The progression along the steep slopes of the thirty-seventh floor proved to be a true test of resilience and tactical adaptation for our entire squad. After days of constant marching through dizzying ravines and natural bridges suspended over deep abysses, the underground mountain range imposed its own ruthless rules, where the cutting wind and unstable terrain demanded absolute concentration every second. Reflecting on the difficulties imposed by that austere environment, I understood that the true strength of an elite group does not manifest only in moments of glory during battles against colossal bosses, but in the unwavering patience required to overcome the small everyday obstacles that test physical and psychological balance in the depths of the tower.
As we walked in single file along a narrow rocky ledge that followed the wall of a gray basalt mountain, Vespera and Lyannis took the lead in stabilizing the local magnetic field. Using controlled bursts of arcane energy, the two mages created small invisible barriers that softened the direct impact of the freezing gusts, preventing imbalance from threatening the safety of the companions who followed immediately behind. The perfect coordination between support abilities and marching discipline once again demonstrated how mature our group had become after so many campaigns side by side.
"The air currents in this particular section are much more turbulent than the guild records indicated," Vespera observed in a firm voice, raising her staff to dissipate a gust of wind carrying fine dust that attempted to blind our vision. "The barometric pressure in the upper cavity of this mountain changed abruptly over the last few hours, which suggests the formation of static storms characteristic of this floor."
"That explains why I feel a strange vibration in the mana currents flowing through the cracks in the rock," Lyannis agreed, keeping her eyes attentive to the gray horizon and the rocky peaks stretching out before us. "If there are winged creatures hidden within the thermal currents at these heights, they will certainly use the force of the wind to catch us off guard with swift diving attacks."
"Don't worry about aerial surprises," Scarlet interjected with a confident and challenging smile, firmly adjusting her grip on the sword as she took a steady step onto the solid stone floor. The swordswoman kept her crimson eyes fixed on the upper rock formations, ready to deliver a devastating slash at the slightest sign of suspicious movement. "Any beast that dares dive toward us will quickly discover just how sharp our blades are after so many days of boredom in the carriage."
"Scarlet's confidence is always contagious, but prudence remains our most reliable shield," Liriel pointed out with her usual serenity, quickly consulting a detailed map projected by the magical gem in her hand. "We are approaching a rocky gorge where the passage narrows considerably. The data indicates that this point is usually the hunting territory of stone griffin flocks and storm birds."
Elara, who was walking just behind me while monitoring the state of the stabilization and thermal resistance potion supplies, took the opportunity to distribute new bottles of strengthening tonic among the members of the group. "Take these sips now, before we reach the gorge," the alchemist instructed in a professional and welcoming tone, handing out the containers with surgical precision. "The tonic will help maintain stable blood circulation against the intense cold and strengthen muscular endurance in case we need to perform rapid evasive maneuvers on elevated terrain."
The unanimous acceptance of the items and the coordinated execution of the medical instructions reflected the impeccable harmony that reigned within our team. Not a single complaint could be heard; only the rhythmic sound of boots against the rock and the constant whistle of the wind filled the space around us. Thoughts about the transience of those trials crossed my mind, making me reflect on how each challenge overcome in the tower functioned as an indispensable step in the construction of an unforgettable legacy of overcoming and family unity.
We advanced with methodical caution until we reached the entrance of the narrow rocky gorge mentioned by Liriel. The scenery there was impressive and intimidating: vertical walls of dark stone rose dozens of meters toward the invisible ceiling of the cavern, forming a natural corridor where the wind gained speed and strength, echoing like the roar of an ancestral beast. As soon as we set foot inside the gorge, the first signs of native hostility manifested abruptly. Colossal silhouettes descended in swift dives from the upper ledges, taking advantage of the wind's inertia to launch a coordinated surprise attack against our squad.
There were three stone griffins, formidable creatures whose muscular bodies were covered in basalt scales and whose wings beat with such force that they generated cutting gusts of wind. The initial assault was extremely aggressive, aimed directly at the center of our formation in an attempt to destabilize us and push us toward the lateral abyss. However, our tactical readiness neutralized the monsters' initial advantage within fractions of a second.
"Immediate counterattack formation!" I ordered in a firm voice, channeling pure mana to coat my sword in an intense golden glow.
Rai'kanna and Scarlet responded with impressive agility, simultaneously leaping to intercept the leading griffin in midair, delivering combined strikes that shattered part of the monster's stone armor with a deafening metallic crash. At the same time, Vespera and Lyannis conjured restraints of luminous energy that bound the legs of the other two creatures, preventing them from maneuvering freely within the limited space of the gorge. Elara and Liriel secured the rear, raising protective arcane barriers to absorb the rock debris hurled by the wings of the corrupted beasts.
The battle was swift, violent, and impeccably synchronized. Taking advantage of the opening created by the coordinated advance of my companions, I surged forward with a precise leap and delivered the supreme strike that cut through the air and struck the vital core of the main griffin, causing the creature to collapse in a shower of glowing fragments. The remaining beasts, seeing their leader defeated, attempted to retreat toward the heights, but were struck by Vespera's containment magic, sealing the fate of the skirmish within a few minutes without any of our members suffering even the slightest scratch.
After the battle ended, we collected the useful materials left behind by the monsters and took a brief pause to catch our breath before resuming our march along the remaining slopes of the underground mountain range. The resounding success in the confrontation against the griffins further reinforced our collective confidence, proving that not even the treacherous heights and violent winds of the thirty-seventh floor were capable of stopping our squad's relentless march toward the secrets hidden in the upper floors of the tower.