Round 98

The tunnel opened up into a vast cavern, the ceiling lost in shadows far above. The sound of rushing water echoed through the space, a constant roar that seemed to vibrate in Merrin's bones. She waded forward, the icy water lapping at her waist, her grip tight on her heavy mace. Seraphine followed close behind, her face pale in the flickering torchlight.

The cavern was vast, stretching out into darkness on either side. In the center, a wide river flowed, its surface gleaming with an eerie luminescence. Merrin felt a chill that had nothing to do with the cold water. Something about this place felt wrong, ancient and malevolent. But they had no choice. They had to keep moving forward.

"Stay close," she whispered to Seraphine, her voice barely audible over the roar of the water. "And whatever you do, don't fall behind." The elf woman nodded, her eyes wide with apprehension. Merrin knew she was out of her element here, but she also knew they needed each other's strength.

The current grew stronger as they entered the river, pulling at their legs and threatening to drag them downstream. Merrin gritted her teeth, fighting against the flow. "Hold on tight," she grunted, her grip on Seraphine's shoulder tightening. "We're not going down without a fight."