Text Cut: Iris Harden
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sweetpinkpixie 
The pale blue luminescence from the bluebell flames washed the winding passages in an eerie glow that she found beautiful. Shallow puddles interrupted the flagstones every few paces, their surfaces smooth as polished glass ― perfect for observing reflections for movement ― and she took great care in stepping around them.
Her gaze settled on the tunnel to the right and the low hissing coming from it. Ordinarily, that would have been reason enough not to go down the particular tunnel... but with the objective to reach the Chamber itself and if the basilisk statue was patrolling the tunnels, then the route it traveled must ultimately lead back to the Chamber. She just had to hope that she caught the tail end of it ― a calculated risk.
She adjusted her grip on the mirror, the silver frame remaining angled toward each bend before she approached it to inspect every corner from the safety of a few paces away. Deliberately, Iris kept to the edge, placing each footfall as featherlight as possible and where it would disturb as little water as possible. With puddles serving as another pair of eyes, she had no intention of blinding them with careless ripples.
Only once she was satisfied that the next corner held no immediate threat did she advance, mirror first, following the distant hiss deeper into the winding passage. Every few metres she paused, listening as intently as she watched, quietly attempting to determine whether the sound was growing nearer... or whether it had begun to move away from her altogether.
The tunnel expands into even more pathways, the distant hiss at first fading away. Quiet descends for a few moments, almost giving the illusion of solitude.
And then, down the tunnel to your left, you hear it.
Ssssssssssssssss....
At first there is a flicker of movement, one so quick that if you blinked at the wrong moment you might miss it. Then comes another flick of a forked tongue, and the large head of the basilisk comes into view, stone scales glistening, its piercing yellow eyes alert. It pauses, waiting, searching, smelling...
Choose your next path carefully...
Text Cut: Idris Grunt
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FearlessLeader19 Goodness, it was SO quiet!
Idris’ breaths sounded super loud to his ears; in his mind, they were even louder than his footsteps. He randomly chanced a glance down at a pool of water. Nope, no hideous glowing yellow eyes there! And so on he continued with Paully. He couldn’t help but think that if they did encounter the Basilisk, the Badger would attempt to protect him in true Paully fashion. But Id could be just as protective!
Soon enough, all the paths were making him dizzy 
Not literally, but mentally. After a decision had been made about which path to continue down, the mirror would be used to check the safety of said path. So far, so good… but Iddy certainly did not want to jinx that!
Too late! 
The Lion spun around, wand in one hand, mirror in the other. Thankfully, the Basilisk didn’t seem to be within his vision. “I don't think that I want to stick around," he told Paul before scampering off, musing aloud as he went. "Where is the main chamber, anyway? If I knew that, maybe the Point Me spell could be useful." After all, the spell helped the caster find the northern direction. So if the main chamber was somewhere in the vicinity... Ssssss...
The hiss grows louder and ever closer.
And then you hear another sound, coming from the left fork in the path.
It is more musical, a song that fills a person's heart with warm comfort and rising courage. Fear seems to melt away.
For a person familiar with such a creature, one might recognize it as the song of a Phoenix.
Perhaps it is trying to guide you. Will you follow it?