Round 195 Transcript

The tension in Narrow Collapsing Passageway in Ancient Tomb tightens for a beat as the interruption refuses to go away. Everyone is forced to stay quiet and choose their next move carefully.

Merrin's stomach twists into knots as the passage walls groan and shudder around them. She swallows hard, trying to focus on Varrika's broad back ahead of her rather than the oppressive weight of stone and magic pressing down from all sides. "Uh, Varrika?" she calls out, keeping her voice low. "I hate to sound like a coward, but maybe we should try to find a place to hole up until this blows over? I don't fancy getting crushed by falling rubble."

She risks another glance back the way they came, wincing as more rocks shift and tumble into the narrow corridor. Her grip tightens on her crossbow, though she knows it will be little use against a cave-in. "On second thought," Merrin mutters darkly, "maybe getting flattened is better than whatever's lurking up ahead. But I suppose we're committed now, aren't we?"

She takes a deep breath and edges forward, her boots crunching on the rubble-strewn floor. "Just keep your eyes peeled for any side passages or alcoves we can duck into if things get too dicey, yeah? And watch your step - I'd rather not be brained by falling debris if we can avoid it."

Merrin's heart pounds in her ears as she follows Varrika deeper into the crumbling tunnel, every instinct screaming at her to turn back. But they have no choice now but to keep moving forward and hope they can outrun the collapse - or at least find somewhere to weather it before the whole damn place comes down on their heads. "May the gods help us," she breathes, more prayer than curse. "Because I'm starting to think even the gods have abandoned us in this nightmare."

Aye, I hear you Merrin. The gods have been mighty scarce in this place, but we still need to trust our wits and strength if we're to survive. I squint into the gloom ahead, trying to spot any side passages or alcoves we could duck into if the roof starts coming down. The mace feels heavy in my grip, but it's better than nothing against a cave-in. Keep close behind me and watch your step. If we can't find anywhere safe to hole up, at least we'll have each other's backs if things turn ugly. And maybe, just maybe, we'll find our way out of this cursed tomb yet. I take another step forward, the rubble shifting beneath my boots. The walls groan and shudder around us, but I force myself to keep moving. Merrin's right - there's no going back now. Our only choice is to push ahead and hope we can outrun the collapse...or at least find somewhere to weather it before the whole damn place comes down on our heads. "Stay sharp, Merrin," I mutter, more to myself than to her. "We're not out of this nightmare yet."

I take another step into the darkness, my mace raised and ready for whatever fresh hell lies ahead...or behind, in this accursed place. The gods may have abandoned us, but I'll be damned if I let this tomb claim me without a fight. Let's keep moving, Merrin. We've come this far - we can't turn back now.