Round 194

Jeane grits her teeth, the strain of maintaining her wards visible in the tense set of her shoulders and wings. Halie's conscious—good. We're running on borrowed time here. The tendril on her breast pulses again, sending an involuntary shiver through her—I can't let it distract me now. Abby, stop staring at that door like it's your long-lost lover. If we go down there, we don't come back. She turns to Halie, trying to keep the exhaustion out of her voice. You need to understand something. That magic that healed you? It didn't come from me. I don't know what it is, but it's ancient and powerful—and I don't trust it.

Abby feels a chill run down her spine at Jeane's warning about the tunnel. I know she's right, but the curiosity is almost overwhelming. The air smells so different there, like salt and something musky that makes my head spin. She tries to push it out of her mind and focus on what we need to do next. When Jeane mentions pushing someone back through the portal, Abby instinctively takes a step away from her—she looks so intense right now, like she could actually do it if...

The sound of grinding stone intensifies, and a fresh gust of waterlogged air rushes through the doorway. Fuck! We need to move—now! Jeane staggers upright, one hand still pressed against the altar for support as she tries to maintain her failing barriers. The tendril that had been wrapped around her breast pulses weakly, its energy nearly spent. Abby, grab Halie and drag her towards the door if you have to. I'll cover us somehow until we're through.

Abby nods frantically, her small hands grasping Halie's arms as she tries to pull the larger woman into a sitting position. She's so heavy! She grunts with effort, managing to shift Halie slightly but not enough to move her across the room. I can't—she won't budge!

Jeane grits her teeth, the strain of maintaining her wards visible in the tense set of her shoulders and wings. Then we'll have to leave her for now! The magic's about to overload—I can feel it building pressure. She takes a stumbling step towards Abby, one hand extended as if to help pull Halie along.