Round 235

The library chamber groans around them, ancient stone creaking under immense pressure as water continues to pour in from above. Jeane completes her spell, the binding runes on the pedestal flaring to life with a brilliant emerald light that casts dancing shadows across the flooded room. But the magic feels wrong—too easy, too eager—and she knows immediately that something has gone terribly awry. "Abby!" She spins to face her companion just as the human woman stumbles, clutching at her head with a sharp cry of pain. "What happened? Are you hurt?" Jeane rushes back, one hand reaching out to steady Abby while the other keeps her wand raised defensively. The magical energy in the room has shifted, grown darker and more... alive. "Talk to me," she urges, her voice tight with concern as she searches Abby's face for signs of distress or worse.*