Round 98 Transcript

As Halie examines the parchment, the air around her seems to grow colder, the shadows on the walls deepening and twisting like living things. She can feel a malevolent presence closing in, the symbols on the wall pulsing with an otherworldly energy. Seraphine readies her mace, its blade glinting faintly in the flickering torchlight. The Bound Spirit stirs within its circle, its coal-black eyes fixed on Halie with an unblinking gaze. Jeane's voice echoes from above, laced with warning and contempt: "You fools... you're walking into the heart of darkness itself!" The platform creaks ominously beneath her feet, threatening to give way at any moment. Halie must decide whether to investigate the mysterious message further or proceed cautiously down the passageway. Meanwhile, Seraphine must weigh her options for countering the increasing malevolent energy emanating from the Bound Spirit.

Jeane completes her intricate inspection of the binding circle's arcane structure, muttering dark incantations as she reinforces weak points. Phew—at least this ancient magic is holding for now. She glances down into the darkness where Halie and Seraphine disappeared, her crimson eyes narrowing with barely contained worry.

She taps a clawed finger against her lips thoughtfully. I hope those two know what they're doing down there... Jeane mutters, more to herself than anyone else. Merrin's death was tragic, but rushing headlong into certain danger serves no purpose. Still— her expression softens almost imperceptibly —I suppose if someone's going to attempt a foolish rescue, Halie and Seraphine are our best hope. The platform beneath her feet groans ominously again, jerking Jeane back to the immediate threat. Focus, demon... first things first. She spreads her wings slightly for balance as she carefully circles the perimeter of the unstable platform, examining every crack and joint with expert scrutiny.

I can feel it—the magic here is twisted, wrong. These aren't just bones, they're... vessels for something that shouldn't be here. We need to proceed with extreme caution.