Round 600

The stone beneath their feet groaned ominously, then went still. The sudden silence was more terrifying than the rumbling had been. Merrin lit a fresh torch with shaking hands, the flame casting dancing shadows that seemed to mock their predicament. The air grew heavy and thick, carrying the stench of damp earth and decay.

Varrika shifted her weight, wincing as pain shot up her injured ankle. "This is a nightmare," she growled, more to herself than to Merrin. The halfling woman moved closer, her eyes reflecting the torchlight like a cat's. "We need to be careful here," Merrin said, her voice low and serious. "Whatever's down this tunnel, it's not going to be easy." She looked up at Varrika, her expression unreadable in the flickering light.

The fighter met her gaze, her jaw set in determination despite the agony radiating from her ankle. "I know," she replied, her voice tight with pain and resolve. "But we don't have much choice. We go down, or we drown here." The water level was already rising, lapping at their boots with insistent fingers.