Round 331

The walls flexed inwards as one unit, their breathing synchronized with the creature's grip on her hand. The air grew thick with decay as more power seeped into the chamber. Abby knew she had seconds left before the corruption overtakes her will completely. She reached out towards the wall opposite, fingers brushing stone as the symbols began to writhe and intensify their light. She screamed and stumbled back against the creature's solid form, its arms wrapping around her waist to keep her upright. For a moment they were pressed together so closely she could feel every beat of its heart, every contour of its body. The air grew thick with ozone and the scent of deep rot rising from the stairs below. The creature's grip tightened as electricity coursed through both their bodies, holding her steady against the shock. She tried to pull away but her limbs refused to obey, pinned between terror and corruption.

The stairs loomed before them, promising more horrors beyond—but staying here meant certain death consumed piece by piece while the thing feasted on her fear. Abby took a deep breath, steeling herself for what came next.