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[h1][color=f49ac2]Amaris Marivaldi[/color][/h1]
[sub]Interacting with: [color=fc8686]Madalyn[/color] [@Achronum][/sub]
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Amaris could still sense a sort of tension coming from her partner as the pair drew closer to the serpent’s statue. While she wasn’t likely to admit it, the countess was beginning to share the nervous energy she felt from the mage. She wondered if perhaps it was an empathetic response she was developing or if it was her own uncertainty creeping up on her now that she’d offered to be on the front lines. Either way, it was far too late to turn back at this point. All there was left to do was put the bell in its place, answer a couple of questions, and move on with the test… or at least that’s what she had thought. A sudden scream caused the countess to jump, and nearly trip over herself in the process, before the sound was seemingly swallowed.

“[color=f49ac2]Maddie? Maddie what’s going on? What was that sound just now?[/color]” Amaris called out into the silence but received no response in return. She parted her lips to call out again but found herself speechless as her sight was suddenly restored to her.

[i][color=f49ac2]This can’t possibly be good.[/color][/i] The countess’ thought was swiftly punctuated by the very sudden, and very unnatural explosion of water consuming the clearing. She could feel something wrap around her body, pulling her down into dark and cold depths. Amaris attempted to free herself from the grasp only to find her efforts wasted. The cold temperature of the water was uncomfortable to say the least and was equally as distracting as the changing scenery that she could still partially see.

The only source of light down below illuminated her missing partner, who strangely looked dry despite the location the pair found themselves in. It took the countess a moment to realize that the mage was inside some sort of barrier, but for whatever reason seemed less than thrilled about her current situation. She tried to move in Madalyn’s direction but found the task easier said than done as her path was cut off by a very real serpent.

[i][color=f49ac2]So much for the statue.[/color][/i]

Amaris winced as an unfamiliar voice filled her ears. To say it was unpleasant to listen to was an understatement but it was mostly a surprise at how clear it sounded despite the circumstances. The countess would have expected it to sound more warbled but she found little difficulty in understanding the creature as it spoke its ‘riddle’. Four truths, two lies, and all they had to do was agree on which ones were which. The task should have been an easy one, so why didn’t she feel better watching the serpent retreat into the darkness? 

Her question was answered as two additional barriers, as well as their occupants were made visible. Had Amaris any need to breathe, her breath would have definitely been caught in her throat as her eyes passed from one to the other. Before her were two faces she never thought she would see again but she couldn’t find any joy in the reunion. Minfillia’s gaze was the sharpest thing she had ever witnessed from a mortal, but the daggers were nothing compared to the pit growing in Amaris’ stomach. Seeing Cassandra’s slumped form pained the countess, her hand reaching out reflexively toward the barrier only to have her image ripped away to be replaced with words.

The words swam in her mind as she struggled to concentrate, her thoughts torn between that which she knew and that which she saw. What was the purpose of showing her such a scene? Was it just another piece to the puzzle or was it meant to bruise her pride?

[i][color=f49ac2]I don’t understand, is Cassandra alive after all? What is she doing down here, it isn’t safe. Damnit, no. I have to focus, there;s something I’m supposed to be focusing on. But… what am I supposed to do?[/color][/i]