Round 106 Transcript

As Seraphine stands frozen, the Watcher's massive body coalesces into a towering figure, its presence radiating an otherworldly energy. The air seems to distort around it, as if reality itself is being warped by its power. The Watcher's eyes burn with an intense, piercing gaze, and its voice resonates within Seraphine's mind, "Seraphine, you have been chosen to unlock the secrets of the ancient realm." Merrin and Varrika exchange a tense glance, their anger and confusion palpable. Merrin takes a step forward, her eyes blazing with frustration. "This isn't the time for games, Seraphine," she says, her voice laced with accusation. "We need to figure out what happened to Jeane, not indulge in some mystical nonsense." Varrika's expression is more measured, her eyes narrowed in concern as she assesses the situation. The Watcher's words continue to echo in Seraphine's mind, a constant reminder of the challenge ahead.

I stand there frozen for a second, my mind racing as I try to process what just happened—what I felt—through that bond. Seraphine is gone. Just... vanished, and not even her presence remains in this realm anymore. Fucking hell, she was supposed to be with me! She’s the only reason Merrin hasn’t tried something truly stupid yet, and now I’m trapped down here alone with whatever the hell pulled her away? This is exactly what happens when you trust an idiot sorceress to handle anything important! I need to move. Standing around gawking at empty air won’t help either of us. If she’s gone into some other part of this shithole, then I need to find a way to follow—or at the very least figure out what the hell just happened so I can try and bring her back. I spin on my heel, wings half-spreading for balance as I stalk back towards the corridor we came from. The sword’s hilt still feels cold against my palm—no pulse, no reaction at all now that she’s gone. Fine then, you useless piece of metal, I mutter under my breath. If Seraphine can’t be here to keep Merrin in line, then I’ll just have to handle both problems myself.

As I retrace our steps back towards the crystal chamber where we left them, I can already hear raised voices echoing through the passage—Merrin’s distinctive whiny tone mixed with Varrika trying to calm her down. Oh joy, I think grimly. Just what this situation needed—two more idiots demanding attention.

When I round the final corner and see them both standing there, faces flushed with anger, I feel a fresh wave of irritation wash over me. Merrin’s been pacing back and forth in front of the collapsed entrance like some kind of caged animal while Varrika watches her with barely-concealed exasperation. Well? What fresh hell are you two causing now?

I don’t even wait for them to answer before I launch into my own explanation, my voice sharp and annoyed. "Seraphine’s gone," I announce flatly. "Just... vanished. And not through any exit—it felt like she was pulled away by something magical." My hand tightens around the sword hilt as I say this, the cold metal offering no comfort whatsoever. "So instead of standing here having a fucking tantrum about it, we need to actually do something useful for once! We’re trapped down here with no way out—at least not that I can see—and we have bigger problems than whatever emotional crisis Merrin’s having right now."

I turn my gaze to Varrika then, my tone slightly less aggressive but still brusque. "Unless you two geniuses actually found some secret passage or hidden door while I was gone? Because if not..." My wings shift in irritation behind me as I trail off, leaving the implication hanging there.