Round 322

The water sloshed around their ankles, already seeping past their boot-tops with alarming speed. Varrika slammed her back against the stone wall, fingers scrabbling for purchase on slick rock as another wave surged in. The dwarf woman's breath came in short gasps, her powerful chest heaving beneath soaked leather armor. Blood from a gash on her forehead streamed down her face, mixing with sweat and grime to form a stinging mask that blurred her vision. Every vibration of the stone sent fresh terror through her palms—she could feel the very structure groaning under the strain.

"Merrin!" Varrika shouted, her voice barely carrying over the roar of rushing water. "Respond! Where are you?" Her eyes darted frantically around the rapidly flooding chamber, searching for any sign of her friend in the chaos. The tide had already claimed half the room, and it was only a matter of minutes before the basin overflowed completely.

Meanwhile, Merrin found herself in a far more precarious position...