Round 790

Merrin half-dragged Varrika deeper into the crumbling passage, the dwarf's full weight pressing against her shoulder with every labored step. The injured ankle dragged uselessly across the uneven floor, each scrape sending fresh pain through Varikka's face contorted in agony. "Keep moving!" Merrin hissed through clenched teeth, muscles burning from exertion. She risked a glance over her shoulder, squinting through the swirling dust. The Guardian still pursued, its silhouette barely visible through the debris as it navigated the collapsing corridor with terrifying ease. Every moment felt like an eternity, each groan of protesting stone echoing their impending doom. The tunnel narrowed ahead, forcing them to angle sideways to squeeze through. Dust rained down in a constant cascade, coating everything in grey grit that clogged Merrin's nostrils and filled her lungs with every desperate breath. Her head pounded relentlessly from the l... *But it was the sound that really set her nerves on edge - the distant roar of rushing water, growing louder with every step. They were get...

Varrika's ankle gave out completely as they stumbled into a wider chamber, sending her crashing to the stone floor with a cry of pain. Merrin managed to stay upright, but only just, her hands scrabbling for purchase on the slick rock surface. She whirled around, eyes wide with alarm as she took in Varrika's prone form and the now-visible source of the rushing water - a massive crack in the far wall through which a torrent of liquid gushed. "Varikka!" she shouted, dropping to her knees beside the dwarf. "Are you okay? Can you stand?"