Escape Across the Crumbling Spire

Derick Force lands hard on the neighboring rooftop, rain hissing off slate tiles and old chimney stone. Behind him, the terrace splits with a grinding roar and drops into the abyss.

Joi scrabbles up beside him, wet fur bristling. The Hooded Figure stumbles after them, the obsidian stone clenched tight as violet light flickers through their fingers.

A jagged crack races across the rooftop ridge toward a narrow bell tower bridge, and loose tiles tumble into the dark below. Wind claws at cloaks and rain needles the ledge.

Derick Force squares toward the bridge as the roof groans again, the only clear path now a slick, narrowing line over the void.

Derick Force gestures them ahead, and the narrow bridge takes the weight in tense silence as the first step lands true.

Joi darts onto the span, paws skidding once before she finds her footing and keeps low to the stone.

The Hooded Figure moves next, clutching the obsidian stone close while rain sheets over the drop beside the bridge.

Derick Force brings up the rear, sword ready, watching the cracked rooftop behind them for any further collapse.

A fresh shudder runs through the spire, and the bell tower door at the far end hangs open, dark and waiting.

Derick Force surges onto the bridge, feet finding each slick stone before doubt can catch up. Rain lashes his armor, but his stride stays sure.

Behind him, the rooftop groans and drops another spray of shattered slate into the abyss.

Joi keeps pace near the front, low and quick, glancing back only once to confirm Derick Force is right there.

The Hooded Figure presses on with the stone held tight, shoulders tense, leading straight for the open bell tower door.

Derick Force reaches the far end cleanly, the bridge shivering under his last step as the broken rooftop behind him gives way again.

At the threshold, cold air spills from the dark stairwell, and something heavy shifts in the tower above them.

Derick Force plants his boots at the threshold and motions the others through. Joi darts for the stairwell at once, nails skittering on stone.

The Hooded Figure hesitates only long enough to adjust their grip on the stone, then slips inside after the dog.

Above them, a shape scrapes across the bell chamber with a wet, hollow rattle. Derick Force looks up in time to meet it.

A shard of falling masonry spins past his shoulder. He turns with it, blade already moving, and strikes once, clean and hard.

The impact sends the lurking thing crashing back into the darkness before it can launch. Dust and rain burst from the arch above.

The tower groans again, and the dark stair yawns open beneath them, waiting for Derick Force's next move.