Round 8

As Silra's chisel struck the rune, a low hum resonated through the stone, and the glow flared briefly before fading to reveal a shallow fissure opening beneath the slab. The oily black substance dripping from the crack onto the rope carried the metallic scent of iron and something else, a hint of decay that seemed almost... deliberate. Jeane stepped up behind Silra, her boots crunching on scattered gravel as she took in the scene. "This isn't mere decay down there," she whispered, her eyes narrowing as she gestured toward the oily darkness seeping through the cracks in the stone.

Sister Hale stepped forward, her voice cutting through the steam like a blade, "Stop." She placed herself between Silra and Renn, shielding him from suspicion. Her eyes were fixed on the gleaming oily fluid now coating the rope, and she seemed to be searching for something hidden beneath its surface. Jeane's gaze followed hers, her mind racing with possibilities - what secrets lay hidden in this ancient city, and what did they have to do with their quest?