Round 19

The air grew heavy with ancient malice as Halie recoiled from the gate’s response. Its symbols flared at her touch, pulsing with hunger; a low growl rumbled up through the earth. “Stop!” she cried out, clutching her cross in terror. Varrika backed away quickly, hand on mace hilt. “Halie!” The dwarf woman studied the symbols with narrowed eyes, warrior instincts screaming alarm. This magic felt wrong—ancient and malevolent, stirring primal fears deep within her dwarf nature. But there was no time to hesitate—the party needed leadership now. She turned to Jeane, voice urgent: “We must approach this carefully. That magic feels alive… and hungry.” Across the room, Jeane watched with amusement mixed with irritation. Halie’s panic was predictable, but the guardian here wasn’t just a mindless spirit—it was intelligent, calculating, capable of manipulation. A slow smile spread across her face as an idea formed: perhaps they didn’t need to force their way through after all…