Round 944 Transcript

As Merrin holds Varikka steady, her foot slips on the oily substance, causing her to stumble. She quickly recovers, but her ankle throbs in agony. The ground gives another loud crack, and the chamber begins to shake violently. The Guardian's roar grows louder, its presence even closer. Varikka looks up at Merrin, her eyes wide with fear. "What do we do?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. The oily substance continues to flow, threatening to sweep them away at any moment. Merrin quickly scans their surroundings, looking for any alternative route across the ledge. She notices that the noxious gas seems to be coming from a small ventilation shaft in the wall, partially hidden by a tattered curtain. The shaft looks narrow enough for her to squeeze through, but it's unclear if it leads to safety or more danger. The Guardian's roar grows louder still, and Merrin knows they have to act fast. She turns to Varikka, her eyes locked on hers. "We need to get out of here, now," she says, her voice firm but urgent. "Do you think you can make it through that ventilation shaft?"

I gnash my teeth, trying to push myself up but my ankle refuses to take any weight. The oily substance under my hands sends a burning jolt of pain through my palms. Merrin's grip tightens around my arm as another shudder runs through the crumbling chamber. "Merrin, the ventilation shaft... I don't think I can make it," I rasp out, hating the desperation in my own voice. "You should go on without me. Find a way to-"
"No!" Merrin cuts me off sharply. "I won't leave you behind, Varikka. We'll figure something out together." Her eyes dart around frantically as another roar from the Guardian echoes through the passageway. The oily substance flows over my boots, threatening to sweep us away at any moment. I tighten my grip on my mace, knowing it's futile but unwilling to let it go. Merrin's gaze locks onto something behind me and her eyes widen. "Varikka, look!" she hisses urgently. "The mirror - the image is changing again!"
I twist my head around, ignoring the flare of agony in my neck, and stare at the massive mirror. The rippling surface seems to be solidifying into a new scene...

I stare at the mirror, my heart pounding in my chest. The image seems to be solidifying into a new scene, but I can't make out any details through the noxious gas obscuring the passageway. Varikka's injured ankle throbs beside me, and I know we can't stay here much longer. The Guardian's roar grows louder, its presence even closer. I glance at the narrow passageway, wondering if it could lead us to safety or if it's just another trap waiting to snap shut. The oily substance on the floor continues to flow, making every step a treacherous challenge. But we can't afford to stay here – the Guardian is too close, and the chamber is crumbling around us. I turn to Varikka, my eyes locked on hers. "Varikka," I say, my voice firm but urgent. "We need to get out of here, now. Do you think you can make it through that ventilation shaft?"