Round 57

The creature’s attention shifts from the frozen Merrin towards Jeane, its glowing eye points fixing on her with unsettling intensity. The air crackles with arcane energy as Jeane completes her spell, magical tendrils probing the entity’s true nature. Varrika keeps her crossbow trained steadily, muscles coiled and ready, while Halie clutches her holy symbol like a lifeline.

“Wait,” Jeane calls out sharply, wings snapping tight against her back in alarm. “Don’t offer yourself—it’s not about sacrifice! It’s testing... something else.” Her voice carries a note of authority despite the fear evident in her crimson eyes. The creature tilts its head, darkness swirling around Merrin still as it considers this new approach.

“Jeane's right—this isn't about blind faith or martyrdom,” Halie interjects, stepping forward with determination. “We can’t just throw ourselves at whatever tests these... things... have in mind. That’s what they want—they’re not gods we should be pleasing, they're... something else.” She turns to face Merrin directly, voice dropping to a fierce whisper meant for her friend alone.* “You didn't do anything wrong, but this isn’t the way.”

The tower's entrance groans ominously behind them, ancient stones shifting under immense pressure. Something large moves beyond the ajar gate, growling low in the darkness beyond.