Round 38

Merrin crouched at the edge of the pit, her small frame tense as she studied the pulsing runes below. The air down there felt heavy, oppressive, like it was pressing against her skin. She didn't trust it.

"Hold," Varrika grunted, her hand tightening on her mace. "We move carefully, or not at all."

Jeane circled the edge of the pit carefully, her dark wings half-spread for balance as she studied the pulsing runes below. The central one had definitely brightened since they'd entered this chamber—it was no longer just her imagination. These were active defense systems or trap triggers, and they were reacting to their presence.

"Merrin," Jeane said softly, "your alarm system is smart, but if there's a physical trigger on that rune circle itself, it'll detect you the moment you step onto it." She glanced at Halie standing nearby. "Keep your holy symbol ready. If this curse has any connection to dark powers..."

Merrin edged closer to the pit's edge, peering down into the pulsing darkness. The air felt heavy, charged with an ominous energy that made her skin prickle. She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the knot of fear tightening in her gut. They'd come this far, and the Time-Splitting Sword was within reach. But something about this place felt wrong—it was more than just ancient traps or malevolent magic. It was as if the very stones were whispering warnings they couldn't quite hear.

She tested the rope tied around her waist one more time before speaking. "I can lower myself down with the rope, check out the interior without stepping on anything major. But I need someone to hold the other end—Varrika?" She glanced back at the dwarf woman standing nearby.