Round 64

Jeane steps closer to Halie, her crimson eyes scanning the unstable catwalk with practiced ease. The structural integrity is compromised—probably deliberately. We need to move carefully or this whole section could collapse. She sheathes her dagger and draws a length of rope from her pack. We can't stay here anyway; those projections aren't real, but they're distracting us from the actual threats.

Halie's blue-grey eyes widen as she watches Jeane work. Wait—what if Merrin's voice was just another trick? We don't even know for certain there's a chamber down there! She moves closer to the edge, peering down into the darkness below. I can try to sense magical energies... maybe find out what's really going on beneath us.

Jeane pauses, her hand tightening around the rope. That could work. But be quick—this whole floor is shifting under our weight as it is. She begins tying a makeshift anchor point to a sturdy-looking section of wall. If you sense anything dangerous down there, pull back immediately. We don't need both of us falling through.

Halie nods, her expression determined despite the fear evident in her eyes. Understood. I'll be careful—She kneels at the edge, closing her eyes and pressing her palms flat against the wooden planks. O Light, guide my senses... reveal the truth hidden below...

The air around Halie shimmers faintly as she concentrates, magical energy swirling in response to her divine call. The wood beneath her hands begins to glow with an ethereal light, revealing the intricate patterns of binding magic woven through every beam and joint.

Jeane watches intently, her wings half-spread for balance on the swaying catwalk. What do you see? Any sign of Merrin or a hidden chamber?

Halie's eyes snap open, her face pale. There... there is something down there. A chamber, just as we suspected. But the magic—She swallows hard—it's not just binding the spirits anymore. The entire structure is held together by dark sorcery, and it's unstable. Extremely unstable.

Jeane curses under her breath. Of course it is. Nothing in this damn tower is simple or safe. She finishes securing the rope anchor and meets Halie's gaze. We need to decide—do we risk descending into a potentially collapsing chamber, or do we find another way?