Round 817 Transcript

As Varikka hauls Merrin up, the water rushes around their ankles, threatening to sweep them away. They finally reach Elric, who stands motionless in the shadows, his eyes fixed on the rising waters. The Guardian's pursuit grows louder, and the ground beneath them begins to slope downward. Suddenly, a chunk of debris falls from above, narrowly missing Varikka's head. The chamber shakes violently, and the water rises even higher. Elric's gaze flicks towards the debris, and his eyes narrow slightly. He seems to be assessing the situation, considering his next move. "I can help you escape," he says in a low, gravelly voice, "but it won't be easy." His hand rests on the hilt of a sword at his side, and his eyes seem to bore into Varikka's. "We'll need to move quickly, and we'll need to watch our step. The passages ahead are treacherous, and the Guardian will be closing in soon."

I cling tightly to Varikka's hand as she hauls me up, my fingers digging into her skin. "Thank you," I pant, "but we're not out of danger yet. That water's rising fast, and who knows what else might be coming our way." I glance at Elric, still standing motionless in the shadows. "What about him? Can we trust him to help us escape?"

The ground beneath us trembles again, and another chunk of debris falls from above. I flinch, my heart racing as I imagine it striking one of us. Varikka's grip on my hand tightens, and I can feel her pulse pounding through her skin. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "Okay, Varikka," I say, "what's our next move? Do we follow Elric's lead, or try to find our own way out of here?"