Lyra's grip on Arthur's arm tightened as they stood frozen in the darkness. Arthur's heart pounded in his chest, his senses on high alert as he strained to hear any sound that might indicate what was lurking in the shadows.
Suddenly, a faint rustling noise echoed through the passageway, followed by the soft scrape of footsteps. Lyra's eyes gleamed with a fierce light as she pushed Arthur back against the wall, her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Stay close," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of Arthur's own ragged breathing.
As they waited, the footsteps grew louder, and Arthur could sense a presence looming in the darkness. He felt a shiver run down his spine as a figure emerged from the shadows, its features indistinct in the dim light.
Lyra's sword flashed in the faint moonlight that filtered down from above, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The figure halted, its eyes fixed on Lyra with an unnerving intensity.
"Who are you?" Lyra demanded, her voice firm and commanding.
The figure didn't respond, but instead took a step closer, its eyes never leaving Lyra's face. Arthur could feel the tension building, the air thickening with anticipation.
And then, in an instant, the figure vanished into thin air, leaving Lyra and Arthur staring at each other in confusion.