It was nothing but darkness at first. The entrance to the cave was sealed shut so tightly, not even the smallest amount of light could trickle in through the cracks. The metal door that signified the barrier between the Surface and the Depths, croaked loudly as its key was turned on the outside, then unlocked with an even louder clang. Yellowish, dim light pierced through the dark, painting a bright streak on the cave walls. The metal door whined as it slowly opened wider and wider, until a hand poked in, holding a rather large lantern that lit up the first area of the Depths. The figure whom the hand belonged to entered through the metal door. Slowly, step by step, every little noise echoed deep down through the stone walls of the cave. The small creaks of the handle of the lantern, and the sound of footsteps on the polished stone slabs, carefully laid out to mark a path inside.
The figure held the lamp higher, giving light to more and more of their surroundings. Empty and cold, with the lantern being the only source of light and warmth. The figure looked around calmly, as the giant metal door slowly shut behind them. The door's key now tucked away, they continued down the path. The dead quiet would be nothing short of unnerving to someone coming here for the first time. Being completely alone, no sound, and no sign of any other living being. Of course, nothing could live down here, save from worms and bugs that could somehow squeeze themselves inside.
The Depths were sealed for a reason. No one could get in or out without the right key. Forging one, or creating one wouldn't work either. Many have tried, to uncover the secret behind the metal door and the seemingly endless cave system. Word goes around fast, and many believe there's a temple down there, built to honor a long lost deity, and only the sorcerer could go in. And when asked about it, the sorcerer wouldn't give any straight answers.
No one even knew much about the sorcerer himself anyway. He liked to keep to himself, working on spells and potions, and occasionally selling medicine to people all around the region.
He came to visit the Depths once again. Lantern in hand, he made his way through miles upon miles of corridors and hallways, until he came to yet another door, this one simply made of old wood, as if it was just a wooden board hung up by iron hinges. A mystical purple-ish pink fog rolled out from under the door and faintly lit up its surroundings. At one moment the light seemed stronger, the other, it faded, as if it was pulsing. Or breathing. The sorcerer opened the wooden door and was immediately flooded with the thick fuchsia fog, like dreamy clouds reaching out for embrace. The sorcerer stepped in, and disappeared into the dreamy clouds, along with his shining golden lamp. The door slammed in behind him. And suddenly, it was dark again.
