Round 30

Halie descended with measured caution, her mace held ready, every sense alert for the first hint of undead presence. The stone steps groaned underfoot—ancient wood and stone complaining about the intrusion after centuries of silence. Her holy symbol felt warm against her palm, a comforting weight that grounded her in the present despite the tower's oppressive atmosphere. The air grew colder with each step downward, and something else... a wrongness that prickled at the back of her neck like the first chill of fever.

What ancient horror fuels these bones? Halie murmured to herself, more prayer than question. The stone remembers screams. She traced the pulsing runes on the wall with her eyes—faint lines of power still active after all this time, feeding something dark and hungry deep within the tower's heart. The magic felt wrong, twisted into something that fed on despair rather than divine grace.

Seraphine, tell me what you see, she called up the stairs, her voice barely louder than a whisper but carrying clearly in the still air. And Varrika—keep that entrance clear no matter what.

The answer came not from above, but from below—a panicked cry echoing up from the depths. Merrin! Jeane's voice, sharp with concern and tightly controlled fear. Are you still alive down there?

I'm trapped! Merrin's reply echoed back, high-pitched with panic. The floor gave way! I can't get out—I'm stuck in this damn pit!

Jeane moved forward without hesitation, her wings half-extended for balance as she navigated the crumbling steps. The air grew colder with each descending footfall, and the stench of decay deepened into something more... alive. Her crossbow was aimed low, ready to engage any threats that might emerge from the shadows. The first skeleton shambled into view at the far end of the hall—ancient bone dusted in grey cobwebs, rusted sword still clutched in a grip that remembered murder long dead.

With a swift motion, Jeane fired her crossbow. The bolt struck true, punching through the skeleton's ribcage and sending it crashing to the ground in a clatter of bone. But the tower responded with another violent pulse, and more shapes began to shamble into view—at least three more skeletons emerging from hidden alcoves on either side of the hallway.

Merrin! Jeane hissed, her voice barely audible over the echoing footsteps. Are you still alive down there?