Round 13

Seraphine's keen eyes catch the subtle shift in Merrin's posture, the way her hands move instinctively toward her crossbow. "Wait!" The wizard calls out, her voice sharp with sudden realization. "That passage—it wasn't sealed by age or decay." She points to the newly-revealed opening in the wall, her expression grim. "This is a trap. A fresh one. Whatever sleeps below us... it just invited us further inside."

The magical energy surging through the tower intensifies, crackling along the walls and ceiling like blue lightning trapped in stone. Jeane staggers, her wings half-spreading for balance as she fights against the arcane backlash. "Fuck—this isn't natural decay. The magic is... alive. And it's angry we're here." She grits her teeth, sweat beading on her forehead as she forces a simple illumination spell to take shape with visible effort.

Halie moves to support Jeane, her hand instinctively going to the silver cross around her neck. "Goddess above..." The cleric's eyes are wide with religious dread and tactical assessment. "Whatever we're dealing with... it's old. Powerful. And it doesn't want visitors." She looks at Merrin, then Seraphine. "We need to decide—do we push forward into that new passage, or try to find another route?"