Bab 9: Into the Abyss

The platform rattled beneath their feet as it descended slowly, the eerie hum of machinery reverberating through the narrow, cylindrical shaft. Alex's mind raced as they gripped the railing, staring into the darkness below. The faint blue light emanating from the walls seemed to pulse in time with the platform's movements, creating an almost hypnotic rhythm. But beneath the calm, they could feel it—something was waiting for them.

"How deep do you think this goes?" Jim asked, breaking the silence. His voice was strained, tense. He had been trying to stay calm, but the oppressive atmosphere was starting to get to him. "Feels like we've been dropping for hours."

"Not hours," Alex replied, trying to steady their voice. "But long enough. This place… it's not just an ancient ruin. It's something more. Something alive."

Jim snorted, though there was little humor in his voice. "Alive? You're starting to sound like Shadow."