Round 61 Transcript

As Halie casts Protection Against Evil on Merrin, the rogue's body begins to contort further, her limbs twisting into unnatural positions. The curse's influence seems to be accelerating, and the air around her crackles with dark energy. The glowing runes on the walls pulse brighter, casting an eerie light over the chamber. Merrin's cries for help grow hoarse, and she collapses to the ground, her body writhing in agony. The curse is spreading fast, and it's clear that time is running out. Jeane, still gripping the Time-Splitting Sword, takes a step back, her eyes fixed on Halie. Halie's voice rings out, steady but laced with concern: "We need to stabilize Merrin before it's too late. I'll cast a stronger Protection spell, but we must act quickly." She raises her hands, and the air around her shimmers with holy energy.

I feel the ancient magic pulsing through this chamber like a diseased heart. The air is thick with death and hunger—something old and terrible sleeps below us, and I want nothing more than to leave this place. But we can't turn back now. The curse is spreading through Merrin's veins, twisting her into something unrecognizable. We need to retrieve the Time-Splitting Sword before it claims her completely—and before whatever lies beneath wakes up. Halie, get that Protection spell cast on all of us, quick as you can. Varrika, hold position between us and the central rune. Merrin, control yourself or I'll have Varrika knock you unconscious and carry you out. We do this together, or not at all.

The air in here feels wrong—like breathing poisoned incense. I can feel something ancient and hungry stirring beneath us. Merrin's gasping is painful to hear. This isn't some game we're playing anymore. We came for a weapon, yes, but not at this cost. Varrika's right—we need to proceed with caution and purpose, or none of this matters. I'll cast the Protection spell on all of us immediately—that's my job here, isn't it? To guard against evil that would corrupt our souls. But even as I prepare the incantation, I know it might not be enough. This magic feels... different. Older than the goddess I serve. More fundamental somehow. Jeane, if you insist on holding that cursed thing, then hold your position. The further it gets from us, the better. And Merrin—jeez girl, breathe! Focus on staying in control of yourself. If this spreads any further, we may have to consider... other measures. For your own good. [Private thought: What am I saying? There's no easy measure for a corruption like this. I'm supposed to heal wounds, not fight ancient magic that's eating my friend from the inside out. This is beyond my training—this is a test of faith unlike any I've faced before.]

I stagger back from the pit's edge, my body contorting in unnatural positions as the curse accelerates through my veins. I cry out for Halie to cast the Protection spell on me, desperate to halt this transformation before it's too late. "Halie!" I gasp between waves of pain. "The spell - try it on me! Quickly, before...before whatever this is consumes me entirely."

I can feel the ancient magic pulsing in time with my racing heart, pulling at something deep within me. It feels like claws raking through my soul, seeking to tear apart who I am and remake me into something else. Something hungry. Jeane's threat rings in my ears but I barely hear it over the roaring in my head. Let her threaten all she wants - I won't let her keep that cursed blade. Not when it might be the key to saving us all from this accursed place. I take a shuddering breath, forcing my limbs to stillness through sheer force of will. The runes pulse brighter, their sickly green glow searing into my vision. The air itself feels wrong - thick and choking, like breathing poisoned incense. "There has to be another way," I mutter, more to myself than to the others. "Another path that doesn't...that doesn't end with us all twisted beyond recognition."

But even as I say it, I can feel the curse spreading further, its tendrils sinking deep into my flesh and bone. Time is running out - for me, for all of us. Halie starts to intone the Protection spell, her voice trembling but determined. I pray to every god I know that it will be enough. That it won't be too late. Because if this fails, if I can't hold myself together...I don't want to imagine what I might become. What horrors this ancient evil might unleash upon the world through my corrupted form. So I stand there, muscles trembling with the effort of control, and wait for the spell to take effect. Wait to see if Halie's divine insight can save me from the fate that seems to be rushing toward us all like a runaway carriage. Wait, and hope, and fight against the darkness clawing at my soul with every fiber of my being.