Round 27 Transcript

The ward's pulse slowed, matching the rhythm of something large and awake stirring above. Whatever slumbers in that tower is no longer sleeping. The magic feels wrong—this tower isn't just defended, it's fed by whatever's inside. Merrin, did you hear that? We're out of time to debate. The spell needs five minutes of quiet focus to cast properly, and we can't afford to draw attention. Merrin freezes, straining to hear the sound of the ward's pulse slowing; she glances up at the window where a shadow passed, then looks around for Halie and Jeane to discuss next steps. The ground beneath her feet shifts slightly—a stone slab settling. Too loudly.

The ward's rhythm changes. Something upstairs is waking up. We have fifteen minutes before it decides what we are. That shadow across the window was deliberate—it knows we're here. The wards aren't passive barriers; they're feeding something inside this tower. I can feel it. Halie, cast that ward spell immediately. We need those slabs marked and mapped before whatever's awake decides to invite us in personally. Merrin, Varrika—keep eyes on the facade, mark any shifts you see. Seraphine, be ready with a counterspell if something comes down. We have two options: accelerate entry within two minutes or withdraw completely now while we still can. I'm not fond of either, but staying here is worse. The magic in this stone is hungry. Jeane begins a slow descent toward the tower's base, her wings folding as she approaches.

The magic feels wrong—this tower isn't just defended, it's fed by whatever's inside. The spell needs five minutes of quiet focus to cast properly, and we can't afford to draw attention.

The air grows thick with an ancient, predatory energy as I sense the wards around the tower shifting, their hunger sated by some malevolent presence within. Every instinct screams at me to turn back, but our quest has brought us this far. Time is our enemy now. "Halie, your spell must be cast immediately," I say, my voice a low murmur of urgency. "Whatever it is in there, it knows we're here."