The stone Demon finally died and broke apart into countless pieces of gray rock.
Everyone lowered their weapons and let out a collective sigh of relief. Their shoulders relaxed and the tension that gripped them throughout the battle finally began to ease.
"Fuck me," Don muttered. "Tell me that was the last one."
Maira wiped the sweat from her forehead and gave him a tired look. "You really think we're that lucky?"
"At least it was only one," Leyan said, though he sounded far from reassured. He glanced toward the broad staircase at the other end of the chamber. "For all we know, there could be ten more waiting upstairs."
"Don't say that," Arven groaned.
"Well, whatever shit waits for us up there, we still have to face it," Samuel said. "We find the artifact, take it back, and get the hell out."
Everyone knew Samuel was right. They could complain all they wanted, but the mission was still unfinished.
