The group found a small, flat section of stone and set down their packs. The air was cool and damp, their torches flickering as faint whispers echoed from deeper inside the dungeon.
They began unpacking supplies — rations, ropes, bandages. Every sound felt too loud in the silence.
Rita, her brown hair tied back and armor lightly scratched from earlier travels, turned toward Altleno.
"Hey, you sure you don't want a sword?" she asked, holding one out to him. "You'll need something to defend yourself."
Altleno glanced at the blade, then at his hands. His voice was calm.
"I don't know how to use one of those," he said. "I'm okay with my fists."
The woman blinked, first in surprise, then in quiet admiration. "You're either very brave… or completely insane," she said with a half-smile.
Altleno chuckled softly. "Maybe both."
He turned back to the rest of the group. "Is everything ready?"
Lux, nodded as he checked his satchel. "Potions and runes — good to go."
Ron, tall and broad-shouldered, slammed his shield into the ground. "Defense ready."
Silver, the armored vanguard, adjusted his sword. "Front secured."
Lux, was already ahead with a lantern, eyes sharp and curious. "Scouting path ahead. No traps yet."
Altleno nodded approvingly. "Then it's settled."
He looked down the long, twisting passage before them. The flicker of torchlight seemed to die out after just a few meters, swallowed by the dark.
"Stay close," he said quietly.
The air grew colder as Altleno and his team descended the winding stone path. Their torchlight flickered against the slick walls, where strange symbols pulsed faintly in the dark. Every step echoed — a reminder that they were deep below the world of the living.
A low growl came first. Then the sound of claws scraping against stone.
From the shadows, goblins appeared — but not like the ones they knew of.
These were malformed, walking on all fours, their eyes glowing green as saliva dripped from their jagged teeth. They moved like rabid animals, snarling as they launched at the group.
Rita and Ron stepped forward. Ron, the team's defender, slammed his shield into the ground, blocking the first rush of goblins. Rita chanted behind him, her staff glowing.
"Burn!" she cried — and waves of fire spiraled forward, scorching three of the creatures. The others leapt over the flames, landing near Lux, who spun with precision, his dagger flashing in arcs of silver light.
Altleno dashed in, his fists glowing faintly with aura. He smashed a goblin mid-air, sending it crashing into the wall.
"Keep moving!" Lux shouted. "They're trying to surround us!"
They fought in sync — Silver swinging his greatsword in wide, heavy sweeps, Lux darting between the monsters' legs, and Rita's fire magic lighting up the tunnels. Altleno focused on the larger goblins. One swung it's claws at his head, but Altleno caught it, twisted, and broke its arm before punching through its chest.
The air stank of blood and smoke.
After the fight, they all drunk potions to heal their wounds.