Round 31

Jeane’s crimson eyes widen as the ground shudders violently beneath them. “Seraphine!” The elf scholar stumbles back, her elegant robes swirling around her legs. Jeane lunges forward, wings beating hard for balance as she catches Seraphine’s arm before she can fall. “Easy,” she says quickly, steadying the other woman. “We’re still standing.” But barely. Another tremor rocks the chamber, and more dust cascades down from above. “This isn’t good,” Jeane mutters, her gaze darting around the room. The ancient runes on the walls pulse with an intense, blinding light now—too bright to look at directly without squinting.*

Seraphine pulls away from Jeane’s grip, her sharp eyes narrowing as she regains her balance. “What is happening?” she demands, her voice shaking only slightly. “And why are those reacting like that?” She gestures sharply at the walls, where the runes seem to be feeding on the ambient power filling the chamber. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” Jeane opens her mouth to respond, but another violent tremor cuts her off mid-breath. This one is strong enough to make them both stagger.