As the trio continued their expedition into the forest, Zeroth and Ardric in the lead while Varic kept a few paces behind the two brothers, Zeroth could not fully ignore a feeling of dread that the path ahead will lead him unto something sinister. Zeroth instinctively reached around behind himself and ran the ends of his thick fingers across the hilt of his new axe as if it is the source of the unwelcomed feelings. As if a candle were blown out, the feeling disappeared, leaving nothing but the lingering excitement for adventure.

"I wonder what that was about." Zeroth muttered under his breath, ruffling some of his moustache.

Within a few hours of travel, as the sun passed its highest and hottest point, Ardric stopped in his tracks and with an eyebrow slightly raised looked towards Varic. "Have you noticed, the further we go down this path that should cut through part of a rather unexplored section of forest, the air seems... heavier? I can breath better in a swamp yet here, even though the air seems crisp and dry, the pressure is abnormal."

Varic huffed, sliding his hand through his short black hair. "If you are asking if this is a magical driven pressure you will have to give me a moment to see if I can detect anything out of the ordinary, though I hope we aren't stepping foot where we ought not."

As Ardric and Zeroth walked towards Varic, He assumed a stance, his eyes glowing with a dark green hue as he reached out with his magical senses. After a tense moment of concentration, he released the magical hold, returning his eyes to their normal emerald green. "There's something unnatural here. Someone's amassing magical energy for who knows what—creation or destruction, I think."

Ardric sighed and pinched his brow. "Alright we have some options here for us, option one being to be the good people we think we are and investigate or we can add a week to our travel time and go around this whole ordeal." Varic smiled wryly at the mention of ignoring the problem and moving on but Zeroth was having none of Varic's attitude. "If that is the way we have to go without adding a week to our time, we might as well tackle this little problem, if it turns out to be one."

Zeroth, with a massive grin on his face, patted Varic on the back. "Don't worry friend, I know you are soft and fleshy, you know we'll keep you well out of harms way." Varic rolled his eyes as an answer.

As they forged ahead, their decision was abruptly punctuated by a blood-curdling scream echoing through the forest, seemingly originating from a point further up the path. Instinctively, the trio sprinted toward the source, finding a grisly scene: a mangled body lay amid the wreckage of a merchant caravan, with an undead boar the size of a bear menacingly present.

Zeroth tightened his grip on the Flaming Berserker Battle Axe, flames flickering to life along its edges. Zeroth flinched as the axe lit in flame.

"How the hell did I manage this?" he asked himself.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Ardric, fueled by the protective instincts of a paladin, drew his gleaming sword, glancing warily at Zeroth and his flaming axe. Varic, perhaps begrudgingly, conjured arcane energies, preparing for the threat that lay before them. Together, they stood on the precipice of danger, ready to confront this undead fiend.

Without missing a beat, Ardric and Zeroth charged into battle while Varic stayed back to charge an Eldritch Blast. The undead boar charged with a guttural growl, its rotting form exuding an unearthly stench. Zeroth and Ardric braced themselves, weapons at the ready. The initial onslaught was fierce, the boar's movements surprisingly quick for its undead state. Zeroth swung his Flaming Berserker Battle Axe with determined strikes, flames licking at the creature's undead hide. Ardric, displaying the disciplined grace of a paladin, parried the boar's attacks with his sword. However, the immense force of the undead creature caught him off guard, sending him crashing into a tree with a resounding thud. Stunned, Ardric struggled to regain his bearings, momentarily leaving Zeroth to bear the brunt of the onslaught alone. Undeterred, Zeroth fought on, his axe cleaving through the air with fiery determination. The boar, however, proved formidable, landing a powerful blow that sent the dwarf tumbling. Despite the pain, he scrambled to his feet, fueled by a mix of determination and the raging fire within him.

Meanwhile, Varic, having finished charging his Eldritch Blast, aimed at the undead boar. Arcane energy crackled in his hands as he unleashed a burst of eldritch force. The blast struck the creature, momentarily halting its advance and giving Zeroth a precious opening. With a roar, Zeroth seized the opportunity. Flames erupted along the edges of his axe as he delivered a series of powerful strikes. The enchanted weapon cut through the air, slicing into the boar's decaying flesh. Varic, sensing the urgency, conjured another Eldritch Blast, delivering a precise shot that further weakened the creature. Ardric, shaking off his stupor, rejoined the fray, his sword gleaming with divine energy. Despite his earlier setback, he fought with renewed vigor, channeling the strength granted by his paladin oath. As a team, the trio coordinated their attacks. In a final, coordinated assault, Zeroth swung his Flaming Berserker Battle Axe with all his might, guided by the fire within him. Ardric's sword followed suit, delivering a radiant blow infused with divine power. Flames and divine energy converged as Zeroth's axe and Ardric's sword struck with deadly precision. The combined force decapitated the undead boar, its lifeless form collapsing to the forest floor. Panting and battered, the trio surveyed the aftermath. The stench of decay lingered in the air as Varic caught his breath, and Zeroth wiped a mixture of blood and sweat from his brow. Ardric, his armor slightly dented, nodded approvingly. They stood victorious, having faced a formidable foe and emerged triumphant through their combined strength and teamwork.