Round 44

As the whisper grew louder, its feminine tone seemed to reverberate within Sister Hale's symbol, drawing closer to the cleric's steady heartbeat. The walls pulsed faster, their rhythm now synchronized with Hale's own. Suddenly, a figure materialized before them - a woman with skin like dark stone and hair that flowed like the shadows, her eyes burning with an inner fire as she regarded Hale. "Welcome, Cleric," she said, her voice low and husky, "I have been waiting for you. You seek to rebuild the abandoned church, but first, you must face the heart of Gravehill." The woman's gaze locked onto Hale, her expression unreadable.

Silra stepped forward now, moving between Hale and the stone-woman, her eyes fixed on the newcomer. Sister Hale's symbol pulsed again, its rhythm changing as it matched the walls' pulsing energy. "Whatever it is," she said to Silra, her voice low and steady, "it knows my name." The cleric's fatigue was evident, but she stood firm, ready to face whatever challenge lay ahead. She turned to Silra, her eyes locking onto the rogue's, and said, "Stay close. Whatever happens next, we face it together."