Round 71

The air was heavy with tension as Sister Hale raised her holy symbol once more, its light piercing the darkness like a beacon of defiance against the encroaching shadows. The blue glow illuminated the ash-choked road, casting eerie silhouettes on the ruined city of Gravehill behind them. Silra watched from behind a half-collapsed wall section, her teal eyes narrowed fractionally as she assessed the cleric's bold move. Gravedigger Renn, however, looked like he was about to bolt at any moment, his frantic gaze darting between the two women.

The scraping sound stopped just beyond Sister Hale's position, and then a massive, dragging sound echoed through the darkness, accompanied by the heavy breathing of something enormous. The shadows near city limits markers pulsed slightly in response to Sister Hale's challenge, their movement almost purposeful as if offended by her defiance. Silra's dry amusement mingled with concern as she took up defensive cover behind the wall section, her throwing knives at the ready.

Sister Hale stood her ground, blue light cutting through the ash-choked darkness like a beacon of conviction. Her voice carried conviction despite the scraping sound stopping mere feet away now—a massive something shifting position, its presence both terrifying and awe-inspiring. The air vibrated with anticipation as the heavy breathing grew louder, and Silra's teal eyes remained fixed on the approaching menace, her mind calculating every angle with deadly precision.