Round 695 Transcript

The Guardian swiftly parries Merrin's lunge, its sword slicing through the air mere inches from her face. She manages to grab onto a jagged rock protruding from the wall, her fingers digging into it desperately as she teeters above the abyss below. The Guardian takes another step closer, its eyes fixed intently on Merrin. The noxious gas fills her lungs with each breath, making it harder to focus. As she struggles to maintain her grip, a chunk of stone crashes down onto the ledge mere inches from where Merrin stands, sending dust and debris swirling around her. The Guardian's sword arm wavers slightly, giving Merrin a small window of opportunity.

I catch the Guardian's sword arm as it wavers, using the momentum to swing myself up and over the jagged rock. My feet scrabble for purchase on the crumbling ledge as I pull myself upright, gasping for breath. The noxious gas burns my lungs, but I can't let it stop me now. "Varikka!" I shout again, my voice raw and hoarse from exertion. "I'm coming!"

The Guardian lunges at me, its sword flashing in the dim light. I dodge to the side, feeling the bite of stone against my skin as I scrape along the wall. My hand closes around the hilt of my dagger, the familiar weight of it comforting in my grip. "Stay back!" I snarl at the Guardian, brandishing the blade. "I won't let you hurt her!"

But even as I say the words, I know they're a lie. The Guardian is too strong, too fast. I'm no match for its power, not like this. But I can't give up, not when Varikka's life hangs in the balance. I take a step forward, my dagger held at the ready. The ledge crumbles beneath my feet, sending pebbles and dust cascading into the abyss below. The Guardian advances, its sword poised to strike. "Merrin!" Varikka's voice echoes from somewhere in the darkness, weak but still unmistakable. "I'm down here!"

My heart leaps at the sound of her voice. She's alive! But how can I reach her without the Guardian cutting me down? I scan the ledge for a path, for some way to climb down to her. The rope lies tangled and broken at my feet, useless now. The Guardian takes another step forward, its sword gleaming in the shadows. I know I don't have much time left. If I don't act soon, we'll both be crushed beneath the falling debris or lost to the noxious gas.