Round 48 Transcript

The tension in The ash-choked road outside the ruined city of Gravehill tightens for a beat as the interruption refuses to go away. Everyone is forced to stay quiet and choose their next move carefully.

I'm pulled back between buildings, fighting against whatever's dragging me away from the street—this is wrong. We can't split up now. Gravedigger Renn! My voice cracks with urgency as I strain to see him past the collapsing structures. You're coming with us—I don't care what you think about 'the awakening' or those tunnels. Whatever's down there took Jeane and Silra, and we need every piece of information we can get! I dig my heels into the ash but whatever's pulling me gains purchase. Stop! My hand goes to my unholy symbol as I feel along the wall for anything useful—a loose brick, a handle, rope. There's no way we all survive if we scatter like frightened rabbits. We need to regroup inside that church and figure out what—The force yanks me again, dragging me into an alley. Help! I shout toward the street where I last saw Renn and the others.

The alley is narrow and choked with debris from collapsed buildings—the sounds of scuttling claws follow me as whatever's pulling me moves faster now. I try to plant my feet but it's like being dragged through wet sand. Listen, you—I gasp as I'm pulled around a corner,—whatever you are, let go! My fingers find a length of rusted wire in the debris—I grip it tightly. I am not some helpless victim for you to drag away while my friends die! The sound of voices shouting from the street cuts through the scuttling—the guards? Renn? Anyone? Stay together—that's what matters! I call out, hoping they can hear me over whatever's causing this. We don't know what's in those tunnels or what 'the awakening' means—The wire in my hand goes taut as I'm pulled again,—but if we stick together with Renn and his information, maybe we can figure it out! The scuttling gets louder—I try to look behind me but all I see is darkness. Come on then! I shout at whatever's pulling me. If you want a fight so badly, let go of the rope and face me properly! My free hand closes around my unholy symbol as I prepare to pray for protection or strike with it if necessary.

I'm running out of space—backed against a dead end with no idea where this alley leads. Renn! Can you hear me? We need to get inside the church and find out what's happening! My voice echoes off the stone walls as I strain against the pull. This isn't just random violence—whatever took Jeane and Silra, it was... deliberate. Targeted. The scuttling stops for a moment—I freeze, listening. Whatever you are in this alley, I say more calmly now, let go of me and face me properly if you have business with me or Gravedigger Renn. My grip tightens on the wire and my symbol as I brace myself against the wall. I am not some helpless victim to be dragged away while my friends die and information is lost. The scuttling resumes—faster this time, purposeful. Whatever's pulling me seems to have made a decision. Fine! I shout, If you want a fight so badly, let go of the rope and face me properly! My eyes strain in the darkness as I try to see what's behind me. Renn! Are you still there? We need to get inside that church—it might be our best chance at finding answers! Whatever's pulling me makes a sound like chittering laughter—I feel cold dread settle into my stomach but push it down. Come on then, I mutter, show yourself if you want a fight.