Round 890 Transcript

As Elric pulls Varika up the jagged rocks, the ground beneath her feet gives way once more, sending her tumbling down into a hidden pit trap. Elric's eyes widen in alarm as he realizes he's too far away to catch her. The sound of rushing water grows louder, and the air fills with the scent of damp earth and mold as the river continues its relentless march towards them. Varika's ankle throbs in agony as she struggles to move in the confined space. Her voice is weak but resolute, "Elric, find Merrin. I can hold out for a bit longer."

Merrin's heart pounds in her chest as the water rushes over her head, dragging her deeper into the river's icy depths. She thrashes her limbs, fighting against the current with all her might. But it's no use. The halfling rogue is losing ground fast. Through the murky water, a faint light catches her eye. An orb, pulsing just beneath the surface. Is that some kind of creature? Or just a trick of the mind in this nightmare? Merrin's lungs scream for air as panic surges through her veins. She needs to find solid ground, anything to pull herself out of this watery grave. But the current is too strong, and she's growing weaker by the second. Her fingers close around something hard and jagged - a rock from the riverbed. Merrin tightens her grip, feeling a surge of determination. If that creature thinks it can take her down without a fight, it has another thing coming. The rogue's mind races as she plots her next move. She has to get to the surface, to find some kind of handhold or ledge to pull herself out of this mess. But the current is too strong, and she's running out of air fast. Merrin takes a deep breath and dives down, swimming with all her might towards the orb's faint light. It could be a trap, a lair for that creature waiting to ambush her. But it's also her best chance at survival. The halfling kicks harder, determined to make her way back to the surface...and to whatever fate awaited her there in the treacherous depths of this underground river.

Gods above! This is a disaster, [Merrin's] gone and Elric is too far to reach me. I've got to get out of this pit before the river swallows me whole!