Round 956 Transcript

Varikka's grip on Merrin tightens as she stumbles, her injured ankle wincing with each step. The Guardian closes in, its jaws snapping mere inches from Merrin's face. The Time-Splitting Sword, still clutched in Merrin's hand, begins to glow with an eerie blue light, as if fueled by the creature's approach.

I let out a battle cry as Merrin charges forward, the Time-Splitting Sword glowing in her hands. I push off from the ground, my injured ankle screaming in protest as I lunge towards the Guardian. My heavy mace is raised high, ready to strike. The creature's jaws snap shut mere inches from Merrin's face, its fetid breath washing over us both. But she doesn't falter. She swings the sword in a wide arc, the blade slicing through the air with a keening wail. The Guardian reels back, a deep gash opening across its chest, black ichor oozing from the wound. I bring my mace down on the creature's skull with a sickening crunch, the impact sending shockwaves up my arm. The Guardian staggers, its single eye blazing with fury as it turns to face me. I brace myself for its counterattack, my muscles coiling like springs. But then, without warning, the chamber begins to tremble. Dust rains down from the ceiling as cracks spiderweb across the walls. Merrin stumbles, her grip on the sword loosening as she fights to keep her balance. "Varikka!" she cries out, her voice barely audible over the groaning of the collapsing tunnel. "The way forward!"

I scan the chamber, my heart pounding in my chest. There, at the far end of the room, a narrow passageway winds its way deeper into the darkness. It's our only chance. "Go!" I shout, shoving Merrin towards the opening. "I'll hold it off!"

She hesitates for a moment, her eyes searching mine. But then, with a nod, she turns and sprints for the passage, the Time-Splitting Sword clutched tightly to her chest. The Guardian lunges after her, its claws scraping against the stone as it fights to gain purchase on the shaking ground. I step into its path, my mace raised high. "Come and get me, you son of a bitch," I growl, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through my veins. And then, with a roar that shakes the very foundations of the tower, the Guardian surges forward, its jaws wide open and ready to devour me whole.

I let out a startled yelp as the Guardian lunges towards Varikka, its jaws wide open, ready to devour her whole. My heart races as I watch her fall, her injured ankle giving out beneath her. The Time-Splitting Sword lies tantalizingly close, just out of reach, and the mysterious voice echoes in my mind once more: "You should not have come here."

But I can't dwell on that now. Varikka needs me. I leap forward, using my dagger to deflect the Guardian's attack. The blade bites deep into the stone floor, sending sparks flying as it shatters beneath the creature's claws. The impact sends a shockwave through the chamber, causing the ground to tremble and the Time-Splitting Sword to wobble precariously. The mysterious voice booms up from below, "You should not have come here," its words dripping with malevolent intent. The Guardian recovers quickly, its eyes fixed on me with an unyielding hunger. Varikka takes advantage of the distraction to scramble to her feet, her injured ankle throbbing in pain. She lunges towards the Time-Splitting Sword, but it's now out of reach, and the Guardian begins to circle around us, its massive form blocking our escape route. I know we can't outrun it, and fighting seems suicide. But if we don't act fast, it'll be too late. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to do. "Varikka, grab onto me!" I call out, crouching low to the ground. The halfling looks at me in confusion, but she doesn't argue. She hobbles over and throws her arms around my shoulders, her weight pressing against my back. I grit my teeth, feeling the strain in my muscles as I prepare to move. With a burst of strength, I spring forward, using all my momentum to leap towards the Time-Splitting Sword. The Guardian roars, lunging after us, but we're too quick. My fingers close around the hilt of the sword just as the creature's claws scrape across the stone where we stood moments before. I feel a surge of power course through my body as I lift the blade, its weight unfamiliar but not unwelcome. Varikka clings to me tightly, her breath coming in ragged gasps as I spin to face the Guardian. "Now," I whisper, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through my veins, "we fight."

I raise the Time-Splitting Sword high, the blade singing with an otherworldly energy. The Guardian lunges at us once more, its jaws wide open and ready to devour us whole. I brace myself, ready to meet its attack head-on. This is it. This is where we find out if the legends are true, if this ancient relic holds the power to save us from our fate. I take a deep breath, my grip tightening on the sword's hilt. "Hold on tight, Varikka," I murmur, more to myself than to her. "Whatever happens next, don't let go."