Round 166

The cold was already biting into Merrin’s flesh when she surfaced again, gasping for air and choking on a mouthful of icy water. Her teeth chattered violently as she tried to process what had just happened - the water had closed over her head with terrifying speed, pulling her under before she could even cry out. Now she was clinging to some unseen ledge deep beneath the earth, her soaked leathers weighing her down like a second skin. She could feel the thing’s presence still lingering in the water around her, its strength ebbing and flowing like a perverse heartbeat. The weight of her heavy iron bar felt suddenly unwieldy as she tried to keep her grip on it one-handed while maintaining purchase against the current. Her eyes darted around the massive chamber, searching for any sign of higher ground or escape. The water lapped at her chin now, each surge bringing the threat of drowning closer. She could feel her limbs already going numb from the cold. A desperate plan formed in her mind - if she could just get enough leverage... With a guttural cry, Merrin heaved the heavy iron bar upward, aiming for what looked like the thickest concentration of tentacles. The iron connected with a sickening wet thud, and for a moment, the creature’s hold loosened. She didn’t hesitate - with a powerful kick, Merrin propelled herself backwards through the water. Her head broke the surface with a gasp, but the relief was short-lived as another surge threatened to pull her under again.