Round 39

I press my palms against the shifting wall panel, feeling the arcane energy thrumming through it like a living heartbeat. "It's alive," I mutter, more to myself than Merrin. "Or at least, the magic is—this entire section of the tower is breathing with power!" Another massive splash from below makes me flinch—I can hear Seraphine screaming something indistinct over the water and monster roars. The rising flood is now chest-deep, the current strong enough to make maintaining balance a constant struggle. "We need to move—fast," I tell Merrin, my voice barely audible over the rushing water and grinding stone.

Merrin nods, her eyes fixed on the wall panel. "The runes—they're responding to arcane energy. If we can figure out how to control this..." She trails off as another section of the wall slides open with a groan, revealing a dark passageway that descends deeper into the tower. "Fuck," she breathes, her hand instinctively going to the crossbow slung across her back.

The sound of splintering wood and?.? comes from above—something?.? the structure is giving way completely. Dust and small stones rain down around us as the ceiling groans ominously. "Everyone out!" I shout, my voice cracking with fear. "The whole damn thing's coming down!"