The middle-aged man said, "Here we are."
Fang Hong then saw, at the end of the gray stone steps ahead, a barred gate emerged from the darkness, with pitch-black metal railings wrapped in a heap of iron chains, and a lock the size of a fist hanging on top.
Not far away was a deep pool of water, the inky water surface like a mirror, reflecting shadows of people. Water seeped through the thick rock layers, occasionally dripping down from above, echoing into the water, causing ripples on the mirror-like surface.
The middle-aged man stepped forward and shook the chain, creating a clanking sound, then raised his head and asked into the darkness:
"Is Mr. Alvan there?"
Atira, the Big Cat People, and Hilveld heard rustling sounds from the darkness as if someone was getting out of bed, and then Fang Hong heard this sound.
With a soft 'click', a flame flickered into life.
