Captain Veylor stood at the center of the field, watching the aftermath with a satisfied nod. His voice carried across the stronghold.
"Well done! Secure the area and tend to the injured. We're not dead yet, so keep moving!"
A few tired chuckles answered him. The tension eased further.
But just as the atmosphere softened, a deep rumble shook the ground.
Rumble.
The dungeon entrance at the edge of the stronghold trembled violently.
The celebrations paused.
All eyes turned.
The heavy stone arch that marked the dungeon gate pulsed faintly, and the space within twisted like disturbed water. Then figures began stepping out one after another.
Silver squad members.
Gold squad members.
The elite explorers who had entered the dungeon earlier to clear it.
Their armor was damaged, their expressions serious, and their movements sharp with caution. They stepped into the open space quickly, scanning the surroundings as if expecting danger to still be present.
