Round 120 Transcript

As Seraphine pushes forward, her map unfolding to reveal a narrow passageway that seems to lead east, the ground gives another violent lurch. A section of the wall near her collapses, sending a torrent of dust and debris cascading down the chamber. She stumbles, her mace falling from her belt as she desperately tries to shield herself. Jeane's voice rings out, urgent and measured. "Seraphine, no! Don't risk further destabilizing this already crumbling chamber!" She swiftly moves towards Seraphine, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards the pillar. The air shimmers around them, and for a moment, it seems as though the spirit has finally broken free from its prison. But then, a loud crack echoes through the chamber, and the ground gives another violent tremor. The dust settles, revealing that Seraphine's mace has become lodged in the rubble, partially buried beneath a fallen stone slab.

You're being naive if you think that spirit wants anything but our suffering! Jeane spits, her grip tightening on Seraphine's arm as she pulls her away from the collapsing wall. This isn't a test of worthiness—it's a death trap disguised as ancient wisdom. Those dark sorcerers designed this place to consume any fool arrogant enough to enter! She glances at the partially buried mace, then back to the dusty passage Seraphine indicated on her map. East? Are you certain that leads anywhere stable? The entire chamber is groaning like a dying beast. We need to find solid ground before trying to reinforce anything. Another violent tremor shakes the room, and Jeane's red eyes narrow as she surveys their rapidly deteriorating surroundings. If we collapse this section further trying to free your weapon, we'll be trapped beneath tons of rubble with no hope of reaching Merrin or Halie. Prioritize survival—we can't save them if we're dead. She moves towards the pillar, pulling Seraphine along with her. Stay close and keep low. The ceiling is likely to give way again soon. We need to find a stable exit route before this entire chamber collapses entirely. Jeane's hand hovers near her crossbow, ready to defend them from whatever might emerge from the dust and darkness—whether skeletal remains or freed spirits. Listen carefully. If you hear any change in the groaning stonework, freeze immediately and alert me. We need to move quickly but carefully through this maze of death. She glances at Seraphine's injured shoulder with a flicker of concern. Can you manage? That wound will slow us down if we have to run.

I wince as Jeane pulls me away from the collapsing wall, my injured shoulder screaming with pain. She's right—we can’t afford to get trapped under this much stone. The dust chokes me, making it hard to breathe, but I try to focus on her words through the coughing fit that seizes me.
"I know you're worried about Merrin and Halie," I manage to gasp out between hacks. "But if we fall down here too, what good will we be to them? We have to survive this first."
My eyes dart around the chamber, trying to make out any sign of stability amidst the crumbling chaos. The pillar Jeane is guiding me towards seems solid enough for now, but who knows how long it will last in this hellish place. I stumble over a piece of fallen masonry, nearly losing my balance again before Jeane's firm grip on my arm keeps me upright.
The map in my other hand is crumpled and torn, but the faint lines still indicate an eastern path out of this death trap. It's risky, following something so uncertain, especially with the entire tower groaning around us like a dying beast. But it beats standing still and waiting for the roof to come crashing down on our heads.
I nod at Jeane's question about my shoulder, trying to project more confidence than I feel. "It hurts like hell, but I can manage. We have to keep moving." My fingers brush against the heavy mace still lodged in the rubble, a pang of loss mixing with the pain in my arm. It was a good weapon, one I’d grown used to having at hand. But we can’t afford to waste time trying to free it now—not when every tremor feels like the last one before the whole structure comes down on us.
Another violent shudder runs through the chamber, and I hear the ominous groan of shifting stonework from somewhere above. Jeane is right—we need to find a stable exit route, and fast.
"I heard that," I say, my voice a low murmur as I strain to listen past the rumbling stone. "Something's definitely giving way. We should start moving now before this entire section collapses on top of us."
I take a step towards the dusty passage, then stop, looking back at Jeane with a mixture of determination and apprehension. "You said you'd find a stable route? Lead the way. I'll watch our backs."
The air shimmers again, and for a terrifying moment, I think the spirit has finally broken free from its prison. But then I realize it’s just another tremor, warping the light and my own perceptions. I shake my head, trying to clear it of the lingering effects of whatever dark energy was coursing through me earlier.
I move closer to Jeane, my voice a low whisper "Whatever you do, don't stop moving. If we get separated in here... well, that'll be a death sentence for us both."
The chamber shudders violently again, and I feel a wave of dizziness wash over me. I brace myself against the pillar, my head spinning. The pain in my shoulder is nothing compared to the fear of being buried alive.
"We need to go," *I gasp, pushing myself upright once more. "Now."