Round 808

The watery grave closed over them both, Merrin's scream echoing off the ancient stone as she lost her grip on consciousness. When she came to, the world was gray and cold, the current still tugging at her limbs though the worst of the flood had passed. Her head ached with a persistent throb that spoke of noxious gas exposure, and every movement sent fresh agony through her ankle.

Varikka's body lay half-submerged nearby, eyes closed, face pale as marble in the dim light filtering down from above. The rope still trailed from Merrin's waist, snapped clean through at its thickest point, ending in a frayed tangle near where Varikka had vanished downstream. The chamber itself was changing shape by the moment, water cascading through fresh cracks in the ceiling and walls with each rumble of settling stone.

Merrin forced herself upright, teeth gritted against the pain, and began to crawl across the slick floor toward her friend. Every inch felt like dragging herself over broken glass, but the sight of Varikka's still form drove her forward. The water lapped at her chin again as she reached out, fingers closing around a cold wrist, finding no pulse.

"No," Merrin whispered, voice cracking. "No, no, no..." She pulled Varikka closer, cradling the limp body against her chest in a fireman's carry that sent fresh waves of agony through her own injuries. The weight was immense, threatening to overwhelm her already compromised balance as she staggered toward what looked like solid ground near the chamber's far wall.

The water swirled around them both, currents tugging at Merrin's legs and threatening to pull them apart again. She fought against it with every ounce of strength remaining, dragging Varikka's body through the rising tide until they reached a patch of stone barely above the surface. There she collapsed, gasping for breath, the cold water still lapping at her thighs as she held onto her friend for dear life.

The chamber rumbled again, a fresh cascade of water pouring down from overhead. Merrin flinched, instinctively shielding Varikka's body with her own. The current was getting stronger, the pull more insistent. She needed to move, needed to find higher ground before they both ended up back in that watery abyss.

But first, she had to face the reality of what she'd lost. Varikka's face was still pale and lifeless against her shoulder, eyes closed as if in sleep. Merrin rocked gently back and forth, murmuring words of comfort even though no sound came out. Her tears mingled with the spray from the rising water, falling onto Varikka's cold cheek.

"I've got you," she whispered finally, voice barely audible over the roar of rushing liquid. "I've got you now. I won't let go again." The promise felt hollow in this ancient watery tomb, but it was all she had to offer as she tightened her grip and prepared to face whatever came next alone.