Round 81

Seraphine descends the rusty metal grate with Jeane behind her, both women's eyes fixed on the chamber below. The sound of rushing water and the creaking of old wood greets them, along with the flickering torchlight that casts dancing shadows across the space. A figure stands near one of the farthest barrels, motionless and faceless in the gloom. Jeane's hand tightens around her crossbow as she speaks in a low hiss. I see it. Don't move—let me assess this situation first. Her crimson eyes scan every inch of the chamber below, mind racing through calculations of threat levels and escape routes. The figure doesn't react to their presence initially, remaining perfectly still—a statue come to life but frozen mid-movement. Jeane's instincts scream that this is not the same creature they fled from above, but her experience has taught her that new threats often arrive wrapped in uncertainty. Seraphine presses close behind her, the elf woman's sharp eyes darting between Jeane and the figure below. *She can feel the tension radiating off her companion, sees the deadly readine...

Jeane lowers her crossbow slightly but keeps it aimed at Kael. Fine. Ask your damn riddle. But know this—we've got bigger problems than word games right now. She shifts her weight carefully, trying not to aggravate the stone shard wound in her leg while maintaining a steady aim. The pain is a constant throb, but she pushes it down—she's dealt with worse.