Round 20

The air in the crumbling tunnel grew thick with tension and the stench of decay. Seraphine half-dragged Halie deeper into the stone passage, her breathing ragged as she tried to keep the injured woman's head from striking the rough floor. Varrika followed close behind, mace raised, eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement from the skeletons that had advanced on them moments before.

"Stay alert," Seraphine hissed over her shoulder. "Those things could come through any moment." The wizard's mind raced, trying to recall useful spells or protective wards that might help against undead horrors. But the ancient magic here felt wrong—twisted and unstable in a way she'd never encountered before.

Varrika nodded silently, her grip tightening on the weapon. She knew better than to argue with Seraphine when it came to magical threats. The two women moved deeper into the darkness, leaving the echoing rumble of shifting stone behind them. Each step seemed to carry the weight of centuries—of secrets buried too deep and dangers best left undisturbed.

Jeane stood at the entrance to the hidden shaft, her crimson eyes fixed on the darkness below. The sound of Merrin's fall still echoed in her ears—a sound that had sent a jolt of fear through her despite all the dangerous situations they'd faced before. Now, with two active threats above ground and one of their own trapped below, the stakes felt higher than ever.

Shit, she thought, running a hand through her long white hair. This is exactly why I wanted to scout ahead. But Varrika's caution had slowed them down, and now they were paying for it. She glanced back at the stone wall where the hidden entrance had been—now sealed tight by some ancient mechanism.

"Merrin!" she called out again, her voice echoing in the narrow space. "Can you hear me? Are you hurt?" No response came except for the ominous creaking of old stone under pressure. Jeane bit back a curse and turned to face Seraphine and Varrika as they emerged from the tunnel.

"What now?" she demanded, her wings shifting irritably behind her. "We can't just leave her down there."