Round 994

The water's roar filled Merrin's ears as she watched Varikka disappear into the torrent. The current swept her friend away with terrifying speed, and Merrin knew she had seconds to decide which disaster to face first—the rushing water or the relentless Guardian closing in behind her.

She stumbled forward instinctively, her hand outstretched despite knowing it was too late. The halfling Rogue's quick reflexes had saved her from drowning once already that night, but now she faced a different kind of peril. Her balance wavered, still compromised by the noxious gas exposure that left her head swimming and coordination shot.

The ground shifted beneath her feet again—a low rumble warning of more structural decay. Merrin cursed under her breath, knowing every second counted. She couldn't fight something that size alone, not in these unstable corridors, especially not while already dizzy and off-balance. The Guardian emerged from the shadows, its massive form blocking her path back toward where she last saw Varikka.

The creature's eyes fixed on her with terrifying intensity, and it began closing the distance between them with long, purposeful strides. Merrin's heart hammered in her chest as she calculated her next move. She couldn't let Varikka drown or be trapped in the collapsing tunnels—she had to follow, had to help. But how? The water rushing past her was too strong to swim against, and she couldn't carry Varikka's weight through it even if she could find her.

Her mind raced, calculating options that all seemed equally terrible. She couldn't let Varikka drown or be trapped in the collapsing tunnels—she had to follow, had to help. But how?