Maximus

We walked for what felt like hours. The tunnels curved downward again, carrying the faint scent of ash and iron. Rebecca stayed close, her hand brushing mine every few steps as if to remind me I was still real. I could not tell if the walls were breathing or if I was imagining it. The deeper we went, the more the stone began to glow with a strange red shimmer.

I stopped once, running my fingers across the rough surface. It was warm. Too warm.

“This place is ...