Round 205

The building's death rattle crescendos into a groan of straining metal and shifting concrete. The wardstone answers with another pulse—louder, stronger—and the very air vibrates with ancient power. Jeane grits her teeth, fingers wrapped tight around the dildo plugged into the wall socket as she channels arcane energy into a shimmering barrier that struggles to contain the corruption seeping through from beyond the door.

"You two need to move!" she snarls, sweat beading on her pale skin, wings twitching with effort. "I can't hold this much longer!"

Silra grabs Halie's arm, pulling her back from the door frame where her hands are already blistering from contact with the wardstone energy. The elf woman's teal eyes dart between Jeane's strained form and the darkness creeping deeper into the corridor beyond.

"Behind the barricade," Silra orders, voice tight with urgency. "Now."

Halie stumbles back, hands raised in front of her as if warding off the very air itself. The makeshift barrier of furniture and heavy objects shifts ominously on the slick floor—water from the broken shower stall mixing with spilled lubricant creating a treacherous surface.

"I can't hold it either," Halie gasps, face pale. "The corruption's too strong. We need to get out before the whole building collapses!"

The rhythmic thudding from deeper inside the penthouse grows louder, more insistent. Something large is moving toward them through the darkness, and whatever it is, it's not taking its time.

Jeane's breathing comes in short pants now as she fights to maintain the barrier. Her crimson eyes flick to Silra and Halie, checking their position before returning to the task of containing the wardstone energy.

"Two minutes!" she manages between clenched teeth. "Maybe three if I'm lucky! Get Hera secured behind something heavy!"

Silra nods once—sharp and decisive—and moves to obey, her rogue's instincts kicking into high gear as she assesses every potential threat in the cramped space. The wardstone pulses again, and the entire building seems to shudder around them like a dying beast taking its last gasp.