“Blast.” Hump sensed the smoothness of the spell even as he barked the command. It didn’t burst from his staff in a cone of blue like usual; instead, it was an almost clear shimmer through the air. As efficient as he could make it.

Tanek met the attack with a swipe of his spear. Water manifested along the path of the spearhead like a paddle making a splash. The Essence Blast broke against it, forking around Tanek. Tables and chairs blew back through the room, yet it barely brushed the hair on Tanek’s head. He stood low, spear held in two hands, the point directed at the ground. He was like a pent-up spring of energy. Instinct warned Hump that this man was truly dangerous.

“Big mistake, wizard,” Tanek said.

Hump didn’t waste a moment on words, drawing upon his well of essence as he rushed to Marcela’s side. Before he could summon an attack, Tanek took aim with his spear, wielding it like a staff.

“Tidal Jet.” A torrent of water spiralled from the blade, no thicker than an arm and travelling fast enough to pierce a person in two.

Hump swung his staff, coating it in Parry Shield and slapping aside the attack. Beyond it, Tanek slid in Marcela’s direction, carried upon waves of water that washed from his feet. Hump stepped ahead of her, his spellbook whirling as he threw all the essence he had time for into a Shield directly ahead of them. It shimmered into existence; a wall of will and magic supported by the lines of essence channels within. Hump gritted his teeth as he braced himself for the impact he knew would come when facing a foe so far beyond his rank.

But this was no Kassius. This was no monster like the gorger. He could hold. He would hold.

“Careful,” Marcela said quietly, clutching at her wound on the ground. “He’s strong.”

Hump tightened his grip on his staff. “I got that already.”

Tanek surged forward, skating across the water at his feet as if it were ice, his spear held like a lance. It struck like a hammer. A crack webbed across Hump’s Shield. The sound of crackling glass filled the air. He stumbled back, clinging to his staff for balance as he almost tripped over a table. Sharp pain shot up his hand from the impact and cold lanced through him as he threw more essence into the spell, trying to fix the damage.

When the second blow struck, Hump’s Shield shattered like a pane of glass.

Hump whipped a sharpened stone from his pocket with a tendril of essence. “Rockshot.”

“Ocean’s Embrace.” Tanek snapped, and water emerged over his body, clinging to him like jelly. It bulged and burst forward where Hump’s spell struck his chest, engulfing the stone and plopping it harmlessly to the ground.

“You’re a practitioner,” Hump said breathlessly. Get him talking. Find a moment.

“That I am,” Tanek said. “We should not be enemies, lad. Stop protecting the servants of those that oppress you. A Daston is not worth dying over.”

Hump frowned at the familiar pitch. Things clicking into place. “You’re a warlock.”

The corner of Tanek’s lips curled into a smirk. “You shouldn’t have turned down the chance I gave you.”

“What did the Dastons—”

Tanek raised his spear overhead, gripping it near the base of the shaft.

“Shit,” Hump muttered.

The spear slammed down into the water that now pooled at their feet. Water erupted into vapour, filling the room with thick mist.

“I don’t see him,” Hump said.

“Left,” Marcela snapped.

Hump turned and saw nothing but mist, so he’d have to take her word for it. He raised his barrier just as light emerged. The mist cleared like a hole in a cloud, Tanek rushing at him from beyond, his spear aimed at Hump. Water streaked down either side of its bladed end, white as waves and shining with essence. It shot ahead of the spear, a spike of water.

Hump grunted at the impact, falling to one knee. He screamed, pouring essence through his spellbook to empower his Shield as Tanek fought to break through. The book shone brilliant blue, essence weaving between it and his staff-focus, a streak of pure energy.

Tanek backed away silently into the mist, moving like a ghost, but not before Hump caught a glimpse of the surprise in his eyes.

I guess he was hoping for a faster fight, Hump thought, a little pride bubbling at his core. He could do this. Tanek might be bronze, but he was not unbeatable.

“What is that book?” Tanek asked.

Hump didn’t hesitate. He launched an Essence Blast in the voice’s direction, aiming to make noise even if it didn’t hit. Once more, Tanek destroyed his spell, shattering it so that only a gentle wind escaped.

Marcela startled. “Beh—”

Hump felt an impact against his back. He felt the ground come up beneath him, and pain flared across his body. The world went silent—his mind blank. Everything was spinning and above him, Tanek stared at him. The man’s eyes gleamed like ice. He stabbed downward, and Hump closed his eyes.

Metal rang out.

Hump opened his eyes to see Marcela’s blade blocking the blow. Tanek swung at her blade with his spear, throwing her aside. Marcela screamed in agony, clutching at her wounded stomach.

Everything went so fast. He could see the fear in Marcela’s eyes. The thrill of battle in Tanek’s as he closed in. Hump wondered how long it had been. Someone must have heard their fight… right? Help had to come soon.

Not soon enough, Hump heard the voice in his head.

Hump grunted as he heaved himself to his feet with his staff, planting it into the ground. He’d dropped his spellbook, so he used Shape Shield to encompass them both in a spherical barrier.

It was weak. So weak Hump wasn’t sure it would block a blow, but it was all he could do.

You know there’s more you can do, a voice said eagerly.

The coercion of dungeon essence snuck up on Hump suddenly, so powerful and overwhelming that he almost gave into it without thought. It was instinct that moved Hump. Rage and fear rampaged through him as Tanek attacked. He was exhausted. He hurt all over, but there was power out there.

And he reached for it.

The dungeon answered his call eagerly. Essence streamed toward Hump in red streaks, and Hump breathed it in eagerly. His concentration returned. The power leaked into his Shield like blood, staining Tanek’s mist red with its light.

When the blow came, Hump hardly felt it. He could see the impact jar Tanek’s hands as if he’d struck stone. The shock registered in the man’s eyes, and Hump didn’t let the moment go to waste. He shattered his shield, drawing upon all the dissipating essence and unleashing it straight ahead.

Bloody essence erupted from his staff—a cone of devastation—howling like the storm-god Seres himself. Tanek’s eyes widened. He brought up his spear, but not fast enough. Hump’s Essence Blast was upon him, and it threw him back like a swatted fly. The mist scattered. The inn wall exploded with a crash and daylight streamed inside. Outside, the horses neighed in a panic.

Tanek returned to his feet, gliding on the water. His face was bloodied, his gambeson chest piece was shredded, he breathed heavily but did not drop his spear. As Ocean’s Embrace emerged once more over his body, he stared at Hump in shock.

And then people were there.

“Shit,” Tanek said.

He tried to run, gliding toward the back exit of the inn, stopping only when Bud and Dylan rushed inside. Hurriedly he pulled a vial from his pocket and drank. Hump felt essence explode throughout the room and then Tanek turned a furious gaze back toward Hump—his eyes as black as pitch. No, not him. He was staring at Marcela.

He charged, throwing everything he had into the attack.

“Shield,” Hump barked, mind numb. He felt the impact. The world blurred and spun. Yellow light flashed somewhere and then Tanek was there no more.

“Out of the way, Hump,” someone said.

Hump stared at the person. His vision slowly unblurred and he recognised Fila.

The tall woman frantically ushered him to the side. “I need to help Marcela.”

Only then did it fully click. Hump dropped his spell and collapsed against his staff. “Will she be alright?” His voice was barely a whisper.

Fila didn’t seem to hear him, channelling her blessings immediately. Light radiated from Marcela’s wound and Hump knew she was in better hands now than before. He turned back to the fight, Tanek and Jacob locked into a fierce duel. Jacob’s twin swords were alight with lightning. He tore apart Tanek’s defence, overpowering him with ease despite whatever the tonic was. Others formed around them, but they didn’t interfere. Len came to stand in front of Hump, creating a barrier of his own that encompassed them both.

A great pressure descended on the room. Yellow lightning filled the air around Jacob, discharging from him in flares. It was the manifestation of his soul, and Tanek could do nothing before it. His spear was taken from him. He threw himself at Jacob in a wild frenzy, only to be pinned through the shoulder to the floor with a blade. There, he lay defeated, screaming in pain and rage.

It was a sound Hump could get used to.

Hump blinked blearily as Len reached out a hand to him and helped him to his feet. “Thank you, Hump. Truly. Are you alright?”

Hump nodded, but he was still so out of breath he couldn’t reply. And the world wouldn’t stop spinning.

“Hump?” came another voice. And he turned to see Celaine beside him.

His legs shook. He felt so cold, despite the dungeon essence coursing through him. He stumbled and Celaine lunged forward to catch him.

“We got him, Hump. You’re good.” Sudden panic filled her eyes. “Oh no! Dylan!”

The druid was there then, a worried look on his face. Hump caught sight of Celaine’s hand, wet with blood up to the wrist. He tried to look around for the new threat but all his strength had left him.

“Lie him on his front,” Dylan said quickly. Hump felt the familiar warmth of his essence then, like a ray of sun in winter frost, though the cold was still coming. “I need healers here!”

“I’m alright,” Hump tried to say, though only a groan escaped his mouth.

Are you sure you’re fine? Lucile’s voice whispered in his ear, sinister and deadly. Sleep now.

The world spun once more, and then everything went dark.