(Solomon's POV)
Some monsters are born from darkness.
Others are born from what darkness leaves behind.
This one was born from both.
The Descent
The tunnel beneath the mountain seemed endless.
Every step downward felt wrong.
Not dangerous.
Wrong.
As if reality itself had been wounded here.
The walls pulsed with faint silver veins.
Ancient remnants of Alaric's network.
Dead fragments of a system that had once imprisoned thousands.
Now they flickered weakly.
Dying.
Around us, liberated souls floated silently.
Hundreds had escaped during the collapse.
Not fully restored.
Not yet.
But free.
And terrified.
Especially Elias.
The first liberated soul walked beside Alaric.
The young man had barely spoken since we began descending.
His face remained pale.
His eyes fixed on
