Round 113 Transcript

The shimmering path behind Seraphine flickers ominously, its light growing dimmer by the second as if responding to her proximity to the Bound Spirit. The air around her seems to thicken with an eerie, unnatural silence, broken only by the muffled groans of the collapsing tower above. Suddenly, the torches on the walls sputter and die, plunging the chamber into darkness. The only sound is the faint whispering of the Bound Spirit's voice, its words indistinguishable but its malevolent intent clear. Jeane's eyes narrow as she senses the darkness closing in around them. "We need to find a way to stabilize the path," she whispers urgently. "If we can keep it lit, we might be able to—"

But before she can finish, a loud creaking noise echoes through the chamber, followed by the sound of stone grinding against stone. The ground beneath their feet begins to shift, and the walls start to tremble ominously. The Bound Spirit's form stirs more violently within its circle, its coal-black eyes fixed on Seraphine with an unblinking malevolence. "It's happening," Halie whispers, her voice trembling with fear. "The structural collapse is starting."

Jeane's crimson eyes narrow as she takes in every detail of the flickering runes and the writhing Bound Spirit. This is exactly the kind of dark sorcery I warned you about—this test probably requires some terrible sacrifice or moral compromise that will curse us all! The air crackles with energy, and Jeane's wings instinctively unfurl for balance on the shifting ground.

She circles the edge of the chamber warily, her gaze scanning every shadow. The path is already failing behind us—that shimmering light was clearly some kind of magical stabilizer. If we can't find a way to restore it or create new support, that entire section will collapse soon. The Bound Spirit's coal-black eyes fix on Seraphine with unsettling intensity. It wants something from you specifically—probably because you're the one who drew its attention first by approaching the circle! Jeane's voice is sharp with warning. Whatever this test entails... it won't be simple or kind. These dark sorcerers didn't bind a spirit for fun—they had a reason, and we might become their next victims if we're not careful! She reaches out to trace one of the pulsing symbols on the wall, her fingers stopping just short of its glowing surface. The message Halie decoded... 'where shadows dance.' This entire chamber is alive with dark energy! Jeane's wings shudder slightly as she senses the malevolent presence in the air.

The walls start to tremble ominously, and Jeane's expression hardens. We need to prioritize stability before exploring this test. Look at these supports—they're ancient and crumbling already. If we can reinforce them somehow or find alternative routes... Her hand hovers near her crossbow, ready for any threat. ...then maybe we have a chance. Jeane steps closer to Seraphine, her voice low and urgent. I understand wanting to help Merrin, but barging into this test blindly is suicide! We need more information before—

I feel a chill run down my spine as the chamber trembles around us, the ancient stone groaning like a living thing in pain. The Bound Spirit's writhing intensifies within its circle, its silent scream now a visible force against the air. Jeane's warning about the darkness and its demands echoes in my mind, but so does the memory of Merrin's voice crying out for help.
The path behind us flickers ominously, its shimmering light growing dimmer with every passing second. It's as if the very structure of this place is unraveling, responding to our presence like a living wound. I can see the fear in Halie's eyes, the tension in Jeane's posture, but beneath it all, a grim determination settles over me.
I turn to face Jeane, my expression calm despite the chaos erupting around us. You're right—this test isn't going to be simple or kind. And if we fail... My gaze drifts back to the Bound Spirit, its coal-black eyes still fixed on me. ...I have a feeling we'll all be cursed. But we can't leave Merrin and Halie trapped here. Not after coming this far. I take a step closer to the center of the chamber, where the shadows seem to deepen and writhe with their own malevolent intent. If 'where shadows dance'... then perhaps we need to find the heart of that dance. The source of its power. My hand trembles slightly as I reach out towards one of the pulsing symbols on the wall, the heat radiating from it like a brand against my skin. It feels alive, hungry. This entire chamber is a manifestation of dark energy, just as Jeane said. And in its center... I feel a sudden, sharp prickling sensation at the base of my neck, a cold touch that seems to come from nowhere and everywhere at once. ...is where we need to be. I turn back to Jeane, my voice firm despite the fear coiling in my gut. We stabilize what we can, yes. But while you do that... I'm going to try to understand this test. To find out what it wants from us, what it demands for our passage. My eyes meet hers, unwavering. Because if we don't pass its judgment... then none of us are leaving here alive anyway.