Round 972 Transcript

Varikka's eyes lock onto the altar, her grip tightening on her Heavy Mace as she takes a step forward. The runes on its surface pulse with an otherworldly light, their energy crackling through the air like a lightning storm. As she approaches, the Guardian's single eye glints in the darkness beyond the door, its presence making the air feel thick with tension. The ground beneath Varikka's feet gives a sickening crunch as the tunnel wall collapses behind them, sending rocks tumbling down towards her feet. She barely manages to dodge, but her Heavy Mace clatters against the stone floor as she stumbles back. The Guardian takes advantage of their distraction, dashing forward with unnatural speed. Varikka's ankle twists in a painful angle as she lands hard on the stone floor. The Guardian's claws scrabble against the stone walls, its single eye fixed intently on her. The air crackles with power, making her skin tingle with an otherworldly charge.

I dash forward, my eyes fixed on Varikka as she stumbles back from the collapsing tunnel wall. The Guardian's single eye gleams in the darkness ahead, its presence making the air feel thick with tension. "Varikka!" I shout, my voice strained with worry as I reach out to catch her arm and steady her. She winces in pain, her Heavy Mace clattering against the stone floor as she struggles to regain her balance. I can see the fear in her eyes as she looks up at me, her breathing ragged and shallow. The Guardian's claws scrabble against the stone walls, its single eye fixed intently on us as it begins to advance once more. I know we don't have much time before it reaches us, but I can't just leave Varikka behind. "Varikka, can you walk?" I ask, my voice urgent as I help her to her feet. She nods, wincing in pain as she puts weight on her injured ankle. "Good," I say, looping her arm over my shoulders and helping her take a tentative step forward. "We need to get to that altar now. It's our only chance."

Together, we limp towards the massive stone structure, the runes on its surface pulsing with an otherworldly light. I can feel the energy crackling through the air like a lightning storm, making my skin tingle with an otherworldly charge. As we reach the altar, I help Varikka to the ground, supporting her weight as she leans against the stone. "Merrin," she pants, her voice strained with effort as she looks up at me. "What do we do now?"

I take a deep breath, my eyes scanning the chamber ahead. The Guardian's single eye gleams in the darkness beyond the door, its presence making the air feel thick with tension. I know we can't outrun it, not with Varikka's injury. And I can't let it catch us off guard again. "We need to use the altar as a shield," I say, my voice urgent as I help Varikka to her feet once more. "It's the only thing sturdy enough to protect us from the falling debris." I point to a large stone pillar lying nearby, its surface covered in ancient runes and symbols. "Help me get that under the altar," I say, my voice strained with effort as I begin to drag it across the chamber floor. Together, we lift the pillar and shove it beneath the altar's surface, using it as a brace to stabilize the structure against the falling debris. The runes on the altar's surface glow brighter for a moment, their energy crackling through the air like a lightning storm. But the chamber seems to settle, the rocks and rubble no longer threatening to crush us from above. I can feel a sense of relief wash over me as I look at Varikka, her eyes fixed on the altar before us. The Guardian's single eye glints in the darkness beyond the door, but for now, we are safe. "Good work, Varikka," I say, my voice strained with effort as I help her to her feet once more. "Now let's see what this thing does."