Round 54 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 yank hard against whatever's pulling me back into this alley—some cold thing that doesn't want Gravedigger Renn talking about what he knows. The brick I just pried loose clatters to the ground as I twist my body, trying to get a good look at what's got its claws in me. "Renn!" My voice comes out sharper than I intend, but there's no time for gentleness now. "Those things aren't coming from the tunnels—you know where they're really coming from! Tell us before something else gets dragged down here!"

The guard leader is still staring at that rusty key he found in the ash, trying to figure out what it means, but I don't have time for his confusion right now. My grip on my unholy symbol tightens as another surge of force drags me backwards. This isn't just some mindless horror—it's smart enough to try and separate us, isolate Renn so he can't talk. And whatever's down there under the city... it knows we're getting close to something important. The scuttling sound is even louder now, closer, like a dozen little things are converging on this spot. I plant my feet and pull back hard against whatever's got me, using every muscle I have left. "We need that information, Renn!" I call out, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my insides. "And we need to get inside before—"