Round 87 Transcript

The tension in The base of a crumbling stone tower, its entrance now slightly ajar with ancient runes shifted, deep within the haunted Whispering Woods tightens for a beat as the interruption refuses to go away. Everyone is forced to stay quiet and choose their next move carefully.

I stare at Halie for a long moment, her words hanging in the air between us like some sort of sacred invocation. Friendship? Unity? The Liminal Wretch looms closer, its presence a physical weight pressing against my chest, and yet I find myself torn—not by fear, but by something far more complex. Halie's proposal is... intriguing. Not because it's noble or virtuous—those concepts have never held much sway with me—but because it's strategically brilliant in a way that even my demonic cunning didn't immediately grasp. These entities feed on chaos and division; what better way to defy them than by presenting something they can neither comprehend nor corrupt? But there's more to it, isn't there? Something beneath the surface of her words, something that makes my wings twitch involuntarily—a hint of genuine care for this ragtag group she's managed to cobble together. And damn if that doesn't make this whole situation considerably more complicated than I'm comfortable with. I glance around at the others—Merrin's fierce determination, Varrika's unyielding strength, Seraphine's calculating gaze—and feel a flicker of something almost like... respect? No, not quite. More like grudging acknowledgment that they've proven themselves capable in their own right, even if I didn't initially expect much from them. The growling creature shifts closer to Halie, its intent unmistakable now—they mean to test her faith directly, probably by trying to tear apart the very unity she's just proposed. And as much as the thought of this pathetic little sacrifice being offered up makes me want to roll my eyes, I find myself... reluctant to let it happen. Is this what they call a moral quandary? Because if so, I'd rather face down another dozen Obsidian Guardians than wade through these murky waters. But here we are. I take a step forward, closing the distance between Halie and me until we're nearly toe-to-toe. My wings stretch wide, not in threat but almost protectively—though Goddess knows why I'd feel protective over this particular human specimen. "Fine," I say, my voice low and measured.*"You want to play the friendship card? Let's see if it's worth the paper it's printed on."

Before I can second-guess myself—and trust me, that internal debate is already raging—I reach out and grasp Halie's wrist, pulling her behind me in one smooth motion. The growling creature's attention snaps to me instantly, its eyes glowing with hunger and something almost like... triumph?

Oh no you don't, you overgrown mutt, I think darkly. She's mine to protect—at least until I decide she's not worth the trouble. "Hear this, you overfed cur," I announce, my voice carrying easily through the chamber. "If you want a taste of what true power looks like, then come and get it. But know this—I don't do friends lightly, and I certainly don't let anyone mess with what's mine."

The Liminal Wretch shifts, its eyes dimming slightly as if confused by this turn of events. Good—confusion is a hell of a lot easier to work with than smug satisfaction.

As for Halie... well, she can stand there looking shocked all she wants. I've just committed myself to protecting her—and by extension, the rest of this sorry bunch—not because it's the right thing to do (I mean, come on), but because it's the only way to maintain control over a situation that's spiraling rapidly out of my usual sphere of influence. And if that makes me some kind of demonic guardian angel, well... I suppose stranger things have happened. Though don't expect me to start wearing white feathers or spreading goodwill any time soon. Now then—let's see how this unity thing actually works in practice, shall we?

I stand there for a long moment, my heart pounding in my chest as I listen to the others speak—Merrin's firm words about unity, Seraphine's scholarly insight, Varrika's unyielding strength. The Liminal Wretch hovers closer, its glowing eyes fixed on me with an intensity that makes my skin crawl.

I take a step forward, my voice trembling but firm as I speak up. "You want essence? Fine," I say, my eyes locked onto Jeane's. "But not mine. Not like that." My fingers tighten around the silver cross in my hand. "What if... what if instead of giving away what these creatures want—essence, power, control—we show them something they can't comprehend?" A determined smile curves my lips as I continue, "Something more valuable than any magical artifact or dark ritual. What if we show them the true strength of unity? The power that comes not from manipulation but from trust?"

I stand there, heart pounding, waiting for their response. Not a plan, not a demand—but an invitation to something greater than magical power or personal sacrifice.