Chapter 184: The Hollow Spire Opens

The massive iron doors groaned as Damien pushed them open, their ancient hinges screaming in protest. Dust and shadows spilled from the entrance, curling along the ground like something alive.

A darkness older than time leaked from within.

This was not an abandoned ruin.

This was not a forgotten place.

It was waiting.

And now—they had returned.

—

Crossing the Threshold

Damien stepped inside first.

The moment his boot touched the black stone floor, the air shifted.

Not a gust of wind.

Not a tremor.

But something deeper.

Like the Spire itself had recognized him.

Like it had been expecting him.

Dante exhaled sharply, stepping in behind him. "Yeah, this is a bad idea."

Selene smirked. "You say that every time."

Dante gave her a flat look. "And am I ever wrong?"

Erynn ignored them, her silver eyes locked on the runes carved into the walls. "This place… it's not dead."