Round 42

The flickering lantern cast an eerie glow on the ash-choked road, its shadows dancing like skeletal fingers as the city guard leader instructed his guard to light it. The air was heavy with tension, the guards' hands resting on their sword hilts like a constant reminder of the danger lurking beneath. Suddenly, a loud crack echoed from beneath the street, followed by the scuttling sound of claws scraping against stone.

Gravedigger Renn's eyes went wide as he stammered, "It's coming out! The tunnels are opening up!" His gaze darted wildly between the tunnel entrance and the approaching city guard, his fear palpable. Sister Hale stood firm beside him, her voice cutting through the chaos as she shouted over her shoulder, "We need to get Gravedigger Renn inside that church! He knows more than he's saying—I heard him mutter something about 'the awakening'!"

The city guard leader growled, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword, "We need to get out of here, now!" The guards closed in, trapping the party between them and the tunnel entrance. Sister Hale was pulled back toward Gravedigger Renn despite her efforts to resist, her face set in a determined expression as she struggled against the unknown force dragging her.