Round 177 Transcript

As Jeane pulls Abby back into the mist, the air around them seems to thicken further, the tendrils of fog wrapping tighter around their bodies. The electric shocks on Abby's skin grow more intense, her skin prickling with a mixture of fear and excitement. The sweet, cloying scent of the mist fills her nostrils, making her head spin. Jeane's grip on Abby's waist tightens, her fingers digging into the fabric as she guides her forward. "Stay close," Jeane whispers urgently, her voice barely audible over the sound of their own breathing. "I think I see a faint glow up ahead."

The mist begins to clear in front of them, revealing a narrow corridor lined with ancient stone carvings that seem to pulse with a faint, malevolent energy. The air is heavy with an otherworldly presence, and Abby can feel the weight of the chamber's secrets pressing down on her. Suddenly, a loud crack echoes through the corridor, making Abby jump in Jeane's arms. A section of the wall slides open, revealing a hidden chamber beyond – but it's now filled with a thick, pulsating mist that seems to be drawing them in.

Jeane's crimson eyes narrow as she peers through the thickening mist, her grip on Abby's waist firm. That glow is Halie—the idiot actually found another portal without us. She hisses, barely contained rage mixing with exasperated concern in her voice. But now there's a new threat. Her gaze sharpens, focusing on the pulsating darkness seeping from the wall cracks. Hungry mist and hungry light—this place is trying to feed on our desperation. Jeane pushes Abby behind her as the portal's pull intensifies. Stay back—I need to analyze this magical field before we stumble into another disaster. She extends her palm, a faint red glow emanating from her fingertips as she probes the air between them and Halie's new predicament. If I can trace the spell signature... Her breath catches as she feels the wrongness of it—the magic isn't just unstable, it's actively seeking to consume. Fuck. This is worse than I thought. The countdown runes flash 1 now, their light pulsing with urgent finality. We have seconds before whatever that is gets us all. Jeane's wings unfurl in a sudden burst of power despite her exhaustion, the muscles straining as she fights to maintain control. Halie's portal won't last—we need to move NOW or we lose her again. She turns to face Abby fully, her expression severe but tinged with something almost like regret for having to ask this. I need you to run through that mist corridor. Find the main chamber where we started—the walls there shift based on intent. Think of Halie, think of escape, and will those walls to open a path back to the starting room. Jeane's fingers dig into Abby's shoulders as she delivers instructions rapidly. If you can get us a clear route back before Zha'thik returns or whatever that darkness is fully manifests, we might have a chance. Before Abby can respond, Jeane shoves her towards the mist corridor with surprising strength for someone so magically depleted. GO! She snarls, already turning to face the approaching darkness, her wings spreading wide in a protective gesture. I'll hold this off long enough for you to work your magic on those walls. Jeane's entire focus narrows down to the seeping darkness, her crimson eyes blazing with defiance despite the tremble in her exhausted limbs. The red glow around her hands intensifies as she gathers what little magical reserves remain. Come then, she calls out, voice dripping with contempt, show me what you're made of before I put you down like the pathetic little shadow you are. As Abby disappears into the mist corridor, Jeane plants her feet wide and raises both hands, the air around them crackling with barely-controlled energy. I won't let you have her. Not today.

The mist swirls around Abby as she stumbles into the narrow corridor, Jeane's urgency still echoing in her ears. The air is thick, cloying, making it hard to breathe. She presses herself against the cold stone wall, trying to get her bearings. Her heart hammers against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat of fear and something else—something she doesn't want to acknowledge.
Abby's mind races as she tries to process Jeane's instructions. Find Halie? Will the walls? It seems impossible, but she knows there's no choice. She takes a deep, shuddering breath, filling her lungs with the sweet, cloying scent of the mist. The electric tingling on her skin intensifies, making every nerve ending feel raw and alive.
She looks back down the corridor, seeing only the swirling fog where Jeane was standing moments before. There's a distant sound of straining magic and a harsh, commanding voice—Jeane holding off whatever is coming for them. Abby feels a sharp pang of worry, but she pushes it aside. She has to focus on her task.
Abby starts forward again, moving deeper into the mist-filled passage. The walls seem to pulse with an inner light here, the ancient carvings shifting and changing before her eyes. It's as if the very stone is alive, watching her every move. She presses herself flat against one section of the wall, feeling its cold solidity beneath her palms.