Round 812 Transcript

As Merrin and Varika turn back towards the hidden chamber, they hear the sound of rushing water grow louder. The creaking noise from earlier has stopped, but the air is thick with the feeling that something is about to give way. Suddenly, a loud cracking sound echoes through the chamber, followed by the sound of stones shifting. The ground begins to slope downward, and the water level rises even higher, threatening to engulf them. Merrin's injured ankle throbs in agony as she struggles to keep her balance on the slippery floor. Varika's face contorts in pain as she tries to support herself against the wall, her severely limited mobility making every movement a struggle. The air is filled with the acrid smell of damp earth and decay, and Merrin can feel the weight of the chamber's instability bearing down on her.

I...I think you're right, Varikka. We can't keep pushing on like this. This rising water is going to drag us under if we don't get somewhere stable soon. Even if that means backtracking, we need to find solid ground before it's too late. Help me limp back to that hidden chamber. It's our only hope for a moment's respite from this deluge. I'll be dead weight on this ankle, but we can't stay out here. I...I don't want to end up like Jeane and Halie, drowning in the dark... My head is pounding something fierce from whatever noxious gas we inhaled earlier. But that book...it might have answers. Can you grab it for me? My hands are shaking too much right now. Let's get back to the chamber before the water rises any higher. Then we can figure out what to do next.

Gods, Merrin, I don't like this any more than you do. But... you're right. We're both on our last legs here, and if we keep pushing through this rising water, we'll end up as drowning corpses just like the rest of our party. I'll grab that book for you - don't want it getting swept away in this deluge. And... I'm sorry about your ankle. I know how much it must be killing you to push through like this. But if we can just make it back to that hidden chamber, maybe we can find something to brace it and keep the weight off until this water recedes. Lead the way, Merrin. I've got your back - and your book. Let's get out of this gods-forsaken place before it claims us too.