The forest's oppressive gloom gave way to the demon's lair, a yawning cave mouth carved into a rocky hillside, its edges jagged like broken teeth.
Leon's heart pounded as he followed Saria and the party inside, the air growing thick with the stench of sulfur and damp decay.
Glowing fungi clung to the walls, casting an eerie green light that danced across the stalactites overhead.
The smooth stone in his satchel felt heavier, a faint pulse of magic reassuring him even as his sneakers slipped on the slick cave floor.
This is it, he thought, his breath shallow.
A real dungeon. No checkpoints, no save files.
Terya's worsening curse weighed on him, her pale face and labored breathing a stark reminder of why they were here.
Saria led the way, her black ponytail swaying, her sword drawn and her fiery aura flickering in the dim light.
Her face remained a stoic mask, her dark eyes scanning the shadows for threats.
Terya followed, her blonde hair dulled by sweat, the web-like curse on her cheek pulsing faster, her steps unsteady but defiant.
Tila, the young archer, kept her shortbow notched, her brown eyes wide with nervous excitement, while Boren, the grizzled spearman, brought up the rear, his spear gleaming and his scowl deeper than the cave itself.
The tunnel narrowed, the fungi's glow intensifying, and a skittering sound echoed ahead.
"Heads up," Saria said, her voice flat but sharp, her hand flaring with fire.
Before Leon could react, green goblins burst from the shadows, their yellow eyes glinting and claws scraping the stone.
Bat-like imps swooped down, their screeches piercing the air, wings beating like drums.
Saria moved first, a fireball roaring from her hand, engulfing two goblins in a blaze that filled the cave with the stench of charred flesh.
Tila's arrows flew, piercing an imp's wing and dropping it with a thud.
Boren charged, his spear impaling a goblin mid-lunge, his gruff voice muttering curses as he yanked the weapon free.
Leon froze, his heart racing, the chaos overwhelming until Terya's hoarse voice snapped him back.
"Leon, move!" she barked, her sword slashing weakly at a goblin, her strength fading.
Her green eyes locked on his, urging him to act.
Leon scrambled forward, his satchel bouncing, and ducked as an imp dove at him, its claws grazing his tunic.
"Crap, crap, crap!" he yelped, his hands fumbling for the stone.
He gripped it, picturing the Flame Arc Terya had taught him, and thrust his hand forward.
A crescent of fire slashed through the air, slicing an imp's wing clean off.
The creature screeched, crashing into the wall, and Leon's eyes widened, a grin breaking across his face.
"I'm getting the hang of this!" he shouted, pumping his fist.
His triumph was short-lived as he tripped over a stalagmite, sprawling onto the cave floor with a grunt.
Terya's weak laugh echoed, followed by a wet, hacking cough that sent a chill through him.
She leaned against the wall, blood flecking her lips, her cursed cheek pulsing violently.
"Nice… fall, rookie," she rasped, her smirk strained.
Leon's stomach twisted, his grin fading.
"Terya, hang on," he said, scrambling to his feet. He rushed to her, but Saria's voice cut through the fray.
"Leon, heal Tila!" she called, her fireball blasting another goblin. "She's hit!"
Leon spun, spotting Tila clutching her arm, a goblin's claw having left a deep scratch.
He darted to her, his hands trembling as he touched the wound.
"Hold still," he said, closing his eyes and focusing on the warmth of his magic.
The memory of Saria's lips and Terya's kisses flashed unbidden, sparking his arousal and fueling the power in his chest.
The stone in his satchel glowed faintly, and a warm tingle flowed into Tila's arm, knitting the scratch closed.
She gasped, flexing her arm, and grinned.
"Thanks, Doc!" Tila said, nocking another arrow. "You're a lifesaver!"
Leon nodded, his breath ragged, pride mixing with worry as he glanced at Terya, who was still coughing, her sword arm trembling.
The fight slowed, the last goblin falling to Boren's spear, and the imps retreating into the shadows, their screeches fading.
The party caught their breath, the cave's sulfurous stench mingling with the metallic tang of blood.
Saria sheathed her sword, her face still expressionless but her eyes flicking to Terya with concern.
"We're close," she said, her voice steady. "The Crimson Thorn and the kobold are deeper in. Stay sharp."
Leon's eyes scanned the cave, his nerves jangling, when a faint red glow caught his attention—a cherry-like fruit, the Crimson Thorn, perched on a high ledge above a jagged outcrop.
Its light matched the vision perfectly, pulsing like a tiny heart.
"There!" he said, pointing, his voice a mix of excitement and dread. "That's it, right?"
Saria nodded, her eyes narrowing. "Get it. Be careful."
Leon swallowed hard, his hands sweaty as he approached the outcrop.
The ledge was narrow, the drop below littered with sharp rocks.
No pressure, he thought, his heart pounding.
He climbed, his sneakers slipping on the damp stone, his fingers gripping the rough edges.
Halfway up, his foot missed a hold, and he slid, a yelp escaping as his stomach lurched.
"Careful, kid!" Boren's gruff voice rang out, and a strong hand grabbed his arm, steadying him. The spearman stood below, his scowl fierce but his grip firm.
Leon's breath hitched, his face flushed with embarrassment.
"T-Thanks," he stammered, his heart still racing. He pushed on, reaching the ledge and snatching the Crimson Thorn, its surface warm and slick in his hand.
He tucked it into his satchel, the glow muffled by the leather, and climbed down, his legs shaking but his grin returning.
"Got it!" he said, holding up the satchel like a trophy.
Tila clapped, her grin wide.
"Nice one, Doc!" she said, her shortbow bouncing on her shoulder.
Terya managed a weak nod, her coughs quieter now but her face pale.
"Not bad, rookie," she said, her voice hoarse. "Now… let's find that kobold before I keel over."
Saria's eyes met Leon's, a silent acknowledgment of his effort, though her face remained blank. "Move," she said, her tone firm. "The deeper we go, the worse it gets."
Leon nodded, his chest swelling with a mix of pride and determination.
He'd healed Tila, fought with a Flame Arc, and grabbed the Crimson Thorn without dying—small wins, but they felt huge.
I'm not a hero yet, he thought, gripping the satchel as they pressed deeper into the cave, but I'm starting to feel like one.