Round 3

As the tower's groan faded into an ominous silence, Jeane's dark robes whispered against stone as she studied the gate, her crimson eyes narrowing in focus. The runes, once a soft glow, now pulsed with malevolent light, casting dancing shadows across Merrin's face. Halie stepped forward, her hand reaching for Merrin's shoulder, concern etched on her gentle face. "Stop," she said firmly, her voice a stark contrast to the ominous silence. The binding spell wasn't just meant to keep them out, it was designed to welcome something in – or something.

Merrin pressed her ear against the gate, listening intently as the tower's groan faded into an unsettling stillness. Her heart hammered in her chest, adrenaline surging through her veins as she grappled with Jeane's words. "Binding magic designed to welcome something in?" she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. Varrika stepped forward, her weathered boots crunching against the debris-strewn ground, her scarred face set in a determined expression. "Ain't no magic in this world or any other that I'd trust to 'welcome' us anywhere," she growled, her gravel-rough voice cutting through the tense silence.