Round 6 Transcript

As Halie presses her palm against the stone, the air around her seems to thicken, and the pulsing darkness within the runes intensifies. The blackened sparks that scorch Jeane's forearm die down, but the gate's ancient magic remains, its power coursing through the stone like a living entity. The runes on the gate begin to shift, rearranging themselves in a pattern that seems to be a warning, a message from the long-dead sorcerers who once guarded this place. The stone beneath Halie's palm begins to glow with a faint, ethereal light, as if the very essence of the goddess she serves is responding to her presence. The light grows brighter, illuminating the dark recesses of the gate and casting eerie shadows on the surrounding stones.

I step forward, my heavy boots crunching on the cracked stone as I examine the gate's new rune pattern. The magic here is ancient, and it don't like us one bit. "Hold," I bark, raising a hand to stop Merrin from tinkering with the lock. "We've stirred up something nasty here. That mark on Jeane's arm—it's dark magic, and it's spreadin' fast."

I turn to Halie, my voice gruff but laced with concern. "Priestess, we could use your light now. See if you can't purify this gate before we crack it open." I keep a wary eye on the shifting runes, my mace gripped tight in my calloused hands.

The pain in my forearm is like fire ants crawlin' under my skin, but I don't let it show on my face. "Jeane, how bad's the burn? And don't try to tough it out—we've got a long road ahead and I need you sharp." I glance at Seraphine, nodding for her to keep that warding spell ready.

Merrin, I trust your skill with locks, but we're not playin' dice with this gate. If Halie's light don't work, we might need to fall back and find another way in. "Halie, do what you can. The rest of us—be ready to move at a moment's notice. This tower's got teeth, and I aim to keep 'em out of our throats."

I watch Halie's palm meet the stone, see her faith glow too bright for this place. Enough. My voice cuts through the thick air like a blade. Whatever power answers your call isn't here to guide us—it's here to cage us. The runes shift again under my scrutiny, their patterns forming words I can almost read. This gate was built as a prison. The magic is hungry for new occupants, and it doesn't care if we're here on some noble quest. I step between Halie and the barrier, my wings extending slightly in warning.

To Seraphine: Your caution is wise, but our window narrows. That darkness tasted Jeane's blood—it knows we're here now. If there are shadow demons within, they'll be awake and hunting. My eyes flick to Merrin. Pick that lock fast, or prepare to face whatever comes through the walls once we've stirred this nest. I draw power into my hands, the air crackling with azure energy that clashes against the gate's darkness. I can hold the doorway open for moments after it cracks—once inside, we move as one unit. No stragglers, no heroes, or we all fall together.