The air inside the fortress was stifling, thick with the scent of decay and something far older, far more sinister. The darkness pressed in around them, oppressive and heavy, as if the very walls were alive and watching. The only light came from the faint glow of Morgana's staff, casting eerie shadows on the stone walls as they advanced deeper into the fortress.
Elara's heart pounded in her chest, each step echoing ominously in the silence. She could feel the malevolent presence that Selene had warned them about, lurking just beyond the edge of their perception. It was as if the darkness itself was sentient, probing their minds, searching for any weakness to exploit.
"Stay close," Elara whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. "We don't know what's waiting for us."