The ground shook the moment the group crossed the portal.

  The Ninth Floor was a jagged stone corridor, lit only by crimson crystals pulsing like beating hearts.

  The air was dry, reeking of iron.

  — “This… isn’t just illusion,” — Boudica muttered, lowering her spears.

  The sound of gears began to echo. Small clicks came from the walls, like something waking up.

  Then, massive blades burst from both sides of the corridor, spinning at deadly speed.

  Luiz reacted first.

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  — “Advance formation! Copas up front, Valkyries and Leli on the rear!”

  — “Lukas, with me,” — Boudica ordered, grabbing his arm.

  They dashed forward, ducking just as the first blade sliced past, its force strong enough to split a man in half.

  Behind them, Leli nearly got caught, but Valquíria yanked her back at the last second.

  Ahead, the corridor split into three paths. In the center, a rusted iron gate. To the left and right, narrow tunnels — and from within came heavy footsteps.

  From the left tunnel, a hulking armored beast emerged, four meters tall, claws long and eyes glowing red.

  From the right tunnel, another one stepped out.

  — “Two Guardians,” — Boudica growled. — “The Tower doesn’t want us climbing.”

  Luiz spun his sword and roared:

  — “I’ll take the left one! Copas with me!”

  Valquíria answered:

  — “Then the right one is ours.”

  Boudica turned to Lukas.

  — “You and I will force the central gate. If we mistime it, we’re crushed.”

  Without hesitation, Lukas ran with her. Every step was synced with the open-and-close rhythm of the spinning blades.

  The gate began to shut slowly. Boudica hurled one spear like a stake, jamming the mechanism. Lukas slid underneath, rolling to the other side.

  When the last of them crossed, the blades retracted and silence fell over the floor.

  Luiz wiped blood from his arm.

  — “This Tower… is in a foul mood today.”

  Boudica retrieved her spear and looked upward.

  — “The Tenth Floor will be worse.”

  Lukas drew in a deep breath.

  — “Then let’s go. We didn’t come this far to stop.”

  End of Chapter 7