Thorian assumed the lead, carving a path through the verdant forest, and the group fell naturally into a synchronized march. Nox, ever nimble and spry, acted as a scout, constantly a few steps ahead. Ventus and Saxum took turns securing the flanks and trailing edge, their sturdy forms cutting an imposing figure. Positioned in the heart of the formation, the priest, the group's vital lifeline, was protected by all. Thorian, with a keen eye, watched over both flanks.

The forest's inhabitants soon made their presence known. Thumpalopes and Rabbarians greeted them first; relatively harmless monsters that were good for honing skills. The goblins posed a greater challenge with their sheer numbers, yet they were more than manageable. Chaskas and Thri-kreens introduced an element of thrill, their fallen forms strewn along the trail marking the group's relentless advance.

As they ventured deeper and the forest's canopy thickened, obscuring the light, a cluster of peculiar mushrooms came into view, exuding a soft, alluring luminescence.

"A Funglight Lurecap," Thorian uttered, his voice barely rising above a whisper yet loud enough for his companions to hear. His eyes narrowed, captivated yet cautious as he observed the enchanting glow of the fungi.

"Fungwhat?" Ventus echoed, his brows furrowing as he gazed at the odd sight. "They look like harmless mushrooms to me, King."

"That's the point," Thorian explained, "They attract their victims with their light. Be careful not to gaze too long. Their lure is hypnotic."

"But how do they attack?" the priest asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

Thorian gestured at the ground surrounding the mushroom. "Mycelial grasp. If you get too close, they'll trap you. And they're capable of releasing a spore cloud causing several kinds of mental ailments."

As if to demonstrate, Saxum, eager to test the waters, tossed a stone near the closest Lurecap. In response, the ground quivered as mycelial threads erupted around the stone, latching onto it and squeezing until it cracked. A small cloud of toxic spores burst from the mushroom's cap.

"Clever plant," Saxum mused, "or is it an animal?"

Thorian shook his head. "Doesn't matter what it is. It's dangerous. Keep your distance."

With newfound caution, the group made their way around the Lurecap colony. They moved as quietly as they could, careful to avoid triggering the forest's hidden menace.

Time swiftly passed as the group adhered to Thorian's guidance. With his expertise, the creatures inhabiting the forest seemed akin to mere child's play. As long as they heeded his directions—which they dutifully did—they had nothing to fear.

The forest hummed with a symphony of life and mystery. But as they ventured deeper into the dense woodland, an ethereal murmur began to intertwine with the natural orchestra. A flutter of recognition raced through Thorian's heart—he knew this spectral harmony. The whispers of the trees. They were near.

"What is this?" Nox finally inquired. "I've been hearing these weird sounds in my head."

"Me too!" Ventus joined in, voicing his concern. "It feels like my head is about to split."

"They are the Whispering Trees," Thorian enlightened them. "And refrain from talking excessively; these are the entities that will guide us."

As they progressed deeper into their exploration, the whispers took on a more tangible form. No longer a vexing whisper at the periphery of their consciousness, they became a chorus of voices just beyond comprehension. The murmurs flirted with their minds, conveying a sense of otherworldly hospitality, and yet, beneath it all, lay an unequivocal caution.

Suddenly, the whispers crescendoed to a near-deafening level. As Thorian and his group neared an overgrown archway, cradled by the intertwined boughs of ancient trees and adorned with the soft glow of age-old runes, the voices fell silent. A shiver of anticipation rippled through the group.

The leaves rustled as a wind that was not there began to blow, and the whispers returned, this time sharp and clear as a bell.

"I'm the heart of the home, yet hard as stone.

I can be warm and inviting, yet I can't be alone.

Food becomes feast when I'm put to the test.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Without me, a house would not have its zest.

What am I?"

A profound silence blanketed the forest. The riddle, hanging in the air, seemed to mute the very essence of the world. They gazed at the luminescent gateway, its cryptic power thrumming in sync with the reverberation of the words. The unuttered threat of retribution for an incorrect answer loomed over them like an impending guillotine, the blade poised ominously above their collective existence.

As Thorian fully absorbed the riddle, a smile graced his features. This should've posed no challenge, he thought, the men under William should have effortlessly solved this as well.

"You are the Hearth."

His voice echoed through the hushed forest, the woodland itself seeming to lean in to catch his response. Then, a palpable stillness befell them all. The hush deepened, the whispers dwindling to silence. The suspense was unbearable, a string pulled tight to the brink of snapping.

Suddenly, a soft sound filled the air. It was the sound of...laughter. A deep, rich laughter, full of mirth and joy, and then the Whispering Trees began to hum. It was a deep, resonant sound, filling the forest, reverberating through the very soil beneath their feet.

“Creepy…” Ventus murmured. “A tree that laughs? This is too crazy for me.”

The archaic runes engraved on the archway erupted into a brilliant display, a detonation of luminescence that cast elongated, cavorting shadows around the group. The entwined branches of the archway trembled, then slowly, unyieldingly began to part, unveiling a concealed path beyond.

“Should we go inside?” Nox inquired with apprehension, his gaze directed at Thorian. The rest of the group mirrored his action, their eyes converging on their leader.

“No, not yet,” Thorian decisively shook his head. “This dungeon is too hard for us currently. We will go back to it later when we are stronger.”

“Heh, I have never seen you back down from a challenge before, King,” Ventus remarked, a touch of curiosity in his tone as he turned his gaze back to the now revealed sanctuary entrance. “Just what could be inside that would make you say that?”

“Ventus,” Saxum admonished the wind kobloid with a stern look. “Watch your tongue.”

"There are elves," Thorian expounded. "Corrupted elves, and a single arrow from their quiver could pierce through the five of us."

Each member of the group looked at Thorian with a mix of disbelief and awe. His words were challenging to digest, yet given their credible source, they found it hard to refute them.

After consulting his journal, Thorian gestured for the group to follow, "We should depart now. We've completed the quest, and there's a considerably less challenging dungeon we can explore."

Guided by Thorian, the group turned back, retracing their footsteps. As they distanced themselves from the dungeon, the illumination from the archway receded, and the entrance to the Sanctuary closed once more.

Eärendil's Sanctuary was nestled on the western flank of the village, neatly situated between Wolvendale and Locksley. However, the dungeon that Thorian intended to conquer was located on the opposing side.

Navigating an extensive detour, the group persisted in their perilous exploration. In addition to the creatures they had already encountered, they stumbled upon new, intriguing inhabitants of the forest. Most noteworthy among these were the Shelltrotters. These fascinating hybrids of horses and armadillos stood as tall as the most formidable war horses when on all fours and could trample any adversary with their fortified hooves. Yet, it was when they curled up into a sphere that they turned decidedly more lethal. The enormous scales on their backs, sharp as steel yet remarkably pliable, facilitated a terrifying rolling speed.

Fortunately, Ventus's Gale Slash was sufficiently potent to penetrate their defenses and slice through their scales, providing Thorian a clear target for his Combustion spell. And while the Shelltrotters might have boasted impressive speed, they were no match for Nox, who darted from one tree to another with an agility that would put any monkey to shame. Thus, despite consuming a significant amount of time, the group managed to tackle the small squadron of armored horses.

Good thing the pack did not have an evolved one amongst them. A magmastone or thunderbolt charger would have been difficult to escape from.

Thorian couldn't suppress a wry smile as he reflected on their recent encounter. However, now was not the time for nostalgia, as their destination was close at hand.

The dense forest ahead began to thin, their pace reducing as they caught sight of an immense tree towering over its neighbors. Its knotted roots sprawled outwards, and a large hollow at the tree's base served as an entrance, emanating a foreboding aura.

"That's our destination," Thorian murmured, his red fur reflecting the faint glow of the sun's rays filtering through the foliage. He stared at the dungeon entrance, his fiery eyes ablaze with unyielding determination.

"Looks creepy," Nox commented from beside him, peering towards the hollow with wide, curious eyes. The black-furred kobold was always brimming with excitement, even in the face of danger.

Ventus gave a sharp exhale, puffing out his chest. "Well, whatever's in there, we can handle it!" The wind kobold radiated a youthful aura of courage, ready to prove himself once more.

As Thorian approached the entrance of the dungeon, a floating screen appeared in front of him.

Congratulations, you are the first to discover the small-scale dungeon: Verdant Labyrinth. You will receive double the rewards and a higher chance for extra rewards if you clear it.

Choose the difficulty layer you wish to enter.