Round 697 Transcript

Merrin's dagger flashes in the dim light as she dodges the Guardian's sword, the blade biting into the stone wall behind her. The Guardian lunges again, its sword slicing through the air mere inches from Merrin's face, sending pebbles and dust cascading into the abyss below. As she avoids the sword for the third time, a chunk of stone falls onto the ground near her, revealing a narrow crack in the ledge.

As I press against the wall, my dagger at the ready, a chunk of stone falls onto the ground near my feet. I stare at it, my mind racing. The Guardian takes another step forward, its sword poised to strike. But as I look closer at the fallen rock, I notice something that makes my heart leap.

A narrow crack in the ledge, just big enough for me to squeeze through. It leads down into the darkness below, but it's the only path I can see to reach Varikka. I know it's risky, but I don't have a choice. The Guardian advances, its sword slicing through the air mere inches from my face. I dodge to the side, feeling the bite of stone against my skin as I scrape along the wall.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to do. "Varikka!" I call out one last time, my voice hoarse with exertion. "I'm coming down to you! Hold on!"

With that, I turn and dive through the crack in the ledge, my dagger held at my side as I plunge into the darkness below. The stone scrapes against my skin, tearing at my leathers as I squeeze through the narrow passage. But I don't have time to worry about the pain. All that matters is reaching Varikka before it's too late.

As I emerge from the other side of the crack, I find myself in a small chamber, the air thick with the same noxious gas that had filled the ledge above. In the dim light, I can see Varrika huddled against the far wall, her eyes wide with fear and relief as she sees me.

I rush over to her, my heart pounding in my chest. "Varikka!" I cry out, dropping to my knees beside her. "Are you okay? Can you move?"

She nods weakly, her body trembling as I help her to her feet. "I think so," she manages to say, wincing as she puts weight on her injured ankle. "But we need to get out of here. The whole tower is coming down around us."

I nod, my eyes scanning the chamber for an exit. But as I turn to face the Guardian, I see it looming in the doorway behind me, its sword raised and ready to strike.

I raise my dagger, ready to fight, but I know it's no use. We're trapped, with no way out and no hope of survival. All we can do is face our fate head-on, together.