Round 63

The symbols ignited in a swirling vortex of blue fire as Merrin pressed herself against the wall, her heart pounding in his chest as he watched Serrine approach the ancient runes with a mixture of curiosity and barely contained fear. The wizard's fingers traced the air above the symbols without touching, her face etched with exhaustion but her eyes burning with that familiar mix of determination and barely contained terror. "Merrin," she said softly, not looking away from the glowing characters, "what do you see? Any patterns? Hidden meanings?" The halfling squinted at the moving symbols, trying to make sense of their shifting forms. "They're... shi... Waking nightmares, maybe?"

Varrika's eyes snapped open, her gaze unfocused at first, then locking onto the figure emerging from the shadows. The barbarian's hand instinctively went to the hilt of her sword, her grip tightening as she took a step forward. Serrine's eyes widened in alarm, her voice barely above a whisper.