As I cautiously make my way down the 60-foot passageway, I can't help but feel a sense of relief as I finally emerge into this vast, cavernous space. The darkness that enveloped me earlier has given way to the eerie glow of my darkvision, allowing me to take in the sights around me.
The chamber stretches out before me, approximately 100 feet by 70 feet in size. I can't help but marvel at the sheer scale of this place, a natural cave that has formed deep within the bowels of these ancient ruins. The limestone walls are slick with dampness, and water trickles down from overhead, forming a 30-foot wide pool in the center of the room.
As I make my way around the perimeter of the chamber, I can't help but notice the lush growths that cling to every surface. Mosses and lichens cover the walls, while fungi thrive on the floor, their caps a riot of colors against the dull gray stone. It's as if this place has been frozen in time, a testament to the resilience of nature.
My eyes are drawn to the still, dark-green pond at its heart. The water is tainted by a layer of scum, reminiscent of thick, stagnant algae. I can't help but feel a sense of unease as I approach it, my fingers trailing along the slick, cool surfaces. Each ripple sends shivers down my spine as I consider the secrets hidden beneath its deceptively calm surface.
A thin stream of water emerges from one corner, disappearing into a yawning chasm just large enough to accommodate human passage. The once clear waters have been tainted by this intrusion, and I can't help but feel a sense of disgust as I contemplate the source of this pollution.
As I stand there, taking in my surroundings, I realize that I have several options available to me. I could examine a crack in the wall, head back to the four-way intersection, or inspect the edge of the pond more closely. It's times like these when I wish I had someone else to make the decisions for me - it's so exhausting having to think for myself all the time.