Round 92 Transcript

The tension in The base of a crumbling stone tower with a newly revealed passage and a collapsed staircase tightens for a beat as the interruption refuses to go away. Everyone is forced to stay quiet and choose their next move carefully.

I approach the wall carefully, my wings folding tight against my back. The air here feels wrong—thick with corruption that makes even my demonic skin crawl. Those sigils aren't just warnings; they're active seals containing something foul. I can feel it pulsing through the stone itself. This corridor leads straight to whatever horror those runes are meant to hold back, and we're not ready for it. Merrin's injured now too—scraped knee or not, she won't be at full speed if we need her. Halie's trapped under rubble, Varrika is exhausted from the fall, and Seraphine looks like she wants to vomit just standing near them. I turn back to the group. "We're not going that way," I say flatly. "Those sigils are demonic in origin—ancient and powerful. The rhythm of their energy matches nothing we've encountered so far. If we proceed, whatever's behind those seals will know we're here before we even see it.".

I crouch down, peering at the pulsing runes on the wall. "Ugh, those things give me the creeps. I don't like the way they're throbbing away like that." I say, wincing as I straighten up, my knee twinging. I glance over at the rubble pinning Halie and bite my lip. "I hate leaving her like this, but... Seraphine's right. We need to get out of here before whatever's behind those seals decides to come knocking."

I turn to Jeane, lowering my voice. "You said there might be another way up? I'm all for avoiding a head-on with whatever's lurking in there." I jerk my thumb towards the ominous corridor. My gaze darts between Jeane and the pulsing runes, tension coiling tighter in my gut. I'm not liking this place one bit. But Halie's still stuck under that rubble and I can't just leave her. I look to Seraphine again, hoping for some reassurance we're on the right track. The air feels thick with dread, each breath heavy as I wait for Jeane's response.

The pulsing runes on the wall make my skin crawl, and the air feels heavy with malice. I turn to Merrin, my voice gruff but urgent. "Merrin, leave Halie be for now. We need you clear-headed if we hope to get out of this cursed place alive."

I glance at Jeane, respecting her magical insight even as worry etches lines in my weathered face. "Jeane, if you say those seals are holding back something foul, I believe you. But we can't turn back now. Halie's safety depends on us retrieving that sword."

My gaze sweeps over the rubble, mind racing to find a way forward. "Seraphine, can you sense any other paths up this gods-forsaken tower? We need an alternative route before whatever's lurking in those halls notices our presence."

I heft my mace, the weight familiar in my calloused hands. "We'll secure Halie once we've dealt with the true threat. But for now, stay sharp and stay alive. I won't lose any more to this place than we have already."