Norbert, ahead of the pack, entered the chamber first, eyes wide in surprise at what lay before him—shocked by how the chamber once looked compared to what lay before his eyes. Everything was now in complete disarray in what was once an orderly and pristine chamber.

Norbert quickly scanned the floor, hoping not to find any bodies, breathing a sigh of relief that it hadn't gone as bad as he thought it would. Waiting near the tunnel entrance, not wanting to get lost or trapped in the swarm of insectoids, Norbert looked towards the queen's last known position. Its squishy sac used to release its eggs, once white and unmarked, now left to the side, jagged holes, scorched black with tears throughout, now looking like a tired, worn-out boot.

The egg sac had no queen attached; Norbert quickly scanned the room, following the trail of lights from the mages and hearing the battle cries echoing. Finally, his group joined him together making their way towards the main expedition, spells flying everywhere.

Whenever a fire-insectoid came towards him, Norbert would punch the creature, most of the time just cracking the carapace, killing it instantly stopping any fireballs it could create. Other times his punch glanced, the insectoid would fly through the air, getting lost in the crowd around them. Inspecting his hand throughout the fight, expecting to find his gloves in tatters, but every time surprised that the gloves had held up, not even getting a single scratch or cut on them.

Whispering thanks to the crafter for making them so durable, Norbert continued. After what felt like a lifetime, the worry in Norbert's stomach only grew as he neared the rest of the expedition. Looking towards the queen, now so far away, Norbert tried once more to squash his fears. The queen now backed into a corner, barely able to move; the ferocious beast he had seen when he first entered attacking with everything was now gone.

Norbert stayed with the group of mages, seeing the other fighters rush off towards the queen, trying to stop it as quickly as possible. As time passed Norbert assisted the mages and transported people to the healers whenever needed. Norbert started to run around the chamber, trying to find out what he was missing, as he knew something wasn’t adding up.

As he looked towards the chamber ceiling, now seeing it clearly, Norbert tilted his head, noticing the peculiar pattern, having undulations slowly getting brighter and brighter. Norbert looked towards the tunnels, seeing the once-dark passages start to brighten.

Gulping, Norbert looked towards the rest of the expedition, seeing others also point it out as the shadows, once flashing and constantly moving from the multiple spells, started to lessen, a spotlight engulfing them. Norbert looked towards the queen.

Moving she made her way towards the chamber's centre, going once more towards her sac. As Norbert looked in horror, her once weak, slow movements getting stronger with every step, scuttling its way standing upon the sac. Stopping, it bathed in the light; the fighters that had pinned it to the corner rushed towards the queen.

Norbert looked around, rooted in his spot, not knowing where to go or what to do. Just staring at the queen, his body moving on instinct to hit anything heading his way, Norbert watched in horror, mouth agape at what he witnessed.

Standing on its hind legs, the queen opened its mouth, the screech once more coming out. Norbert braced himself on the ground, covering his ears from the impact. With the screech, a wave appeared from the queen's body, fire rolling away from the insectoid.

It spread throughout the chamber, and everything it touched burst into flame; Norbert looked around, seeing spells going up all over the place to protect the people from the inferno. Now all alone, Norbert sprinted towards the mage group, hoping he would make it in time.

Norbert saw others with the same idea, all sprinting towards safety in whichever form they deemed applicable. As Norbert jumped forward, the once slow-moving barrier expanding rapidly; when Norbert was impacted, his body was sent flying to the wall of the chamber, the shock wave feeling like the warm sun on him, his head impacting the wall as his body twisted around his backpack, happy that it had taken the brunt of the force.

Flopping onto the ground, Norbert smelt barbeque around him, his stomach grumbling at wanting some ribs, able to tear off one piece at a time; as Norbert tried to smell it further, his arm hit his face. Cracking open a single eye, Norbert looked around.

Lying on the floor, happy that nothing had touched him, Norbert slowly craned his head towards the centre, hearing anguish and screams throughout, bright spots of light dashing in and out as Norbert saw beams come back, laughing to himself that the boss fight had now entered its second phase.

As he slowly stood up, the entire front of his body feeling crisp, unknown liquid covering his legs, Norbert stumbled across to the group of mages, occasionally looking up to ensure he wasn't going in the wrong direction. Staring at the ground in front of his feet, just focusing on going one step after another.

"WE FOUND HIM!" Norbert tried to look up, unable to as his head was seized in place from the scabbing, too painful to move any further only moving his eyes to see who was talking. Suddenly Norbert felt himself being picked up, his feet no longer touching the ground, cringing in pain as the wind swept over his burnt face and his weight was on his burnt arms.

Stopping finally, Norbert felt warmth around him, lulling him into sleep. Norbert's body tensed up, waiting for the barrier that ripped through his body before coming again. Staring at the ceiling, seeing multiple heads look down at him, a green light filtering through as Norbert felt his skin slowly crawl back together, the pain dissipating from his body. Closing his eyes, happy that he was being healed and hoping soon he would be as right as rain.

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Norbert waited patiently, focusing only on his breathing and trying to wash out the sounds of battle around him, knowing he would not be able to do anything other than wait. As the lights dimmed above him, Norbert opened his eyes, the pain now gone instead of wracking his body whenever he tried to breathe or move his head.

Standing on wobbly feet, Norbert looked around; one of the healers came up to him saying, "You’ve healed up quite nicely, but expect to crash soon." Norbert just nodded in response, only half hearing the mage as he looked out towards the queen, the fire in her belly as she absorbed the sunlight entering her tomb.

As Norbert looked towards them, once more having cuts over her, looking worse for wear but still not stopping, Norbert walked forward. Dousan glowed, each thrust of his sword a stream of light escaping, smashing into the queen’s body. As he looked in awe as each person was able to carve out a piece of the queen, suddenly it dropped to the floor.

Dousan climbed on top of it and rested the sword on its head; its once intact head shattered into a thousand pieces as his sword struck into it each piece falling towards the ground slick with blood.

As the cheers went around the chamber, everyone exhausted after the battle; they all came together into the centre surrounding the still queen. Barriers surrounded the group, stopping any workers from interrupting their celebrations and reprieve.

As everyone rested, Norbert saw Dousan and the other leaders walk around the group, giving pats on the back and words of appreciation. As Norbert watched the other scouts dotted around, Norbert just watched the barrier, waiting for it to be his turn, wondering if he would ever get a turn.

As Norbert started to inspect his clothes, seeing the leather was still intact, but the edges of his shirt had somehow gotten burnt and clicking his tongue in annoyance at needing to get a new shirt from somewhere, a shadow formed next to him. Looking to the side Martitia stood there and just looking out towards the workers swarming around.

Norbert returned to looking at the small number of workers and soldiers still in the chamber, most slowly making their way through the tunnels to who knows where. As Norbert looked at the closer workers, trying their hardest to break through but unable to, Martitia finally spoke, "You've done well today, especially for your first time."

Norbert looked at her and nodded in response, not wanting to interrupt her as she continued speaking, "The usage of the elixirs you have received is outstanding, and your toughness from whatever", she indicated in the direction of his entire body "that does is remarkable."

Once more, nodding in response, Norbert looked slightly down to Martitia, waiting for her to continue. "I've noticed your apprehension to using your blades, relying more on your fists than anything, any reason why?"

Norbert opened his mouth, "The", hearing himself croak out, feeling dryness in his mouth. Norbert opened his backpack, removing his water skin and wetting his mouth. Placing it back in his bag, Norbert saw the damage to the outside, hoping that nothing within was similarly damaged. Placing the backpack on the ground, his shoulders happy not to have the extra weight on them.

Opening his mouth to speak, "Sorry about that; the reason why I don't use the blades", Norbert indicated to his daggers and knife ", is that I have no experience using them." Norbert looked down towards Martitia, seeing the smile form on her face, the first time he had seen her smile, uncertain at what his future may hold.

"That's perfect then", Martitia replied, clasping her hand together and rubbing them against each other, her lips now turning into a grin. "It's been decided to see you as an investment; for the foreseeable future, you will not be doing patrols during the day with the others, and neither will you go out at night."

Norbert opened his mouth to rebut, not wanting to lose his job; opening his mouth to reply, he was cut off by Martitia's hand raised towards him saying, "Instead, you will be training under the tutelage of this merry band." Turning around, she waved her hand out to the people before her.

Norbert looked, seeing the smiles and laughs echoing around everyone, showing wounds they received and moving to each other. Others just resting on the ground, eyes closed and completely relaxed. Even the mages in their blue robes, holding up the barrier, were conversing in the centre, not caring about what they just went through or witnessed.

"Also, in the coming days, you will be given a gift; Let's just say it's another form of investment to show our seriousness in you. Do us all proud, and together we shall fly" She finished her speech, holding her hand in the air.

Norbert looked at her hand, pointing towards the ceiling with her index finger, her other fingers closed into a fist. Behind the index finger, her thumb was placed, preventing it from forming a fist. As Norbert spotted others making the same motion, he joined in as everyone raised their hand in the air, copying the position.

Dousan lowered his hand, the others following him until they all stared at him. "Ok, everyone, time to head back to the town; anything we find along the way needs to be put down; we leave in a rotation."

The group now moving to action. People lounged and rose to their feet, checking things and stretching. As Norbert looked around, staring at the tunnel leading towards the forest, the amount in the chamber even less than before Norbert saw, thinking they hurried off before they could be decimated like their queen.

As the barriers went down, a wash of spells shot out, stopping any fire insectoids in their tracks and sending them either burning to a crisp, flying backwards or melting into puddles of goo.

Norbert noted not to get hit by any of the green spells, as they seemed to turn things into goo. Together the forty-odd people made their way through the tunnels and chambers, jogging through and quickly exterminating everything in their path.

As they wound their way through the tunnels, more workers being apparent and clearing them out of the chambers, Norbert looked around at the destruction they had caused; what was once brimming with life in the dark was now smashed and broken under the sunlight passing through.

Making their way through, finally reaching the end, Norbert saw the rope dangling down. As they entered the chamber, hearing shouts from up above as the small number of fire-insectoids left tried to climb out; before falling back into a smoking mess, the group slowly climbed up the rope.

When it was Norbert's turn, he climbed up, at the last bit, reaching out and a hand coming down, clasping together and being dragged out. Norbert looked towards the forest, the size of the trees much thicker than any he had seen on Earth, though dwarfed compared to the plateaus.

Looking towards the tree, Norbert spotted his black-speckled friend; gliding off the branch, Obsius landed on Norbert's shoulder. Turning his head to the side to look at him, Norbert asked, "And where have you been all this time?"