Round 14 Transcript

As the group stands transfixed, the barrier field's message, "Shadow's grasp, da..." flickers and disappears, replaced by a searing light that illuminates Merrin's face. The dark energy emanating from her leg surges, causing her body to convulse uncontrollably. The air around her begins to distort, as if reality itself is unraveling. The group watches in horror as the light envelops Merrin, and she lets out a blood-curdling scream. The runes on the gate shudder, their pulsing intensifying to an alarming degree. Elric's eyes widen in alarm, and he frantically scans the surrounding area for any sign of danger. With a sudden burst of insight, Seraphine gasps, "I think I understand what's happening! The barrier field is reacting to Merrin's dark energy, and it's trying to...absorb it!" She stumbles forward, her eyes fixed on the runes. "We need to get Merrin away from the gate before it's too late!"

The group's attention shifts to Merrin, who is now thrashing about, her body wracked by unseen forces. The air around her is still, except for the faint hum of dark energy, drawing closer with each passing moment.

"By the gods, Merrin! What's happening to you?" Halie cries out, her voice laced with panic as she takes a step towards me. I grit my teeth, trying to stifle a scream as the dark energy coursing through my veins intensifies. The world around me seems to warp and twist, the very fabric of reality bending to the will of this malevolent force. I can feel it pulling at my consciousness, threatening to drag me into an abyss of eternal darkness. "Don't come any closer!" I manage to rasp out, my voice strained with pain. "It's too dangerous. This... this thing inside me, it's feeding on the barrier field. If you get too close, you could be dragged in too."

I glance over at Elric, my eyes narrowing with suspicion. "As for you, old man," I snarl, "start talking. What do you know about this barrier field and whatever the hell is happening to me?"

My hand instinctively moves to the crossbow at my side, fingers tightening around the grip. The weapon feels heavy in my grasp, a tangible reminder of the danger that surrounds us. I know that I'm in no condition to fight, but I'll be damned if I go down without putting up a struggle. "Someone better start explaining before it's too late," I hiss, my words barely audible over the pounding of my own heartbeat. "Because right now, I feel like I'm being ripped apart from the inside out."

I step forward slowly, wings half-spread in warning posture, eyes fixed on Elric while I gesture sharply at Merrin's leg with my free hand. "Stay back! Don't come closer to the gate!" My voice is commanding, barely concealing the spike of genuine worry beneath practiced control. "Elric—you knew this was here." It's not a question. "You've been quiet about things too long already. Speak plainly now—every word matters." I turn my attention to Seraphine without moving my body away from Elric, voice shifting subtly colder. "The runes are reacting specifically to Merrin's wound and whatever dark energy is attached to it. Whatever this is, it's not targeting us directly—yet."

I draw a sharp breath through my teeth while examining the shimmering barrier again. "The field is alive in some way, responding rather than initiating contact. It's... feeding on that darkness." My wings twitch with barely suppressed irritation mixed with genuine concern I can't quite bury. "If we don't stop whatever is inside Merrin from spreading, this thing will absorb her completely before we even get through the gate."

I grab Merrin by the shoulder, pulling her back from the gate. "What in the name of all light are you doing? You think dragging your infection closer will help?" I glare at Elric and Seraphine. "Somebody better start explaining what this thing is before we have to choose between dying here or watching Merrin die." The runes' cold breath feels like death itself, and I'm not about to trust anyone's insight right now.