Round 81 Transcript

Jeane's eyes narrow as she scans the chasm walls, her wings beating steadily to keep her hovering position steady. The ominous creaking of the ledge beneath their feet echoes through the air, making Seraphine's fingers tighten around the heavy metal bar. "I see a narrow, crumbling bridge about twenty feet down," Jeane reports, her voice steady despite the tension. "It looks like it might hold our weight, but it's unstable. We'll need to move quickly and carefully if we want to make it." The ground beneath their feet continues to groan ominously, as if warning them away from the chasm's depths.

Jeane descends slowly, her wings beating steadily to keep her hovering position steady as she scans the chasm walls. I see a narrow, crumbling bridge about twenty feet down, she calls back to Merrin and Seraphine. It looks like it might hold our weight, but it's unstable. We'll need to move quickly and carefully if we want to make it. The ground beneath their feet continues to groan ominously, as if warning them away from the chasm's depths. This ledge is becoming increasingly dangerous, Jeane adds, her voice tight with controlled urgency. Halie's foolishness has put us in quite a predicament. We need to find them and extract ourselves before this entire section collapses. She glances back at Merrin and Seraphine, noting their expressions of concern. Stay close to the wall as we cross. If you feel any give in the stone, call out immediately. Her crimson eyes narrow as she considers their options. I'll take point, using my wings for stability if needed. You two follow behind me. As Jeane prepares to move towards the crumbling bridge, a cold wind sweeps up from the chasm's depths, carrying with it a faint sound like distant chanting or whispers in an ancient language. What is that? She hovers slightly lower, straining to hear more clearly.

The voice from before echoes again: 'Who dares disturb the rest of the forgotten?' This time, it sounds closer, as if emanating from somewhere within the chasm itself. We are not alone down there, Jeane mutters, more to herself than to her companions. Whatever Halie summoned, or whatever guardian protects this place, we may be about to face it. She looks back at Merrin and Seraphine one last time, her expression stern but concerned. Prepare yourselves. We go in knowing danger awaits us. But we also go in with purpose—to extract our companions and complete our quest. Are you ready?

I nod grimly at Jeane's assessment of our situation, my grip tightening on the heavy metal bar I hold as if it were the only thing keeping me anchored in this terrifying reality. The distant chanting or whispering from the chasm's depths sends a chill down my spine, and I know she’s right—we are not alone down there. Whatever Halie summoned or whatever guardian protects this place, we may be about to face it, whether we want to or not. The groaning of the ledge beneath our feet is becoming more frequent now, a constant reminder of how precarious our position truly is. We have no choice but to follow Jeane's lead and descend into the unknown depths of the chasm. As I take a step forward, ready to follow her onto the crumbling bridge, a wave of nausea washes over me. It’s not just fear; it’s something else entirely. A deep-seated dread, a feeling of being watched by an ancient, malevolent presence that seems to permeate every stone and shadow. I feel it again, I whisper, my voice so low it’s almost inaudible even to myself. A dark magic, an overwhelming sense of corruption. It’s like...it’s like the whole place is alive with it. Unsettling.
My eyes dart around the ledge, searching for any sign of the source of this unsettling presence. The air grows thick and heavy, making it hard to breathe. I can feel a cold sweat beading on my forehead as I try to shake off the feeling of being watched.