The portal's red glow faded, dropping Vell and his team back into the tower's base. The heat from Floor 10's lava titan was gone, but the air still felt thick, heavy with the battles they'd fought. Ten floors—deserts, ice, volcanoes, shadows—they'd crushed them all. The black stone walls glowed faintly, the stairs spiraling up into the dark like always. Vell held the red key from Floor 10, its warmth tingling in his hand.
"Ten floors down!" Ruby cheered, her fox ears perking up despite the ash on her cloak. "We're so strong now, Master!"
Wren smirked, flicking her claws out. "Yeah, but the tower's not done with us. Floor 11's next."
Jia twirled her daggers, cool as ever. "Let's keep the streak going. I'm ready."
Jolly grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Big floors, big fights. Bring it on!"
Regina hugged her grimoire, her face serious. "The tower's getting tougher. Floor 11 might hit harder than anything before."