The lights died so fast the entire hallway dropped into complete darkness. For a few long seconds, Eric couldn't even hear his own breathing. The guild, which had been glowing red and alive only moments ago, now felt like a dead cavern swallowed by night.
Winter tightened her grip on his wrist.
"Stay close," she whispered. Her voice was low. Too low. Almost like she didn't want the shadows to hear her.
Eric swallowed hard. He wanted to respond, but the darkness felt thick in his throat. He could barely see Winter's outline. Only a faint shimmer of her white hair.
A soft humming drifted through the corridor. Not loud. Not sharp. It only felt wrong. A distant vibration that made the walls tremble like something alive was sliding through them.
"Winter…" Eric whispered. "That sound."
"I know," she muttered. "Don't panic."
Easier said than done. Eric was panicking front, back and center.
