Ragnar scanned the jagged rift below, his heart pounding like a war drum in his chest.
The abyss stretched wide, a black maw filled with writhing shadows and distant, guttural snarls.
He turned to the girls—Aria, Elaris, and the others—huddled close in the dim light filtering through the cavern's cracks.
Their faces were pale, etched with the same exhaustion that clawed at him, but there was a fire in their eyes, a shared resolve that made him feel less alone in this hellish place.
"The plan's simple," he said, his voice low and steady, though his gut twisted with doubt.
"We climb the side walls slowly, pass over the monsters from above. Stay quiet, stay hidden."
Aria's brow furrowed, her hand tightening on her bow.
"What's the catch, Ragnar? There's always a problem with these 'simple' plans of yours."
He met her gaze, appreciating the way she cut straight to it—no nonsense, just like him.
