Mel watched as the others disappeared into the trees, her massive hammer resting on her shoulder. The silence that followed felt heavier than the weapon she carried. Alone with the cart, Adil, and Gix, she exhaled slowly, the weight of the past days pressing down on her. She had always been strong, always known how to fight, but this... this world was different.

The others trusted her to fill the gaps that James could not cover. The fear that she could not make that leap in time, or fill the gaps was only proven by Trish being taken away.

She shook her head, trying to silence the thoughts. Now wasn’t the time for doubt. With James and the others chasing after Trish, Mel was the last line of defense, the only thing standing between the cart and whatever lurked in the shadows of the forest.

Her gaze fell to her hammer, the memory of its literal hunger still fresh in her mind. She inspected the weapon again. The head was rectangular, with spiked corners jutting out and the slightly rounded faces scarred from countless impacts. She’d have to remember to ask James for repairs later. The handle, thick and heavy, was crafted from wood interlaced with a metal she couldn’t identify. Runes were etched along one side of the handle, their meaning unknown to her, but she could feel their power radiating through the hammer’s mass, an energy waiting to be unleashed.

[Gorrathir]

BONUS STRENGTH – 20%

BONUS DEXTERITY – 35%

BONUS ATTACK SPEED – 37%

BONUS MOVEMENT SPEED – 53%

BONUS EFFECT – This hammer hungers for power

The attack and movement bonuses weren’t what she expected; they had increased far more than the gem had promised. Was it because of the bonus effect? She didn’t have time to dwell on it now.

Mel scanned the clearing, ensuring nothing else lurked in the trees. Her tusks bared in frustration, muscles tensed, she let out a bellowing roar of rage and fury. Tears streamed down her cheeks as birds scattered from the treetops, and the grass around her shifted as if blown outward by the sheer force of her anguish.

For a moment, sadness overpowered her determination. “Damnit, why couldn’t I make it to her in time!”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Ay, lass, it’s not yer fault. None of ya could’ve seen what was comin’,” Adil said gently, her voice shaky as she reached out to console the towering, furious orc.

Mel glanced at Adil, fear evident in the small Canithal’s eyes, but she didn’t flinch or back away.

“I know… I just feel like there’s something I could’ve done better. I should’ve been closer to her, I could have…”

Gix interrupted, his voice calm. “Look, Mel, you did everything you could. All of you did. Leo let his power slip, sure, but don’t worry about the girl. She’s stronger than she looks, she just needs to realize it herself.”

Adil gawked at Gix, while Mel looked at him with surprise. Her anger was momentarily overshadowed by his unexpected words of reassurance. She wiped the tears from her cheeks, her tusks still bared in frustration, but the rage in her eyes softened.

“Maybe you're right,” she said quietly, her voice thick with emotion. “But it doesn’t make it any easier.”

“Aye,” Gix nodded, his gruff voice calm. “But feeling guilty isn’t going to bring her back quicker. Best you focus on what you can do now.”

Mel let out a long breath, her shoulders slumping slightly as the tension eased. She glanced at her hammer, the hunger it had shown earlier still fresh in her mind. If only the power, it held could have helped Trish… But Gix was right. Now wasn’t the time to wallow.

“Oi, now wait just a damn minute! I ain’t been knowin you was smart!” Adil snapped, clearly irritated. Gix just glanced at her before falling back into silence, as if he hadn’t said a word. Adil waved him off dismissively and sat back down on the ground.

A chuckle slipped from Mel as she leaned against the cart, gently stroking the Lepidomare's surprisingly soft mane. The creature hummed a musical note, leaning into the affection. Mel smiled at the sound, but her attention shifted as a shadow darted through the trees.

Gripping her hammer tightly, she prepared for an attack, her breath shaky at first before evening out. Still, a slight tremble remained in her hands as she approached the tree line, keeping her eyes locked on the movement. The shadow blurred between the trees again before, in a heartbeat, it lunged at her. A massive fist slammed into her gut, knocking the wind from her lungs and sending her skidding across the ground.

Mel quickly regained her footing, glaring at the orc now standing before her, grinning. He was slightly taller, his muscle mass denser and more defined.

“They said you’d be trouble,” he growled, his voice deep and gravelly. “Didn’t realize you were just a pup. Nice hammer you got there, reckon I’ll take it after I deal with you and haul this grain back to camp.”

Mel said nothing, her grip tightening on her hammer as she began to circle him, sizing him up.

“Dumb, too, huh? I like a woman who’s quiet and does what she’s told,” he taunted, flashing a grin.

Mel smiled but stayed silent. She never liked talking before a fight, she let her fists, or in this case, her hammer, do the talking.

The orc pulled two axes from his belt, pounding his bare chest in defiance as he roared. Mel took the opportunity to charge in. Their weapons clashed; their eyes locked in battle. Just as his grin widened, Mel phased through him with [Ethereal Shift], appearing behind him. He screamed in shock as she landed a punch to the back of his head, but he quickly retaliated with a furious kick to her chin, sending her stumbling backward.

He rushed at her, eyes ablaze with fire, a massive fireball shooting from his mouth as she leaped to her feet.