Trial of Ascent...
Come on! Adrian's thoughts were a desperate plea as his muscles screamed in protest.
His vision blurred slightly from the effort and lack of air.
He tried a different approach. Releasing the chains, he braced himself against the floor, digging his fingers into the grooves around the edge of the grate. Summoning his divine energy, he poured it into his arms, the veins in his forearms glowing faintly with golden light as he pulled.
The metal shrieked as it finally gave way, the circular plate dislodging with a surge of rushing water. The force of the current dragged Adrian downward, pulling him into the opening along with the flood.
The narrow tunnel spun him in dizzying circles, the water roaring in his ears as it rushed through the passageway. Adrian fought to keep himself upright, his hands clawing at the walls for some semblance of control.