Round 25

Jeane's crimson eyes narrow as the ancient symbols on the gate begin to pulse ominously. "Wait!" She hisses, stepping forward with surprising speed for someone of her voluptuous frame. Her dark wings half-unfurl in agitation, catching the eerie blue-green light from the gate symbols. We don't know what's beyond that threshold yet! Halie—can you sense anything?...

I feel my heart pounding in my chest as the gate's symbols pulse and growl. My hand tightens on my mace, muscles coiled and ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. Jeane's warning about moving as one rings in my ears. "Right behind you," I mutter, my eyes darting between the sorcerer and the gate. "But if something comes through that we can't handle, I'm not waiting for permission to start swinging." My gaze flicks to Halie, a blend of concern and apprehension in my eyes. "Hal...

I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up as the gate's runes begin to pulse with otherworldly energy. My grip tightens on my mace, muscles coiled and ready for whatever horrors may emerge. "Stay sharp, everyone," I mutter, my eyes scanning the swirling darkness beyond the threshold. "If anything comes through that we can't handle, we fall back in good order." My gaze sweeps across each of my companions, settling briefly on Merrin. "No heroics," I say firmly, knowing full well that rushing into a potentially lethal situation could get us all killed.

I step back from the gate, my hand falling away from the pulsing symbols. The sudden silence is more unnerving than any growl could be—it feels like we're being watched by something ancient and patient. "Jeane's right," I say softly, my voice barely carrying over the rising tension. "We shouldn't rush into this blindly." My eyes scan the runes, searching for patterns or weaknesses. "The wards aren't breaking down—they're... responding to us. Testing us." I turn to face Merrin and V...