Round 884

The water surges past them with terrifying speed, the current threatening to pull them both into its depths. Varikka grits her teeth against the pain in her ankle, knowing she needs to move but every step a torment. "Elric!" She shouts over the roar of the rushing river. "We have to get to solid ground before this whole place collapses!" Her words are punctuated by a sickening crack as part of the ceiling gives way nearby, sending a shower of stone and dust into the water.

Merrin surfaces with a gasp, water streaming from her face as she frantically searches for Varikka. "Varikka! Where are you?" Her voice echoes off the stone walls, the sound swallowed by the rushing water and the Guardian's ominous roar. She spots Elric's torch beam cutting through the darkness, and she swims towards it with desperate strokes.

As she reaches the ledge, Merrin hauls herself up with trembling arms, her body shaking from the cold and exertion. "Did you see where she went?" She asks Elric, her voice tight with fear as she scans the churning water for any sign of her friend.

Elric shakes his head, his face pale in the torchlight. "I lost sight of her when that section collapsed. The current's too strong—she could be anywhere downstream." He looks at Merrin, then back at the swirling waters. "We need to keep moving. The Guardian's breaking through—we can't stay here."

Merrin nods, her stomach churning with fear for Varikka and dread of what might come next. "You're right. But which way?" She looks around, trying to spot any sign of a safe path through this treacherous maze of stone and water.

The river suddenly changes course with a groan of shifting rock, the water flowing directly towards them now. "Shit!" Elric exclaims as he scrambles back from the edge. "The whole damn thing's giving way! We have to move—now!"

Merrin grabs her heavy mace and starts scanning the walls desperately. "There has to be another way out of this death trap!" She spots a narrow ledge running parallel to the river, just above the water line. "Over there!" She points. "It might lead us somewhere safer."

Elric nods, torch held high as he helps Merrin navigate the treacherous path. "Stay close," He warns. "One wrong step and we're both in the drink."