Shaymus ran to check on Raine and Nulrok. The chieftain’s daughter was lying on her back. Her eyes were opened, and she grimaced in pain as she struggled to rise. Nulrok was lying face down and not moving.

“Potion...Nulrok...I’m fine,” Raine said with a struggle, and she coughed.

Shaymus quickly went to Nulrok and flipped the spikey white hair mage over. Their eyes were closed. The pale-eyed goblin poured the wizard’s healing potion into his mouth. Nulrok’s eyes fluttered open as he gasped for breath. At that moment, Shaymus saw Gilreg die. Emotions built up within her. Sadness, and then her lips sneered in rage.

“What happened?” Nulrok asked weakly.

The mage tried to turn to see, but the demon-touched goblin had left him. Shaymus had vengeance on her mind as she ran toward the templar with her blades drawn. She was passing the battle between Booger and the two mercenaries. The orc prince grunted as the half-orc stabbed their spear through his breastplate. The dwarf followed up with a chop to the back of Booger’s knee. The axe head cut into the mail and bit into flesh. Booger shoved the half-orc away and then stumbled on their wounded leg to the ground. Shaymus had to decide to avenge Gilreg or save Booger.

The orc barely raised his polearm in time to block his face from getting smashed in by the dwarf’s shield. The blow still sent the orc onto his back. Markham aimed his axe for Booger’s head, but his attack was deflected by Shaymus’s sword. Shaymus lashed out with her dagger, and the blade clanged against the dwarf’s shield.

“Ye not equipped to hurt me, little goblin,” said Markham as he banged his axe against his breastplate.

The dwarf’s boast was short-lived as Booger knocked their legs out from under them. The dwarf fell on their back just as Gregan struck Booger in the helmet with his spear. The orc grunted in pain and struggled to bring his polearm in between them. He managed to get on one knee. The dwarf struggled to rise, and the half-orc’s attention was focused on their advantage against the kneeling Booger. With her enemies distracted, Shaymus ducked out of sight.

“Watch ye back!” Warned Markham, but he was too late.

Shaymus had snuck behind the half-orc and jabbed her sword into his less protected side. Gregan spun and slammed his shield into the pale-eyed goblin’s face, knocking her back. Booger shoved the shaft of his polearm into the half-orc’s chin, and Markham barreled into the prince. The two rolled apart from each other. The dwarf quickly popped to his feet and was ready to fight. Booger rose unsteadily and placed his wide-bladed spear before him.

“You’ll pay for that,” growled Gregan. The half-orc flinched in pain as he readied his spear and shield.

The four squared off just as Impetitus the templar fell on their face. Verene disappeared with the Chalice.

“The Shadow Mage has the Chalice! She had betrayed you,” exclaimed Bob. The Envoy had risen from the floor.

Gregan and Markham glanced at each other and shrugged. They continued to hold their weapons, and they faced Shaymus and Booger.

“Fighting now is pointless,” continued Bob.

“The Ooraki have a vendetta against the Bloodfist Clan,” Gregan snarled.

“It was war. I do not apologize for your clan’s decision to betray your own kind and side with the Humans and the Dwarves,” Booger said solemnly.

“Eh, I always wanted to claim glory for defeating the famed Orc Prince,” Markham said and began to circle Booger. Gregan nodded as he circled the other way.

“You must stop the adventurer from using the Chalice,” Bob pleaded to Shaymus. The pale-eyed goblin was licking her lips and preparing for a fight.

“You are the Chosen One,” Bob added. Shaymus tensed and was ready to launch an attack.

“Go, Shaymus. Fulfill your role. I will handle these two,” Booger said seriously.

“No! I will fight,” hissed the demon-touched goblin.

“Shaymus, you must not let Gilreg’s death be for nothing. He does not deserve that. Go,” Booger said. His tusked face was somber.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

A tear fell down Shaymus’s eye. She saw the prone form of Gilreg. In an odd showing of respect, the half-orc and the dwarf stood back. Their fight was not with her. Shaymus lowered her weapons.

“Come,” said Bob. The Envoy was motioning her up the stairs to go after Verene.

“I will see you when this is over,” Booger called out, but his eyes were sad.

“You better,” hissed Shaymus. The demon-touch goblin ran off after Bob.

Quietly and to himself, the orc added, “I had a good run. I will either have victory or a glorious death. I can not hope for more.” The dwarf and the half-orc charged.

IN THE DREADED ONE’S CHAMBER

“It’s too late,” said Bob.

Shaymus and Bob were at the entrance of the Dreaded One’s Chamber. The remains of the once master of the Dungeon sat on the throne in front of them. Verene was facing the two as they entered. She was holding the Chalice triumphantly before her and drank from it.

“By the Hells! She partially revived the Dreaded One using her blood. In his weakened state, she killed him again and is now drinking his blood from the Chalice!” Cried, Bob.

“That makes no sense,” hissed Shaymus.

“The Chalice was made from the essence of the Dreaded One. With blood, it can bring him back,” explained Bob.

The pale-eyed goblin shrugged and stalked into the chamber, her weapons held at the ready on either side of her.

“You must be careful, Chosen One. She will have the powers of a high Nezarit,” Bob said quietly and retreated to the doorway.

Shaymus scoffed. She had plans. One of which involved stabbing things.

“I told you I will find you,” she hissed at Verene.

“Foolish creature. You do not know what you are up against. I am the Dreaded One! Ruler of this domain!” Cried Verene. The Chalice fell from her hands as she raised them in the air.

Shaymus charged across the chamber. Horns grew from Verene’s forehead, and bat-like wings sprouted from her back. Shaymus sliced with her sword, but Verene had taken flight into the air. Laughing. The Mage Thief’s eyes were red, and shadow magic swirled around her body as she soared through the chamber.

“I used to tap into Shadow Magic as a mortal, but now I can breathe it. Use it with a thought! Allow me to demonstrate, little one,” Verene cackled and then faded from view as she melded into shadows.

Shaymus strained her eyes, searching for her opponent. Verene materialized in an instant and slashed at Shaymus and then faded away before the goblin could counter. Shaymus was bleeding as she stalked the room. Verene did the same technique again, cutting the goblin a second time before vanishing. Shaymus fell to her knees, wounded. Then rage filled her. The same rage and energy she felt when she fought Tassarion. Red lines formed along her face and arms, and steam rose from her body. Her wounds healed. Verene swooped in to attack a third time, but now Shaymus was faster and deflected the attack. Verene tried to fly away, but Shaymus chased her. She ran up the pillar, leaped into the air, and slammed into Verene. The two crashed into the ground and rolled apart. They were on their feet in moments. They dodged, sliced, parried, and stabbed at each other. Shaymus used her sword and dagger, and after several exchanges, she came out on top. Verene pulled away, numerous slashes across her flesh, and the wounds healed. They were both panting.

“In a sword fight, you would surely best me,” said the mage thief.

Shaymus circled her opponent, her blades held low and a wide grin on her face. Like a flash of light, Shaymus attacked, and the two fought. Except for this time, Verene’s body split into multiple copies. All of them slashing and attacking the demon-touched goblin. Shaymus slashed at one, and it disappeared. She somersaulted and dodged two. A third just ran through her, fading into mist. Two more rushed her, and one of them sliced her for real. Then, all the images faded away into shadow. Verene’s laughter echoed through the chamber. The mage thief appeared before Shaymus. Her wings wrapped around her shoulders like a cape, and she held her sword to the side. Shaymus backed away from her.

“You now realize what you are up against?” Asked Verene as she stalked the goblin.

“All I knew was sneaking, stabbing, and fighting,” Shaymus said. The goblin sheathed her blades, and her hands were free.

“I lost a friend today. A good warrior. Gilreg was his name,” the goblin continued.

“I care not for the loss of your friend,” Verene snapped. She raised her sword.

“He was smart. He was brave. He was an excellent leader, too. But that was not what made him great,” Shaymus said and then flinched as Verene slashed her across the face with her blade.

“You can talk all you want, but I will kill you,” Verene said, her voice soft.

Shaymus looked up with her pale eyes at the power-hungry adventurer. The wound on her cheek was closing up, and the blood disappeared into steam. The goblin was just a few meters from the doorway, and she reached into her pockets with two hands.

“The thing that made him great was what I often overlooked. It is sad that I had to learn this after his death. He was a Guardian, and what made him great? He was always thinking. He always had a plan. He always had a strategy,” Shaymus said and held up two demon heart stones in her hands. The Heart of Red Fang and the Heart of Golaob.

“NO!” Cried Verene, her red eyes opened wide with realization.

Behind Shaymus in the archway were dozens upon dozens of Caizene and Scorazon demons. They were hissing, clawing, and howling. Shaymus pointed the two hearts toward Verene. The hordes of demons swarmed into the chamber.