter 5: Fear II