Adam walked forward, his footsteps echoing in the oppressive silence. The shadows around him seemed to pulse, as if the darkness itself was breathing. He glanced back at the scattered remains of the three guardians or rather, what remained of them.
"Shame they didn't drop cores," he muttered, his voice flat with disappointment. "Or leave bodies behind. If there had been something left, I could've eaten them and gotten some new abilities."
He shook his head, turning his attention forward.
Ahead, the corridor opened into a wide, circular chamber. The floor was smooth, polished stone, and at its center, a massive hole gaped open—a perfect circle descending into absolute, impenetrable darkness. No light reached its depths. No sound emerged from it.
Adam stared down into the void.
