Round 25 Transcript

The tension in The base of a crumbling stone tower, its entrance sealed by an ancient rune-covered gate, deep within the haunted Whispering Woods tightens for a beat as the interruption refuses to go away. Everyone is forced to stay quiet and choose their next move carefully.

I trace the ancient runes on the gate, my finger hovering over their carved surfaces. Something about them feels wrong—alive, almost. The wound on Merrin's leg pulses like a second heartbeat, and I notice the flesh around it has turned dark, almost hungry-looking. Elric keeps feeding us stories instead of truths while this thing feeds on her energy right in front of us. I turn to him sharply. "Enough. You know more than you're saying about this tower, don't you?"

The runes under my finger seem to writhe slightly. This isn't a simple lock mechanism or defensive spell—it's something else entirely, something that feeds on living energy. The dark sorcerers who built this place didn't just guard the sword—they bound something here, and it's still alive inside these walls. I pull back my hand, feeling the gate's surface with my palm instead of a pointed finger. "Talk to me honestly right now, or I'll make sure you're next on whatever menu this thing is serving."

I kneel by Merrin, pressing cloth against her wound—which is not bleeding but rather seeping dark energy like liquid shadow. The ancient runes on the gate seem to pulse in rhythm with it. I look up at Elric, my voice level and dangerous: "You knew more than you shared. Tell us what this place really is—what we're dealing with—or I swear I'll find a way to force it out of you even if it means cutting the truth from your throat."

I grit my teeth against the searing pain in my leg, feeling the dark energy pulsing through my veins like liquid poison. It's drawn to the barrier field, I can feel it, writhing and twisting with a hunger that makes my stomach churn. The runes on the gate seem to pulse in time with each throb of agony, their ancient power calling out to the darkness within me. Elric, you old goat, I hiss through clenched teeth, what the hell is this place? What's happening to me? My eyes dart between the hermit and the writhing runes, my hand tightening around the hilt of my crossbow. The others are gathered around me, their faces etched with concern and fear, but I can't focus on that right now. All I can think about is the pull of the barrier field, the way it's drawing the life from my body like a thirsty sponge. I need answers, I growl, my voice shaking with pain and anger. And I need them now, before whatever this thing is decides to feast on me for dessert. My eyes bore into Elric's, searching for any hint of truth in his weathered features. The tower looms behind him, its ancient stones seeming to pulse with the same dark energy that's seeping into my wound. I can feel it in the air, thick and cloying, like a physical weight pressing down on my chest. I don't know how much longer I can hold on, I admit, my voice little more than a whisper. But I'll be damned if I go out without knowing what I'm up against. I take a shuddering breath, steeling myself against the pain. The crossbow feels heavy in my hands, but it's the only thing keeping me grounded right now. I don't know what we're going to find in this tower, but I have a feeling it's going to be a hell of a lot worse than whatever's happening to me. So let's get this show on the road, I say, my voice hard and determined. And Elric? If you try to pull any more of that 'ancient secrets' bullshit on us, I swear to every god in this forsaken place, I'll put an arrow through your eye socket myself. With that, I turn back to the gate, my teeth bared in a snarl. The runes seem to pulse in response, their hunger growing with each passing second. But I won't let it win. I can't let it win. I am Merrin Quickstep, and I'm not about to go down without a fight.