Round 80

As Sister Hale pressed the rusted key into Gravedigger Renn's hand, the air seemed to vibrate with anticipation. The ground trembled beneath their feet in response, the pulsing plates feeding greedily on his terror-smell as they synchronized with each THRUM-THRUM-THUD. Silra stood steadfast beside her, maintaining perfect timing alongside the cleric, crossing each pressure plate with surgical precision.

Gravedigger Renn's convulsions intensified, but he held his gaze on Sister Hale for an instant, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. His terror-smell thickened, yet she could feel it recede, a testament to her calming influence. The runes pulsed hungrily around them, each beat a deliberate heartbeat tasting the air for more desperation to consume.

The ground settled into its rhythm, and whatever was buried beneath them measured their Intent through pressure, possibly feeding off Gravedigger Renn's terror-smell that contaminating everything. Sister Hale's eyes darted between the glowing plates and the ancient entity, her expression a mix of caution and determination. Silra watched her with an air of quiet confidence, her teal eyes fixed on the cleric as they waited for the outcome of their test.