Round 4

As Merrin crouched beside the ancient gate, her fingers twitched with the urge to decipher its pulsing runes. "By the gods," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rustling of leaves, "these are no ordinary sigils. They're practically writhing with dark power." She resisted the temptation to touch them, instead producing a set of lockpicks from her belt and examining the gate's mechanism with a critical eye.

Meanwhile, Seraphine approached the gate with a sense of foreboding, her heart racing in her chest. The violet light of the runes seemed to sear into her very soul, and she could feel the weight of the dark magic bearing down upon her. "Merrin, wait," she called out, her voice steady despite the fear that threatened to overwhelm her. Merrin looked up, her dark eyes meeting Seraphine's worried gaze.

Jeane, however, moved with a confidence born of facing greater horrors. The runes pulsed with an otherworldly energy, but she had tasted the darkness of death itself and emerged unscathed. "This is merely a barrier, not a door," she said, her voice carrying a seductive assurance that belied the danger lurking within. As she spoke, the air around her seemed to vibrate with anticipation, as if the very fabric of reality was waiting for her next move.