The dark, winding tunnels of the seventh floor felt a little less suffocating now that we were moving as a group again.
Up ahead, Scarlet took the lead this time.
Her vibrant red fox ears twitched constantly, her nose flared as she sifted through the overpowering stench of pulverized stone and sulfur to track Edric and other's scent.
Garf and Mira flanked her, their weapons drawn, keeping a vigilant watch on the shadows.
I took the rear, though I wasn't walking alone.
Tessa had her arm securely linked through mine, her shoulder pressed warmly against my side.
The frantic, terrified trembling that had gripped her in the rubble had stopped, replaced by a quiet, determined grip on my sleeve.
I glanced down at her as we walked, the soft glow of my Light Orb catching the dried tear streaks on her dust-covered cheeks.
"How are you feeling now?" I asked, keeping my voice low.
Tessa looked up at me. A soft, incredibly genuine smile spread across her face.
