there are a few shortcuts, and i believe at the very end a fast travel/safe area or something its been about half a year since i played but i do remember having to got through twice due to dying half way through. its very long. but a satisfying trek if you are careful

Tips.
go slowly and put your lantern onto the floor all the time so that you can use a shield.
Use your spear to draw big guys towards you, while you are standing on larger platforms. That way your companion won't drop off the edge while fighting. I didn't lose him once after that.
When you get to the part with four platforms and a big guy on each, lure one of them down the stairs with spears. They will get stuck at the bottom and should be easy to take down from behind. That way you won't have to deal with the big guy and the little creepers that hang on the side at the same time. Do the same for the other platforms--get the big guy to come to you.
Once you've cleared those platforms and collected all the loot, you don't have to deal with those guys again. Just walk through the middle to get into the next section.
In the next section, you can spear a few of those creepers that hang on the wall, causing them to drop off the edge. Take that slowly, and try to draw the big guys towards you.
Near the bottom, you will be presented with 2 pathways. One takes you "outside" the other into a dark room with two of those creatures with glowing eyes. (you will probably only see one of them on a ledge above you) Go outside instead. That path is much easier. (You will know the area as there is one of those creatures with glowing eyes standing on a small pillar. It makes that warping sound like it's trying to get to you, but it cannot. There is also a tall guy standing on a wall, but he doesn't actually jump off. He just watches you as you walk past) From there, you are close to the safe zone, but you cannot warp from that one, only rest. There is someone there that you can buy money stashes from if you don't want to risk your loot.

Thanks for the tips <3