69. The Game of Meatball

As Torit and Vasuki explained the rules for the challenge, a hushed tension fell upon the adventurers. The task was clear: guard the poisonous meatball for ten minutes, preventing Yuva and Rouge from devouring it. Success meant passage to the next level, while failure came with the ominous consequence of becoming a feast for the mystical beasts.

Cressida, holding the magical sphere containing the treacherous meatball, shared a knowing look with her fellow adventurers. The dark red radiance from the meatball's containment added an eerie glow to the atmosphere, emphasizing the high stakes of the challenge.

The adventurers spread out, forming a defensive perimeter around Cressida and the coveted meatball. The forest seemed to hold its breath as the countdown to the ten-minute mark began. Yuva and Rouge, sensing the challenge, moved with a blend of curiosity and hunger, their eyes fixed on the tempting prize held by Cressida.