Round 211

Jeane manages to squeeze through the narrow crevice with Abby's unconscious form clutched against her chest, her wings scraping against the stone walls as she forces herself into the tight space. The water pressure immediately lessens inside the new tunnel, allowing her to breathe more easily, but her magical reserves are now down to critical levels—barely enough to maintain the barrier spell against the skeletal figures above. She lays Abby carefully on the stone floor of the tunnel, then braces herself against the wall, panting heavily. The ancient symbols etched into these walls are glowing with that same cold blue light as before, pulsing in sync with something unseen. This isn't natural rock—it's clearly another magically constructed passage. The ethereal woman has followed them inside somehow, her translucent form hovering near the crevice entrance. Her expression is unreadable as she watches Jeane struggle to catch her breath. "What... what was that?" Abby manages weakly from where she lies on the floor, still disoriented but conscious now. "Where are we?"

Jeane takes a moment to assess their situation before responding, her crimson eyes flicking between Abby and the glowing woman at the entrance. "We're in some kind of magical tunnel system," she says between ragged breaths. "Same fucking shit different location. Those symbols on the walls—this whole place is powered by ancient magic." She gestures weakly with one hand, her wings twitching with exhaustion. "And our friendly neighborhood ghost decided to tag along for the ride. Isn't that just fucking perfect?"*