Round 657

The ground gave way again, Merrin falling into darkness yet another time. She hit hard, gasping as the air was driven from her lungs. Varrika landed beside her with a grunt of pain, her injured ankle screaming protest. The walls were closing in, water rising around their feet - another submerged pit.

"Merrin! We need to move!" Varrika hauled herself up, wincing on her damaged ankle but knowing rest was a death sentence here. The noxious gas was already affecting them both, Merrin's vision blurring at the edges and her head spinning. They had to find an exit before the rising water or collapsing walls finished them.

"Come on," Merrin gasped, pulling Varrika along despite her own dizziness. "We've got to get out of this damn pit." Together they staggered towards what looked like an opening in the wall, a faint glow promising escape. The sound of scraping metal echoed through the chamber - what now? Merrin froze, straining to see through the darkness.

Varrika squinted, hope rising as she recognized the glow. "Merrin! That's got to be an opening!" She hobbled towards it, every step agony on her injured ankle but desperate for freedom. The dwarf warrior pushed forward with gritted teeth, hands scrabbling at crumbling walls.

"Let's get out of this damn hole," Varrika growled, her voice echoing off stone. Merrin grabbed her arm and hauled her up beside her. Together they staggered towards the opening...