Round 9

As the skeletal guardian takes another step forward, its bony hand extended towards Jeane, Merrin's nimble fingers dance through her lockpick set, probing the intricate mechanisms of the rune-covered gate with a practiced eye. The air around it crackles with energy, and the ground shudders beneath its feet, causing the heavy stone panel behind it to creak ominously. Halie circles the skeletal guardian slowly, maintaining distance but observing every detail, her eyes fixed on the ancient runes etched into the gate's surface.

Jeane's crimson eyes narrow as she examines the runes, her mind racing with strategies. The sound of scraping metal echoes from the corridor ahead, followed by the faint whisper of shadowy wings beating against the darkness. Varrika moves to defensive position between the party and the threat, her heavy mace gripped tightly in her scarred hands, ready to meet the guardian head-on should it charge.