Round 62

As the stone-skin creature drew closer, its voice rumbling deep within its chest, Silra's hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of her throwing knife. The creature's words sent a shiver down her spine: "We will help you." But it was the warning that followed that made her blood run cold – "the thing behind us... will consume everything if it catches up."

The scraping sound grew more frantic, and Silra's gaze darted between the creature and Sister Hale, her mind racing with the implications of their alliance. She couldn't help but think that Hale was more interested in their new ally than in actually helping to defeat the Devourer.

Sister Hale stood firm, her grip on her mace tightening as she faced forward, her eyes fixed on the creature. "I trust you to watch our rear flank," she said, her voice steady and reassuring. "We all know your eyes miss nothing even when moving at combat speed." The blue light from her symbol cast an eerie glow on the walls ahead, barely penetrating the gloom.

As Hale's gaze met those glowing green eyes, a flicker of wariness crossed her face, tempered by something else – perhaps a glimmer of curiosity or determination. Silra watched with interest, her own emotions in turmoil as she struggled to read Hale's expression. The stone-skin creature's words had set off a chain reaction within her, and she found herself wondering what exactly they were getting themselves into.