Round 205

Merrin's eyes widened as she watched the tentacled horror retreat, its movements fluid and purposeful despite its monstrous appearance. The creature's curiosity seemed genuine, but that didn't make it any less terrifying. She could feel the cold water lapping at her legs now, chilling her to the bone. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to find higher ground, but she knew they couldn't leave Varikka behind.

"Varikka!" Merrin called out, her voice echoing in the cavernous space. "Hold on! We're coming for you!"

She turned to Seraphine, her expression urgent. "We need to move fast. The water's rising too quickly. If we don't find a way to raise that platform or drain this chamber, we'll all be trapped."

Seraphine nodded, her face pale but determined. "I understand. But first, let me try something." She closed her eyes, concentrating hard. A soft glow emanated from her hands as she began to cast a spell.

Merrin watched anxiously, her fingers twitching with the urge to act. The cold was beginning to affect her now, her movements becoming sluggish. She needed warmth soon, or hypothermia would set in.

The water rose another inch, and Merrin felt a shiver run down her spine. They were running out of time.