Round 10 Transcript

Dark energy seeps further into Merrin's leg, causing her to grimace in pain. Her crossbow falls to the ground, forgotten in the face of the emerging threat. The barrier field shimmers and pulses, its eerie light illuminating Elric's pale face as he takes a step back, eyes wide with fear. A second dark tendril extends from the runes, this one snaking towards Jeane. She stands frozen, hands raised to prepare for battle, as the air crackles with malevolent energy. The ground trembles beneath her feet, and the sound of whispers seems to emanate from the barrier field itself.

I trace the pulsing runes on the ancient gate with one hand while keeping my other raised and ready—though for what, I’m not entirely sure yet. "Barrier field predates dark sorcerers," I mutter to myself more than to anyone else. "Something’s attached to Merrin." The air around her leg shimmers with dark energy, seeping in like shadowed mist. This isn’t just a locked door—it's actively hostile. I turn my gaze to Elric, who's watching from what he clearly thinks is a safe distance. His expression screams fear and guilt mixed together, the kind that makes me want to hex him on principle alone. "Speak plainly," I say, voice sharp enough to cut through the tension hanging thick as fog. "What do you know about this?"

The dark energy writhing around my leg sends searing pain through my body, but I force myself to stay still, not wanting to risk provoking whatever this thing is. Jeane's warning rings in my ears - whatever's attached to me seems to be targeting me specifically. I look over at Elric, his eyes wide with fear as he takes a step back from the pulsing barrier field. "Alright, hermit," I call out, my voice strained with pain and frustration. "Looks like you left out a few important details about this place. Start talking - what the hell is this thing, and how do we get it off me?"

My hand tightens on the crossbow, fingers aching to pull the trigger and unleash a bolt into the shimmering energy. But I hold back, knowing that might just make things worse. For now, all I can do is wait, pray that whatever knowledge Elric has will be enough to save me from this ancient curse before it's too late.

I grip my heavy mace tighter, muscles burning from the weight after days of carrying it through these cursed woods. The barrier field pulses like a living thing, and I know whatever's attached to Merrin isn't good—dark energy doesn't cling for friendly reasons. Stay still, Merrin. Don't struggle against it. We can't risk making it worse. I step forward, keeping my mace ready. Elric's fear is palpable—he knew something about this, was expecting it even. Coward. Elric, speak plainly. Now. What is that thing? Why didn't you tell us the gate had a living barrier? If you hide truths that endanger us again, I'll ensure your next confession is to the gods themselves.