Last Alchemist
Seizing the moment while the sparks still dance in the air, you step just within the chamber’s glow, your presence cloaked in the dimming light. “You’ve meddled with forces beyond your grasp,” you state evenly, your words slicing through the faint crackle. “Explain your purpose here, and I might ensure your safe departure.” The young woman halts, her gaze flickering between the dying sparks and your veiled outline.Emerging cautiously from the shadows, you call out over the dying hiss of the powder. “That was close—too close. If you’re not here to harm me, we might have a common enemy.” The young woman blinks rapidly, still disoriented by the light, but your words seem to cut through her panic. “Prove you’re not a threat,” you add, your tone firm but not unkind, “and I’ll consider helping you.”As the sparks fade, you move deeper into the tunnels, taking advantage of the brief lull to fortify your position with a crude barricade of loose stones. The young woman’s startled cry reverberates faintly, and you carefully scatter additional powder traps while straining to catch any hint of her next step or the approach of others.Seizing the moment, you pick up a small item from the alcove and hurl it down the tunnel, ensuring it makes a sharp, echoing noise. “I’m not waiting around for this,” you say loudly, your voice bouncing off the walls as you stealthily retreat in the opposite direction, watching as the young woman glances nervously toward the distraction.