Round 72 Transcript

At bathroom in a New York high rise penthouse suite, the pressure shifts from waiting to immediate risk. The ward answers the party's presence with a fresh pulse through the stone and no one can mistake it for safety. The nearest sign of danger is now structural collapse imminent. Someone has to answer that change now.

I see what's happening here. The wardstone is calling out like a horny bastard in heat—fast pulses now, answering my approach with energy thick enough to taste wrong on the back of my tongue. Hera's got her shoulder against that door like she thinks she can hold back an angry god, which is cute but useless. If we don't find something solid to block this entrance, Jeane's going to lose what little sanity she has left and try to magic-bash through concrete. The water from the shower stall is ankle-deep now—good for slippage if things get messy, bad for keeping our footing when we need it. I spot a full case of lube bottles on the counter, half-used and abandoned in their own little orgy of excess. Clever, really. Stack those bastards high enough and they might slow down whatever's coming through that door before it gets interesting. I grab two armfuls of bottles—fragrance-free for practicality—and start building a makeshift wall near the base of the door. "Ladies," I call out with forced cheer, "we've got structural failure incoming and a magic dildo trying to escape its drawer. Help me stack these before Jeane decides to redecorate with arcane demolition."

I grab the door handle, bracing myself against the frame. "Abby, help me hold this!" I call out, my voice strained with effort and fear. The water from the broken shower stall splashes around my feet as I wedge my shoulder into the door, trying to keep it shut against the increasing pressure from the wardstone. Each pulse of energy sends a sickening wave of wrongness through my body, making my skin crawl. "Quick, find something heavy to block this door!" I shout, my heart pounding in my chest. "We can't let that thing get any closer!"

I can hear the building groaning and creaking around us, like some huge beast rattling its chains. It feels like the whole world is about to come crashing down on our heads. But we don't have a choice. We have to hold this door, have to keep that wardstone contained. Even if it means putting ourselves in danger, even if it means risking everything... I grit my teeth and push harder against the door, feeling the muscles in my arms and legs straining with the effort. "Come on, Abby!" I yell, my voice hoarse with exertion. "We can do this! We have to!"