The staircase continued without branch or landing for two full days.
The black stone steps remained wide and even, but the air thickened with every level descended. Raw cursed energy saturated the space until breathing itself carried weight. The advanced stage of the Cursed Nebula Physique absorbed the pressure without strain and even seemed to grow steadier under it. The others adapted more slowly. Elizabeth and Vale showed the least difficulty. Isolde and Thalia used the living currents and fine vibrations of the stone to keep their footing sure. Sael simply endured with the same practical silence she gave every hardship. The rest of the core rotated positions, supporting those who needed it and conserving strength for whatever waited below.
