Round 786 Transcript

The Guardian's sword slices through the air, narrowly missing the creature's glowing orbs. The creature's claws swipe at Varikka's face, but she dodges just in time. Her injured ankle throbs with pain as she stumbles back into the darkness. The Guardian leaps to her side, its sword still locked with the creature's claws. As the creature lunges at Varikka again, Merrin grabs her arm and pulls her towards the far end of the tunnel, away from the battle raging behind them. The creature's howls echo off the walls, mixing with the clash of steel and the Guardian's fierce cries. Dust rains down from the ceiling, coating their hair and clothes in a fine layer of grit. The tunnel narrows ahead, forcing Merrin and Varikka to move closer together. Varikka's injured ankle protests with every step, making it difficult for her to walk steadily. The Guardian's eyes flash towards them, its sword still locked with the creature's claws, as it prepares to make another attack.

*"Varikka, we have to keep moving!" I shout over the din of battle, hauling her stumbling form deeper into the tunnel. The Guardian's sword flashes in my peripheral vision, locking with the creature's claws. The clash of steel echoes off the walls, mingling with the creature's unearthly howls. I wince as Varikka's full weight presses against me, her injured ankle unable to bear any real load. My own muscles scream in protest, but there's no time to rest. We stagger forward into the darkness, the tunnel walls closing in around us like the jaws of a trap. "Can you walk at all?" I pant, my lungs burning with exertion. "We need to put some distance between us and that thing before it catches up."