The team's footsteps echoed ominously as they stepped into a grand staircase spiraling upward into darkness. The gothic architecture of the chamber was overwhelming—sharp arches loomed overhead, and intricate carvings of grotesque figures lined the walls. A faint beam of light seeped through a small crack at the top, barely illuminating the path ahead.
"This place screams trap," Viper muttered, her knives spinning nervously in her hands.
Rook nodded, his eyes scanning every shadow. "Agreed. But we have no choice. We need to see what's at the top."
The spiral staircase twisted unnaturally, as though it had been designed to disorient anyone brave enough to climb it. The steps were worn and uneven, their surfaces marred by centuries of decay. Ghost, leading the way, moved silently, his suppressed pistol drawn and ready.
"I'm picking up faint thermal signatures above us," Ghost reported, his voice a low whisper. "Could be sentries. Could be something worse."
"Great," Shadow replied dryly, her sniper rifle slung over her shoulder. "Just once, I'd like to walk into a room without expecting to get ambushed."
The team climbed cautiously, their weapons drawn and senses heightened. The air grew colder as they ascended, carrying with it a faint, metallic tang that set their nerves on edge. The sound of dripping water echoed faintly, each drop a reminder of the oppressive silence that surrounded them.
Halfway up, Bulwark halted, his heavy frame casting a long shadow. "Hold up. Something's wrong."
Before anyone could respond, a low growl reverberated through the chamber. From the darkness above, a pair of glowing, amber eyes appeared, followed by another. And another.
"Contact!" Rook barked, raising his weapon.
The creatures descended from the shadows, their bodies twisted and skeletal, their claws scraping against the stone walls as they lunged toward the team. Ghost fired first, his shots precise and controlled, but the creatures moved with unnatural speed, evading his bullets.
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"Engage!" Rook ordered.
Shadow dropped to one knee, her rifle finding its mark as she picked off a creature mid-leap. Viper darted forward, her blades flashing as she slashed at another, but the creatures were relentless, their numbers overwhelming.
"Fall back!" Rook shouted, but the staircase offered no room for retreat.
Bulwark took a stand, his heavy weapon roaring as he unleashed a storm of bullets that tore through the advancing horde. The creatures shrieked, their bodies disintegrating into ash, but for every one that fell, two more seemed to take its place.
"Keep moving!" Rook yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We can't stay here!"
The team pressed upward, fighting with every step. The staircase seemed endless, the top always just out of reach. As they neared the beam of light, the creatures suddenly stopped their pursuit, retreating into the shadows as if repelled by the light.
Breathing heavily, the team reached the top, stepping into a grand hall bathed in an eerie golden glow. At the far end stood a massive door, its surface engraved with ancient runes that pulsed faintly.
"What now?" Viper asked, her voice laced with exhaustion.
"We go through," Rook said, his jaw set. "Whatever's behind that door, it's what we came here for."
The team exchanged grim looks, then readied their weapons. Together, they pushed the door open, stepping into the unknown.
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