Round 124 Transcript

The stone ledges beneath them crumble further, threatening to send both Jeane and Seraphine tumbling into the abyss. Jeane's grip on the stone outcropping tightens as she strains to pull Seraphine upward, her face set in a fierce determination. The ground shudders violently once more, and the air is filled with the sound of rushing stone and dust. A chunk of the floor gives way beneath Merrin's foot, sending her tumbling into the hidden chamber below.

Jeane strains against gravity, her muscles burning as she holds Seraphine above the abyss. The stone groans beneath their combined weight, threatening to give way at any moment. Stay calm! she grits through clenched teeth, I've got you! The shrieking spirits press in around them, a whirlwind of malevolent energy that makes Jeane's skin crawl. She tries to ignore the icy tendrils of fear creeping up her spine as she focuses every ounce of strength into keeping their grip secure. Don't look down! Just keep moving your hands—inch by inch! Seraphine's weight shifts dangerously, and Jeane feels a jolt of panic as her hold slips slightly. No no no— she thinks frantically, not like this not here! She adjusts her grip, digging her fingers into Seraphine's cloak with bruising force. Hold on tight—I'm pulling you up! The winged demoness's powerful legs push against the opposite wall, creating leverage as she heaves Seraphine upward. Her wings beat furiously behind her despite the cramped space, providing a marginal boost of lift. Come on come on—she mutters with effort, you're almost there!*

Just as they reach solid ground again, another violent shudder runs through the stone around them. Jeane barely has time to drag Seraphine fully onto the ledge before the section beneath her previous handhold collapses completely. That was too close—she pants, flopping onto her back and staring up at the crumbling ceiling above them.

Her red eyes narrow as she considers their precarious situation. The air is thick with dust and magic, the whispers of bound spirits growing louder by the second. This whole place is cursed—I knew we should have found another way.

I collapse onto the dusty floor next to Jeane, my chest heaving as I struggle to catch my breath. The adrenaline from our near-death experience still courses through my veins, making every muscle tremble with a mixture of relief and lingering terror. I stare up at the crumbling ceiling above us, half-expecting it to come crashing down at any moment.
My mind is racing, trying to process what just happened. We almost died. If Jeane hadn't been there, hadn't moved so quickly... I shudder at the thought, pushing myself into a sitting position. The pain in my shoulder is a dull throb now, overshadowed by the shock of our narrow escape. Jeane's right—this entire tower is cursed, unstable, and filled with ancient magic we clearly don’t understand.
"I have to admit," I say, my voice raspy from the dust and exertion, "you were right about this place being dangerous. Maybe too dangerous for what we came here to do."
My gaze drifts towards the edge of the pit, where Merrin fell. The thought of her trapped below us is a physical ache in my chest. We can't just leave her there, but the risks are becoming insurmountable.
"We need to find Merrin," I say firmly, pushing myself to my feet despite the wobble in my legs. "And then we need to get out of here as fast as possible."
I reach for my mace, only to remember it must have fallen into the pit with me. I curse under my breath and scan the ground around us until I spot my pack. With a grunt of effort, I drag it over, rummaging inside until I find a spare dagger. It's not much, but it'll have to do.
As I straighten up, I notice Jeane staring at me with an odd expression on her face—part admiration, part something else. She seems to be appraising me, and a sudden flush creeps up my neck under her intense gaze.
I clear my throat, uncomfortable with the silence stretching between us. "What? Do I have something on me?" I ask, trying for a light tone even as my heart hammers in my chest.