Round 792

The water rose fast, Merrin dragging Varikka through the floodwaters toward the partial collapse point. The creature pursued them relentlessly, its glowing orbs fixed on their position as it pushed through the rising waters. Merrin's arms burned with fatigue as she hauled her friend against the current, both of them fighting to stay afloat in the rapidly flooding tunnel.

"Stay close!" Merrin shouted over the roar of rushing water. "We need to get above this!"

Varikka nodded, her face pale and drawn as she struggled to keep her grip on the wall. Her injured ankle screamed protest with every movement, but there was no choice - drowning or fighting were the only options left.

The creature lunged again, its massive form cutting through the water between them. Merrin threw herself forward, sword flashing out in a desperate overhead strike aimed at one of the glowing orbs. The impact sent a spray of greenish fluid arcing outward, hissing and steaming as it mixed with the icy floodwaters.

For a moment, the creature recoiled, its movements becoming erratic as the damaged orb continued to leak noxious fluid. Merrin didn't hesitate - she grabbed Varikka's good arm and half-dragged, half-pulled her toward a partially collapsed section of wall she'd spotted earlier.

"Move!" she snarled, putting every ounce of strength into the effort. The water was already waist-deep in places, rising fast enough that they could feel the current tugging at their legs.

Varikka cried out as Merrin's weight landed fully on her injured ankle, but adrenaline and desperation kept her moving. They stumbled through the collapsing section just as another massive chunk of ceiling gave way behind them, tons of debris and water exploding outward in a deafening roar that nearly knocked them both off their feet.

They tumbled into what looked like a partially flooded maintenance shaft, the water level here only knee-deep but flowing fast. Merrin gasped for air, helping Varikka to sit against the wall while she caught her own breath.

"Status?" she panted, scanning her friend's face and posture for signs of immediate crisis. Varikka's ankle was clearly a major concern - the makeshift splint was already soaked through and starting to come apart from the water pressure.

"I'm... alive," Varikka gasped back, her voice strained but steady. "Ankle hurts like hell, but I can still move it. Not sure how long that'll last though."

Merrin nodded grimly, already calculating their options. The creature was still back there somewhere, possibly damaged but definitely not destroyed. They needed to keep moving, find higher ground or at least a more defensible position before the water rose any further.

"Alright," she said, offering her good hand to help Varikka upright. "Let's get you bandaged properly and then we figure out where this maintenance shaft goes."