I deal in sarcasm

As they hurried through the twisting paths, the air grew colder, sharper, biting at their skin like tiny needles. The once eerie silence was now deafening, every footstep magnified in the unnatural stillness. Arazela, never one to stay quiet for long, glanced over her shoulder, catching Cyrus fidgeting with the hilt of his sword.

"You know, Cy, I think if you grip that sword any tighter, you’ll fuse with it," she teased, hoping to lighten the mood, her voice casual despite the tension in the air.

Cyrus grunted, his brows furrowed as he kept his eyes forward. "Just making sure I’m ready, just in case something decides to sneak up on us"

"Yeah, well, if the underworld throws another surprise our way, I vote we throw you at it first. You’ve got that 'first-to-die' energy"

Cyrus shot her a look, but a small smirk betrayed him. "Don’t tempt me, Arazela"