Round 207

The stone beneath their feet vibrated with a low, insistent thrum that seemed to pulse in time with the ancient building's own corrupted heartbeat. The walls had stopped their grotesque breathing entirely now, the sudden silence somehow more menacing than the previous rhythm. A low hum filled the air, pulsing like a heartbeat counting down seconds until whatever was happening next began.

Halie stumbled into the chamber, her movements jerky and uncoordinated—clear signs of the corruption spreading through her system faster than they'd anticipated. Her voice, when it came, was strained with effort and barely controlled panic. "Hera! Don't go through that door!" She shouted, words echoing off the stone walls. "I'm maintaining distance for a reason—physical contact accelerates this shit dramatically." Her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides, fingers twitching uncontrollably as she fought to keep them functional. The divine light around her was dimming now, struggling against whatever malevolent force had taken root in her system.

Hera paused at the threshold of the doorway, one hand still gripping the metal handle. She stared into the darkness beyond, weighing the risks. The walls' synchronized breathing stopped completely—everything except that low pulsing hum growing stronger like a heartbeat counting down seconds until whatever was happening next began.