Round 495

Merrin pulls Varikka up onto the narrow ledge, their precarious perch above the rising waters. The Guardian's unnatural heart glows brighter in the distance, its metal claws scraping against the stone as it claws its way toward them. Water laps at the edges of the ledge, threatening to sweep them away at any moment. In the darkness ahead, a faint sound echoes – the creaking of wooden beams and the murmur of rushing water, suggesting a hidden passage or tunnel. Varikka braces herself against the crumbling stone, her injured ankle throbbing with agony as she scans the darkness ahead. The faint sound of creaking wood and rushing water echoes through the chamber, suggesting a hidden passage or tunnel just beyond their precarious perch. "There," she grunts, pointing to where the noise seems to originate. "That might be our way out." Merrin nods sharply at Varikka's words, her heart pounding in her chest as she scans the narrow tunnel ahead. The faint sound of creaking wood and rushing water echoes through the passage, suggesting a hidden danger just beyond their reach. With a deep breath, she steels herself for whatever lies ahead, her dagger clutched tightly in her hand as she follows Varikka into the darkness.