The darkness of the cave enveloped us like a thick blanket, swallowing the light from our hastily lit torches. The humming that had beckoned us inside now seemed to come from everywhere at once, vibrating through the stone and our very bones.
"Stay close," I whispered, though I doubted my companions needed the reminder. The foxlin pressed against my legs, its fur standing on end.
We moved cautiously, our footsteps echoing in the cavernous space. The tunnel twisted and turned, leading us deeper into the mountain's heart. Strange formations loomed out of the darkness – stalactites and stalagmites that seemed to reach for each other like grasping fingers.
"Does anyone else feel like we're being watched?" Lukas muttered, his eyes darting nervously from shadow to shadow.
Zara nodded grimly.
