Roshan and Nyx reached a section where the passage narrowed to barely more than a crack in the rock.
Both chiefs shifted to human form, examining it.
"Too narrow for beast form," Roshan said.
"I'll go first," Nyx said. "If it's a trap—"
"Then I'm right behind you to get you out," Roshan finished.
Their eyes met.
Something unspoken passed between them.
Not forgiveness. Not reconciliation.
But acknowledgment.
They were in this together, whether they liked it or not.
Nyx squeezed through the narrow passage, rock scraping against his shoulders. On the other side, he found himself looking down at a ten-foot drop to the next level of the cave system.
He jumped, landing in a crouch, immediately scanning for threats.
"Clear," he called back.
Roshan came through next, the passage even tighter for his broader frame.
He reached the edge and dropped.
Nyx caught him.
Steadied him.
Their eyes met in the darkness, faces inches apart.
For a heartbeat, neither moved.
