Round 691 Transcript

The Guardian's gaze snaps towards Varika as it takes another step closer. Its eyes narrow, and it raises a hand, its fingers closing around the hilt of the sword at its side. The air is thick with noxious gas, and Merrin can feel her lungs burning from the fumes. She stumbles back, her eyes fixed on Varika, who's still clinging to the rope. The rope creaks under Varika's grip, and for a moment, it seems like she's going to pull herself up. But then, the rope snaps, sending Varika tumbling towards the edge of the ledge. The Guardian takes another step closer, its hand still raised, ready to strike. A new chunk of stone dislodges from the ceiling above, crashing down onto the ledge mere inches from where Merrin stands, sending dust and debris swirling around her. She knows she has to act fast if she wants to save Varika.

Merrin's stomach lurches as Varikka tumbles over the ledge, the rope snapping with a sickening twang. "No!" She lunges forward, her fingers scrabbling at the air, but it's too late. Varikka disappears into the darkness below, and Merrin can only stare after her, her heart pounding in her chest.

The Guardian looms closer, its eyes glinting in the dim light. Merrin's breath comes in ragged gasps as she backs away, her foot catching on a loose stone. She stumbles, barely catching herself on the edge of the ledge. "Shit," she mutters under her breath.

She glances down into the chasm below, but it's too dark to see anything. Varikka could be lying broken at the bottom, or she might have landed in the water. Merrin's mind races as she tries to think of a way down. "Varikka!" she calls out, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "Can you hear me?"

There's no response, only the distant sound of falling debris and the hiss of noxious gas. Merrin's head is starting to swim, and she can feel her strength fading. She knows they don't have much time before the whole chamber comes down around them.

She takes a deep breath, steeling herself for what she has to do next. "I'm coming, Varikka," she whispers, more to herself than to anyone else. "Just hold on."

With that, she turns back to the Guardian, her hand tightening on the hilt of her dagger. It's now or never.