Round 202

The walls' synchronized breathing stopped completely—everything except that low pulsing hum getting stronger like a heartbeat counting down seconds until next adaptation phase. Halie stumbles forward into the narrow corridor where the walls press close on either side, her vision nearly gone but still able to make out flashes of movement through what little sight remains. Her right arm hangs limp and unresponsive now, the corruption spreading too quickly even for her divine magic to contain it completely—she can feel the cold spreading to her brain, coordination deteriorating with each passing moment.

I watch Hera stumble past me, her body tensing as she enters the narrow corridor where the walls press close on either side. I see the glow from ahead pulsing brighter now, casting an eerie light on everything. The whisper carries weight: "Your time is running out." My heart hammers in my chest as I wait for my turn to move, counting pulses of the walls' synchronized breathing pattern. Three... four... silence except that low hum growing stronger.