Round 705

The stone door groaned under each thunderous impact, splinters flying outward like deadly rain. Merrin pressed her full weight against it alongside Varikka, muscles straining as she tried to hold fast despite the terror screaming in mind. The wood flexed dangerously with each blow from beyond—one good hit and they'd be crushed or worse.

"You've got a plan, right?" Varrika grunted, face pressed against the door beside hers. "Because this isn't exactly a sustainable position."

Merrin could feel sweat beading on her forehead despite the chill air. She knew this was their only real option, but that didn't make it any less insane. "Yeah," she managed between gritted teeth. "But you're not gonna like it." She met Varikka's eyes briefly—enough to see the understanding pass between them before they both tensed for action.

On three. Merrin mouthed the words silently, counting down with her fingers as Varikka nodded. One... The impacts grew frenzied outside as the beast beyond sensed their desperation. Two... Merrin took a deep breath, steeling herself for what came next. Three!

They both pushed away from the door at once, throwing themselves sideways into rolling dives across the chamber floor. Behind them, the ancient wood exploded outward in a shower of splinters and dust as the stone guardian burst through with a roar that shook the very stones.

Merrin hit the ground hard, momentum carrying her into a controlled roll before she sprang back to her feet. Her eyes locked onto the creature filling the doorway—the massive stone wings spread wide now, glowing symbols pulsing with murderous intent. The club it carried looked like it could smash them both flat without breaking stride.

Varikka was already moving, sword raised as she charged directly at the beast. "Hey ugly!" she shouted, voice barely audible over the rumble of stone on stone. "Over here! Come get some!"

The guardian's attention snapped to her instantly—as though recognizing a worthy opponent or simply drawn by the suicidal bravado. Its wings folded tight against its back as it began to advance into the chamber, each heavy step making the very air vibrate.

Merrin didn't hesitate. While the creature focused on Varikka's distraction, she sprinted for the carved channel of water flowing along one wall. The liquid glowed faintly with that same eerie light as the symbols everywhere else—had to be connected somehow. She dropped to her knees beside it, hands already moving as she began tracing the complex pattern etched into the stone surround.

Behind her, the battle had begun in earnest. Varikka's sword clashed against the stone club with a sound like mountains colliding—the dwarf woman was fighting for her life barely ten feet away from where Merrin worked frantically at the spell.

The water in the channel erupted upward with a sound like rushing wind, forming into a swirling vortex that filled half the chamber in moments. Merrin leapt back as the stone floor beneath vanished completely, replaced by churning liquid that seemed to defy gravity itself. She watched in horrified fascination as both figures disappeared downward into the magical waters—Varikka's battle cry cut off mid-scream as they were pulled down into the swirling depths.

She stood there panting for long moments, trying to process what had just happened. Had her desperate gamble actually worked? Or had they both just been swallowed by some ancient teleportation trap?