Peter, that's powerful stuff! Very entertaining.
It seems mean to nitpick, but I was given pause by 'hazily'. In what sense is that applicable to the N (who seems pretty focussed and determined
)?
I wonder whether hazily and crazily could swap over between the candle and N to suit better (the candle though bright is flickering and might appear hazy through cobwebs or mist; it seems crazy of the N to keep advancing - as far as we are told, alone and unarmed - into potential mortal peril).
Just a suggestion!