Round 57 Transcript

As Sister Hale pulls back against the force, her eyes lock onto Gravedigger Renn's, a fierce determination burning within them. "Tell us now," she demands, her voice firm despite the fear threatening to overwhelm her. The massive chitinous limb claws at the stone, its rhythmic bursts of ash spilling out in time with the scuttling noise growing louder. Suddenly, the brick she pried loose from the wall clatters to the ground, revealing a small, hidden compartment beneath it. A piece of parchment slips out, fluttering in the wind, bearing a cryptic message scrawled in hasty handwriting: "The tunnels are not what they seem." The guard leader's eyes widen as he takes in Gravedigger Renn's frantic gestures, and he asks, "What's going on?" His hand still clutched the rusty key.

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—a cold thing that doesn't want Gravedigger Renn talking about what he knows. My grip on my unholy symbol tightens as another surge of force drags me backwards into the alley. This isn't just some mindless horror; it's smart enough to try and separate us, isolate Renn so he can't talk. Whatever's down there under the city 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. My voice comes out sharper than I intend: "Renn! 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!"