Round 364 Transcript

As we round the bend in the passageway, the massive boulder teeters precariously on the edge of the narrow ledge. The stone groans ominously, and I can hear the sound of rushing water growing louder. Varikka's injured hand throbs in pain, and she winces as she tries to stand. Suddenly, a section of the tunnel wall begins to crumble, sending rocks and debris crashing down onto the floor. The sound of rushing water reaches a deafening roar, and I know we have only seconds before the tunnel is submerged. The air is thick with dust, and visibility is near zero. I glance at Varikka, my mind racing for a solution. "We need to move, now!" I shout above the din. "Can you find a way up that boulder, or do you need me to help?"

I stare at the precariously balanced boulder, my heart pounding in my chest. The sound of rushing water grows louder, and I can feel the ground trembling beneath my feet. I know we don't have much time.

"Varikka," I say, my voice strained with urgency. "I need you to boost me up to that ledge. I think I can reach the boulder from there and try to stabilize it."

I glance down at her injured hand, concern etched on my face. "But first, let me take a look at your hand. We need to make sure you can handle the climb."

I crouch down beside Varikka, gently taking her hand in mine. I examine the injury, wincing at the sight of the deep gash and the ominous purple bruising around it.

"Damn," I mutter under my breath. "This is bad. But we don't have time to treat it properly right now."

I reach into my pack and pull out a small vial of healing potion. "Drink this," I say, handing the vial to Varikka. "It won't fix everything, but it should help numb the pain and give you some strength for the climb."

As Varikka drinks the potion, I scan the ledge above us, looking for any handholds or footholds that might help me reach the boulder.

"Alright," I say, turning back to Varikka. "Boost me up there. And once I'm on the ledge, try to brace yourself against the wall if you can. I don't know how much this tunnel can take before it collapses."

With that, I crouch down, ready to receive Varikka's boost. I can feel the ground shaking beneath my feet, and I know we have only seconds before the water reaches us.

"Go!" I shout, my voice echoing off the stone walls. "Now!"

I brace myself as Varikka pushes me up towards the ledge, my heart pounding in my chest as I reach for the edge of the boulder. If this doesn't work, we're both going to end up at the bottom of a pit trap.

I grit my teeth as Merrin boosts me up towards the ledge, my injured hand throbbing with pain. I reach out with my good hand, grasping for the edge of the stone. My fingers slip on the damp surface, but I manage to find a grip and haul myself up onto the ledge.

As I pull myself to my feet, I can feel the ground shaking beneath me, the sound of rushing water growing louder by the second. I glance down at Merrin, my heart racing in my chest.

"Merrin!" I shout, my voice straining to be heard over the din. "Get your ass up here now! We don't have much time!"

I turn my attention to the massive boulder teetering on the edge of the ledge. It groans ominously, and I can see the stone beginning to crack under the strain. I know we need to move fast if we want to survive.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to do. With a grunt of effort, I begin to push against the boulder, trying to shift its weight away from the edge of the ledge. The stone is heavy, and my injured hand screams in protest as I bear down on it, but I know we have no choice.

"Merrin!" I shout again, my voice strained with effort. "Hurry up! This thing could come down at any second!"

I can feel the ground shaking more violently now, the sound of rushing water reaching a deafening roar. I know we're running out of time, but I refuse to give up. With a final heave, I manage to shift the boulder away from the edge of the ledge, just as Merrin hauls herself up onto the stone beside me.

"Varikka!" Merrin cries, her voice filled with relief. "You did it! We're safe... for now."

I nod grimly, my chest heaving with exertion. "For now," I agree, glancing around at our precarious situation. "But we're not out of this yet. We need to keep moving if we want to survive."

With that, I turn my attention back to the tunnel ahead, my mind already racing for our next move. Whatever dangers lie ahead, we'll face them together - because right now, Merrin is the only person in this damn tower who I trust to have my back.