Round 583

Merrin helped Varikka up, supporting her weight as they entered the large stone chamber. The air was thick with dust and the smell of ancient stone, and the sound of shifting rocks echoed ominously through the space. Varrika's injured ankle gave out beneath her, sending her crashing to the ground with a pained cry.

"Varikka!" Merrin cried out, rushing to her side. "Are you alright?" She could see the pain etched into the dwarf woman's features, her breath coming in ragged gasps. But Varrika nodded weakly, her teeth gritted in determination.

"I...I think so," she managed to say through clenched teeth. "Just...just need a moment." Merrin helped her to her feet, steadying her as she tested her weight on her injured ankle. It was clearly still...

"Varikka," Merrin said, her voice low and urgent. "We need to keep moving. The Guardian could be anywhere, and we don't know how much time we have before the whole place comes down on top of us."