Round 963 Transcript

As I turn to face the Guardian, Varikka readies her Heavy Mace. "Stay close," I mutter, my voice low and urgent. "And be ready for anything." With a swift motion, I thrust the Time-Splitting Sword forward, its energy exploding outward in a blinding flash of light. The Guardian howls in pain, its massive form staggering back as it tries to regain its footing. As the creature recovers, I take advantage of the opening to dash towards the altar, the Time-Splitting Sword still pulsing with energy in my hand. Varikka follows closely behind, her Heavy Mace at the ready. The chamber falls silent once more, the only sound the soft clinking of metal against stone as Varikka readies her attack. Suddenly, a loud rumbling noise echoes through the chamber, causing the ground to tremble beneath our feet. The Guardian's eyes snap towards the sound, its gaze fixed on something behind us.

I crouch low, my grip tightening on the Time-Splitting Sword as I survey the chamber ahead. The pulsing energy from the runes on the walls casts eerie shadows across the room, making it hard to see more than a few feet in front of us. Varikka's heavy breathing is hot against my neck as she clings to my back, her injured ankle throbbing with each step we take. "Varikka, can you make it to the artifact?" I ask, my voice strained as I try to keep my balance against the Guardian's relentless attacks. The Guardian lunges forward again, its massive form barreling towards us with reckless abandon. I raise the Time-Splitting Sword, its energy coursing through my veins as I attempt to parry the creature's attack once more. The blade clashes against the Guardian's claws, sending sparks flying across the chamber. "We need to get that artifact!" I shout, my muscles burning from the effort of holding the sword aloft. "It's our only chance!"

Varikka nods, her grip on my back tightening as she struggles to keep herself upright. "I'll do my best," she grunts, her voice strained with pain and exhaustion. "But you need to cover me."

I nod, my eyes scanning the chamber for any sign of movement. The Guardian roars, its single eye fixed on us with an unyielding hunger as it prepares to attack once more. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever lies ahead. "Stay close," I mutter, my voice low and urgent. "And be ready for anything."

The tunnel twists and turns before us, leading us ever further from the safety of the surface world. And still, the Guardian is closing in, its single eye fixed on us with an unyielding hunger. As we navigate the narrow passageway, I can't shake the feeling that this is far from over.