Round 874 Transcript

As we finally reach solid ground, Varikka's injured ankle throbs in agony, her leg buckling beneath her weight. She collapses onto the shore, gasping for air, and Merrin rushes to steady her, Elric providing a helping hand. The Guardian's roar grows louder still, its ominous glow illuminating the chamber as it smashes into the stone door behind us.

I struggle to keep my balance on the narrow ledge, my arms burning from the effort of hauling Varikka's weight out of the icy water. Elric's torch flickers beside me, casting eerie shadows on the damp stone walls. The Guardian's ominous roar echoes through the chamber, growing louder with each passing moment. "Varikka!" I cry out, my voice hoarse from exertion and fear. "Can you stand?"

The fighter grimaces, her teeth bared in a snarl of pain as she tries to put weight on her injured ankle. It buckles beneath her, sending her collapsing back onto the ledge with a pained grunt. "I... I don't know," she gasps, her breath coming in short, ragged pants. "It's not... it's not working."

Elric leans down, his face etched with concern as he offers Varikka his arm. "Here, let me help you up," he says, his voice steady and calm despite the chaos around us. I nod, my heart pounding in my chest as I reach for Varikka's other side. Together, Elric and I haul the fighter to her feet, her weight pressing down on our shoulders as we struggle to keep her upright. "Okay, okay," I mutter, my eyes darting around the chamber, searching for some way out of this nightmare. "We need to keep moving. The Guardian... it's getting closer."

Varikka nods, her face pale and drawn with pain as she takes a tentative step forward. "I can make it," she says, her voice tight with determination. "But I'll need your help to steady me."

Elric nods, his grip firm on Varikka's arm as he helps support her weight. "We've got you," he says, his voice low and reassuring. I take a deep breath, my eyes fixed on the dark tunnel ahead. The Guardian's roar grows louder still, its ominous glow shining through the shadows like a beacon of doom. "Alright then," I say, my voice shaking slightly as I reach for my crossbow. "Let's get out of here before it's too late."