“Looks like we’re on our own from here.” Jared looked toward the left passage. “Too much blood. Something alive is down there. Let’s try the right.”

The right corridor was dry, littered with loose rubble. After thirty minutes, they emerged into a vast limestone chamber. At its center lay a pool of murky green water, veiled in white mist that gave off a faint, pleasant fragrance.

“What is this…” Flaxseed leaned over the rim, hand outstretched, but Jared yanked back.

“Don’t touch it. There’s something off about that water and its scent…” Jared pointed at the drifting vapor.

“One breath and the poison will let the demonic aura burrow through your meridians.” He crushed a pill from his satchel and sprinkled the powder across the surface. It hissed, bubbles foamed, and the fog collapsed like snow in a bonfire.

“Thought so,” said.

“The pool‘s here to keep something trapped. We go around.” Jared skirted the bank, Flaxseed close behind.