Round 74

The air in the crypt thickens with a palpable energy that makes Seraphine's skin crawl, the arcane power pressing down on her chest like a physical weight. She feels the ancient magic around them, old beyond counting, and it fills her with dread. The thing before them shifts between solidity and shadow, its form wavering as Halie raises her holy symbol high.

"Wait!" Seraphine hisses, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Don't just charge in there like Jeane would." She turns to Merrin, her eyes wide with fear but sharp with calculation. "This thing... it's not natural. The magic around it feels old, ancient even. We need to be careful."

Halie nods, her grip tightening on the silver symbol. "I know," she says, her voice trembling slightly. "But we can't just stand here either. Whatever's down there... it's getting louder." She takes a deep breath, steeling herself. "Let me try something first. A prayer, maybe. Something to ward off whatever's coming."

Seraphine feels a surge of relief when Halie suggests a more cautious approach. At least someone here understands the dangers...

The entity before them shifts again, its form solidifying for a moment before wavering back into shadow. The air grows colder still, and Seraphine shudders despite herself. She knows this thing is ancient, powerful beyond mortal comprehension. They should leave, but the treasure... no, she can't think about that now.

Halie begins to pray, her voice rising and falling in the quiet crypt. The words seem to push back against the oppressive magic, creating a small space of relative safety around them. Seraphine feels the pressure ease slightly, and she breathes easier for the first time since they entered this place.

The prayer continues, Halie's voice growing stronger as she finds her rhythm. Merrin shifts her weight nervously beside them, clearly uncomfortable with the situation but unwilling to leave without exploring further. The entity before them remains still during Halie's prayer, its attention seemingly focused on the holy words rather than the intruders.

As Halie finishes her prayer, a soft blue glow emanates from her symbol, bathing them all in its light. Seraphine feels the magic around them shift, becoming less hostile and more... neutral? She doesn't fully understand what's happening, but she knows they're safer now than before.

Halie lowers her symbol, looking around with renewed determination. "That should hold it for a bit," she says, her voice steadier now. "What do we do next?"