In the night's stillness, whispers of numbers, letters, and runes haunted Ferret's dreams.

The silence of the cave was disrupted as he jolted awake, his heart pounding like a frantic drummer against the cage of his ribs. The taste of stale air filled his lungs, and a dull throb pulsed in his temples, but the sensation something had shifted in the night nagged at him. Prying open his soot-streaked eyes, he stared at the familiar rugged ceiling. "Why does my head hurt so much?" he muttered, rolling over on his makeshift bed.

"If you're awake, the chief wants to see you." A gruff voice said. Soon, large hands were pulling him to his feet. His robe was in disarray, and when he adjusted it, he saw several significant fat and drink stains. "Orc tits," he cursed. "It was new."

"Don't you be worrying about that?" The gruff voice said. Ferret saw it was one of the goblins close to the chief. He struggled to remember his name. Was it Tooth? Teeth? "The boss, get you a new one; just wait and see."

"Yeah." Another voice agreed. "A better one." This goblin wore the tusks from a boar around his neck. The fierce goblin brushed food scraps off him while the other poured a drink from his skin into a scavenged cup.

As Ferret glanced around the cave, he thought about how fitting it was to be treated so well. Yes, this is the way it should be.

The remains of last night's party littered the cave. Cracked bones lay in the still-warm coals, and spilt booze covered those goblins still unconscious. Cockroaches already covered half-eaten food while a large rodent dragged away the deer's jawbone. In the corners, he heard the crude sounds of romance.

"A hell of a good night," Ferret observed. This drew a roaring laugh from the more giant goblins and pounded his back in appreciation. It wasn't that good of a joke?

"It'll be the first of many, I'd wager." Boar Tusk said, slapping him on the back.

"And you'll have the pride of place." The other said gruffly.

"Right." Boar Tusk steered Ferret towards a passageway. "Bring him to me, the chief said, and treat him properly."

"Special like," Gruff said.

With a hand on each shoulder, they directed Ferret down a passageway lined with twisting roots and jagged rocks while telling him what a grand future he had and how the entire tribe was in his debt.

"If it's such a grand future, why must you keep telling me?" Ferret asked. The smell of drink may have faded, but the situation still stank.

"Don't be like that." The gruff-voiced goblin said, his grip firm on Ferret's arm. "The chief just wants a word first."

They directed him towards a cave. Ferret saw Bug leaning against the entrance, wearing a predatory smile.

"What's he doing here?" Ferret tried to pull away, but the more giant goblins propelled him along.

"Bug? He's just here to see you get what's coming."

Alarms were going off in Ferret's mind. The goblins guided him forward, their fixed smiles and false cheer making Ferret feel even more uneasy.

"Um, where's Brackish?" Ferret looked around for the chief to save him from whatever this was. "I thought I was supposed to meet him."

"Right." Boar Tusk said. "He wants to meet you inside."

They pushed him into the cave. Ferret felt the weight of his impending doom. He glanced around, noting the crude carvings and the dank, stale air hanging heavy in the room. The torch's flames crackled and spat, casting an eerie glow over the scene before him. This could be better.

Bug had followed behind them, carrying a rusted bucket filled with liquid. He set it down, the stench permeating the air, spilling out in waves. Ferret's heart raced as he remembered the chief's cruel words from the night before. They were going to drown him in that very bucket.

Panicked, Ferret struggled to break free from Gruff and Boar Tusk's tight grips. "You can't do this!" he pleaded, fear and desperation making his voice tremble. "The chief will have you killed."

But Bug only sneered and leaned in close, his breath reeking of decay. With a swift punch to Ferret's stomach, he silenced any further protests. "The chief ordered us to do this," he growled, relishing in Ferret's pain. "And this one was from me."

Ferret's eyes welled with tears as he grasped the gravity of the situation. The very people he had believed had betrayed him were friends. The chief had used him for his gain, and now he was to be the sacrificial pawn in a twisted game of power.

Bug stood over him, his eyes glinting with malice as he pulled Ferret's head down to the bucket, the stench of the liquid within making Ferret gag.

"Why?" Ferret choked out, his voice hoarse and breaking. "What did I ever do to any of you?"

It was nothing personal. Bug's face twisted with malevolent glee. "But that'd be a lie."

Boar Tusk and Gruff, still holding Ferret, looked on with amusement and satisfaction.

"It's time for you to pay for your sins, little troublemaker," Boar Tusk hissed, his eyes shining with murderous intent.

"Please, no," Ferret whimpered, his body wracked with pain from Bug's blow. "I can help you and make the weapons the chief promised. You don't have to do this."

But it was too late. They pushed the small goblin's head into the bucket, Bug driving his head under the filthy water.

The water filled Ferret's lungs instantly, and he struggled for air as they held him down. His vision blurred, and he heard the laughter of the two goblins above him. He knew he was drowning, and he was only a few breaths away from unconsciousness. Just as he was about to give up all hope, he felt relief as the water level lowered.

Ferret gasped in the air and realized Boar Tusk and Gruff had removed his head from the bucket. He coughed and sputtered, trying to catch his breath. Bug positioned himself over him, a twisted smile on his face, enjoying his suffering.

"Choose your next words carefully." Bug's face hovered above him, contorted with anger. "They'll be your last."

Ferret wheezed and stared at Bug's grinning face, his mind whirling as he tried to plan. Time was running out. His former "friends" snickered behind him.

His mind raced as he looked around the damp, dark cave, taking in the vile prattle of Bug's words. At that moment, he knew the only chance he had of getting out of this alive was to use his one remaining card. Sure, it failed the last time, but it was his only hope.

Before they could shove him into the bucket, Ferret's lips moved silently as he muttered an incantation. "What's that?" Bug cackled, leaning in closer to hear. Thankfully, Ferret's hands were still free, and he used them to direct the arcane energy into the growing spell, hoping it would be enough to save himself from their cruel intentions.

A loud bang reverberated through the cave, jolting the three goblins and causing their eyes to widen in shock. The bucket exploded as the power dart hit, sending its putrid contents everywhere. The foul substance of the exploding bucket drenched Boar Tusk and Gruff while Bug clutched at his face, wailing.

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"What did you do?" Boar Tusk shouted, soaked in the stinking liquid. Gruff grunted, spitting out his mouthful of the dirty water.

Bug, however, rose from the ground, his face hidden behind his hands. He lifted them away, revealing a horrifying sight. His face had been burnt, scarred, and blistered by the magic spell Ferret had cast.

"You little..." he spat, drawing his dagger.

Ferret chanted another spell before he took another step. He wished he had his book with him, but after so many failed attempts at making this spell work, he hoped he could perform it from memory.

With a flick of his fingers, Ferret conjured up a shimmering magic which danced and swirled in the air. His fluid movements wove through the intricate positions. A gossamer thread of silver formed between his fingertips, reaching out like a tendril towards Bug's forehead. The spell sank into Bug's mind, taking hold with its insidious grip. Ferret's voice was a whisper. "Kill them."

With a sudden movement, Bug's eyes locked onto Boar Tusk and Gruff. His pupils disappeared as his eyes rolled back, leaving only the whites showing. He charged at the two of them, brandishing his dagger in the air on his head.

The Bug caught Gruff and Boar Tusk off guard, still drenched in filth, as he lashed out at them with wild, erratic swings.

Ferret knew the spell would only last a moment, so he wasted no time beating a hasty retreat out of the cave. He heard shouts and cries following him as he dove through the exit.

"Ferret!" he blinked as the tiny figure crashed into him. "I thought they were planning to kill you."

"They were." He squeezed Fizzit before transferring him to his shoulder. "We must get out of here to stay alive."

He ran, his heartbeat thundering in his chest as he made his way through the narrow, twisting passages of the goblin warrens.

Ferret pushed himself harder, his legs burning with every step. He felt Fizzit trembling in his arms, his slight form clinging to him for safety. They had been through so much together, and Ferret knew he couldn't let their friendship end here.

He ran through the dark corridors, the only light coming from the faint glow of fungi on the walls. The warren was silent now, but Ferret sensed the danger lingering in the air. He knew Bug and the others would come after them and had only moments to think.

"They've turned the chief against me. I need to get to him." Ferret said.

"No, you can't," the homunculus begged. Ferret glanced down at Fizzit, his small face filled with fear. "The chief is behind this. We need to flee, get as far away as we can."

Ferret stopped, pressing his back against the wall, panting. The thought of leaving the warren, his only home, scared and intrigued him. Could I do it?

But it wasn't a decision, as outraged voices reached him. "Find that little shit!" Bug yelled. "Spread out and search everywhere."

The warren was no longer safe for them. With a quick nod towards Fizzit, he turned and started sprinting down a different passageway, away from the source of the voices.

"I have to retrieve my books," Ferret said as Fizzit protested the warren's exit was the other way. "It'll only take a moment, and then we're gone," he explained, his breath coming in quick gasps. Fizzit nodded, clinging to him even tighter.

They moved along the winding tunnels, trying to avoid the goblin patrols. Fizzit's tiny hands, sticky with sweat, gripped Ferret as they continued to run.

They came to Ferret's little cubbyhole behind the exposed tree root. He pulled his books and a small bag of supplies from the damp, moss-covered nook, his heart pounding. How did this turn so bad so quickly?

"Ferret." A voice came from a few feet behind him. His blood froze, but when he turned around, he saw it was his litter mate, Rat.

"You're leaving?" Rat looked at the stuff in Ferret's arms. "Without me?"

Ferret hesitated, then nodded. "Of course, I'd be glad for your company." He returned to his possessions, stuffing his books into his satchel. "We need to escape before the chief catches us."

Without warning, the back of his head exploded in pain, causing him to crumple onto his hands and knees. His vision swam with stars as he fought to stay conscious through the blinding agony.

"Hey, hey!" a voice called out. "He's over here!"

Ferret mustered all his strength to stand up and saw Rat yelling down the tunnel, the sharp rock in his hands dripping with Ferret's blood.

Rat had betrayed him! They were littermates! "You little shit."

At Ferret's words, Rat took off down the passage, screaming for help.

Fizzit carried the suitcase over to Ferret. "We're out of time."

Ferret slipped the strap over his shoulder, settling it at his hip. "Why didn't you warn me?"

"I didn't expect him to belt you." Fizzit hovered in front of him, his little wings beating. "It was your brother."

"Litter mates aren't brothers," at least not how humans think of it. Fidelity of blood was a concept that could have been more natural for goblins.

They sprinted through the dark, damp tunnels, Ferret's feet splashing in the muddy puddles lining the floor. Every time they caught sight of movement in the shadows, they veered off into another passage, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. The high-pitched cries of pursuing goblins echoed through the tunnels, their voices shrill with excitement and adrenaline as they gave chase. The musty smell of earth and fear filled the atmosphere, heightening the exhilaration-fueled ambience.

Ferret cursed Rat as he ran. That's what I get for trusting.

A glimpse of daylight ahead. They rushed out of the warren entrance like madmen, their eyes struggling to adjust to the sudden brightness.

But they were not alone. Goblins came streaming from the cavern, waving spears, rocks and even swords. This was a mob baying for blood. And in the lead was Brackish, his rune-carved axe in one hand and his enchanted spear in the other, leading the mob with a bloodthirsty cry.

"The forest!" Fizzit shouted, launching himself into the air.

The Forest of Shadows was a hundred yards away, yet it might as well be a hundred miles away. But Ferret needed more options. He ran across the broken ground, trying to use the scrubby trees as cover.

The warriors pursued him with Brackish at the front of the pack. The rest of their tribe stayed behind at the cave mouth, jeering and reveling in the spectacle.

Ferret and Fizzit didn't stop for a second as they ran, dodging to throw off the goblins' pursuit. Fizzit's wings fluttered wildly, keeping pace with Ferret's desperate sprint.

"Watch out!" At Fizzit's shout, Ferret looked over his shoulder to see Brackish slowing down, his muscular arm pulled back, preparing to toss his spear.

Brackish took two hopping steps before hurling the weapon. Ferret only had a split second to react as the enchanted metal tip flew, the runes of accuracy guiding it at his heart.

Suddenly, Fizzit dove out of the sky, crashing into the spear's haft. It brushed past him like he wasn't there, leaving the homunculus spinning.

But the brief collision was enough, and the spear whizzed past Ferret's head and embedded into the tree beside him. Wood shards exploded outwards from the impact.

The goblin warriors had veered aside to let the chief throw. Now, they resumed the pursuit, but the delay had given Ferret the chance he needed, and he was able to reach the Forest of Shadows, where the trees were swallowing them from sight.

He collapsed behind a large, gnarled tree, his heartbeat echoing in his chest. Sweat streamed down his face as he gasped for breath. Fizzit fluttered to the ground next to him, his wings drooping from the effort.

"They've stopped at the tree line." Fizzit panted.

"We're safe for now," Ferret said, attempting to regain his composure, his hands shaking with exertion. "It'll take Brackish time to get them to enter the forest."

They moved deeper into the forest, their hearts still pounding with adrenaline. The forest floor was a tangled mess of roots and brambles, challenging to navigate even in normal circumstances.

"We'll be fine as long as we can keep moving," Ferret said. "We just have to stay ahead of them until we're far away."

The trees seemed to multiply as they navigated through the dense foliage, the underbrush tugging at their clothes and limbs. The sky above turned from black to an ominous shade of grey as the canopy of leaves and branches blocked out the sun.

Off in the distance, they heard Brackish urging his warriors to give chase.

"I can't work out why he turned on me," Ferret said as they pushed through the undergrowth. They were avoiding the well-known paths, believing their pursuers would keep watch on them. The shrill cries of unseen creatures echoed through the eerie forest.

"It's because you said you could enchant everyone's weapon." Fizzit fluttered from tree to tree. You should avoid drinking at feasts. You always seem to say something stupid."

"But why would that offend him?" Ferret ignored his latter comment. "With lots of weapons, the tribe will be even stronger."

"Because then he wouldn't be special," Fizzit said. "Magic is only good if it's special. If everyone has a magic weapon, then it's not special."

Ferret paused, the realization settling uneasily in his chest. "You're right. How could I have been so stupid?" he whispered, his heart sinking. Brackish wouldn't have wanted to share his power.

The two ventured farther into the forest, the underbrush growing thicker and the atmosphere more ominous. The sounds of the goblin warriors faded behind them as they travelled. Ferret told himself not to look back but forward.

"To be fair," Ferret said to Fizzit. "I'm not sure a goblin warren was the best place to nurture my talents."

"You mean all the murdering and the betrayals?"

"Yes, exactly." Ferret nodded. "And answering to a chief wasn't helpful. No, we need a fresh start. Somewhere where I can be free to explore my gifts without bother."

"Why not go to the tower where we met?" Fizzit suggested. "Those adventurers have probably moved on, and we can do a proper search for treasure and magic."

The idea immediately appealed to Ferret. He envisioned being the master of a lonely tower on the swamp's edge and mastering his power until he terrorized the local monsters.

"Yes." He said. "Let's do that."