Round 580

The chamber rumbled with ominous finality as the last stone groaned free of its ancient bonds. Merrin felt the ground shift beneath her boots, a sickening lurch that sent her heart into her throat. The blade in her hands pulsed with dark energy, its power surging unpredictably as she fought to control it. Varrika leaned heavily against the wall, her sprained ankle screaming in protest with each tremor that shook the room. The Guardian loomed closer, its presence filling the space with malevolent intent. She tightened her grip on her mace, ready to defend them both despite the pain and instability beneath her boots.

Merrin yanked Varrika backward instinctively, pulling her away from falling debris even as she fought to maintain control of the sword's erratic power. The blade flared brighter, casting eerie shadows across the chamber walls as it threatened to consume them both. Varrika stumbled but caught herself against a sturdy section of wall, her breathing ragged and uneven. The ground shifted again, more violently this time, and a fresh cascade of stone came crashing down mere feet away.

"Move!" Merrin hissed urgently, her eyes darting around the crumbling room for any sign of escape. "We need to get out of here before this whole place comes down on top of us!"