The soft glow of the brass lantern flickered in Eldrin's hand as he glanced down the dark passage, uncertainty gnawing at him. “Ruk, I don't have any torches left,” he said, his voice edged with worry. “And I don't know how long this magic lantern will last before it goes out.” He looked back from the passage they had come from, the darkness pressing against them from all sides. “I don't feel good about this. We need to leave now before we're left in complete darkness.”

Ruk looked up, nodding in understanding. “Ruk trusts Eldrin,” he replied simply.

Eldrin managed a smile and winked at his companion. “And with the money we have, we can get some good food and perhaps find better supplies. What do you think about that?”

Ruk’s eyes brightened with excitement. “Ruk likes food!” he exclaimed, rubbing his belly eagerly.

As they made their way back through the winding passages, they soon found themselves in the small chamber where Eldrin had first discovered the obsidian orb. Eldrin paused, looking at the dark, glowing sphere atop the pedestal. He hesitated for a moment, then walked over to the lever that had revealed the secret passage and pulled it, closing the passage behind them. He carefully reset the mechanism, concealing the lever once again to make sure no one else could easily discover it.

“Hopefully, this will keep others from venturing through the same path we took,” Eldrin said, more to himself than to Ruk. He turned back to the orb, its faint glow reflecting in his eyes. “This is imprisoning something terrible, Ruk.”

Ruk tilted his head, peering at the strange object. “Bad magic?” he asked.

“Yes, very bad,” Eldrin muttered as he approached the orb, his fingers tracing the ancient runes carved into the stone walls. “It’s holding something… a being called ‘Sha'kar.’ These runes say it’s a creature of pure shadow and chaos. Long ago, wizards bound it to this orb to keep it imprisoned, to stop it from spreading darkness across the world.”

Ruk’s eyes widened with fear. “Why no just destroy it?”

“Because destroying it could unleash Sha'kar’s power,” Eldrin explained, his voice tinged with unease. “The wizards who made this prison feared that if someone knew the right incantations, they could use the orb to release its power or even control it. It’s incredibly dangerous.”

Ruk stared at the orb for a moment, then looked up at Eldrin. “What do we do, Eldrin?”

“I don’t know,” Eldrin admitted. “But for now, we’ll leave it hidden here. I’ll find a way to deal with it when I’m more prepared.” He turned away from the orb, determination flickering in his eyes. “We’ve done what we can for now. Let’s get out of here.”

The two companions left the chamber, carefully closing the heavy iron door behind them. As they stepped out into the open air, the freshness of the wilderness greeted them, a welcome change from the stifling air inside the Spire. Eldrin looked back at the ancient ruins one last time, a sense of foreboding lingering in his heart. Whatever secrets lay buried there, they would have to wait.

“We are almost out, Ruk,” Eldrin said, trying to lighten the mood as they started their journey back through the forest. “I know there are some goblins who travel with humans, but it's not common. If someone says anything rude to you, please ignore them.” He paused and glanced at Ruk, who was walking beside him. “Once we sell the gems, we’ll get you some new clothes, a crawler’s pack, and of course, a nice meal and a bed to sleep in.”

“A real bed?” Ruk asked, his eyes wide with hope.

Eldrin chuckled. “A real bed. You’ve earned it.”

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The two continued through the dense wilderness, the forest growing thicker as they moved further away from the Hollow Spire. The air was humid, and the sound of distant creatures echoed around them, creating an uneasy atmosphere. Every rustling leaf made Eldrin tense, and he kept his staff ready, wary of any threats that might be lurking.

Suddenly, Ruk froze, his ears twitching. “Eldrin… something’s there,” he whispered, pointing toward a thicket of bushes up ahead.

Eldrin strained his ears and soon heard it too—the soft growls and the heavy padding of footsteps moving through the underbrush. “Stay close,” he murmured, raising his staff as he prepared himself. A pair of glowing eyes emerged from the shadows, followed by a massive wolf with matted fur and a low, menacing growl rumbling from its throat.

Two more wolves stepped out from the shadows, their eyes fixed on Eldrin and Ruk. They formed a half-circle, cutting off any chance of escape.

Ruk’s voice trembled slightly as he clutched his dagger. “Eldrin, what do we do?”

Eldrin’s mind raced. “We can’t outrun them,” he said. “Stay close. I’ll try something.” With a deep breath, Eldrin began chanting the incantation for his Sleep spell. A misty, shimmering light swirled from his hand, spreading out toward the wolves.

The lead wolf growled in defiance, but it was too late. The spell washed over them, and two of the wolves wavered, their eyes growing heavy before they collapsed to the ground in a deep slumber. The third wolf shook its head violently, fighting against the spell’s effects, and snarled, preparing to attack.

“Ruk, now!” Eldrin shouted.

Ruk didn’t hesitate. With a yell, he charged forward, his dagger flashing in the dim light as he slashed at the wolf’s side. The wolf howled in pain, stumbling back.

Eldrin raised his staff and released the Magic Missile spell, three bolts of glowing energy streaking through the air and striking the wolf. The force of the spell knocked it off balance, and with a final, desperate lunge, Ruk drove his dagger into the wolf’s chest. The creature let out one last whimper before collapsing to the ground.

“We did it,” Ruk panted, looking up at Eldrin with a tired but triumphant grin.

Eldrin nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. “Yes, Ruk. We did.”

The two sleeping wolves lay vulnerable, their chests rising and falling with each breath. Eldrin sighed, pulling out the rope from his pack. “I don’t think we can have them follow us,” he muttered, considering tying them to a tree. But then he shook his head. “If we tie them up, they’ll starve to death.”

He put the rope back into his bag. “It saddens me, but we must not allow these creatures to roam and attack travelers.”

Ruk glanced at the wolves and then at Eldrin. “Their hides… they’re good for winter,” he said quietly. “Warm.”

Eldrin hesitated, then nodded. “You’re right.” He moved toward the first wolf, his dagger in hand. “Let’s make sure nothing goes to waste.”

Together, they skinned all three wolves, their movements methodical and efficient. It was grim work, but they took no pleasure in it—only the knowledge that they were making the most of a difficult situation. When they finished, three thick, warm hides lay before them.

“These will keep us warm on cold nights,” Ruk said, smiling a little. “Ruk will carry them.” He bundled the hides carefully and stowed them in his bag, making sure they wouldn’t fall out.

“Thank you, Ruk,” Eldrin said sincerely. “Let’s get back to the road.”

They continued through the wilderness, finally reaching the main road as the sun began to set. As they walked, Eldrin asked, “Ruk, tell me more about your tribe. Your family. What was it like?”

“Ruk’s tribe called ‘Blackfang,’” the goblin began, his voice soft. “We lived in caves. There weren’t many of us—maybe twenty, twenty-five. Tribe taught Ruk to fight, to hide, to survive. Elders always said, ‘Only the strong survive in the Shadowdark.’”

“And did you have any family?” Eldrin asked.

Ruk’s expression grew somber. “Ruk had a sister. Lira. She was small, but very smart. Always telling stories. Elders said she was too clever for her own good.” He paused, his eyes dimming. “But one day, she got sick. No herbs, no magic could help her. She didn’t make it.”

Eldrin felt a pang of sympathy. “I’m sorry, Ruk,” he said quietly. “She sounds like she was special.”

“She was,” Ruk said, his voice barely a whisper. “After Lira was gone, Ruk didn’t feel like he belonged anymore. So, he left. Thought maybe he could find a new family.”

Eldrin put a hand on Ruk’s shoulder. “You have found one,” he said. “You’re not alone anymore.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon, they saw the glow of a roadside inn ahead. Eldrin pointed. “Look, Ruk. A place to rest, with food and a bed.”

“Ruk can’t wait! Maybe they have meat pies!” Ruk said, practically bouncing with excitement.

They entered the inn, warmth and laughter surrounding them. Eldrin led Ruk to a table near the fire.