Round 806 Transcript

The water continues to rise, lapping at their waists as they wade towards the hidden passage. Merrin secures the rope around her waist, while Varikka uses her free hand to tie the other end to Merrin's arm. As they move forward, the current grows stronger, threatening to pull them off balance. Suddenly, Varikka's ankle gives out, and she stumbles, her leg buckling beneath her. The rope tugs tight, but Merrin is unable to pull her back in time. Varikka's body is pulled into the rising water, her face contorted in a silent scream.

I gasp in horror as Varikka is swept away by the rising water. The rope tightens painfully around my waist as I struggle to maintain my footing, the current threatening to pull me under as well. "Varikka!" I scream, my voice echoing off the ancient stone walls. But there's no response, only the sound of rushing water and the occasional clink of metal against stone. My heart pounds in my chest as I realize the gravity of the situation. Varikka is trapped in the rising flood, and I'm running out of time to save her. The hidden passage looms before me, a narrow crack in the wall that may offer escape from this watery tomb. But I can't leave Varikka behind. I take a deep breath and wade forward, my legs trembling with exhaustion and fear. The water is up to my chest now, and the current is strong, threatening to sweep me off my feet at any moment. I reach for the edge of the passage, my fingers scrabbling for purchase on the slick stone. But as I draw closer, I realize that the gap is too narrow for me to fit through. My shoulders are too broad, my build too bulky from years of training and combat. There's no way I can squeeze through that tiny opening without getting stuck. I curse under my breath, my mind racing as I try to think of a plan. The water is rising faster now, and I can feel the cold seeping into my bones. But I can't afford to panic - not with Varikka's life on the line. With a final glance back at the hidden passage, I turn and wade towards where I last saw Varikka. The rope is still taut around my waist, and I pray that it will be enough to pull her back to safety. As I move forward, the current grows stronger, threatening to pull me off balance at any moment. But I can't afford to hesitate. Not with Varikka's life on the line. And so, with a deep breath and a silent prayer to whatever gods might be listening, I wade deeper into the rising flood, my heart pounding in my chest as I search for any sign of my fallen comrade.