Reforge

become one with the rubble
if that doesnt work, ask these nice people if they could hand you the wrench you left up there

You're not sure whether they've noticed you? They've put the sword down now, they're just standing there. But you try and sink back into the really smooth rubble or whatever as much as you can which isn’t actually that much because you’re basically flat against the wall already.


THAT'S WEIRD RIGHT
In a moment of shock you find yourself somehow still moving backwards despite being pressed against the wall.


There’s a very unpleasant moment where you think you’re occupying the same space as the rock and walls before you lurch back into(?) the room(???). You have a scream about it.
Okay! Just gonna focus real hard on not going anywhere! Staying right here! Yep!


WOAH SHIT WHAT


You fall and for a second you expect to feel, uh, whatever getting stabbed and dying feels like. But you just feel less fatal things like having fallen onto some really rough rocks. The guard(?????????) is just staying there with their sword kind of scraping against the wall a little.

Anyway this is cool and all but you’d uhhhhhhh like to fucking leave.
The ladder’s right there so you could just make a run for it but then again you’re worried about setting the guard off or however you describe this and getting a sword through the back. You... think you could make it? That ladder makes you nervous though.

But maybe instead you could do that thing you did before and kind of make some water pull you up somehow. That’d get you right out faster and without moving past the guard but you don't want to tire yourself out like before. You think… yeah. You think you’re getting a sense for this stuff. You reckon you could do your water nonsense maybe… two more times before exhausting yourself. Is this worth using it now?

On the other twitchy, be-gloved hand though, the guard was… talking you guess? And might start up again. It’s a long shot but if you could negotiate your way out of this that would probably be the best way to for sure not get attacked. If it's actually possible that is and attracting their attention in any way won't get you a sort of a cool new sword accessory for your personal torso.

SpoilerShow

If anyone'd care to weigh in, are the panels too dark? I never feel sure about that and I'd love some feedback on it.

Also, I am Going to Be Honest, I haven't remotely come up with good guidelines for the limitations of magic use rates and am very much making this up on the fly based on equally made-up-on-the-fly decisions from ch. 2. LET'S GO

Thanks for reading!