Round 10

Amidst the oppressive silence, Varrika's gravelly voice cut through the tension as she positioned herself between Halie and potential threats. "Halie, you're sure about this?" Her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing the ancient rune-covered gate. The air felt heavy with an ancient wrongness that set her teeth on edge. She gripped her mace tightly, the worn wood smooth under her scarred hands. Halie's unyielding grip on the holy symbol was a beacon of reassurance in the face of uncertainty.

As Varrika took a step forward, the ground beneath her heavy boots creaked, echoing through the stillness. Jeane's wings folded close, her eyes scanning the complex symbols with a predator's focus. Her voice remained controlled but sharp, "Those aren't warnings, girls—those are commands." The air around her shimmered slightly with contained dark energy. Halie's grip on the holy symbol faltered, and she lowered it, the light dissipating as the darkness seemed to recoil from its radiance.