The red-hot glow of the portal flickered out, dumping Vell and his team back into the tower's base. The searing heat of Floor 16's lava wyrm still clung to their skin, but the cool, heavy air of the base swept it away. The black stone walls pulsed with a faint hum, louder now, like the tower was growling under its breath. Sixteen floors—sandstorms, ice titans, shadow reapers, forge titans, and blazing drakes—they'd crushed every challenge. Vell gripped the red key from Floor 16, its edges sharp and warm, buzzing with a life of its own.
"Sixteen floors done!" Ruby cheered, shaking soot off her fluffy hat. Her fox ears twitched, and her tail swished despite the ash. "We're the strongest, Master!"
Wren smirked, flicking lava dust off her claws. "Yeah, but Floor 17's waiting. Bet it's a nightmare."
Jia wiped her daggers on her singed cloak, cool as ever. "I'm over this heat. Let's make the next one fast."