Round 82

Kael's voice echoes through the chamber, his tone dripping with an air of expectation. "Ah, I see you are willing to listen. The answer to my riddle is... 'Eros', the Greek god of love. Though he is not alive, Eros grows stronger with each act of love. He does not have lungs, but he is nourished by the passions of mortals. And while he does not have a mouth, water can extinguish the flames of..."

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 static silhouette against the torchlight.

Seraphine shifts her weight carefully on the grate, injured ankle protesting with each movement. Easy now... She mutters, more to herself than to Jeane. The waterskins slosh with what little water remains—compromised by the freezing passage above.

The figure speaks then, voice carrying an unsettling calm through the chamber air. "Ah, I see you are willing to listen. The answer to my riddle is... 'Eros', the Greek god of love. Though he is not alive, Eros grows stronger with each act of love. He does not have lungs, but he is nourished by the passions of mortals. And while he does not have a mouth, water can extinguish the flames of..."

Jeane's crimson eyes flicker with barely contained rage as she lowers her crossbow just enough to acknowledge Seraphine's attempt at diplomacy. A riddle? She spits the word out like it's poison. Fine. But know this—we've had quite enough of your games and our patience is wearing thin. I don't care how many 'tests' you claim we've passed or what ancient bullshit you're peddling down here....