Chapter 2

The adventurers found themselves in a long, dimly lit corridor that stretched before them like the throat of a drowning beast. The walls were adorned with ancient murals depicting the fortress’s former glory, now distorted and faded by time and the constant assault of water. The sound of dripping echoed through the chamber, a rhythmic drumbeat of decay that grew louder with each step they took. Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled, and with a deafening roar, the walls themselves seemed to come alive as water burst forth from hidden spouts, flooding the hallway. The group was caught off-guard, the cold, rushing water reaching their waists in mere moments. Panic set in as the realization dawned that the fortress was not just a passive tomb, but a living prison designed to claim them as its next victims. They scrambled to find purchase on the slick, algae-covered stones, the weight of their gear threatening to pull them under. Roland, ever the leader, bellowed orders to stay calm and find higher ground, his eyes scanning the walls for any sign of an escape. The water continued to rise, the pressure building, and with it, the urgency of their situation grew. They knew that if they didn’t act quickly, the Merciless Fortress of Water would swallow them whole.

At the fork in the path, the adventurers faced a critical decision. To their left, path A beckoned with the promise of great treasure, its route marked by the glow of an eerie bioluminescent fungi that hinted at a more challenging journey through tight, flooded corridors. To their right, path B was illuminated by the flicker of distant torches, suggesting a more straightforward passage but one fraught with the cries of unseen combat and the clang of steel against steel. The air grew thick with tension as they weighed their options. Garrick, the battle priest, suggested they take path A, arguing that the greater challenge might lead to greater rewards and perhaps crucial information that could aid them in their quest. However, Roland, the stalwart knight, advocated for path B, believing that facing adversity head-on would strengthen their resolve and prepare them for the battles to come. The others looked to Thorne, the shadowblade rogue, whose instincts for danger and greed for riches usually led the way in such decisions. This time, however, Thorne’s gaze lingered on Isolde’s token, a reminder of the love that awaited him in Everspring. With a heavy sigh, he nodded towards path B, acknowledging the potential for a quicker victory and a safer return home. The group agreed, and with their eyes on the flickering lights ahead, they waded into the rising water, steeling themselves for the battles and traps that lay in wait. The mood grew grim as they advanced, the echoes of their armor’s clanking the only sound in the oppressive silence of the waterlogged halls.