Round 48

Seraphine's sharp eyes dart around the newly revealed chamber, her mind already racing through calculations and possibilities. The stone shard embedded in Jeane's thigh is a clear priority—magical corruption often spreads faster than mundane injuries—but the swirling pool of reflections catches her attention next. Such phenomena are rarely benign, especially in a place like this. Stay back from that pool. She warns, her voice tight with controlled fear. Reflective magic can be... unstable.

Jeane limps forward despite Seraphine's warning, her crimson eyes fixed on the swirling surface. The water seems to darken as she approaches, its surface rippling unnaturally. Yeah? Well, it might also show us how to get the fuck out of here. She mutters, more to herself than to Seraphine. Or at least give us a heads-up about what's waiting around the next corner.

Seraphine moves to stand beside Jeane, her staff held ready even as she tries to maintain a safe distance from the pool. If it shows you anything, don't engage. Don't react. Just walk away slowly and tell me exactly what you saw. Her fingers tighten on the staff. Reflections like this can trap you in endless loops of your own mind if you're not careful.

Jeane snorts, a hint of her usual bravado returning. Great. Another magical booby trap that messes with your head. At least it's not trying to eat us this time. She takes another step closer to the pool, her winged silhouette distorting across its surface. Fine. I'll play it safe. But if I see my...

The water suddenly stills, the surface going completely smooth and dark like polished obsidian. Seraphine tenses, every instinct screaming at her to back away. Jeane... She starts, but before she can finish, an image begins to form on the pool's surface.

Jeane finds herself staring at a vision of herself—except this version is twisted and corrupted, eyes glowing with malevolent crimson light. The figure stands atop a pile of bodies, leading an army of shadowy creatures through a ruined landscape. What the actual fuck... She breathes out, horror and recognition warring in her voice.

Seraphine gasps, stumbling back a step as she recognizes the vision. No. This can't be real. She chokes out, her gaze fixed on Jeane's corrupted double. It's just a possibility. A future that might come to pass if we don't stop whatever's trying to...

The vision shifts, showing Jeane leading the army into a final battle against a group that includes Merrin, Varrika, and even Seraphine herself. The elf watches in horrified silence as her past self falls beneath the corrupted Jeane's onslaught. This is madness. She whimpers, her grip on the staff white-knuckled. We have to break this cycle. We have to...

The pool's surface ripples again, the vision fading as quickly as it appeared. Jeane stumbles back, her face pale and shaken. Fuck. Fuck! She snarls, kicking at a nearby rock in frustration. That... that can't happen. I won't let it happen.

Seraphine turns to face Jeane, her sharp eyes filled with determination despite the lingering horror of what she's just witnessed. It won't happen. We won't let it. She says firmly, stepping closer to her friend. Whatever this corruption is, whatever darkness is lurking in your past—we'll face it together. And we'll overcome it.

Jeane meets Seraphine's gaze, a flicker of gratitude passing through her crimson eyes before being?................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................