Byung was taken deep into the mine by the dwarf, their footsteps echoing through ancient tunnels that descended far beyond where goblin excavations had ever reached. The passages here were purely dwarven construction—walls carved with geometric precision, support beams of metal that showed no rust despite obvious age, and those glowing runes that pulsed with protective magic designed to hide them from scrying eyes above. The air grew colder and damper with each level they descended, carrying mineral scents mixed with something fouler—decay, infection, the smell of a body breaking down slowly.
Finally, they entered a chamber lit by a single guttering torch, and Byung got eyes on Kraghul for the first time since the young orc's mysterious disappearance. The sight was shocking enough to make him pause mid-step.
