Round 860 Transcript

As Merrin finishes splinting Varikka's ankle, the torchlight dancing across her face illuminates a look of concern. "We need to keep moving," she says, glancing around the chamber. "The Guardian's roar is getting closer."

Elric nods, his eyes scanning the tunnel ahead. "I think I see a way out up ahead," he says, pointing to a narrow opening between the stone walls. "But we'll need to move fast. The Guardian won't give us much time."

Varikka grits her teeth, wincing in pain as she tests her ankle. "I can make it," she says, determination etched on her face. But before she can take another step, the ground beneath them gives way, and they find themselves sliding down a steep chute, the water rushing up to meet them. The Guardian's roar echoes through the tunnel, growing louder with every second. The party is forced to move faster, or risk being swept away by the fast-moving underground river.

I let out a gasp as we plunge down the chute, the water rushing up to meet us. My heart pounds in my chest as I struggle to keep hold of Varikka, my fingers digging into her arm with all my strength.

"Varikka!" I shout over the roar of the water. "Hold on! Don't let go!"

Elric's torchlight flickers ahead of us, illuminating the narrow walls of the tunnel. The Guardian's roar echoes through the passage, growing louder with every second. I can feel the cold water rushing past my legs, threatening to sweep me away at any moment.

I strain against the current, my muscles burning with the effort of keeping Varikka's head above the surface. But I know that I cannot let her slip away. Not now, not after everything we've been through together.

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

I can feel the strength in my arms and shoulders being tested as I struggle to maintain my grip on Varikka. But I know that we are not safe yet. We have to keep moving forward, no matter the cost.

Varikka gasps as they plunge down the chute, water rushing up to meet them. She clutches her splinted ankle, wincing in pain. "Merrin!" she shouts over the roar of the water, straining to keep her head above the surface. "We need to find a way out of this tunnel before that thing catches up!"

Elric's torchlight flickers ahead, illuminating the narrow walls of the passage. The Guardian's enraged bellows echo through the tunnel, growing louder with every second. Varikka's heart pounds in her chest as she fights against the current, her powerful arms straining to keep herself afloat. But her ankle throbs with agony, and she knows she won't be able to swim much longer. "Merrin, I can't..." she gasps, her voice hoarse with exertion. "I can't hold on much longer. We need to find a way out of this water before it's too late!"

The dwarf warrior's eyes dart around the churning pool, searching for any means of escape. But all she sees are the dark walls of the tunnel closing in around them, and the ominous glow of the Guardian's approach growing ever closer. Varikka's breath comes in short, painful gasps as she struggles to stay afloat. She knows they're running out of time - and if they can't find a way out of this water soon, it may be too late for them all.