Round 684

Merrin's fingers find a sturdy-looking outcropping of stone, and she quickly ties one end of the rope around it. She tests its strength with a sharp tug before lowering the other end down into the darkness below.

"Got it!" she calls out, her voice echoing slightly in the cavernous space. "Can you reach it?"

Varrika strains to extend her good arm upward, her fingers brushing against the descending rope. With a grunt of effort, she manages to grasp it firmly and begins to pull herself up, using her powerful arms to compensate for her injured leg.

As Varrika climbs, Merrin keeps a firm grip on the other end of the rope, ready to provide support if needed. The noxious gas continues to burn their throats, but they ignore it, focusing all their energy on getting Varrika to safety.

Finally, with a final heave, Varrika pulls herself up onto the ledge beside Merrin. She collapses against the stone wall, panting heavily and clutching her throbbing ankle.

"Thanks," she gasps, looking up at Merrin with gratitude in her eyes. "I owe you one."

Merrin smiles back, though her expression is tinged with concern. "We'll worry about debts later." She glances around, spotting a narrow alcove just ahead. "Right now, we need to find a way out of this place before the entire thing comes crashing down around our ears."

Varrika nods, wincing as she shifts her weight off her injured ankle. "Agreed. But we can't just stand here either." She looks at Merrin with an expression that says 'The longer we stay in this unstable area, the greater the risk of another collapse.'