Chapter 27: Blackmouth
Frank stood near the stone map table in Room 6, studying the glowing projection of the Blackmouth Labyrinth—a twisting, half-charted maze beneath a ruined cityscape, full of damp corners and sudden teeth.
Hazen and Lira stood on the other side, gear already prepped. The fourth member—a heavyset man in plated armor with an iron chain coiled around one shoulder—sat polishing his gauntlet in silence.
"That’s Dren," Hazen said, motioning to the chain-bearer. "He doesn’t talk much, but if you see something coming at you fast, get behind him."
"Solid advice," Frank said, nodding.
Lira leaned over the map projection and flicked her finger through one corridor. "Three known access points. This one collapsed last month. That leaves eastern entry and sewer drop."
"We’re taking the sewer," Hazen said.
"Of course we are," Frank muttered. "Why use stairs when you can use slime?"
Hazen smirked. "Because stairs don’t get you behind the first trap cluster. Sewer puts us straight into Zone B."
"Assuming the route’s still open," Lira added. "Latest scans are two weeks old."
"Perfect," Frank said. "Blind descent. Rotting tunnels. Wild variables. I see we’re embracing chaos this morning."
Lira grinned. "Now you’re getting it."