There was nothing shameful about running away. Especially not when 50 angry orcs poured from the gates of the camp. It certainly wasn’t shameful when a group of the creatures locked onto the party after Ethan shrieked with terror. Tumbling through the underbrush, they bolted for the valley. Only when the burst from the forest, finding Tulip bolting northward, did they slow their pace.
Targe brought his shield around, angling it toward the forest. A rustling, then five orcs emerged with weapons ready. Ethan hesitated for only a moment before casting [Summon Telbarantis]. Twist slipped to the side, gaining the attention of one orc. The Fighter pushed forward, slamming with his shield and stabbing with his spear. He lost control of the weapon, the bronze tip firmly lodged in one monster.
Telbarantis burst from his circle, sparing no time to assess the situation. Four orcs were pounding on Targe’s shield, chipping away at his health with every blow. Tell took one orc by the foot and tossed it aside, sending the creature tumbling over rocks and into the underbrush. He then snarled, hissed, and engaged another.
Ethan could only focus on keeping Targe’s health from dipping to zero. Down to three orcs to contend with, the Fighter was doing much better now. It helped that two of the five orcs were only Rank 0, putting them at a serious disadvantage. The Caller spotted an opening with the remaining orcs, and shook his staff. A bell rang across the open field, the [Spur] ability applying to Tel. The spirit grew not to twice his size, but at least three times. He surged with power, flailing among the melee with gnashing jaws and swiping tail.
“More!” Twist shouted.
Through the forest, another group of four burst forth. They spotted the party in an instant and descended.
“Fighting retreat to the valley,” Targe shouted, placing one foot behind the other as he held his shield.
“Fucking run!” Ethan shouted, ordering Tel to make a mess of the area.
Telbarantis was happy to obey. Still under the enhancing effects of [Spur], the spirit thrashed through the orcs. What monsters weren’t already sent prone by the beast’s savage jaws or stunning tail were soon sent tumbling to the ground. Each member of Targe’s adventuring party turned tail and ran. Moments after they’d gained distance, Ethan saw his summon die in battle. Skidding to a stop, the Caller used [Rapid Summon] and brought forth Luca.
The silver squirrel jumped, casting [Barrier of Hope] on Targe before taking off across the field. He would keep the orcs busy long enough for them to retreat. That was the hope, anyway. As they caught up to Tulip, still running away wildly, Luca went down. Reduced to 90 mana from the rapid assault, Ethan sighed with relief as [Caller’s Resilience] flooded through him. He sprinted again, joining with his retreating friends.
Targe got a hand on Tulip, comforting her. She chittered her mandibles, producing something that sounded like distress. More worrying, the orcs hadn’t given up. Across the open field, Ethan spotted them hot in pursuit. Of the original nine orcs, only three gave chase.
“Telbarantis really messed them up, huh?” Targe asked. “Lost my damn spear.”
“Again,” Twist said.
Ethan felt the effects of [Caller’s Resilience] wear off and cast [Summon Telbarantis] again without hesitation. He did a jig on the spot, activating the [Caller’s Sprint] effect on his shoes. The alligator took off into the distance like a fleeing hare, finding himself among the orcs in moments. He thrashed, sending more prone as he activated [Bulwark], absorbing a heavy strike to the head. The Caller shook his staff, the second bell ringing across the open field.
[Caller’s Mana Regen] flooded through him, giving him full mana regen even in combat. He outpaced Tel’s perpetuation cost by 4 mana every 5 seconds. Sitting at 170 mana after the effects of [Caller’s Resilience], he wasn’t feeling too bad.
“Strategy?” Twist asked.
“Let Telbarantis do his thing,” Targe said. “Damn, Bells. How good is your [Mana Regen].”
“It’s a combination of things,” Ethan said, his breath finally slowing. He watched the battle below, knowing that Tel could never win. But that wasn’t the point. The spirit was tearing through the monsters’ limbs, shredding muscle and bringing them low to the ground. They’d have to crawl to attack the group at this rate.
The group rested on a rise, overlooking the battle below. Tel would never last long, but the damage was done. [Caller’s Resilience] activated yet again as [Caller’s Mana Regen] faded. At the end of this effect, he’d be at full mana.
Those advantages washed away in an instant. In the distance, the horn sounded. It echoed over the land, urging the fallen orcs to attack the group that had assaulted their camp. The orcs dug into the ground with their fingers, dragging themselves across the landscape. Targe refused to execute them, not willing to place his party in a disadvantageous position. When the Rank 2 orc sub-boss showed his massive, ugly face, that decision was cemented as a good one.
“Knew it,” Targe said, rolling his shoulders.
Ethan counted the moments down as his mana regen effect faded. The sub-boss lingered on the far side of the field, near the break in the forest. Behind him stood a party of orcs, impossible to count from this distance. But the Caller wouldn’t wait. He cast [Summon Lucantele] and sent the silver squirrel to the middle of the field. The spirit tore into the downed orcs, biting into their necks while they were defenseless. Ignoring the flood of experience notifications, he kept his eyes on the sub-boss.
“We’ve done sub-bosses before,” Targe said. “Can’t remember fighting a Rank 2 in an open field… but that shouldn’t matter. Standard tactics.”
When Luca had finished with those orcs in the center of the field, Ethan dismissed him. Out of combat, his [Mana Regen] attribute kicked in. Before the sub-boss even acted, he was back at full mana. Then the horn sounded again, and the orcs charged into the field.
They hadn’t discussed this scenario before. No one in the party could have understood how good Tel was at delaying humanoid monsters. As Ethan cast [Summon Telbarantis], he knew this was the right move. The sub-boss must have sent his highest ranking orcs to the fore during their initial confrontation. The five monsters that charged with him were all Rank 0. Perfect fodder for a hungry alligator.
Tel waddled into the field, ignored completely by the sub-boss as he passed. Among the five Rank 0 orcs, he wrought havoc. Tail slapping, jaw crunching, the spirit painted the field with the orcs. That give Targe room to work.
The Fighter activated an ability, shooting forward like a cannonball. The sound of the impact echoed across the field, the reverberating shield singing after slamming into the orc. Then Twist was behind the sub-boss, driving twin daggers into the monster’s back. It shouted a cry before spinning around to swat away the Rogue. Targe drove forward, sensing the opening and drawing thin red lines over the sub-boss’ back.
Ethan’s eyes were locked on Tel’s fight. The lizard-spirit wasn’t doing horribly, but he wasn’t winning. Health points drained away by the moment, and not every orc had been crippled. Two still stood, keeping out of the spirit’s range with sharpened sticks. The moment Tel went down, the Caller was casting [Summon Lucantele]. He wouldn’t wait for his mana to regenerate, relying on his [Mana Tap Ring] when the time was right.
Targe took the next strike from the sub-boss well, absorbing the full force of the bladed blow with his shield. The shield rang, then the Fighter was flung back on his ass. Twist ducked below a backhand strike, driving up with his daggers. The orc was shocked when the Rogue held his hand out, channeling a spell. Sword sailing down to interrupt the casting, the sub-boss only hit air. Its body shimmered with red energy, then blood burst from each wound like a tide.
Lucantele jumped, using his [Persistent Light of Hope] on Targe. Knocked down to 120 mana, Ethan relied on that heal-over-time effect to keep his friend fighting. Luca had little trouble keeping the pair of Rank 0 orcs distracted. The tide had already shifted for them in the open field. Although Targe was tossed around like a rag doll, the healing effect kept him alive. Twist’s deadly bleeding effect sapped the monster’s life away.
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In the distance, another horn blew.
“You’re joking,” Ethan said, scanning the horizon.
From the forest came another group of orcs. Headed by another massive creature. Another sub-boss.
“Finish him quickly! We have another sub-boss!” Ethan shouted.
“Of course we—” Targe said, grunting as he caught another bone-crushing blow from the sub-boss. One deadly enough where Ethan drained his precious mana with a [Cure Minor Wounds].
Down to 85 mana.
Luca had finished his group of orcs and was running across the field without command. He headed directly for the new sub-boss, charging to meet him half-way. The spirit wanted to activate [Caller’s Resilience] as far away as possible, giving Ethan enough time to gain some mana back for the effort.
“He won’t die!” Twist shouted, stabbing the orc in the back repeatedly. One dagger stuck against bone, and the Rogue couldn’t pull it free. The Sub-boss swatted him aside, sending the dark elf rolling into an embankment of rocks.
“Come on,” Ethan said.
Luca engaged the sub-boss, dodging the first strike but taking a follow-up right to the face. Without pain to stop him, the spirit kept fighting. It was his intention to hold that group up while Targe and Twist dealt with their first sub-boss. Ethan watched in horror as the Symbol fell. Far faster than it should have. He closed his eyes.
“Lucantele. Damn, are you close enough to hear me? I need help,” Ethan whispered.
A prayer that carried on the wind. Falling onto deaf ears. A spirit either too uncaring or too distant to help.
Ethan’s eyes snapped open. He used his [Mana Tap Ring], then cast [Summon Telbarantis]. He wasn’t up any mana points by then, spending what he gained from the ring on his summoning spell. An hour cooldown remained on his staff’s effects and [Rapid Summon]. As Tel waddled over the battlefield, he realized he was out of tricks. Twist and Targe had nothing worth note. Unless something happened, they’d die there on that field.
Telbarantis went to tear into the sub-boss’ followers, but he was having none of that. Turning and snatching the spirit up by the throat, the monster tossed him aside as though he were nothing. Targe struggled to keep his footing against the first sub-boss. Twist turned on the spot and rolled his shoulders, staring down the charging orcs. He tilted his head. Cupped his ear. Then turned around.
A dark shadow sailed over Ethan’s head. A billowing cloak that caught theair,r then a bellowing cry of battle. With a deft swipe of a sword, especially dexterous considering he was airborne, the man removed the first sub-boss’ head. Falling into a roll and maintaining his sword, the Pit dashed toward the second sub-boss.
Tel was already there, snatching the sub-boss by the foot and dragging it to the ground. Targe and Twist didn’t hesitate, rushing into battle to aid their fellow adventurer. A rustle of cloth behind him, then Ethan saw Radiant jumping from the small hill. The Caller ran after him, intending to lend his healing magic to the efforts.
“Great timing!” Ethan shouted.
A pair of ethereal stag’s horns appeared above Radiant’s head, radiating a pulse of golden magic. Ethan felt the healing spell rush through his body. Then his companion’s health bars were at full. It seemed to even affect Tel. With the party bolstered, they made quick work of the second sub-boss. They weren’t tied to the difficulty scaling of the dungeon, so the sub-boss didn’t grow stronger with more adventurers. Targe tanked the orc while Twist, Pit, and Tel cleaned up the rabble. A few moments of heated battle, then the second sub-boss fell to the ground. Dead.
Ethan collapsed on the spot, his heart working to leap from his chest. He heard the sounds of blades finishing the lingering orcs. Pit’s low voice grumbling about something. Then he felt the calming presence of Radiant near him.
“I’m not sure if that was brave, or stupid,” Radiant said.
“Stupid!” Pit shot back.
“I think it was quite brave. You would have won if there wasn’t another sub-boss,” Radiant said, chuckling.
“We owe you, man,” Ethan said, gasping for breath. His heart wasn’t calming down. Not even after Tel’s Symbol came over to lick his face. His tongue was like sandpaper.
“It was a matter of numbers,” Pit said. “No one would have expected another sub-boss. That shouldn’t be a thing.”
“Unless… well, that would just be crazy,” Radiant said. He laughed. “I figured it out. There isn’t a single dungeon in the camp. There’s two!”
“Ugh,” Ethan groaned, rising to a seated position. “Can that happen?”
“Two dungeons in the same spot?” Targe strode over, searching the fallen orcs for his spear. He didn’t find it. “Not sure. I’ve never heard of it.”
“Me either,” Twist said.
“Nope,” Pit added his wisdom.
“So the orcs have a unique situation,” Ethan said. “That’s horrible.”
“Radiant, Pit,” Targe said, bowing. “The loot is yours.”
“Targe,” Twist hissed.
Radiant laughed again. “We’ll take one of the sub-bosses. I doubt they have anything worthwhile.”
The Healer rose, leaving Ethan behind to loot the second sub-boss. A [Sub-boss Core] appeared in the air, along with a pile of silver coins. The items clattered to the ground, the core rolling around before coming to rest. “As expected.”
When Targe looted their sub-boss he found the same thing. Nothing of great value. But the experience was vast. Luca leveled to 6, Tel to 7, Ethan’s subcore to 2 and his main core to 3. Of course, the Caller put his free point into [Mind]. But the fight was intense. More tiring than most other fights he’d taken part in.
“Say, mind coming with us to the camp? To clear it out?” Ethan asked.
Radiant and Pit shared a look. The Healer cracked a smile. “We didn’t want to step on a Caller’s toes. You were searching for a dungeon, so we figured it was a good time to return to town.”
“Now there’s two dungeons,” Targe said, clapping Pit on the back. The other Fighter cast him a dangerous look.
“It’s best if we clear them at the same time, I think,” Radiant said.
Ethan noticed a shift in Radiant’s approach. Compared to the uncertain man he’d seen in Oudsted, this version was far more confident. Was that something simmering under the surface, or just the way he was? And he couldn’t even get a read on Pit. The man said so few words he seemed mute. But a simple fact remained. They’d come to the rescue and could take as many dungeons as they wanted. An even-split was more than fair.
“You gents up for that today?” Ethan asked.
Radiant and Pit shared another look. “Gents. Yes, I think we are.”
Targe gathered Tulip and led her to join the group. The expanded party moved across the scenes of destruction. They came across the scene where Tel was empowered by [Spur]. Several orcs still crawled along the ground, limbs crushed to uselessness or missing entirely.
“That was Telbarantis?” Radiant asked. “Very savage, compared to the gentle Great Spirit of Fertility the stories talk about.”
Ethan nodded in agreement. He’d never expected the spirit to fight like that. The differences between Telbarantis and Lucantele were many. But he appreciated both spirits for their talents. Especially now that Luca’s abilities were growing.
When the group entered the camp, they found a few orcs scattered around. They were dispatched with impunity, leaving the entire camp free of the horrid monsters. Only the stink of their existence remained. A stain on the peaceful mountainside area. While the camp was large, it wasn’t hard to find the two dungeons. They were placed next to each other, both Rank 1 [Orc Dungeons]. They rested against the stabbing crag of rock, revealing twin black mirror portals.
“Tea?” Twist asked.
“Oh, yes please,” Radiant said, finding a pleasant spot to sit.
Twist brought out his magic fire and prepared another kettle of tea. Ethan nursed his wineskin of watered wine, the events of the battle still reverberating in his mind. One fact about the area brought him great comfort. Neither of the dungeons were corrupted. They were basic orc dungeons, nothing more. At Rank 1, they wouldn’t be too difficult. Enough of a challenge to gain some experience, but nothing as wild as the [Corrupted Ant Dungeon].
Ethan bowed his head, accepting a cup of tea from Twist. It was another batch of the expensive tea. The scent of citrus flooded the Caller’s nose. The first sip of tea was always the best, and he savored it.
“I think you have a tea addiction, Twist,” Targe said.
“I do,” Twist responded.
“You’re a funny group, aren’t you?” Radiant asked.
“Not ‘haha’ funny,” Pit said, begrudgingly accepting a cup of tea.
“We’re a strange trio,” Targe admitted. “Not sure how we made it this far.”
“Did you ever doubt us?” Ethan asked.
“Yeah. Every time we almost die.”
The group settled down for some tea before heading into the dungeons. Adventurers knew about the time-dilation effect of dungeons. They knew that once they entered, they might not emerge for days. The time they spent in those confined tunnels was hectic. Even sleep didn’t come easy when you worried about monsters descending on you at any moment. But this would be Ethan’s first non-corrupted dungeon with his group. A test of how good they really were. When the cards weren’t stacked against them.