Round 533

Varrika’s grip on Merrin’s arm tightened, the dwarf’s knuckles whitening as she fought against the current pulling them both under. The water was cold, biting into their skin, and the noxious gas made it hard to breathe properly. "Merrin," she choked out, voice strained, "I can’t hold on much longer!" The halfling woman’s face was a mask of concentration, teeth gritted as she tried to find purchase in the slippery rocks beneath them. "Don’t you dare let go!" Merrin hissed back, her free hand scrabbling for anything solid. The sound of rushing water filled her ears, and she could feel the pull of the flood growing stronger with each passing moment.

Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the tunnel, and a section of the ceiling collapsed mere feet away from them. Rocks and debris plummeted into the churning waters, sending up a spray that drenched both women further. "Shit!" Varrika yelped, instinctively pulling Merrin closer as she tried to shield the smaller woman from the falling detritus. The movement sent a jolt of agony through her injured ankle, but she gritted her teeth against the pain.

As the dust settled, something moved beneath the surface of the water between them and the collapsed section. Two glowing eyes broke the surface for a moment before submerging again. "Merrin," Varrika whispered, her voice trembling, "I think our friend is back."