Shawn rose and rolled out of the way of another attack. I stood between the majority of the minions and my friend. “You ok?!” I asked.

“I’ll be alright,” replied Shawn as he batted one of the minions back into the water.

“Focus on Khugor, I’ll hold these bitches off,” I said. There were only a few on the other side of Shawn. Nothing he couldn’t handle. “Alright then,” I squeezed the handle of my sword. “Let’s do this.”

I leapt at the four-legged minion as it charged. My sword slashed its face, I pivoted to its side and scored another hit. The beast snarled and bit at my feet. Dodging the teeth, I moved out of the way and struck again. The fourth blow impaled the creature and an arc of dark purple blood sprayed through the air as I withdrew my sword.

LvL 3 Khudgath Spawn slain, +45 Exp.

It didn’t seem like they had too much health. I let on a smile then saw five more crawling up out of the water. Without wasting any time, I ran to the closest one. Readying my sword, a creature jumped and clawed at my face. I nearly tripped trying to fall back, flailing with my sword. I got a few good hits in before my blade lopped its head off.

LvL 3 Khudgath Spawn slain, +45 Exp.

Just as the animalistic body rolled back into the water, two more took its place. With each attacking one after another. It was all I could do to block each attack, all while giving ground. I looked quickly over my shoulder to find Shawn dodging Khugor’s massive arm and counter attacking. If I kept falling back, I’d bump into Shawn in no time. “I survived the goblin chieftain,” I whispered. “These sure as shit aren’t gonna kill me.”

Without a plan, I jumped and pushed off the cavern wall. Twisting in the air, I landed behind the Spawn and brought my sword around in a slash, hitting both creatures in their faces, both staggered back from the blow. I thrust my sword into one, then brought it around, hitting both a second time. The next strike took the weaker beast’s head.

LvL 3 Khudgath Spawn slain, +45 Exp.

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The remaining beast jumped backwards, out of range. A snarl came from behind, I was now in between four minions. Two jumped at me from one side, I sidestepped one and blocked the other. Behind me, one bit my back. -3 fell from my health bar. I whirled around, swinging my sword around in a full circle around me. I struck a couple of them, but I was still at a disadvantage, with only 2HP left. If I sprained my ankle, it’d probably fuckin’ kill me.

I rammed my shoulder into one of the creatures and stabbed the beast next to it, then dodged an incoming attack towards my back. My breath was heavy and I could feel weariness creep through my limbs.I lunged at one, then attacked its friend instead, all while trying to dodge an attack from behind. My breathing became heavy and my muscles ached for rest, but I was wearing their health down. If I could keep it up, I might just walk away from this.

One of the Spawn lunged at me from behind. I fell on my side, watching it sail over me. Pushing up to a knee, I thrust my sword at the next one approaching me. My blade sunk into the minion’s open mouth and exited the back of its head.

LvL 3 Khudgath Spawn slain, +45 Exp.

I turned to find another minion’s jaws about to bite my face. The creature shuddered then collapsed on its flank, an arrow stuck out of the side of its head. I quickly looked over to find Shawn nod and stow his bow, preparing to dodge Khugor’s next attack.

Now there were only two minions left, more of a fair fight. I tried not to waste the momentum. I feigned right then whirled and brought my sword down on the beast behind me. My blade cleaved its head nearly in two.

LvL 3 Khudgath Spawn slain, +45 Exp.

Turning on the remaining enemy, I blocked its attack and countered. The creature stepped back and the second strike of my combo saw my blade slide into its chest.

LvL 3 Khudgath Spawn slain, +45 Exp.

Now there was only Khugor left, whose back was now coming right at me. I braced for impact as the giant beast lurched away from Shawn, holding its face. It was down to a quarter of its health. To Shawn’s credit, that took some doing.

The back of the monster collided with the rocky shore next to me. I knew I could score some hits, but I was so hurt, if I couldn’t dodge the counter attack I was screwed. A crazy idea came to mind. Without any longer to think, I jumped as high as I could onto Khugor and stabbed my sword into its back.