Round 101

Merrin waded deeper into the new secret passage, the water now lapping at her thighs. Her heavy mace felt like a lead weight in her hands, exhaustion making every movement an effort. The passage ahead was shrouded in darkness, the flickering light of her torch casting eerie shadows on the ancient stone walls.

We need to find Varikka before she drowns, she thought grimly, pushing aside images of the tentacled horror that had dragged her friend beneath the surface. And we need to get out of this collapsing deathtrap before it comes down on top of us all. The water in the passage was cold and strange, seeming to resist her movements as if alive.

Stay close, she whispered over her shoulder to Seraphine, though whether the elf woman could hear over the groaning of the stone and the rush of rising water, Merrin wasn't sure. And whatever you do, don't fall behind. The wiry halfling scout knew they were out of their depth here - literally and figuratively. But she also knew that sometimes, the only way out was through.

With a deep breath, Merrin waded forward into the deeper water, her mace held at the ready. The icy liquid lapped at her waist, sending shivers through her exhausted body. We need to find higher ground, she called back over her shoulder to Seraphine. And quickly.

The elf woman nodded, her face pale in the flickering torchlight. What about Varikka? Merrin's grip tightened on her mace. I don't know yet. But we can't stay here. The water was rising fast now, and Merrin could feel the current tugging at her legs. She knew they had to move - and quickly - or risk being swept away by the flood.