Round 862

The water's icy grip closed around them, stealing their breath and chilling them to the bone. Merrin gasped as she broke the surface, her arms instinctively tightening around Varikka's waist in an attempt to keep them both afloat. The dwarf woman struggled beside her, her injured ankle making every movement a test of endurance. "Varikka!" Merrin shouted, her voice barely carrying over the rushing water. "Don't let go!" The current pulled insistently at them, threatening to tear the two women apart.

Merrin kicked desperately with her legs, trying to maintain some control over their descent as they were swept downstream by the fast-moving underground river. The stone walls vibrated ominously around them, the Guardian's relentless pursuit evident in every echoing roar. Varikka coughed and sputtered, her face pale in the gloom of the underwater tunnel.

"We have to keep swimming!" she gasped between breaths, her free hand paddling frantically against the powerful current. "I've got you!" Merrin nodded, her teeth gritted against the cold and the exertion. She could feel Varikka's weight pulling her down, but she refused to let go.

The two women struggled against the rushing water, their bodies being tossed about like leaves in a storm. The narrow opening ahead seemed impossibly far away, its promise of solid ground taunting them with each passing second. Merrin's lungs burned for air, her muscles screaming in protest as she fought to keep them both above water.

Varikka's injured ankle caught on a submerged rock, sending a jolt of pain shooting up her leg. She cried out, her grip on Merrin loosening for a moment before she forced herself to hold on tighter. "Merrin!" she choked out, her voice barely audible over the roar of the water.

"I've got you," Merrin repeated firmly, though her own strength was flagging. She could feel the current tugging at them, trying to tear them apart. With a desperate surge of energy, she kicked hard with both legs and managed to propel them toward the opening. The water fought back, but inch by agonizing inch, they made progress.

As they neared the edge of the pool, Merrin's hands found purchase on the slick stone lip. She heaved with all her might, pulling Varikka up alongside her until they both collapsed onto solid ground, gasping for air. The Guardian's roar seemed to follow them, echoing through the tunnels as it redoubled its efforts to break free.

Merrin lay there panting, her body trembling from the cold and exertion. She turned to check on Varikka, who was also struggling to catch her breath. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice hoarse with concern. The dwarf woman nodded weakly, though her face was pale and drawn. "I think so," she managed between gasps. "But my ankle... it's not good."

Merrin bit her lip, knowing they couldn't afford to rest for long. The Guardian was still coming, and the sound of its enraged howls grew louder with each passing moment. They needed to keep moving, needed to find a way to escape this cursed tower before the monster caught up with them.

But first, they had to get Varikka back on her feet. Merrin reached out, offering her friend a steadying hand. "Come on," she urged gently. "We've got to keep going."