Round 60 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 twist against whatever's got its claws in me, trying to get a good look—but it's pulling me backwards into an alley mouth so dark I can barely see anything inside. This thing is smart enough to 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 it, using every muscle I have left. Renn! Those things aren't coming from the tunnels—you know where they're really coming from! My voice comes out sharper than I intended but fear makes me louder now. Tell us before something else gets dragged down here! The cold thing's grip tightens as I pull back, and I hear a wet chittering sound from inside the alley. Whatever's pulling me isn't alone anymore.

I raise my unholy symbol with my free hand, ready to call on whatever divine power might reach into this stinking hole. Renn! Speak up or we'll find out what's down here the hard way—and it won't be pretty for any of us! 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.