Round 153

The sound of the Devourer of Light was getting louder, its presence radiating an otherworldly energy that made Merrin's skin crawl. Varikka's grip on her hand tightened, her knuckles white with fear as she clung to the ledge beside her. The water beneath them churned violently, a massive wave crashing against the stone platform and threatening to sweep them both away.

Merrin's eyes darted up to the crumbling walls above, the section that had given way revealing a dark opening in the stone. It was their only way out of this nightmare, but the thought of leaving Seraphine behind filled her with dread. The wizard had dived into the water to save Varikka, and now she was lost beneath the surface.

"We can't just leave Seraphine," Merrin said, her voice shaking slightly as she stared at the churning depths below. "She's still down there, fighting for her life."

Varikka shook her head frantically, her dark eyes wide with fear. "But what choice do we have? The water's rising, and those...things are coming. We need to get out of here!"

Merrin bit her lip, torn between her loyalty to Seraphine and the very real danger they were in. The water was already up to their ankles, and the sound of the Devourer of Light was getting closer with each passing moment.

"Fine," she said finally, her voice tight with barely suppressed emotion. "But we're coming back for her. I won't leave her behind."

Varikka nodded, relief flooding through her features. "Agreed. Now let's get out of here before it's too late."