《Dungeon Fable》 Chapter 1 : The Guild Fired brick houses made up the large town of Spes, some single floored while others spanning two to three storeys high with a scattering of different paints coloring the townscape in vibrant blues, dry greens and warm reds. The streets running in between each house are paved with earthy red pebbles giving foothold to thousands of denizens going about their midday lives as the sun shone down through the day¡¯s clear skies. This scene surrounded a grand plaza of kept grass littered by market stands and benches with a large marble cathedral as its centerpiece. The marble cathedral rose well higher than the tallest buildings, its architecture of harsh gothic make combined with gleaming crystals embedded into its pillar-bases glowing a pearly white and filling its every corner with light. Flanking the looming structure and surrounding the plaza were four more large buildings each unique in their shape and aesthetics. Caretakers, priests and people flowed in and out of the cathedral slowly going about their day. So it was the same at each other building at the plaza, except one. Second on the cathedral¡¯s right around the plaza stood a tall building with two smooth stone floors and an upper wooden one, it lay wider than the cathedral itself but not the widest of the five. The building was lined with oaken windows each having a banner falling off their sils from the second floor and down to just a foot above the street¡¯s ground. Above these banners and inbetween the third floor¡¯s windows jotted out large trophies of mixed make. From the skulls of fearsome monsters to statues of great heroes and more. Stepping to the building from the plaza one would find its large entrance wider than four doors yet still almost clogged with the eb and flow of its denizens. Crowds of greatly diverse people scoured outside of and within the large structure, greeting one and all with a simple crescent sign above its entrance of oaken make. Carved into the sign haphazardly and painted a dull white lay three words. The Dungeoneering Guild. Within rose a vast hall taking up all of the first and second floors from ground to ceiling while above hanging over the ground floor lay pathways following the walls and sometimes crossing over like bridges, three times on either side and twice across intersecting each other. Directly at the entrance lay a long line of receptionists behind a wall of windows flanking a second large doorway at their center which divided the first quarter of the building¡¯s depth. On either side of this entry area and leading to the receptionists were long wooden fenced lines whilst along the walls people sat over simple wooden cushioned chairs around stone tables that jotted out of the walls themselves. At one of the receptionist stands. calmly yet quickly worked a young lady turning from one page to another across several books she swiftly marked in writing. Her hair oblique striped black and white and cut just below her eye line of gentle black irises, with fair milky skin she bowed to her current charge showing two long ears rising out from either side of her head like a horse¡¯s, each also black and white striped. ¡°Welcome to the guild, please make yourself available at testing hall four!¡± She spoke assertively and the younger human boy she was attending stepped aside then to reveal her next and seemingly last charge. Also young as she was used to seeing recruits to the guild being, the boy before her was a half-orc youth with dark ash gray skin and a head of carefully short-shaved black hair above stoic murky green eyes. He was muscular as all of his kin usually are but as she glanced between him and at the looks other Orc-kin in the area gave him she knew he was what they¡¯d call a ¡®runt¡¯. ¡°Gin son of Gore Bowbreaker.¡± The young boy spoke softly, the anxiety in his tone palpable. ¡°Kay, I¡¯ll be your guild representative today, welcome Gin!¡± She said warmly offering the boy a hand he carefully shook. ¡°Ah! We received your letter of introduction last month! Yes yes, I have it right¡­here!¡± She scrounged below her desk for the paperwork, glancing it over briefly before returning to one of her many open books. ¡°We have you down here as a Martial fighter with a focus on archery, is that correct sir?¡± ¡°Ye-yeah.¡± Gin nudged his head at the longbow and quiver strapped over his back. ¡°Alright you match the drawing sent in with the letter, take this badge here and please make your way to testing grounds four.¡± Kay hands the boy a dull bronze badge inscribed with the word ¡®Candidate¡¯. Gin took the badge as he nodded, placing it over his heavy leather armor¡¯s left bicep with its metal clip. Quickly then turning away and moving towards the next entrance, he suddenly briefly paused and looked back at Kay. Awkwardly he pointed at the door as if confirming the conversation was actually over or not. Kay smiled and nodded to him which Gin took as so, moving on into the guild proper. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s everyone I guess!¡± She sighed, glancing at one of her books with a list of ticked names, all but one marked as accounted for. Kay looked up at the large clock that hung above the guild entrance¡¯s interior. Merely a minute before closing time and she can move on to relegating this year¡¯s recruits to their test. ¡°I wonder what happened to this one, though I guess we do have dropouts each year.¡± She pondered looking back down at the list then shrugged and began closing down her area, whistling as she worked and listening to the chattering crowd ahead flowing to her coworkers. Briefly she thought she heard a struggle ahead, looking up just in time as a bellowing voice shook her poor sensitive eardrums. ¡°WAIT!¡± A young boy basically screamed in a cracking voice as he charged through the entry crowd, frantically pushing his way through with wide panicked emerald eyes below a mess of shaggy hazel hair. As less people stood in the way the more concerned Kay got at the sight of the youth. Worn out ragged leathers for armor, a mess of feathers sprawling his entire body and hair as he held onto a whole ass live chicken under one arm and no weapon in sight. ¡°Oh boy¡± Kay mumbled as she watched him rush over like a deer in headlights. ¡°I¡¯m here! I¡¯m here!¡± He shouted coming to rest at her window, the smell of something dead oozing into her stall. ¡°I am not late, please god tell me I am not late.¡± He said in a hoarse voice, as Kay glanced at the clock and then at the last unticked name on the list. ¡°T-Tod Ether?¡± She asked tentatively to which the boy nodded furiously before looking back at the clock himself, the frazzled looking bird also turning to look. ¡°Oh, oh I¡¯m not late.¡± He mused, as both he and the chicken slowly turned back to stare at Kay. ¡°Wha-¡± ¡°Y-Yeah! Ether! Tod Ether present teach!¡± He exclaimed, standing at attention and causing the chicken to bawk. ¡°Right, yes.¡± Kay adjusted her awkward stance, then checked her drawer for the drawing of the recruit under said name. Pictured on the paper was a young human looking boy, lanky tall but athletic and with a huge grin. She eyed back at Tod finding him leaning over the counter and staring at his own picture, far too close to the liking of her nose. He kept staring, and Kay met eyes with the chicken, she thought she saw a glimmer of thought in there. ¡°Ahem.¡± Kay coughed out, and Tod suddenly looked up and grinned. ¡°Right, I am Kay, your guild representative for the day.¡± ¡°Hi Kay!¡± ¡°Please take this badge and find your way to testing hall four.¡± She ticked next to his name and handed him the pin, which he proceeded to hand to the chicken. ¡°Four? Four okay.¡± Tod nodded then turned to leave, pausing mid step before turning right back to her. ¡°Oh! Almost forgot! Can ya hold her for me? Thanks!¡± He then proceeded to take back the badge from the chicken and handed the bird over to Kay who unconsciously took it as she then watched him stroll off. ¡°What-¡± Kay looked down at the chicken who was staring up at her. ¡°Bawk.¡± The chicken pooped. Emotionlessly, Kay put the bird down on the desk, finished closing her station¡¯s wooden shutters before grabbing her purse and rolled up a cigarette. With chicken under her arm and an unlit cig in between her unamused lips she stepped out of the door in her station¡¯s back. ¡°It¡¯s gonna be a long day huh.¡± She grumbled to herself, entering into the guild hall proper as a vast tavern lay sprawling in front of her. Warriors and mages of all kinds sat and stood about respective groups or solitarily at tables of varying sizes whilst barmaids traveled to and from a counter at the far end doubling as a bar and a window into a large kitchen feeding the hungry adventurers. ¡°Awesome!¡± Tod mused right beside her, almost giving her a heart attack as she stumbled back to the door. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Kid!¡± Kay exclaimed clutching her throat before breathing out in exasperation. ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°You know what, nevermind.¡± Kay sighed, recovering herself before quickly ushering the gleamy eyed boy down the right path. ¡°Okay okay now I am going to be late, this way come on!¡± She tried to reclaim her customer service smile as she found her way through the tavern¡¯s end, picking out a door out of a dozen labeled ones she led Tod as he turned and dragged on staring wide eyed at the guild members that walked past. All the while Kay wondered who the fuck was this kid, why did he smell like a kennel and why the fuck was she still holding onto a chicken! Questions for later it seemed to her, stomping down a handful of turns and past several rooms labeled as Testing grounds with numerical values, until they came upon the fourth door. Laying open, she waved Tod inside before following down herself as it led down a long circular staircase lined with fiery torches. A whole six storeys worth of stairs down later, they came to a short corridor. ¡°Past the two doors ahead, just keep going.¡± Kay said as she followed the boy out into a vast opening. Not quite a room, the walls and floor were roughly hewn rock lit up by a bright yellow crystal jotting out of the ceiling¡¯s center. Along the walls lay stone steps with wooden cushioned seatings leading down to a sudden drop of ten feet straight into a rocky arena. Glancing around she counted the eleven other recruits that sat scattered across the place joined by four adults she knew to be experienced guild members sitting in their own group. Standing in the arena waiting expectantly was a tall Elven man donning an ornate red gambeson with gleaming silver chainmail over it and a set of leopard decorated silver platelegs. Resting ahead of him and held by his overlapping hands by the hilt rose a wide cutlass-like silver blade adorned with more leopard facsimiles on the pommel and blade faces. The elf himself was an intimidating looking man with long pale blond hair tied up into a tail, one harsh violet eye and another closed by a massive gaping vertical scar. He looked to Kay as she entered, immediately giving her a chill down her spine as he always does. Suddenly, Kay realized what she looked like. Cigarette still in mouth but unlit, and chicken in hand. Out of pure desperation, she handed the cig to the chicken while keeping eye contact with him. ¡°Miss Dew, is that the last?¡± The man asked with an imposing tone. Coming to her senses Kay nodded. ¡°Yes sir Fel, we have twelve recruits today!¡± She replies before shooing Tod to the seatings. ¡°Very well, please start us off.¡± Kay puts the chicken down momentarily, fixing up her hair before standing up. ¡°Uhm, please all potential recruits be seated!¡± She announced, causing some of the standing youths to sit, ignored seemingly by one that quickly joined Tod on her shitlist. ¡°We begin today the bi-yearly recruitment test for our venirated Dungeoneering Guild. This is the fourth of ten tests being processed today. I, alongside our town¡¯s own Martial Copper class Dungeoneer Fel¡¯Indelis and four other Silver class Dungoneers will be your evaluators.¡± Kay goes through the spiel she has officiated three times before. ¡°Before being accepted as any class of Dungeoneer, you will undertake three tests for us to ascertain your merit and capabilities. The first of which, all of you present have passed.¡± She said with finality, enjoying the confusion among the youths. ¡°Miss Dew likes to toy with you, she means you have passed her test of punctuality.¡± Fel added bemused, before turning his gaze to the latest boy, Tod. ¡°The rule of punctuality is strict with us Dungeoneers, and take this to heart. In the Dungeon, being late will lose you and your party precious lives.¡± Tod paled a few shades. But not because of what Fel had said, as much to Kay¡¯s chagrin she also noticed. It was by his feet. The fucking chicken was in the arena. As it roamed doing what it well damn wanted Kay tried to continue. ¡°Ah- The second test will be a combat contest-¡± When she noticed Tod was also now in the arena trying to usher the chicken back to the stands. ¡°Young man.¡± Fel stood staring the boy down as he lay crouched cooing the bird closer. ¡°Uh, me?¡± Tod looked up to the elven warrior, realizing now his mistake. ¡°It seems you have never been taught proper decorum. I am lacking in the understanding why you would bring your live dinner with you here but, alas I may as well make use of it.¡± Fel pronounced, swiftly and suddenly grasping his heavy scimitar and raising it straight to his side causing the sand beside him to rise with. ¡°We have a volunteer, to be the first. Come boy announce yourself, where is your weapon?¡± Fel asked, seeing him unarmed. Tod took a step back smiling awkwardly. ¡°Oh I uh, I¡¯m Tod Ether, I do not use a weapon.¡± He said plainly, kicking off his sandals before tightening the bandages he had wrapped around his hands. ¡°I see. Very well, mister Ether.¡± Fel nodded, then took a fighting stance with his sword. Kay took the scene in stride, clearing her throat before speaking once more. ¡°As I was explaining¡­The second test will be combat with Fel¡¯Indelis. He is not obliged to keep his attacks non-lethal, as this arena we stand in is heavily enchanted to avoid such circumstances. Yet as Tod Ethel is about to find out, this does not stop either of them from feeling pain as if the actual attack fully landed. If an attack was to severe your hand, the enchantment will protect it but render it limp. Understood?¡± She glanced at the youths again, this time all paying heavy attention to her words. ¡°Then, let the second test of the fourth grounds, the first round evaluated by sir Fel with testee Tod Ethel..¡± Kay then noticed a floating chicken landing into her arms, glancing at the stands she then saw a very amused young mage quickly putting her wand away. Another to the book of grudges. ¡°Begin!¡± Tod stretched out his arms, flexing his fingers before bringing them back in ahead of himself into enclosed fists. His eyes briefly adjusted to their proximity, enough that it delayed his reaction to Fel¡¯s sudden rush forth with merely two steps and closing in the fifteen feet distance between them like the wind. Grasping his weapon with two hands Fel swung widely from his left, slashing right into the boy¡¯s left wrist sending waves of pain rushing up his arm as he stumbled back from the shock. But Fel didn¡¯t stop there, stepping to immediately and shoulder bashing the boy¡¯s chest, taking the breath out of him and sending him rolling five feet backwards. Tod took a choked breath in when he came still, quickly rising to his feet to face the elven warrior who once again took a fighting stance. His chest aching and his left hand now limp with heated pain pulsating off it, Tod glanced at the man¡¯s blade realizing how much of an advantage its reach gave him. ¡°Resilient, and quick to return to your feet.¡± Fel mused. ¡°Yet lacking in reaction time. How will you adapt?¡± Tod raised his limp hand back up retaking the same stance with his right foot ahead and his left planted behind him, both hands up but only his right capable of forming a fist. ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir, I am awake now.¡± He said, his eyes now looking different than before. The childish grin, gone. Replaced with a grimace as he bore his strangely pointed teeth, like a carnivore¡¯s fangs. As if fully recognising the threat before him, his stance also solidified. His shoulders no longer slacked, his arms no longer wavered. His eyes focused. Fel tested the boy¡¯s new conviction. Once again Fel moved like the wind, rushing forth into a wide slash aiming for Tod¡¯s right fist. And once again, Fel¡¯s speed overtook Tod¡¯s reaction time, slashing right into the wrist and sending waves of pain down the boy¡¯s arm. Yet this time, Tod moved in on Fel as his sword slashed by, closing the distance between the blade and Fel¡¯s face as he clenched his no longer limp left fist and pummeled the elf right in the jaw. Tod did not stop there, like a ravenous beast he continued his assault, slapping Fel with his now limp right hand before continuing the motion into a low spinning kick surprising the warrior and sweeping him off his left foot. Fel tried to fall back and reposition but Tod wouldn¡¯t let him, quickly charging his shoulder into the elf¡¯s chest and sending him tumbling back a foot. Fel looked down as he tried to bring his wide blade inbetween himself and his assailant like a shield. Faster than Tod could react the silver blade stood between them now. Still Tod continued, punching the blade with his left fist before clenching his right also no longer limp and punching it once more, each inching the warrior back with the boy¡¯s surprising strength. When Fel suddenly saw Tod¡¯s left hand grip the dull edge of his blade, watching as the boy used the elf¡¯s own solid stance to lift himself up onehanded, grab the elf¡¯s head with his other, and flip over him entirely. Fel tried to turn around only to come faced with Tod¡¯s left foot slamming into his ear, staggered back the warrior recovered quicker and stepped back further regaining his advantage of distance. Wide-eyed, Fel stared down Tod with renewed respect, the boy could fight. As he stared, he then noticed another oddity. Fel wasn¡¯t the most seasoned dungeoneer, but even he knew what this feeling was. Having met many hungry a monster within the depths of the dungeon, an instinct is trained within when such eyes glare you down from the shadows. Fel felt those same eyes staring him down now, more than animalistic, but inhuman. Fel then looked closer, the boy¡¯s green eyes, his regenerative ability, his lanky but athletic frame. Taller than most boys his age for a human. His ears untipped, his skin pale as the humanfolk of this town yet, Fel knew he had missed something. But he was given no more time to consider, as Tod decided it was his time to go on the attack. Clenching his fists tighter Tod rushed forward as Fel brought his sword back to separate them with a parry, expecting the first punch from the boy¡¯s left, he did not expect the next move though as Tod full on body slammed into his sword¡¯s broadside. Grasping on once again even though the sharp edge was on top, Tod raised himself over the sword and double kicked the elf in the face sending Fel stumbling back. Fel recovered, but not quickly enough as Tod was already once again upon him with a left fist, landing into the side of his chin before attempting to land a right. Fel blocked the fist with his gauntlet, and each from the flurry of attacks that followed, noticing that none of them had any actual strength behind them too late as Tod suddenly dropped low and tackled his legs. Fel felt himself being lifted, a full grown elven man in chainmail and platelegs, before watching the ground come rushing to his face. Face bloodied, Fel kicked the boy off his feet and tumbled back into standing. Enough was enough, Fel thought, it was time he brought the boy in line. Watching as the animalistic recruit quickly stood up and rushed at him once more, Fel stopped holding back. With one swift motion, Fel stepped forward and slashed downwards, cutting the boy¡¯s frame down the middle from top to bottom. The enchantment in the hall stopped his blade at the boy¡¯s forehead but he knew it fully landed the blow as he watched Tod¡¯s eyes roll into the back of his head and his body fall unconscious to the ground. Fel breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°I will need a tankard of caffeine if each of you is this persistent.¡± The elf mused. ¡°Tod Ethel.¡± ¡°Has advanced.¡± Chapter 2 : Green ¡°Gin son of Gore Bowbreaker.¡± Fel said as he pulled an oversized arrow out of his breastplate, thanking the gods the enchantment stopped it from running him through. On his other hand he held a half-orc boy named Gin by the collar, half conscious after the beating he gave him. He dragged the boy to the side of the arena, dropping him with his back to the wall, kneeling down then to face him eye to eye. The boy was gritting his teeth, expecting failure. ¡°Do not be so hard on yourself young leaf, we all have our weaknesses and you are yet to sprout.¡± Fel told the boy who shakily picked himself up. ¡°Gin, has advanced.¡± Fel announced as Gin put away a large warbow over his shoulder before climbing up the stairs back to the stands. His had been the last fight with Fel and after having watched two others fail he had expected himself to be the third. Now returning to his seat beside a still unconscious Tod who looked far worse for wear than himself, and ignoring the chicken that nested on the boy''s rising chest, he sat down wondering what came next. ¡°Ten have passed.¡± Kay announced. ¡°We shall proceed to the next and final test.¡± She mused as the Elven warrior left the arena. All the while an ancient looking human woman pulled herself up to standing with her bulky staff, from top to bottom inscribed with faintly glowing runes of white and gold. Silver grey hair fell loosely from underneath her pointed emerald wizard¡¯s hat adorned with golden inscriptions. Adjusting her similarly emerald robes, she began taking out pouches from her belt satchel while slowly limping down the arena¡¯s steps. With each limping step followed an echoing stomp of her staff, resounding out far louder than everyone thought it should be. ¡°The test, to join the dungeoneering guild.¡± Kay laid out, and the tension across the hall became palpable. ¡°This is Madam Lysandra Brooke,¡± she introduced the mage. ¡°One of our resident mages here at the guild in charge of teleportation and enchantment, also one of the mages who built training facilities like the one you stand within right this moment. I hand the final test to you Madam.¡± ¡°I am grateful lass,¡± Lysandra nodded in thanks as she reached the arena¡¯s grounds. ¡°The final test will be far more than testing your combat prowess as we did with my friend Fel, but also your coordination within a party structure-¡± She explained whilst spraying strange powders and placing ornaments along the floor in a circular fashion. ¡°Your very survival instincts will also be observed to see if you are worth investing into by the guild. Young¡¯ins, starting from the left please look at the closest person to your right, if there is none then meet eyes with the one looking at you to your left.¡± Gin did so, finding to his chagrin he was staring at Tod who had yet to come back to his senses. ¡°Concussion?...¡± Gin pondered quietly. ¡°They will be your party mates for this test, as duos you will undertake the following assignment.¡± Lysandra continued before suddenly slamming the butt of her staff into the edge of the runic circle she made causing the arena¡¯s ground to fissure open into a violent dark tunnel of swirling silver light. Violent gusts of wind rushed out of the rift, sending her hair fluttering out madly above her. ¡°Each duo will be sent to a different place. Enter in your groups of two, survive the dangers that pose ahead, and bring back a flower of withering. I will only warn you once, this takes you into the Dungeon, and there is always a chance of death within. After twenty four hours if you do not return, a party will be sent out to retrieve you. If you do not have the guts to enter¡­leave now.¡± Gin swallowed hard, no way around this he thought whilst turning to face the still unconscious Tod. Gently he began to remove the chicken off the boy¡¯s chest, planning on trying to wake him but, ¡°Hands off Gertie.¡± Suddenly a clawed hand grasped his arm, Gin found himself meeting Tod¡¯s animalistic green eyes wide open and glaring at him. ¡°You¡¯re good¡­Mean no harm.¡± Gin was used to dealing with rough personalities as he had grown up in an Orcish community after all, and being direct was just the simplest way to not get in a fight. ¡°Oh.¡± Tod quickly mellowed out as Gin let go of the chicken. ¡°Ah sorry I passed out didn¡¯t I!?¡± He rose up suddenly, sending Gertie soaring and pulling Gin into headbutting the back of his own head. Both boys held their heads in deep pain for a moment. ¡°Fuck, cool off.¡± Gin said as he rubbed his sore forehead. ¡°Did you hear what the next test is about?¡± He asked the wild boy. ¡°Uh,¡± Tod turned to see the open rift and parties were already crowding to it in twos, all the while two attendees were moving to leave the arena. Tod turned to face Gin with his own skin paling to paper, his entire face begging for help. ¡°A-Aight,¡± Gin sighed as he sat back down. ¡°I am G-Gin, half Orc, dunno the other h-half. And I am y-your partymate for this o-one, it seems. I am a ranger.¡± Gin stammered through introducing himself, tapping at his large warbow as he sat beside the boy who was a whole foot shorter than him. ¡°You?¡± ¡°Names Tod, warrior!¡± Tod replied with a wide grin as he thumped a fist into his own chest. ¡°J-Just human?¡± Gin asked with a raised brow. ¡°Ah..haha...Yeah so, little bit of other stuff mixed in there, been always able to recover fast from gettin hurt and all. I can run for days on end too and not break a sweat!¡± Tod exclaimed, giving him a thumbs up. ¡°O-Other¡­stuff? W-Well you are very r-resilient, that¡¯s good.¡± Gin mused, glancing as the last of the other parties were also standing around getting to know who they were teamed up with. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°Any s-serious weakness-s-es I s-should know?¡± ¡°Fire bad, I don''t do fire.¡± Tod replied, getting up and beginning to do stretches. ¡°So, we get going then partner?¡± Tod then turned and offered the boy his hand with a grin. Gin looked at his hand for a moment, he wasn¡¯t very sure of this boy yet but at the very least he was sure of one thing as he took his hand. Tod pulled him up with unnerving ease and Gin knew he couldn¡¯t have been more lucky with his chosen team mate. ¡°You g-got brawn and I c-cover distance, b-but we lack m-magic.¡± ¡°Ah, yeah. Some shit in there resilient to hits that ain¡¯t magical huh? Pops told me about it.¡± Tod mused, turning to look at the rift. ¡°Recruits, you have an hour before I close this rift and fail you. Make your choice.¡± Lysandra exclaimed. ¡°Well, nothing to it really. I¡¯ll just have to punch them more than usual eh?¡± Tod chuckled, waving Gin over as the two boys began making their way down the stairs. ¡°K-Keep on the lookout for f-fungi that glow blue, I-I can coat my arrows in t-them to fix that.¡± Gin retorted. ¡°Wooh, you know your stuff huh?¡± Tod whistled. Gin expected sarcasm but heard none in the boy¡¯s words, causing him to redden a bit. ¡°Oh, y-yeah I-I uh r-read a lot.¡± Gin muttered. ¡°Cool, here we are then.¡± Tod said as they came to stand before the rift, turning and raising a fist to the half-orc boy. ¡°Ready brain?¡± He mused with a wide grin. ¡°Heh.¡± Gin met the fist with his own. ¡°Let¡¯s go brawn.¡± Together the two stepped off the rift¡¯s ledge, falling down into the swirling silver and black, akin to a never ending tunnel thrashing all around them. For a long minute they fell with gravity, Gin holding on tightly to his bow and Tod gripping his pockets as he arched forward. Until gravity shifted and the swirling silver around them began to fade away upwards, followed up by the black void dissipating into ever shrinking shards before going into nothingness revealing their new surroundings. Gin immediately pulled out and nocked an arrow taking in his surroundings to find themselves in a cavernous tunnel with a dead end to their backs. Tod on the other hand looked up and watched the rift fade into the ceiling above them with amusement. As the last bits of light of the rift faded away, the cavern¡¯s interior was taken over by the luminous glow of several plantlife across the floor, walls and even ceiling. Vines that crawled along the ground¡¯s corners putting out a tint of green, moss that coated the walls and ceiling joining it with shades of yellow. ¡°Plenty of fungi.¡± Gin sighed. ¡°But no blue.¡± Tod agreed, glances over several but none that fit the basic description. ¡°So, a flower of withering. Very known plant, very rare.¡± He added, beginning to shuffled forward with care. ¡°Y-Yeah, silver stalk, pale white petals and a p-pitch black centre. A p-powerful enchantment material. The g-guild probably knows t-there are some here, or planted them for us to f-find.¡± Gin mumbled out, lowering his bow but keeping the arrow ready in his offhand, he approached the wall and began running his bare fingers over it. As he did a dark black powder-like substance began crumbling off the wall darkening his fingertips. Yet the wall itself remained unchanged. ¡°T-They weren¡¯t lying. This is the d-dungeon, O-Onyx levels from the c-corruption on the walls.¡± Gin said as he dusted his fingers off. ¡°You sure know your stuff,¡± Tod mused, his demeanor nonchalant and his posture relaxed. Gin on the other hand moved stiffly, his posture on edge whilst his eyes scanned the path ahead like a hawk as they pushed forward at a common pace. ¡°Grew up in the f-forest, I was t-taught to always know all I c-can before going somewhere new.¡± Gin replied. He then glanced at Tod, specifically his eyes, emerald as the gem itself. ¡°Half Woods¡¯Elf?¡± He asked the boy, seeing the slight sheen they gave off only now noticeable in this darkness. ¡°Nope.¡± Tod answered, ¡°You really want to know?¡± ¡°W-We¡¯re in this together, It could be u-useful.¡± Gin retorted. Tod sighed, scratching the back of his neck where Gin now noticed the hair at the back of his head grew further down and into his shirt like a mane following the spine. ¡°Half Human.¡± Tod grinned back, revealing a rather alarming canine tooth. ¡°Half -¡± Tod cut himself off, his eyes suddenly focusing ahead. ¡°Goblins.¡± ¡°Wha?¡± Gin was taken aback, then followed his gaze, squinting his eyes hard to see beyond the shadows. ¡°Shit goblins.¡± A cacophony of cackles filled the tunnel then, as dark green silhouettes began skittering out of mounds in the wall and floor, revealing themselves in number. Humanoid, yet simply wrong to be defined as such. Short, at most three feet in height amongst them with hands for hands and hands for feet, their green skin varying in shade but were green nonetheless. Long drooping ears larger than their own heads, wicked iris-less eyes of swampy brown above long and sharply pointed snouts with row after row of sharp fangs. ¡°Needs.¡± One whispered. ¡°Needs.¡± Another echoed. ¡°Wants.¡± A third added. ¡°Haves!¡± All seven hissed as the green menaces leapt out of the shadows into a frenzy at the two boys. Gin having been two steps ahead became their target as they swarmed at him, immediately he loosed an arrow nailing one creature in the shoulder and sending it tumbling back. Yet as he blinked, he opened his eyes to two sets of jagged claws widening at his face. Then he felt it, a hand grasping his shoulder and pulling him back with great force. Tod pulled Gin back and rushed forth, his other fist clenched hard as it cracked into the goblin jaw¡¯s left and sent the creature tumbling into the wall where it rolled hissing in pain. A third came to stand before Tod, a stone shiv clasped in one hand which it slashed across his knees sending him reeling back a step, only for the hand which had been pulling Gin to come crashing down on the goblin¡¯s head briefly knocking its lights out, as a slashed knee followed plunging into its snout and sending it crashing into a forth goblin behind it. ¡°Covering you!¡± Gin shouted, quickly nocking another arrow and just as it reached a full pull loosed it, sending it right through the third goblin nailing him to the forth he crashed into. As two horrid screeches filled their ears, Tod turned to kick away a bone spear that had been thrown his way, his eyes quickly scanning ahead to land on the perpetrator, a pale goblin with many more spears to throw. ¡°Get the thrower!¡± Tod growled out, stepping forward and stomping on the head of the first goblin that was just about to recover from the floor. The sound of bone crumbling echoed down the gloomridden tunnel alongside the sloshing of wet flesh being squashed beneath. Quickly then he stepped back once more, avoiding a fifth and sixth goblin who had rushed forth together with stone shivs. Meeting their eyes briefly, the greed in their grin dripped in an unnatural hunger. A hunger that fueled the creatures¡¯ frenzy and speed, as both leapt forward. One slashing at his chest and the other simply pouncing at his legs, Tod watched as an arrow soared inches from his ear, breaking skin with one goblin and tearing their throat out the back, reversing its momentum and sending it soaring off ahead. Taking this chance, Tod pulled his fists close and before himself then lunged forward. A left fist met the goblin¡¯s snout with a hard knuckle, pulling back but followed by a right hook that crunched the creature¡¯s ribs inwards before both hands grasped at the stunned goblin¡¯s head and dragged it in to face his knee. Unrelenting, Tod followed the goblin as it tumbled back, raising the same leg he kneed him with as he soared forward and kicked. His sole landed into the creature¡¯s chest, making it go higher just as another bone spear inserted itself into its back. Blocking another projectile, but as Tod lay recovering from mid air, a third flew past the goblin on a path right for Tod¡¯s chest. Fast he brought his hands back in to block, finding it unnecessary as another arrow soared past him. Meeting the spear mid air, the metal-tipped arrow shattered the bone projectile, sending both off coarse and aside. ¡°I got you.¡± Gin added, as the sound of his bowstring pulling back reached Tod¡¯s ears. Landing on both feet, Tod rushed forward as the two pinned goblins finally freed themselves from each other. Flipping over them, Tod grabbed both their heads and spun them, lining up their heads as Gin¡¯s arrow shishkebabed their snouts together. Using the now two dead creatures as leverage Tod continued his flip into a handstand then a forward leap. First feeling the air whistle behind him as he watched another arrow meet a bone spear into the same shattering recurrence right ahead of him, as he landed and came to loom over the pale goblin and his last three spears. The creature¡¯s eyes widened as it dropped its spears and turned to run, finding its reaction too slow with Tod¡¯s hands tightly gripping its shoulders and tumbling it down, its face meeting the soggy stone floor with a quiet smack. Tod pinned the goblin down, pulling by force both its hands behind its back and holding it there. ¡°You got it?¡± More confident now, Gin asked as he came around with an arrow nocked. ¡°Yeah..¡± Tod answered, glancing back at him, his eyes then widened with a cold understanding. As an eight goblin dropped from the ceiling above Gin, a long bone blade held tightly in both hands into a downward stab. Tod rushed up, grasping Gin by his belt and pulling him down as he himself rose to stand above him. His right arm raised ahead, he felt his flesh part as the bone blade dug into it, followed by the snapping of bone as its tip ripped out the other end. Surprised, the goblin released the blade and fell to standing before him before pulling a stone shiv from its side. As an arrow whistled through its right eye socket, sending it limp to the floor, Gin had taken a shot right between Tod¡¯s tall legs as he lay on the ground. Both boys quickly scanned their surroundings, but seeing no other movement, the pale goblin had escaped them. ¡°Fuck.¡± Gin swore. ¡°Language.¡± Tod chided. Chapter 3: Jam Lysandra cared for the rift on the arena¡¯s floor, managing her resources through her pouch of components and keeping it stabilized whilst occasionally channeling energy through her staff and into it. As she did so, receptionist Kay approached her. ¡°Madam, what should the children this year expect?¡± She asked her senior. ¡°My party and I have thoroughly scouted the drop off points, but even you should know the dungeon is an unreliable entity, Kay.¡± Lysandra chided. ¡°Each drop off point has at least two patches of the flower within a few hours reach, we collected any extra to balance out the experience.¡± She pondered for a moment while carefully dripping an oil into the rift, the liquid disappearing as it touched the shifting space. ¡°Goblinoids, medium arachnids and lesser fauna were observed, things all adventurers entering the dungeon must be prepared to face at all times but, nothing too dangerous was left roaming within a 24 hr radius of each.¡± ¡°Then we should expect the return of the more lucky parties in a few hours.¡± Fel observed the shifting rift from the stands, petting a chicken under its chin as it clucked happily beside him. ¡°I wonder how that strange lad will do, bringing fowl of all things, is it a pet?¡± ¡°T-There are more interesting recruits in the other testing grounds, the first arena has high nobility I hear.¡± Kay tried to change the topic. ¡°Nobility.¡± Lysandra scoffed, ¡°The dungeon is the one place that does not matter, the first arena always has the highest casualty rate because of that. How many were injured two years ago Kay?¡± ¡°Uh.¡± Kay put her journal to her chin as she pressed her memory, ¡°Out of two hundred recruits, seventy three came back injured. Two died from the first arena.¡± ¡°I was on a prolonged mission that year, what happened?¡± Fel pressed. ¡°Oh, the scouts reported the surrounding goblin populace was agitated, their guess is they let a goblin escape an encounter and were hunted down.¡± Kay replied grimly, glancing down at the rift anxiously. ¡°Even children in the distant farmlands know,¡± Fel began ¡°Never let a goblin-¡± Each ceased to speak as a heaviness filled the arena, as the rift shuddered, turned bloody red, and then closed. Fel rose to his feet, gripping his sword tightly he leapt into the arena, landing into a kneel beside Lysandra. He passed his hand over where the rift just lay, before raising his gaze to see Lysandra¡¯s. The old mage had paled several shades and had gone still. ¡°Is this¡­¡± ¡°The dungeon, a dilation has occurred.¡± Lysandra gasped, covering her mouth as she shook. ¡°I lost my connection!¡± Kay dropped her journal and pen ¡°H-How long¡­¡± Fel nodded and stood up. ¡°How long did the dungeon dilate.¡± He asked as the other observing silver ranks came down the stands. ¡°A week.¡± Lyssandra clenched her staff as she passed the hand over her eyes, tears now streaming down the old woman¡¯s cheeks. ¡°A-A week?! Now? Of all times now?¡± Kay panicked, ¡°They aren¡¯t even one star into Onyx rank!¡± ¡°Miss Dew, breath.¡± Fel retorted coldly. ¡°The search for survivors must begin now, but I''m afraid we must expect the worst. We will begin forming parties, you go hail the guild master.¡± Fel ordered the others. ¡°I-Uh-But¡± Kay couldnt find her words as the adventurers all began to stream out of the arena, she blankly followed out finding the entire hallway in mayhem as each testing grounds now emptied out into the guild proper. She stood there in shock. ¡°Is there anything¡­we could¡¯ve¡­¡± She felt a hand clasp her shoulder then as Lysandra joined her in the hallway. ¡°Nothing, the dungeon dilated time, it is not something we can track.¡± Lysandra practically growled with anger, ¡°The dungeon is not something we can so frivolously tame, we know so little, yet send our children with a day of rations in to compete for access to its depths¡­At my age, I should know better, but still enabled this.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I cannot abide by this.¡± Said a voice from behind them as they turned to meet gazes with a stout man, a halfling half their height and large mouse-like ears as is their nature. His hazel eyes hardened by his experience of the silver rank, pulling at his scarf he adjusted his leather armour whilst taking count of the many daggers that hung off his many belts. ¡°Sir Seid?¡± Kay recognised the adventurer as he stepped to stand beside them. ¡°Do not dare take responsibility for this, Lysandra. It is an insult to us who call ourselves adventurers. Those kids, they put their lives on the line to delve into those depths, and so do we. You watched them fight Fel just as I have, those who entered the dungeon, you saw their eyes up closer than I. Those aren¡¯t eyes who would regret the delve.¡± The younger halfling walked past them and began making his way down the hallway ¡°Do not forget why you began down this path, mage. They made the same choice so disrespect it at your own peril. Instead, I choose to respect their valour, that is why you are standing there weeping retired and I¡­am going to find them.¡± The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Tod and Gin ran for their dear lives as bone javelins pelted out from behind them, far more goblins than they could handle chasing after them through the vast rocky tunnels they found themselves in. Turning momentarily to send an arrow flying back, ¡°Is that what, four dozen!?¡± Gin yelped but Tod pulled him by his quiver and dragged him back into continuing to run. ¡°No point wastin those! We can''t kill em all! Save your breath too!¡± Tod exclaimed as he kept pace with the half-orc, capable of going faster but not willing to abandon Gin to the horrid fate that chased them. ¡°We cannot run forever though! Surely we have a better chance if we fight them now rather than when we¡¯re tired!¡± Gin argued but continued to bob and weave between the large roots that sprawled like pillars in every direction across the tunnel. ¡°Heh! Ya booksmart but ye never gotten chased before eh?¡± Tod chuckled. ¡°This is not a laughing matter!¡± Gin chided. ¡°If I can¡¯t laugh while on an adventure,¡± Tod met his grimace with his own smirk, ¡°When can I?¡± he said as he leapt over one tall root, evading a javelin whistling right by his head. As they both landed behind the root the sound of javelins impaling themselves into it filled their ears. ¡°Anyway, ye said you wanna fight?¡± Tod turned around facing the root that lay like a short wall before him, ¡°My mum always said, if ye wanna fight, do it on your terms.¡± he said, as he dug his claws into the root and began to part it with his raw strength at the leftmost end where it dug into the wall. ¡°Cover me!¡± Tod yelled out, his entire body flexing as he focused every fibre of his being on this one goal. ¡°Shit, what are you even doing!?¡± Gin yelled back, using the bending root as cover while returning arrows at the closest goblins. Moments later, the tearing sound ended in a loud snap as the root parted from the wall. Tod stepped back but did not wait to observe his very haphazard handiwork and instead immediately rushed to the other side of the tunnel, a whole fifteen feet to where the root ended entering the other wall. ¡°Tie a rope around that end of it if ye can!¡± Tod shouted back, stopping a handful of feet away from the wall he then began ripping there also. ¡°Tie rope!?¡± Gin exclaimed in confusion, but pulled out one of his coils of rope anyway, making sure he had time by killing the closest two goblins at least fifty feet behind them now, he throw a coil of rope worth twenty feet around the three feet thick root and quickly tied it off before returning to firing arrows down the tunnel. Once again the sound of wood ripping apart reached his ears, as he watched the over ten feet long pole of root turn and begin to run again as Tod dragged it behind him. ¡°Got it! Go go!¡± ¡°What the fuck do you even got!?¡± Gin demanded as he chased after him, barely catching up even at his maximum stride. ¡°No time, you tied a rope?¡± ¡°Yeah I¡¯m dragging the other end with me! What¡¯s this for!?¡± ¡°Gimmie that, tie another to this end!¡± Tod said as he pulled the rope out of Gin¡¯s hand, ¡°Trust me yeah?¡± ¡°Shit, not much choice there!¡± Gin grumbled, pulling out another coil and beginning to tie it around as once again javelins of bone descended on them. ¡°The log¡¯s slowing us down! They are going to catch up!¡± He said finishing the second knot. ¡°We just need another root at the same angle at ground height or close!¡± Tod replied, grabbing the second rope¡¯s end from Gin too. Gin glanced ahead as they continued to bob and weave between roots, now doing so more difficulty as Tod heaved with him the long log. ¡°There! Looks a few feet off the ground though!¡± Gin pointed out ahead, a few hundred feet away. ¡°But no way you¡¯re getting that log past the bramble before it!¡± ¡°Watch me.¡± Tod growled, as he sped up into a charge. Gritting his teeth, Gin paused momentarily and took aim. ¡°Dammit fine!¡± stressing his arm as he nocked his thickest arrow, almost spear-like and pulled it back with his bow¡¯s main and second string. ¡°I only got one of these!¡± He shouted, the sound of his bow bending further than it had before echoing across the tunnel. He let it loose, sending it soaring ahead. Its wide bladed tip bashing into one root and cracking it asunder into falling from its bramble. Tod in turn took in a heavy breath, dropped the log and leapt one final step forward, crashing into another root making up the bramble that impeded them. The feeling of the bones in his shoulder shattering filled his vision red, but he pressed on through the sensation of agony until this root gave away also to his strength. His left shoulder malformed and bloody with a bone now sticking out, he heaved out in exasperated pain before pulling the log closer to him with the ropes and picking it back up with his remaining arm. Gin had reached him then, his gaze scanning over his ruined shoulder. ¡°Holy, are you-¡± ¡°Fine, we don''t have time to second guess!¡± Tod warned, managing to resist losing consciousness to the agony. Just then, three javelins landed around them. ¡°Shit, move!¡± Gin exclaimed, rushing through the path they made in the bramble, followed up by Tod who dragged the log through with him. ¡°Now what?¡± Gin asked, arriving at the root formation Tod wanted, turning to see him drop the log behind him and turning it to face the same as this one. The strange boy rushed to his side holding both ropes in his one good hand, as the other¡¯s shoulder slowly but surely recovered itself. Tod threw the rope end¡¯s over this root and then leapt over to the other side as well, Gin followed him and when he glanced back and under the root, his mind caught on. ¡°Wait this is¡­¡± He turned to Tod who had taken grasp of the two ropes tightly into his one working hand. ¡°It came to me when I saw the first root we cut out,¡± Tod mused as he listened intently to the sound of scurrying creatures chasing after them. ¡°Back home, we press peeled oranges repeatedly between two planks to make jam.¡± ¡°You are crazy.¡± Gin chuckled grimly. ¡°I don''t have time to peel those goblins.¡± Tod said, as he listened to the goblins rushing through the bramble with much more ease than they had, and over the log he had dropped over fifteen feet back behind them. ¡°But I¡¯m gonna be a little greedy.¡± Listening to the foot falls, he counted as Gin stepped back and took aim ten feet away. ¡°And I¡¯m making some jam!¡± Suddenly Tod pulled at the ropes with all his might, rushing ahead and dragging them with him as fast as he could. He sprinted past Gin with a mischievous smile as the ropes sent smoke wafting off the root they were running over with such speed they dug through the bark. And Gin watched as the flailing hands and feet of several goblins lay being dragged ahead by the log that had just picked them up on its way forward. Poking out above and below the root they were all moments later smashed into, and grinded into, as it rolled up and over the root sending green and brown blood and viscera raining onto their side, much still landing over Gin as he began loosing arrows at survivors that were quick enough to duck under the log. Like shooting fish in a bucket, he had crouched low and loosed arrow after arrow under the root, ignoring it even as a whole green arm landed beside him. Momentarily he glanced up, fearing the bounced log would land on him too but, just then he head the footfalls coming back and then disappearing entirely. As behind him, Tod leapt whilst the log still remained falling in the air, and kicked it with all his might back over the other side. ¡°Next batch!¡± Tod shouted, whipping the log downward using the two ropes, as Gin watched it almost crush another goblin in its landing. And as he loosed his last arrow, Gin also watched as the many goblins that had previously followed behind the log in confusion, now stood in terrorized realisation. That they were the next batch. Once again, Tod pulled and sprinted forward, dragging with several more goblins that failed to duck in time or were too close to the log to duck or dodge when it began to move. And once again, the sound of squealing, squelching and squishing filled the air. As the log crashed and rolled off the root, it suddenly broke in two, falling down with three thuds to the rocky cave floor. The remaining goblins looked up from were they lay on the floor, shuddering as the looming figure of a young man clambered to standing onto the root covered in the remains of their brethren. ¡°Five left? Not the family reunion I wanted but,¡± Tod flexed his now healed shoulder. ¡°I guess Pops was right, goblins still don''t know.¡± He smirked, showing off his tusk like teeth. ¡°Never tick off a dreaming Troll.¡± Interlude 3-4: Red Birth The stench of fungus and sweat coalesced in the air like miasma in this perilous encampment hanging off a massive cliffedge down to depths unknown. Rotten wood, vines and repurposed scrap metal combined into a large village of sickly thin creatures known to the surface as Goblins. Their structures strewn about haphazardly in any space they could occupy quickly with an entanglement of swirling paths connecting them like a maze of makeshift bridges and flimsy platforms. The creatures swarmed about their nest of trash, actual trash as objects of all kinds lay discarded left and right floor or not. A first impression of careless insanity is a given when observing a goblin fortress, yet keener eyes note the rough outline of palisade walls, fortified pathways and even machines of war alongside them. From contraptions that seem to chuck sacks filled with who-knows-what, to oozing pots overhanging doorways filled with you-dont-want-to-know and pathways trapped to break, dropping the passers-by into pits of thats-just-sick. At the centre of it all, fleshy globules lay stacked upon each other like a hive of greenish cacoons. As the males slaved away ferrying resources and making makeshift tools elsewhere, here the females slaved away stuffing food into pipe-like protrusions of the hive, as often as the men could bring it. Occasionally the caccons would burst out, splashing all its surroundings in a warm mucus of ick, as dozens of goblinoid spawn crawled their way out almost fully grown. Warped in their very nature, yet a cruel intelligence filled each Goblin as they powered through their day, denizens worked to the bone by whip wielding higher ranked goblinoids overwatching the streets, them each listening to another of greater status in the clan lazing about barking orders, yet all followed the one and only daily goblin king. Daily, because as he sat his fat obese ass on his throne of silver and steel, an axe found itself perched in his forehead. A larger goblin threw the old king off his throne platform, taking the crown of scrap and stuffing it heartily amongst his mess of hair, the human-sized creature bellowed out in victory. A bellow cutshort, as a dagger then poked out of his throat, going hoarse before falling off choking on his own blood. Replaced by a stout greenskin, whom raised his hands posturing for respect from his now underlings. Realizing just then as one of the smithy goblins groaned, he was going to need a new crown as the old king had fallen off the cliff with it. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Hearing the barks of what may or may not remain to be today¡¯s king, the smithy worked the bellows and smelted the scrap down they could find while the eldest there picked through a selection of old rugged crown moulds of varying sizes. Picking what he thought would fit their short king best, the workers ran the molten iron down pipes of stone and finally into the chosen mould. Once again, the smithy goblins groaned, having turned from their work to find a new king. Tall but lanky, the yellowish goblin held the old king by his now crushed throat. So the eldest at the smithy emptied the mould back into the forge with great disdain. It was time to choose another mould, and the elder began doing so diligently as his new king barked out demandingly. Until, a gasp echoed out through the clan. Followed by the shuddering of the entire community, as the birthing hive quivered and discoloured from its normal green to a feverish red. Even the overseers stood and gathered at its base, as shock quickly turned to religious awe, the goblins began to chant and dance, ritually calling to the hive as its every cocoon shrunk then before shrivelling up into a dark dead black. All, except one. As the goblins sang, screeched and shrieked in praise, the cocoon shuddered and thundered like a drum. Within its crimson almost see through film, a dark form took shape. Humanoid and lanky like any other of their kind, yet ears stretching out far longer than the norm. The figure then clasped the cocoon¡¯s edge, their clawed hand crushing the wall and forcefully bursting it aside. As its insectoid wings sprung out of its back like a sprawling cloak, its crimson red skin shimmered under the dim lights of the fungi that shone across the town. Its form twice the size of even the tallest goblin, with a toned body of sheer muscle to match. Opening its newborn eyes, the creature revealed a set of deep ambers, scouring out with a keen intellect and hungering gaze. ¡°Bow.¡± It hissed, and the greenskins bent the knee. A cacophony of grunts followed, rhythmic in nature and ritualistic in spirit. The goblins welcomed their forever king, for a hobgoblin had been born. It sniffed the air, its eyes glistening with a need, a destiny. ¡°I smell Troll.¡± Stepping down from the hive, the lumbering creature chuckled wetly. ¡°I SMELL TROLL!¡± It bellowed with outstretched arms, and the goblins repeated the words in a feverish pitch, the sound echoing out into the surrounding caverns and sending both fauna and flora into a panicked flight.