Yet even as the tension mounted, moments of humor and flirtation provided brief reprieves from the ever-present threat. Zen's constant wisecracks and Jeni's teasing jabs at Dabi's seriousness blended with Althea's gentle compliments, weaving a tapestry of lighthearted resilience that buoyed their spirits.
At one point, while navigating a particularly narrow corridor lined with shimmering murals depicting epic battles of yore, Dabi paused to decipher a cryptic inscription.
His brow furrowed as he traced his fingers over the symbols, and Jeni sidled up behind him. "Need help, boss? I bet even you can't read ancient hieroglyphs without breaking into a sweat," she said with a playful smirk.
Dabi glanced over his shoulder, his gaze softening for a moment as he replied, "I'm not completely helpless, you know. But if you're offering, I wouldn't mind a second opinion."
