Round 803

The sound was everywhere now—a low rumble that seemed to come from the very stone around them. Merrin felt it through her palms pressed against the cold floor, a vibration that made her teeth ache. She could feel Varikka’s weight shift above her, the other woman’s breathing coming in ragged gasps.

"How much further?" Varrika’s voice was barely audible over the growing roar of water somewhere nearby. "Because I don’t think I can keep this up much longer." Merrin adjusted her grip on Varikka’s legs, trying to find a position that didn’t make her arms scream in protest. The fireman’s carry had seemed like such a good idea when they’d first stumbled into this mess—now? it felt like she was hauling a boulder.

"Just... just around the next corner," Merrin lied through gritted teeth. She had no idea if they were even close to an exit—her map was useless in this section—but she needed Varikka to keep moving. The water was already ankle-deep and rising fast. They stumbled forward, Merrin’s legs burning with effort as she half-dragged, half-carried her friend through the increasingly treacherous terrain.

The passage opened up into a larger chamber, and for a moment, Merrin dared to hope they’d found solid ground. Then she saw it—the massive crack in the far wall, water gushing through like a waterfall. The sound was deafening now, the roar of rushing liquid filling her ears. They weren’t going to make it.

"Merrin!" Varikka screamed as another section of ceiling gave way above them. Merrin threw herself forward instinctively, twisting to shield Varrika’s body with her own as they hit the ground hard. The world went dark and cold as water swallowed them both.