Round 179 Transcript

As Abby steps through the shimmering portal, she feels a rush of disorientation followed by a sense of familiarity. She finds herself back in the hidden chamber, but it's not the same. The air is charged with an electric tension, and the pulsating mist seems to be responding to her presence. The walls, once shifting in response to Jeane's intent, now seem to be reacting to Abby's own will. The chamber begins to brighten, the mist clearing to reveal a series of pressure plates on the floor. Each plate is adorned with intricate carvings that seem to match the patterns on the wall carvings Abby pressed earlier. A low hum builds in intensity, and the air vibrates with anticipation. Suddenly, a voice echoes through the chamber, its tone both ancient and malevolent: "Welcome, Abby. You have unlocked the first trial. Step on the plates in sequence, and you may proceed. Fail, and the mist will consume you."

The countdown runes on the walls flash 0, their light pulsing with an ominous finality. Jeane's voice echoes from the mist corridor, her words laced with urgency: "Abby, I've got a problem. The darkness is getting closer, and I'm running out of time. If you don't move, you'll be trapped forever."

I feel my heart skip several beats when I hear Abby's voice echo through the chamber—the relief is immediate but quickly replaced by suspicion. This isn't how magic works in these ancient ruins; it responds to intent, to willpower from those who understand its language. And we certainly don't have time for Abby to be stumbling around figuring out arcane doorways. I turn my attention back to the darkness creeping towards me, tendrils of shadow now coalescing into a more distinct form—a twisted mass of limbs and hunger. My wings beat furiously as I maintain altitude, rain magic down on it in bursts of crimson fire that sizzle against the darkness but don't seem to do lasting damage. "Abby!" I call out, my voice sharp with irritation despite the danger pressing in around me. "Where did you go? What did you do?"

The countdown runes have stopped at zero—I know we're not actually out of time because this place lies about everything—but it's a clear sign that whatever is happening in there is significant enough to interrupt the game's timeline. I don't like it. I don't trust it. But right now, I need information more than I need to maintain my cool facade of control. "Talk to me! What's happening back there?"

Abby's heart hammers against her ribs as Jeane's voice cuts through the charged air of the hidden chamber. The sound is both comforting—proof that she isn't alone in this strange place—and terrifying—she knows she has no time to waste. "I found a way back!" she calls out, her voice cracking slightly with strain and excitement. She takes a step towards the nearest pressure plate, its intricate carvings seeming to pulse in the dim light. "It was... it was the wall. It opened for me when I touched it."
She hesitates, one foot hovering over the plate. The mist swirls at her ankles, coiling like a living thing waiting to be unleashed. Abby's mind races through the possibilities of what this trial could be.
"I think we have to press these in the right order," she says, pointing at the series of plates stretching out before her. "But I don't know how to tell which one comes first."
The air crackles with anticipation, and Abby feels a sudden chill run down her spine. This isn't just about finding Halie anymore—it's about survival for all of them. She looks back over her shoulder, towards the portal she just came through.
"Jeane?" she calls again, her tone more urgent now. "What do we do? How much time do we have left?"