Shoot to the bottom.

You rapidly slide through darkness into light. The ride isn't long. At the bottom, you tumble right into Amara, who is already laying on Eva and Niki. Xiaoqing hits your back from behind. Just before Snow can collide, she catches herself, and flips over top to land perfectly on her feet in front of the pile. The bottom of the spiral staircase is illuminated by two flickering torches, though the chamber isn't any larger than the one above. And just like that one, a single door exits the room, but there's nothing else in sight.

As you pull yourself up, Amara turns to gaze up into your eyes. With blushing cheeks, she wraps an arm around your shoulders, gesturing for aid to rise. You aid her in standing, and she holds you close, even after you're both on your feet.

"Thank you," she whispers, and she smiles bright while turning to the others.

Eva reaches up melodramatically. "I need... help as well," she grumbles while laying flat on Niki's back.

Xiaoqing, who has already recovered, watches from the side.

Before either you or Amara can help, Niki lifts her with ease, first by standing, and then with her hands on the bunny's sides. She plucks her from the ground, but steps forward to place her right into your arms. "There," Niki says. "Happy?"

You hold Eva close. Her face burns hot, not at all expecting that outcome.

Snow is lurking at the door. She waves her arms, alerting you to the ring of the bell nobody else can hear. When you look, she points her thumb back and gestures a hushing finger to her lips. She then tugs up her mask to cover the bottom half of her face. Slowly, she slips the feathered back of an arrow in her quiver between her fingers, prepared to nock and fire at a moment's notice.

Eva's ears perk up. "Oh," she whispers. "Voices."

One by one, each member of the party stops at the exit. They listen closely, mostly waiting to be told what to do next. It's difficult to make out what's being said inside, though it sounds to be predominantly one voice--others mumble in the distance, however.

Then there's a woman's gasping shout of panic.

Your eyes widen at the booming noise of distress. With one look at your party, you nod and say, "Let's go."

Niki slams her shield into the knob. Whether it was locked or not, the door's mechanism cracks off the frame, and it swings open to reveal the chamber ahead. She barges in, follows by you and Xiaoqing, with Eva and Amara behind, and Snow coming in last, though everybody is ready for combat. Weapons are drawn, a bow's string is pulled back, and Lauo shines bright in a room only dimly lit by unnaturally red flames.

There are two levels, and though longer than wide, the entire chamber is quite large. Chandeliers hang low, partially between both floors, and are covered in dozens of magic candles, each lit with tiny wisps of fire as vibrant red as perfect rubies. Much of both above and below are prison cells barred by thick steel--about fourteen in total, each a size meant for two bodies, though not all of them are filled--though the source of the scream hangs in the center, not far from where you've entered.

About twenty-five feet ahead is a bar on poles, sort of like a gallows, though the person isn't hanging, but bound, and by wrists instead of neck. Two others are cuffed by thick manacles behind their backs, and sit on the floor to helplessly watch.

The strangest individual, however, is the one standing amidst it all. She sticks out from the rest, yet from what you can tell, she's also the one in control. You don't notice anybody actually hurt, as in you see no blood, nor does the odd woman have a weapon drawn, yet there's something off about her beyond her initial appearance.