Dallarath knew things were going south the moment the first orc appeared. While goblins were the size of children, orcs stood taller than the average man. They were bulkier, stronger, and faster than their smaller cousins.

A goblin den spawning orcs in less than a week was unheard of. Either the necromancer lied about clearing the cave three days ago — or there was something else afoot. It could also be a sign of rare treasures or even magical items. Goblins were attracted to magic — both natural and man-made. It accelerated their growth and development, allowing them to spawn faster.

It was a good thing Aven’R spotted the creatures first. They could plan on their next move or even decide to just call it a day.

In the end, the party decided to go through with their delving, even with the higher stakes. Aside from a few mushrooms, they had little to show for their battles with mere goblins.

They approach the makeshift camp — if you can even call it that. Siege takes point, with Dallarath and Aven’R providing cover fire. There were at least 7 goblins, aside from the solitary orc.

Remila stops her stride, imploring her deity for strength and protection.

Blessing of Wind * Compound Spell * Invocation * Alteration

Effect: The spell targets up to 4 willing companions. The spell enhances both agility and perception, allowing the targets to move and react faster.

Duration: Concentration or up to 5 minutes

The spell was the group’s signal to attack.

Siege charges into a group of goblins — barreling into their ranks and leaving them prone on the ground, easy pickings for their two archers. He spots the orc, roaring a challenge, before picking up speed to close the distance.

The orc rises to the dwarf’s challenge. It picks up a massive club, eager to meet the charging enemy. It swings its club, barely missing as the dwarf seemingly crumples to the ground.

Siege rolls. The timing had to be perfect or he would have had a mouthful of club. He stops his roll crouched to the ground, striking at the orc’s exposed belly.

The orc screams, swatting its club at the dwarf. Two arrows hit its chest, making its sweeping blow miss its mark. The arrows penetrate its hide, but the orc’s fused ribs stop them from dealing significant damage. It takes another hit, this one from a crossbow. The bolt penetrates deeper, leaving the creature dazed from momentary pain — leaving it vulnerable to Siege's attack.

The dwarf slams into the orc, his shield driving the protruding shaft of the bolt even deeper. He thrusts his sword from underneath his shield, bypassing the orc’s ribs and stabbing its core.

A hit to the back of his knee sends Siege to the ground. He twists to dodge another blow, kicking at the goblin who caught him unaware. “Any time now!” he roars.

Earthen Grasp * Basic Spell * Conjuration * Earth

Effect: Summons one or more massive hands of earth from the ground that grasp their targets, immobilizing them and dealing crushing damage. Targets can escape with a successful feat of strength/agility or if they deal more than 15 damage to the earthen hands. The caster can summon multiple hands by infusing the spell with additional mana.

Grasping hands made of soil and stone erupt from the earth, capturing 4 goblins. A single goblin manages to scurry away before the earthen hand beneath him fully forms. The goblin turns to flee, only to be stopped by an arrow to the neck.

“Took you long enough, Gwin,” Siege spats, once again turning to the orc. The blow to his leg limited his mobility. Fortunately, his last attack seemed to have taken a toll on the orc.

“Stay defensive,” warns Dal, loosing two arrows into the orc’s chest — these ones penetrating bone. Shooting from up close gave his arrows more power, as did their wolfram tips.

The orc abandons the heavily armored dwarf and charges at Dallarath. The half-elf darts to the side, opening a clear line for the scout’s arrows and the cleric’s bolts.

Three more hits send the orc crashing to the ground. Siege decapitates the fallen orc while Dallarath thrusts a dirk into every fallen goblin.

“Is everyone fine?” asks a concerned Remila. “We should rest before deciding what to do next.”

“I was lucky it went after you,” Siege limps to pat Dallarath on the shoulder. “That little beast got me good on the leg.”

Remila approaches the dwarf, but Dallarath stops her.

“Use the lozenge,” he suggests. “Better we try it now than in the heat of battle.”

The dwarf shrugs, taking a lozenge from his pocket. He pops it in his mouth, noticing the familiar taste of fruit. Was it apples?, the dwarf thought. “Do I swallow it or just keep sucking?”

“I’m not sure,” Rem answers. “I guess Sebas forgot to mention that part.”

Whatever the case, the dwarf could feel the lozenge working. The bleeding stopped and he could feel his torn muscles knitting themselves back together — it was a strange sensation.

“This isn’t a time juice, right?”

“It doesn’t seem so,” answers Gwint. “I’d have sensed it if it were, and the shopkeeper wouldn’t have given it for free.

Time juice was considered as one of the best kinds of healing potions — even if it technically wasn’t one. Instead of healing the body, it reversed the flow of time for the drinker — completely negating the damage he took in the last 5-10 minutes.

It was effective, but it also took away valuable battlefield experience. Drinking time juice left you clueless of what you did during the previous battle, hindering growth and making one a little more reckless.

“Works like one,” Siege insists.

“If it was time juice you wouldn’t even remember the orc.”

The dwarf glances at the orc and shrugs. “Just saying it works like one. My leg is good as new.”

“Guys,” Av interrupts. “I think I found something.”

She holds up a shimmering crystal. There were a few more scattered on the ground — forming a circle of some sort.

“These are earth crystals,” notes Gwin. “We can sell them for good money in the city.” She could also use them to power her spells, but they needed the gold.

“Keep a few,” says Dal, giving her three of the crystals. “In case of dire circumstances.”

“In case of dire circumstances,” Gwin agrees, accepting the offered crystals.

***

He jinxed us! He jinxed us all! Gwin screams in her head.

The blasted creatures were waiting for them. Two orcs and a handful of goblins.

The creatures ambushed them near a crevice, aiming to push them down into the depths. None of them expected to find a crevice deep into the cave — especially not one that deep.

Siege held off an orc on his own, but Dallarath got pummeled by the second one. Remila did her best to keep the half-elf alive with healing and shielding spells, while she and Aven’R held off the goblins.

Aven’R was forced to use her daggers to keep the goblins away from her — hoping to buy her time for her spellcasting.

She took hits. Too many hits. The goblins were armed with crude spears this time — pieces of obsidian tied to hardened roots or vines.

She couldn’t believe Aven’R managed to stay up. Her body was riddled with small nicks, but she didn’t seem to be bleeding. Her stalwart protection kept the goblins from reaching her, giving her time to cast her spells.

She later learned her sister kept a healing lozenge in her mouth — sucking on it with every hit she took.

She cast her spells with abandon, disregarding her favored rotes. She used raw mana to strike or push the goblins. It wasn’t effective as her usual spells — but it allowed her to cast intuitively.

She heard a cry of triumph from Siege. The dwarf managed to sever his opponent’s arm with a forceful cut. A charging shield bash sent the orc crashing into the depths. It took two heartbeats before it hid the cave floor beneath.

Her heart almost gave out when she saw three more goblins rushing towards Siege. The dwarf batted one with his shield while decapitating another with his sword. The third managed to crash into the dwarf.

The two grappled, with Siege clearly winning. To her horror, she saw but the goblin downed earlier by the dwarf’s shield rise up and slam into the two — sending all of them flying into the depths.

Rage and fear boiled in her soul. She grabbed one of the crystals, using it to form a massive earth spike that impaled the remaining orc.

She collapsed on the ground spent. She could feel the tainted mana trying to overwhelm her body. Her training held firm, allowing her to expel most of the foreign mana from her system. Using the crystals had a price — but not using them earlier cost them dearly.

The battle was soon over after the death of the remaining orc. They debated on what to do, but abandoning a companion was something they would not even consider.

Now there were four of them, searching for a companion who was most likely dead.

***

Siege wakes up confused. He remembers falling into a crevice and the touch of filthy little hands. He feels a sharp pain in his ankles. To his horror, he sees bleeding stumps where his feet should have been. His arms were bound behind his back, and it seems like he was suspended on a rope.

Those damned goblins.

He heard of goblins draining the blood of their prisoners to nourish their spawning grounds. He didn’t think he would end up in the same predicament.

He tests the strength of his primitive bonds, most likely vines and strips of skin — some of them probably his own.

He could have easily freed himself, but he was weak from too much blood loss. It was a wonder he even managed to wake up.

If only he had a bit of healing.

Wait.

He fumbles through his pockets feeling the familiar shape of the healing lozenges. He could even feel the heavier Lifesaver™ within reach.

He grabs the heavier lozenge only to stop dead on his tracks. Bound as he was, there was no way he could reach his feet — much less his mouth.

The dwarf tightens his grip. His salvation was so near and yet so far.

He considers flicking it in the air and catching it with his mouth. It was a difficult feat, and his chances of succeeding were slim.

They would work as long as they were inside one’s body. Why in hell would he remember the butler’s words now?

Then, like a light shining through the darkness — he figures it out.

He sighs. There was one way he could get it inside his body.