Round 72 Transcript

As Halie speaks, the construct lowers its massive clawed hand back down to the ground, but its eyes remain fixed on Merrin. The Keeper's spectral hand crackles with energy once more, and a faint glow begins to emanate from Merrin's body. "The trial begins now," the Keeper intones, its voice dripping with malevolent intent. Merrin's glowing eyes snap open, and she rises to her feet, her movements stiff but unsteady. She looks around, taking in her surroundings, before focusing on Halie and Jeane. Her gaze lingers on the construct, and for a moment, it seems as though she is considering something. Then, with a sudden movement, she turns towards the Keeper and begins to speak in a voice that is both familiar and yet, utterly alien. "I am ready," she says, her words dripping with an otherworldly energy.

I watch Merrin rise to her feet, the eerie glow emanating from her body chilling me to the bone. Her eyes lock onto mine, but there's no recognition in them—only a cold, alien intelligence that seems to peer straight through me. The construct remains still, its massive form blocking half the chamber. My mind races, trying to process what I'm seeing. "Merrin?" I call out, my voice cracking slightly with disbelief and fear.
Jeane is already moving, her hands glowing with arcane energy, but I know we're both thinking the same thing: we can't just attack Merrin. Not like this. The soul binding is still active; whatever this trial is, it's not over yet. "Wait!" I shout, holding up a hand to stop Jeane in her tracks. "We need to understand what's happening first."
I turn back to the Keeper, my heart pounding in my chest. Its spectral form seems to pulse with dark energy, matching the rhythm of Merrin's strange new aura. "What have you done?" I demand, trying to keep my voice steady despite the tremor running through me.* "Release her immediately." The words feel futile even as I speak them, but I have to try. This is my area of expertise—the forbidden arts, the dark magics that lurk in the shadows of history. And right now, the only thing between Merrin and whatever fate the Keeper has planned for her is my knowledge.

I recognize this magic—this is soul binding of the highest order. My gut clenches as I understand what’s happening: Merrin isn’t possessed; she’s been elevated to a new status by the ritual. The construct remains still, but its attention shifts between us and Merrin. I see it now—the Keeper doesn’t want her dead, at least not yet. This is something worse than death, some form of… promotion. I lower my hands slowly, showing non-aggression to the construct while trying to process what I’m seeing. "Merrin," I say carefully, using her name as a test, "can you hear me? What do you see?" My mind races—this is ritual magic, complex and old. If she’s being elevated, there might be rules here we can exploit.

The construct shifts its weight, the movement making the catwalk groan ominously underfoot. We’re standing on unstable ground, literally and figuratively now. I need to assess the situation without triggering another round of this trial, whatever it is. The Keeper said "trial of worthiness"—that implies there’s an end condition we can meet. I turn to Halie and Seraphine, my voice low. "Listen carefully—this isn’t possession anymore. Merrin’s been inducted into something higher through that binding ritual." I gesture subtly at the glowing runes on her skin. "She’s not our enemy yet, but she might be soon if we don’t handle this right." The construct's still watching us—I need to move carefully.*