Round 981 Transcript

As Varikka takes her first step forward, the ground beneath her gives way, and she tumbles down a hidden pit trap, the heavy mace flying out of her hand. She crashes through a layer of soft, wet debris, landing with a splat in a pool of murky water. The Guardian's roar echoes through the chamber, its single eye fixed on Varikka as it leaps into the air, its talons extended. Merrin rushes to the edge of the pit, her heart racing with fear for Varikka's safety. "Varikka!" she calls out, peering down into the darkness. "Hang on! I'll get you out of there!"

The chamber shakes violently, and the air is filled with the sound of crashing stone. A section of the wall nearby gives way, sending a cascade of rocks and dust pouring down onto Varikka's head. The Guardian swoops down, its talons mere inches from Varikka's face as it prepares to deliver the final blow. Merrin knows she must act fast to save her companion. She can either try to pull Varikka up from the pit or risk navigating the treacherous terrain herself to reach Varikka before the Guardian does.

"Varikka!" I scream, my heart lurching into my throat at the sound of her cry. I rush to the edge of the pit, peering down into the darkness. "Hold on, I'm coming!"

But even as I call out to her, I know it's too late. The chamber shakes violently, sending a shower of rocks and dust raining down onto Varikka's head. And then, through the haze of dust and debris, I see the Guardian swoop down, its razor-sharp talons flashing in the dim light as it prepares to deliver the final blow. "No!" I cry out, my voice raw with anguish and fury. Without hesitation, I drop to my stomach and begin to crawl towards the edge of the pit, my hands and knees scraping against the rough stone as I move forward. I can feel the ground shifting beneath me, the tower trembling with each passing second, but I don't care. All that matters is reaching Varikka before it's too late. As I draw closer to the edge of the pit, I can see Varikka's face illuminated in the dim light, her eyes wide with fear and pain. "Merrin," she gasps, her voice strained with effort as she tries to push herself up from the muck. "Help me!"

I reach out with my arm, grasping for Varikka's hand, but she's too far away. The pit is too deep, the ground too unstable. I know that if I try to pull her up, we'll both likely fall to our deaths. With a heavy heart, I make the only choice I can. "Varikka," I call out, my voice trembling with emotion. "I'm going to find a way down there. Wait for me!"

And with that, I turn and begin to scramble back towards the chamber's entrance, my mind racing as I try to come up with a plan. We need a rope, something to lower myself down into the pit and pull Varikka back up. But where can we find such a thing in this collapsing deathtrap? I know that time is running out, that the Guardian is still out there, waiting to strike. But I also know that I can't leave Varikka behind. Not after everything we've been through together. So I take a deep breath, steel myself for whatever comes next, and begin to make my way back into the depths of the tower, praying to whatever gods might be listening that I'll find a way to save my friend before it's too late.