Round 9

As the skeletal guardian materialized, Merrin's slender pick slipped into the groove, but the rune-etched lock shuddered, releasing a faint blue pulse that erupted from the stone. Jeane stepped forward, her crimson wings unfurling defensively, while Seraphine took a step back, her heart hammering in her chest. The air was heavy with anticipation, the silence broken only by the soft rustle of leaves and the creaking of ancient wooden beams. Merrin's hands moved with practiced ease, her fingers deftly manipulating the lockpicks as she assessed the keyhole. Seraphine's eyes darted between Jeane and the skeletal guardian, a silent communication passing between them.