Round 853 Transcript

The ground beneath Varikka's feet gives way once more, and she stumbles into the fast-moving underground river, her injured ankle thrashing wildly as she struggles to stay afloat. Merrin rushes to her side, grabbing onto her arm with one hand and trying to steady her with the other. Elric's torch casts an ominous glow on the rushing water below, illuminating the dark, churning currents. Merrin's eyes widen in horror as she realizes Varikka is being pulled down into the depths of the river. She knows they need to act fast if they want to save her companion. The Guardian's roar grows louder still, and the air is filled with the sound of rushing water and the faint rumble of rocks shifting in the tunnel.

I hear Varikka cry out as she falls into the fast-moving underground river, her injured ankle thrashing wildly as she struggles to stay afloat. Without hesitation, I rush to her side, grabbing onto her arm with one hand and trying to steady her with the other. The cold water soaks through my clothes instantly, but I don't let it slow me down.

"Varikka!" I shout over the sound of the rushing water. "Grab onto me! I've got you!"

I can feel the current tugging at both of us, trying to pull us under. But I refuse to let go. With a grunt of effort, I pull Varikka closer, using my body weight to keep her above the surface.

"Elric!" I call out, my voice strained with the effort of holding onto Varikka. "We need your help over here!"

I can see the old man's torch flickering in the darkness, casting an ominous glow on the churning water below. But he seems frozen, unable to move.

"Elric!" I shout again, my voice rising above the roar of the river. "Snap out of it! Varikka needs your help!"

I can feel my own strength fading, my muscles burning from the effort of holding onto Varikka's weight. But I know we can't give up now. Not when we're so close to safety.

With a final burst of energy, I manage to pull Varikka out of the water and onto the rocky shore. She collapses beside me, her chest heaving as she tries to catch her breath.

"Thank you," she gasps, her voice weak and strained. "I thought I was going to drown for sure."