Round 22

The ancient stone groans as if in pain, the runes flaring with an angry red light that casts harsh shadows across everyone's faces. The footsteps beyond the gate stop for just a moment before resuming their slow, deliberate pace. A voice, dry and ancient, speaks from somewhere inside the tower. "You should not have come here." The words seem to echo in everyone's minds rather than just their ears, full of warning and something like... hunger? Seraphine steps back instinctively, her hand moving to the arcane focus at her belt. The magic in the ward pulses faster now, responding to the intrusion. "We need to leave. Now." She looks around at the others, her expression grim. "Whatever's inside this tower—it isn't waiting anymore."*