Round 928

The water lapped at Merrin’s thighs now, cold and insistent. She pressed herself against the wall for stability, her injured ankle throbbing in protest. Across the chamber, she could see Varikka moving carefully, her friend’s face contorted in pain with each step on her sprained ankle. The Time-Splitting Sword hummed in Varikka’s hands, its power visible as rippling light along the blade—beautiful and terrifying all at once.

“Varikka,” Merrin called out, her voice tight with worry. “You need to be careful. That ankle won’t hold if you push too hard.” The water rose higher, now reaching Merrin’s hips. She could feel the current tugging at her legs, trying to pull her toward the center of the room and the deadly pit below.

Varikka looked over, her expression determined despite the obvious pain. “I know,” she replied, her voice strained. “But we can’t stay here either.” The Guardian’s roars echoed through the identical chambers again, closer this time. Merrin’s heart raced. They were trapped between drowning and being caught by their pursuer.

She looked around frantically for any solution. The water was rising faster now, fed by new streams pouring in from cracks in the walls. If they didn’t find a way out soon, they’d be swept into the pit together. Merrin’s head still ached from the noxious gas exposure, making it hard to think clearly. She needed solid ground—needed to feel stone under her feet instead of this treacherous water.

Varikka took another step forward, her injured ankle buckling slightly before she caught herself against the wall. The Time-Splitting Sword clattered to the floor, its light dimming as Varikka struggled to maintain her balance. Merrin’s stomach dropped. If Varikka fell into the water with that injury, she might not be able to get back up.

“Wait!” Merrin shouted, pushing off from the wall and wading through the rising water toward her friend. “Let me help you.” She reached Varikka just as another roar shook the chamber. The two women locked eyes for a moment, both knowing they were running out of time.