The early morning light filtered through the trees, casting a gentle glow over the old house where the trio had taken refuge. The battle from last night had left them exhausted, and after securing their camp, they agreed to take turns freshening up.

Leigh, insisting she needed a proper bath, ventured deeper into the river on the west side of the old house, where a natural spring pooled into a crystal-clear stream. The water shimmered with an ethereal glow, its warmth carrying traces of Laoyon's unique energy. She stepped in, allowing the soothing warmth to envelop her as she sighed in relief. "Finally, something relaxing."

Outside, Arden and Dominic stood guard near the old house's entrance, sorting through the loot from last night's battle. While keeping watch, they collected anything useful—coins, weapons, and trinkets scattered across the battlefield. To ensure Leigh’s privacy, Dominic had conjured a frost barrier, an icy veil that not only acted as a defense but also served as a clear warning for anyone trying to sneak a peek.

Arden leaned against the rock wall as he examined a handful of gold coins they had found among the loot. "You really went all out with this ice wall. But more importantly… these gold coins. Does this mean there’s a civilization here?"

Dominic grinned, clearly pleased with his handiwork. "It's practical, stylish, and highly effective. And just so we're clear—if you even think about sneaking a peek, you'll be dealing with frostbite in places you really don’t want."

Arden rolled his eyes. "Please. Unlike you, I actually have manners."

Dominic furrowed his brows, turning one of the coins over in his fingers. "I don’t think my past self would have bothered creating such intricate details," he admitted. "It’s almost as if Laoyon… grew beyond my original design. As if something— or someone— has been shaping it all along."

Arden raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on the coin as if searching for something unseen. "So, we might not be alone here after all… Or perhaps, we were never alone to begin with— Interesting"

Before Dominic could respond, Leigh called out to them from inside the house. She had finished dressing and emerged with a curious look on her face. "I can hear roars on the other side of the river," she said. "Because of the ice barrier, I could hear the echoes of their growls inside the house as well."

Arden and Dominic exchanged glances, their curiosity sharpening like a blade. Without hesitation, they stepped inside the house, the air thick with an eerie stillness. Dominic, with a flick of his wrist, cast an ice barrier over the first floor, sealing them within a protective veil.

Arden knelt, pressing his ear against the fractured wooden planks of the ground floor. "She's right," he murmured, his voice laced with intrigue. "I can hear something moving beneath us."

Leigh folded her arms, her expression thoughtful. "A tunnel? A hidden chamber?"

Dominic tapped a finger against his chin, eyes scanning the dim surroundings. "Only one way to find out."

Determined, they split up, each scanning the room for any sign of an entrance—an unseen path leading into the unknown depths below.

To the right of the old house entrance, Leigh's eyes narrowed as she noticed a pile of rocks beneath a towering tree, its gnarled roots stretching toward a nearby pool of water. Scattered bones lay half-buried in the soil, remnants of something—or someone—that had met an unknown fate. A strange, almost eerie stillness hung over the area. She called the two over, her voice low. "I think you both need to see this."

Arden took his spear and drove it into the ground, loosening the packed earth until a dark opening emerged beneath them. A faint draft seeped upward, carrying with it the damp scent of stone and something more—something old and forgotten.

"Magician," Arden called, gesturing to Dominic for light. With a flick of his wrist, Dominic conjured a floating orb of luminescent energy, sending it downward to pierce the shadows below. The cavern stretched into the unknown, its depths swallowing the glow like a beast devouring its prey.

Without hesitation, Arden leaped down, his silhouette vanishing into the darkness. Leigh and Dominic stood at the edge, the dim light flickering against their uncertain expressions.

"You two stay there and wait for my signal," Arden’s voice echoed from below, his tone steady, yet tinged with something unspoken—anticipation, or perhaps a warning.

As soon as Arden landed below, a series of guttural roars echoed through the cavern, reverberating off the walls. Then, just as suddenly as they had begun, they fell into an eerie silence. A moment later, Arden’s voice drifted up from the darkness. "You can come down now."

Leigh stepped forward, ready to jump, but Dominic placed a hand in front of her. "Just a moment, Miss Valverde." With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a sturdy, shimmering ladder that extended down into the depths. Leigh smirked, crossing her arms. "Always the gentleman," she mused, amused by his ever-theatrical approach.

They carefully descended the wooden ladder into the depths below, each step creaking softly under their weight. Anticipation tightened their chests as the cavern’s dim glow gradually revealed the scene before them. Their breath hitched as their eyes landed on three slain Trolls sprawled lifelessly near Arden, who stood unbothered, his spear glistening with fresh blood.

Dominic let out a low whistle, his eyes scanning the carnage before them. "Well, that certainly explains the sudden silence."

As they ventured deeper into the chamber, they found themselves standing at its heart. The walls bore precise carvings, their symmetry and craftsmanship too deliberate to be natural. It was no ordinary cavern—this was a structured space, its purpose unmistakable. Signs of habitation were evident, from the faint markings on the stone to the strategic layout of the room. Someone, or something, had been using this underground stronghold as a barracks for soldiers, and it was still in active use.

As they approached, faint noises echoed from beyond the wooden door, low growls and heavy footsteps reverberating through the cavern. Arden raised a hand, signaling for silence before peering through a small gap in the wood. His gaze sharpened as he spotted three Trolls, their hulking forms standing in tense anticipation, led by a formidable Troll Chieftain. The air in the chamber felt charged, as if the creatures had been waiting for something—or someone. Arden’s grip on his weapon tightened. "Well," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, "that explains last night's attack."

Leigh and Dominic leaned in for a closer look. Leigh's brows furrowed as the realization settled in. "They were right beneath us this whole time... watching, waiting." Inside the cave, the four Trolls patrolled methodically, their movements unnervingly synchronized, as if they were following an unseen command.

Arden turned to Dominic and Leigh, signaling them to prepare. With a shared nod, they moved in perfect sync, bursting through the door and catching the Trolls off guard. Chaos erupted as steel clashed against brute strength. The battle was fierce but decisive—the trio’s precise coordination left the enemy with little chance to react. One by one, the Trolls fell, their roars silenced by the swift onslaught.

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As the final Troll collapsed, Arden exhaled, steadying his grip on his weapon. He turned to Dominic, a knowing glint in his eyes, and gestured. "Gather the loot. No sense leaving empty-handed."

Dominic grinned as he effortlessly used his magic to gather the scattered gold, weapons, and trinkets, neatly storing them in a pouch they had looted from the previous night's battle. "Magic really does make life easier," he mused, watching the items float into the bag with precise control. "I don't know how you two manage without it."

A sign caught Leigh's attention, prompting her to step closer and read it. "Dreadfang’s Troll Clan," she murmured. "So, this is their domain, they call themselves Dreadfangs..." Arden and Dominic joined her, scanning the inscription with curiosity. Arden then noticed two paths—one leading right and the other continuing straight. His gaze flickered with determination as he exhaled. "Looks like we have a choice to make," he said. Then, with a smirk and an adventurous gleam in his eyes, he added, "Let's move forward."

As they ventured deeper into the cavern, they came across four wooden boxes. "Now we're talking," Dominic said with a grin, eagerly prying them open, only to find them empty. Leigh smirked. "You always get your hopes up too quickly," she teased.

Arden’s gaze landed on a sword resting atop one of the boxes. Its blade, though dulled with time, carried an unmistakable aura of craftsmanship. He picked it up, testing its balance with a flick of his wrist. "I'm starting to like this place," he mused, intrigued by the weapon’s weight. Setting his spear aside, his eyes wandered to a studded helmet resting on a club in the upper left corner of the cavern. He lifted it, examining its crude design before slipping it on. Swinging the sword experimentally, he adjusted to its heft.

"Looking good, Sir Arden," Leigh quipped with a chuckle.

Arden scoffed, removing the helmet and placing it back on the box. "Not exactly my style," he admitted before motioning for them to continue deeper into the cavern.

As they moved forward, the corridor narrowed, forcing them into a tight formation. The dim glow from Dominic’s conjured light cast flickering shadows along the rocky walls. Then, without warning, four Trolls emerged from the darkness, their deep growls echoing through the confined space. Two of them, larger and clad in crude armor, took the lead—their formidable presence marking them as a Leader of their kind.

The moment the enemies charged, Arden met them head-on, his newly found sword cutting through the air with a resonant hum. The first Troll barely had time to react before the blade sliced cleanly through its defense, its sharpness surprising even Arden. "Not bad," he muttered, adjusting his grip as another brute swung at him with a heavy club.

Dominic flicked his wrist, summoning a burst of flames that forced one of the Leaders to stagger back, roaring in fury. "They’re persistent, I’ll give them that!" he quipped, his tone light despite the intensity of the battle.

Leigh, moving with graceful efficiency, weaved through a Troll’s defenses before driving her blade through its chest. She spared Arden a teasing glance. "Try to keep up!"

Arden smirked, smoothly pivoting as he twirled his sword, severing the last enemy in a single, fluid motion. The heavy thud of bodies hitting the ground marked the swift end of the skirmish. Despite the ferocity of their foes, their precise teamwork had once again secured their victory. With a shared glance, they pressed on, deeper into the unknown.

Emerging from the narrow passage, they stepped into a clearing where three Trolls, led by a towering Troll Chieftain, stood guarding a massive stone formation. As the battle erupted, Arden wielded his newly found sword, testing its weight and balance with each precise strike. "This blade moves well," he muttered, slicing through a Troll with a swift, fluid arc.

Leigh dodged a heavy swing, smirking. "Finally using something other than that spear? Took you long enough."

Arden parried an incoming blow, his grin widening. "Figured I’d give it a try. Seems to be working so far."

Dominic, sending a blast of flame into a charging Troll, chuckled. "Just don’t get too attached if it breaks!"

As the last Troll collapsed, Arden gave the sword an approving spin before smoothly sheathing it. The battle was swift, but the thrill of combat lingered as they turned their attention to what lay ahead.

Turning their attention to the cavern ahead, they carefully surveyed their surroundings. In the center lay an unlit campfire, its charred remains suggesting recent use. Two crude beds were positioned on the right, and a small wooden table held an empty jug and cup, coated in a thin layer of dust. Leigh studied the setup with narrowed eyes. "Looks like these Trolls rested here… and not too long ago."

Her gaze shifted to the two paths ahead—one veering upward-left, the other descending into the darkness. "Which way?" she asked.

Arden rubbed his chin, eyes flickering toward the downward path. "Straight down seems more promising—or more dangerous."

Dominic smirked. "Then I guess that’s where we’re going." Without hesitation, he stepped forward, leading the way deeper into the unknown.

At the end of the cavern, they stumbled upon two Trolls gathered around a beer cask, their guttural laughter echoing off the stone walls. The creatures barely had time to react before the trio launched into battle. The clash was brief but intense, ending with the trolls slumped motionless on the ground.

As the dust settled, Arden wiped his blade clean, glancing at the barrel with an amused smirk. "They were just having a drink, and we crashed their party."

Leigh folded her arms. "A party with Trolls isn’t exactly my idea of fun."

Dominic stepped forward, his eyes catching the glint of two gold coins resting atop a small table. "Still, if they have beer, that means there’s some level of civilization down here."

Beyond the barrel, a set of worn stone steps led deeper into the cavern. A cold draft seeped upward, carrying an eerie stillness that prickled at their senses.

"Looks like this is our way forward," Arden said, his grip tightening around his sword as he took the first step.

Dominic eagerly descended first, but the moment his feet hit the cavern floor, a sudden movement in the shadows caught his eye. Four Trolls, led by a towering Troll Chieftain, lunged from the darkness, their guttural roars shaking the cavern walls. Without hesitation, Dominic's instincts kicked in. He sidestepped the first blow, his body moving with effortless agility as he weaved between their attacks. Fire flared from his fingertips, illuminating the chamber in a fierce glow as he unleashed a well-timed burst of magic. The heat surged forward, engulfing the nearest Trolls in searing flames, their roars turning into pained howls.

As the last enemy collapsed, the embers still crackling in the air, Arden let out a low whistle. "Remind me never to bet against you."

Leigh shaking her head in disbelief. "You make it look effortless, almost like you’ve done this a thousand times before."

Dominic grinned, dusting off his coat with a smug flick of his wrist. "What can I say? Some of us are just born gifted."

The cavern was the largest they had encountered so far, its vast expanse amplifying the eerie silence that hung in the air. Three paths stretched before them—one sloping downward to the right, another winding upward, and a third veering sharply to the left. Arden studied the routes for a moment, his gaze lingering on the leftmost path. "That one looks more promising," he said, though a hint of uncertainty colored his voice.

Leigh traced her fingers along the uneven rock formations, her eyes narrowing. "Or more dangerous," she mused.

Dominic exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Well, we've come this far. No point in turning back now." With that, he strode forward. "Left it is."

As they moved to the left, they passed by four empty crates, briefly checking their contents before stepping into what appeared to be a barracks. The moment they entered, they were met with an unexpected sight—four Trolls and four Troll Chieftains, all caught mid-action, their expressions frozen in shock. The tension in the air thickened as both sides locked eyes, mirroring each other's surprise. For a brief moment, the entire room fell into an eerie silence, as if time itself had stalled, each side hesitating, unsure of what would happen next.

Dominic blinked. "Uh… do we say hi first or—?"

Arden scratched his head. "I feel like we just walked into someone’s living room uninvited."

One of the Trolls grunted, seemingly just as confused. Another reached for its weapon, eyes narrowing.

Leigh sighed dramatically. "Well, I guess we’re skipping pleasantries." With a smirk, she lunged forward, breaking the tense silence with the first strike.

The battle erupted into chaos, steel clashing against brute strength. Sparks flew in the dim cavern as weapons met with bone-crushing force. The trolls roared, their guttural cries echoing through the barracks, while the trio moved with practiced precision, dodging heavy strikes and countering with deadly accuracy.

Trolls came in relentless waves, their numbers seemingly endless, surging forward with primal fury. The trio fought tirelessly, their weapons slicing through the hordes, but for every troll that fell, another took its place. The cavern trembled under the sheer force of their relentless assault.

Steel clashed, flames roared, and battle cries echoed in the barracks, yet the enemies showed no sign of stopping. The trio exchanged brief, determined glances—they knew retreat wasn’t an option. They have no choice but fight until there was nothing left standing.

There was no escape. Only the fight. Only survival.

And they were trapped.