Round 783 Transcript

The figure lunges forward, its claws extended and mouth open in a silent snarl. Merrin fires her crossbow, striking the creature in the shoulder, but it doesn't falter. Varikka's injured ankle throbs in pain as she tries to move away from the creature's deadly reach. The air is thick with dust and debris, making it hard to see or breathe. The Guardian bursts into the tunnel, its eyes blazing with fury as it sees the creature attacking Merrin and Varikka. "Back!" it growls, charging towards the creature with a sword drawn. The figure spins around, its glowing orbs fixed on the Guardian, and begins to advance towards it.

By the gods, Varikka, we're trapped! I cough, spitting dust from my mouth as I struggle to my feet amidst the rubble. Varikka's eyes are wide with fear, her face pale in the dim light of our flickering torch. "Merrin," she hisses, clutching at my arm. "What is that thing?"

I shake my head, my heart pounding in my chest as I try to make sense of the creature before us. Its skin is a mottled grey, its eyes glowing with an eerie, otherworldly light. "I don't know," I whisper, fumbling for my crossbow. "But it's not human, that's for sure."

The creature takes a step towards us, its movements jerky and unnatural. I raise my crossbow, my hands shaking as I take aim at its chest. But before I can fire, the Guardian bursts into the tunnel behind us, its sword drawn and its eyes blazing with fury. "Back!" it growls, charging towards the creature with a fierce determination in its gaze. The figure spins around, its glowing orbs fixed on the Guardian, and begins to advance towards it. I watch as the two figures circle each other, their movements a blur of flashing steel and glowing eyes. The air is thick with dust and debris, making it hard to see or breathe, but I can't take my eyes off the battle before me. Varikka limps to my side, her injured ankle throbbing in pain as she tries to stay on her feet. "Merrin," she whispers, her voice tight with fear. "What do we do?"

I shake my head, my mind racing as I try to come up with a plan. We're trapped, injured, and facing an unknown threat in the depths of this accursed tower. But one thing is clear - we can't stay here. "Stay close," I hiss, grabbing Varikka's arm and pulling her towards the far end of the tunnel. "And whatever you do, don't stop moving."