Round 858 Transcript

Varikka's ankle buckles again, sending her tumbling into the fast-moving underground river. The water rushes past her, threatening to drag her under. Merrin tries to hold her up, but the current is too strong. She manages to grab onto a nearby rock, barely keeping Varikka from being swept away. The Guardian's roar grows fainter as the tunnel collapses behind them, but the sound of rushing water and crumbling stone fills the air. Elric's torch flickers, casting eerie shadows on the walls. A new section of the tunnel opens up ahead, revealing a narrow pool of calm water.

I lunge for Varikka, my heart in my throat as she topples into the rushing water. The current is treacherous, threatening to sweep her away at any moment. I manage to grab onto a nearby rock, bracing myself against its solid weight as I strain to keep Varikka's head above the surface. "Varikka!" I cry out, my voice barely audible over the roar of the water. "Hold on! Don't let go!"

I can feel the strength in my arms and shoulders being tested as I struggle to maintain my grip on Varikka. My muscles burn with the effort, but I know that I cannot let her slip away. Not now, not after everything we've been through together.

Elric's torch flickers in the distance, casting eerie shadows on the walls of the tunnel. The Guardian's roar grows fainter as the passage collapses behind us, but I know that we are not safe yet. We have to keep moving forward, no matter the cost.

"Varikka!" I shout again, my voice hoarse with exertion. "We need to get you out of this water! Can you hear me?"