Round 975 Transcript

Varikka slams her fist against the rune nearest to her, causing the stone to tremble beneath her knuckles. The chamber continues to convulse around them, sending chunks of rock and debris raining down from the ceiling. Merrin readies another bolt from her crossbow, taking aim at the Guardian's single gleaming eye. The beast lunges forward, its razor-sharp talons slicing through the air mere inches from Varikka's face. The ground gives a loud creak beneath their feet as a section of the pillar they are standing on begins to shift and crumble.

I let out a sharp gasp as Varikka's fist slams against the rune, the stone trembling beneath her knuckles. For a fleeting moment, I feel a surge of hope as the chamber seems to shudder in response, as if some long-forgotten magic might spring to life and save us from certain doom. But my hopes are quickly dashed as the ground continues to convulse around us, sending chunks of rock and debris raining down from the ceiling. I ready another bolt from my crossbow, taking aim at the Guardian's single gleaming eye. The beast lunges forward, its razor-sharp talons slicing through the air mere inches from Varikka's face. I loose the bolt just as the ground gives a loud creak beneath our feet, a section of the pillar they are standing on beginning to shift and crumble. "Varikka, we need to move!" I shout over the cacophony of falling masonry, my voice barely audible above the din. "That pillar isn't going to hold much longer!"

I can see the pain etched across Varikka's face as she struggles to her feet, her injured ankle clearly causing her immense agony with each movement. But there is no time to waste. With a burst of speed, I rush forward, positioning myself between my fallen companion and the oncoming beast. The Guardian's single eye gleams in the darkness, its gaze fixed intently upon us as it draws ever closer. I know we are running out of time, but I refuse to give up without a fight. With a deep breath, I ready myself for whatever comes next, my hand tightening around the hilt of my crossbow. "Stay low and cover your head!" I yell, pointing frantically at a nearby cluster of runes etched into the stone walls. "Those markings might be our only chance!"

I scan the chamber frantically, searching for any other means of escape or defense in this collapsing deathtrap. The heavy mace lies just out of reach, its weight and bulk offering a glimmer of hope against the Guardian's relentless onslaught. But I dare not risk losing my balance to retrieve it now. The tension in ancient altar chamber deep within the tower's depths tightens for a beat as the interruption refuses to go away. Everyone is forced to stay quiet and choose their next move carefully.