The doors opened to a passage dimly illuminated by flickering torches, casting dancing shadows on the rough, stone walls that seemed to writhe with age. The air was thick with unease, the faint smell of mold and damp earth permeating the atmosphere, mixing with a stale scent that hinted at confinement and despair. As they moved forward, their footsteps echoed softly in the somber corridor, heightening the sense of anticipation for what lay ahead.

  Their tension mounted as they approached the end of the passage. When they finally reached the exit, a vast, oppressive expanse greeted them—a cavernous chamber that swallowed the light. Bones extended his hand, halting Mathias just as he was about to take another step forward, the suddenness of the motion sharpening his focus. Mathias turned his head quickly, confusion etched on his features, only to look down and see the ground dissipating into an abyss. The stone steps to the side spiraled downward in a winding descent around a circular structure, which loomed ominously above—a gaping hundred-meter chasm in the center. At first glance, the structure reminded Bones of a crumbling tower with deep cracks and chips marring its surface, yet Mathias seemed to grasp its true nature deeper than mere aesthetics.

  "This is... a prison, but why here of all places? And thank you, Bones. I would've stepped right over if you hadn't stopped me!" Mathias exclaimed, his chest heaving from the close call, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes.

  "No problem," Bones replied. "You said this is a prison?"

  "Yes. The stairs," Mathias pointed toward the steps, their edges worn smooth from countless steps over the years, "lead down, stopping at each floor until the ground level. This prison is as old as the lock we saw on the doors before."

  "They don't build them like this anymore?" Bones remarked, echoing Mathias's earlier sentiments about the lock, his gaze drifting back to the imposing structure.

  "No, they don't. The conditions were too inhumane for any prisoners, but it's not here that I first saw a prison like this. Have you ever been to Prusha?"

  Empire of Prusha again? "No, I haven't had the chance."

  "A few years back, before becoming a spy, I was stationed in one of the magic towers in Prusha. I think it was about thirty years ago, and the sight of cruelty I witnessed there was etched into my mind forever! Only the most hardened criminals were kept there, even though the cells weren't designed to hold humans."

  "You mean..." Bones prompted.

  "Monsters used for research and experimentation were kept in cells, and there are certain monsters that could be kept here..."

  Bones peered ahead, his enhanced senses piercing the gloom. What he saw confirmed Mathias's words; numerous cells lined the perimeter of the structure, their iron bars rusting and covered in a fine layer of dust. "You're right, I see multiple cells," Bones acknowledged.

  "How far can you detect? Can you see the bottom?" Mathias asked.

  "No. I can sense four floors down, but my senses are blurred deeper than that, and I feel..." Bones hesitated, grappling with an unsettling premonition.

  "What else, Bones?" Mathias urged, his brow furrowed in concern.

  "The cells aren't empty, Mathias, but I can't quite determine what’s inside."

  "Human or...?"

  "I can't tell. All I know is that something—or someone—is in each cell."

  A profound silence enveloped them, the weight of their surroundings pressing in. Mathias didn't press for more information. They intended to descend into this unforgiving abyss regardless of what awaited them. Without further delay, Mathias signaled to proceed. Bones paused briefly, his gaze drifting back to the cells on the opposite side as an unsettling aura emanated from within them, before he followed Mathias down the spiral steps.

  The descent was unnervingly silent, and if Bones hadn't assured him the cells weren't vacant, Mathias might have thought the place was deserted and long forgotten. As they reached the lower level, cells came into view. Torches positioned between the cells cast enough light to allow shadows to obscure the path, but not enough to reveal the contents of the cells. To discover more, Mathias crept closer and gasped at the sight. Dozens of lesser vampires were huddled together in some form of stasis. At least that was Bones' assessment as he stopped beside Mathias. The man next to him remained silent, but the shock on his face was unmistakable. Bones lightly tapped him on the shoulder and motioned to continue.

  The pair passed several cells, never taking their eyes off the dormant vampires, remaining watchful. Mathias' face was etched with fear at the possibility of one awakening. Every instinct urged him to flee. Bones, however, seemed intrigued, the stasis reminding him of an eternal rest.

  "Is this typical vampire behavior?" Bones whispered. Startled, Mathias turned, took a moment to regain composure, then responded.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  "No, I've never seen them like this before. They usually sleep alone," he whispered back, gesturing to the stairs leading further down. Bones nodded, and they continued their descent.

  Four floors down, Mathias glanced below, trying to see the bottom. "It's too dark; I can't see the end." He turned to Bones, asking if he could detect the ground. Concentrating, Bones replied after a moment that there were three more floors and paused, unsettling Mathias.

  "What is it? Why did you stop?" Mathias asked.

  "Sorry. There are two figures on the ground floor, talking. I can't discern their features, but one seems very powerful—an elder vampire strong," Bones revealed, causing Mathias' eyes to widen.

  "It could be the bride. Can you hear what she's saying?"

  Bones shook his head and asked, "Why do you call them the Vampire Lord's brides?"

  "Because that's what they are—his chosen companions, turned to be with him forever. It's a well-known tale. I'll share it with you once we're out," Mathias replied absently, his mind on the vampires below.

  "What’s on your mind?" Bones asked, observing Mathias lost in contemplation.

  "We must listen to their discussion," Mathias stated, meeting Bones' gaze. Although Bones sensed their predicament worsening and felt it would be wise to withdraw, he recognized Mathias' resolve and held his tongue. "Show the way," he said.

  Mathias stayed low, crouching as he descended the stairs, ignoring the cells he passed. His attention was fixed on two vampires just two floors below. He signaled for them to halt, pressing a finger to his lips to indicate silence. Bones understood and they watched the conversation unfold from a distance.

  "-finalize the…tion and…"

  "…s as you…sh."

  …over and…inform….count…"

  The conversation was fragmented and difficult to follow, so Bones diverted his focus elsewhere while Mathias remained intent on catching any useful information. The prison was unlike anything Bones had ever seen in either of his lives. It was oddly open, allowing a clear view of every cell from the center. There were no barriers or safety measures to prevent falls between cells. He speculated that many must have plummeted to their deaths from the higher levels.

  Beyond the two vampires in conversation was another passage, perhaps a tunnel, leading to an unknown area—though it was unclear from their vantage point. Mathias suddenly shifted and whispered, "No, wait." Bones glanced at him, then at the ground floor, noticing the vampires concluding their discussion and moving toward the exit. On impulse, Mathias started descending the stairs again. It was a risky move, given that one of the vampires was of the third tier.

  "Mathias. Stop!" Bones whispered as loudly as he dared, reaching out but missing him by inches. With no other option, Bones followed, keeping a watchful eye on the exit.

  Upon catching up to Mathias on the ground floor, Bones asked, "What now?"

  "Wait here," Mathias instructed, ready to keep following, but Bones' hand on his shoulder halted him.

  "We're out of time, Bones," Mathias snapped. "This is our chance—why we came all the way down here."

  Although his points were valid, there was no need to take additional risks. Bones firmly reminded him they had achieved their goal and needed to leave before being detected. Mathias briefly resisted, but eventually agreed that Bones was right. As they reached a consensus, neither noticed the two pairs of eyes observing them in eerie silence. They turned simultaneously to face the vampires. The elder vampire appeared indifferent, while her companion bared his fangs.

  "Deal with them—make them suffer," the elder commanded before departing. As she left, iron gates slid down, blocking the exit. Mathias and Bones stood frozen, unsure whether to run or fight.

  "His level?" Bones asked.

  "Level sixty. He might be the one," Mathias answered.

  "He should be. He's the only level sixty we've encountered here."

  "Are you two done, or can we begin?" the vampire interrupted, cracking his neck as if bored with their antics.

  "After we kill you, we will be," Mathias retorted, adopting a menacing stance and pointing his dagger. Bones remained silent, but doubts crept into his mind.

  Isn't their reaction a bit underwhelming after seeing us? Why did the elder vampire leave? If she had intervened, our mission would be over immediately. Instead, she left him to deal with us, alone. Alone?

  Bones paused, scanning the cells around them. "Mathias, I think we should turn and flee while we still can," he advised, stepping back. Mathias gave him an impatient side-glance and asked, "Why?"

  "Because he's not alone..." Bones replied, retreating slowly. Only then did Mathias realize the danger. The vampire grinned and remarked, "Too slow," before unleashing a piercing shriek.

  Mathias winced while Bones froze mid-step. The sound echoed, then faded after a few seconds. Silence settled over the area until gurgling growls emerged from nearby cells.

  "Run!" Mathias cried out, darting past Bones and up the stairs as the vampire laughed. One by one, the cell doors flew open as they ran, releasing a horde of lesser vampires in pursuit. After giving them a ten-second head start, the vampire from the ground floor joined the chase.

  Two floors up, Mathias used every tool and device at his disposal to hinder their pursuers. Bones' Mana Blast was particularly effective, knocking vampires off their feet, but their situation was deteriorating. Bones sensed vampires awakening on the upper floors. Soon, they'd be surrounded on both sides with no escape but to jump. While scanning ahead, Bones noticed a narrow passage between two cells, just wide enough for single-file entry.

  "Mathias, there's a passage. Do you have smoke bombs?" Bones urgently inquired.

  "No, but I do have three more gas bombs!" Mathias shouted back.

  "Use them."

  "How many?"

  "All of them! Follow me!" Bones yelled, forcing his way through the horde with consecutive mana blasts and bone spells, creating a path. Mathias followed closely and, without further instruction, deployed the bombs as efficiently as possible. The bombs detonated, bringing the chase to a halt as the vampires choked and struggled to expel the silver nitrate from their systems. Meanwhile, Mathias and Bones entered the passage and continued running without looking back. Their improvised tactic seemed successful, except for one vampire who wasn't fazed and pushed through the gas and the passage.