Round 848

Merrin's hand tightens around Varikka's arm as she struggles to keep her footing on the slick stone ledge. "Varrika, are you alright?" she calls out, her voice strained with effort. The Guardian's roar of frustration echoes from the other side of the door, its presence now closer than ever. Elric swiftly reaches out to catch Varikka when her foot gives way beneath her, his grip firm but strained by his injured ankle. As they stumble through the partially open door, the ground gives way beneath them with a sickening crack, and they find themselves tumbling downwards into darkness.*

Merrin's scream is cut short as she hits the water with a bone-jarring impact, the frigid liquid swallowing her whole. She thrashes instinctively, her lungs burning as she fights to reach the surface. When she finally breaks through, gasping for air, she sees Varikka struggling nearby, her heavy armor dragging her down. "Varikka!" she chokes out, swimming desperately towards her friend. "Grab onto me!"

Elric lands in the water beside them with a loud splash, his torch extinguished by the impact. He surfaces moments later, coughing and sputtering. "What in the gods' names was that?" he gasps, looking around at their surroundings in horror.

The current is strong here, pulling them towards a dark opening in the cavern wall. Merrin redoubles her efforts to reach Varrika, finally grasping her friend's outstretched hand. "Hold on!" she shouts, trying to pull Varikka towards a nearby ledge. "Elric, help me get her to solid ground!"

As they struggle against the rushing water, the sound of the stone door groaning under immense pressure fills the air. The Guardian is forcing its way through, and it won't be long before it breaks free.

Merrin finally manages to haul Varrika up onto the ledge, both of them gasping for breath. "Are you alright?" she asks, her voice shaking. "Can you walk?"

Varikka lies on the stone, panting heavily. "My ankle," she groans, clutching at it. "I think it's sprained. I can't put weight on it."*

Merrin's heart sinks. They're trapped in a flooded cavern, with no way out and a monstrous guardian about to break through the door. And now Varikka can barely walk. This is not good.