Round 614

Varikka's mace scraped against stone as she took another cautious step forward, her injured ankle throbbing with each movement. The Guardian's voice echoed behind them, his tone a mix of satisfaction and warning. "You should have taken my offer. Now, you'll have to navigate this rubble to escape." As Varikka stepped forward, a chunk of debris dislodged from the ceiling, sending a shower of smaller stones cascading down around her.

I grit my teeth as another chunk of debris falls from the ceiling, landing mere inches away from where I stand. "We need to move faster," I mutter under my breath, my eyes scanning the shadows ahead for any sign of danger. "That bastard is enjoying this too much." I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what lies ahead. Merrin is right - we can't afford to stop now. Not with the entire tower coming down around our ears.

Varikka's vision was compromised by blood and grime, but she could make out the narrow corridor stretching ahead, darkness pressing in from both sides. "What do you think?" she asked Merrin quietly. "This path looks... unstable."