Round 698 Transcript

Merrin supports Varikka as she stands, her eyes scanning the chamber for an exit. "We need to move, now." She glances at the Guardian, its sword still raised behind them.

The Guardian takes a step forward, its sword slicing through the air mere inches from Merrin's face. The noxious gas burns in their lungs, making it hard to breathe. As they dodge to the side, a chunk of stone falls onto the ground near them, revealing a narrow crack in the wall.

As the Guardian takes another step forward, its sword poised to strike, I raise my dagger in defense. But even as I do, I know it's not enough. We're trapped, with no way out and no hope of survival against this foe.

I glance at Varikka, her face pale and drawn in the dim light of the chamber. She's injured, exhausted, and trapped just like me. But she's still standing, still fighting to stay alive. And that gives me an idea.

I take a step back, my eyes darting around the chamber, searching for anything we can use as a weapon or a shield. My gaze falls on the crack in the wall, the one that had led us down here in the first place.

It's narrow, but it might be just wide enough for us to squeeze through. If we can get back up to the ledge above, maybe we can find a way out of this tower before it collapses entirely.

I turn to Varikka, my voice low and urgent. "Varikka, listen to me. We need to get out of here, now. There's a crack in the wall over there, just wide enough for us to squeeze through. If we can make it back up to the ledge, maybe we can find a way out of this tower before it's too late."

She looks at me, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. "But the Guardian..." she starts to say, gesturing towards the looming figure behind us.

I shake my head, cutting her off. "I know. But we can't fight our way out of this. Our only chance is to run, to find a way out before the whole tower comes down on top of us."

I take a step towards the crack, my dagger still held at the ready in case the Guardian makes a move towards us. "Come on, Varikka. We don't have much time."

As we approach the crack, I can see that it's even narrower than I had thought, barely wide enough for our bodies to squeeze through. But we don't have a choice. We have to try.

I glance back at the Guardian, its sword still raised and ready to strike. "Get ready to move," I mutter under my breath. "And pray to whatever gods you believe in that this works."

With that, I turn and dive into the crack, my body scraping against the rough stone as I push myself through the narrow passage. I can hear Varikka behind me, her grunts of pain and exertion echoing off the walls as she follows close behind.