Round 995 Transcript

Merrin's eyes lock onto Varikka's mace, half-buried in the mud and debris below. She leans forward, peering into the swirling waters, her fingers twitching with the urge to reach down and grab hold of it. The Guardian closes in, its massive strides eating up the distance between them, as Merrin's gaze meets the stream's churning surface.

I spot Varikka's mace in the mud below, half-buried in the churning currents. My heart leaps at the sight - she passed this way, and recently! I lean over the railing, stretching my arm down to grab it, but the Guardian's presence looms behind me like a shadow. I can't afford to linger here. The bridge sways ominously as I take another step, rotten boards creaking beneath my feet. I need to keep moving if I want to stay ahead of our relentless pursuer. Varikka needs help, but I won't be any good to her if I'm dead. I pick up the pace, racing across the rickety span with a new sense of urgency. The mace will have to wait - right now, my only goal is to reach solid ground before this bridge collapses entirely. Varikka's fate may depend on it.

Varrika's heart races as she claws at the ledge, her fingers bleeding from the effort of keeping her grip.