RAAARW!!!
A monster roar echoed across the battlefield
"CrimsonEdge, attack!"
"On it—SWORD SLASH!" CrimsonEdge's sword glowed, enhancing its sharpness and durability. Then he dashed toward the monster and struck with a swift slash.
"Lightwhisper, give him support."
Lightwhisper nodded, then opened her holy book and prepared to cast a holy spell on CrimsonEdge. "Oh, heavenly being, heed my prayers, grant me with your power to guide and protect my ally—Divine Blessing." Lightwhisper cast the spell with a soft and gentle voice.
Then a magic circle formed above CrimsonEdge, surrounding him with a warm light. His body grew stronger, his speed and strength were enhanced times two, and he gained heat, cold, poison, and curse resistance.
CrimsonEdge's attacks were powerful, but the monster is tough.
"SilentScope —Shooooot!"
SilentScope aimed into the monster's eyes, but it was covered with a thick nictitating membrane; it was hard as a stone. So, SilentScope finds some weak spot, and he keeps shooting, assisting CrimsonEdge.
Meanwhile, at the back, ManaMuse was preparing a powerful spell.
ManaMuse murmured, casting her spell quietly, so the monster won't notice her. "Oh, spirit of fire, I call upon you, grant me power and total control over flames. Burn my enemy into cinder, engulf it with your scorching fire. Let the blaze devour them and leave no trace intact." She focused and gathered her mana. Then with a scream, she shouted. "FIRE BLAST!!!"
A massive projectile of fire was heading towards the monster. But the monsters manage to dodge ManaMuse's attack.
"WHAAAT!" ManaMuse shouted.
"What the—" SilentScope began, eyes wide in disbelief.
Lightwhisper's spell was wearing off, so CrimsonEdge retreated to the team. "That monster is super tough… my sword barely pierced it," he said with a hard look and an expression of exhaustion.
Everyone was baffled. This was their first time encountering such clever and strong opponents.
How can this monster be so strong and quick-witted? ManaMuse thought to herself.
We need to end this fast. But how? CrimsonEdge wondered, trying to figure out a way to finish the battle quickly.
"Everyone, stand your ground. We can do this!" Someone shouted, encouraging everyone's spirits.
Everyone stood firm in their will and awaited the command of the one who had been leading them all along.
"CrimsonEdge —again, try to attack. This time with I'll assist you."
"Lightwhisper, I need you to support us once more."
Lightwhisper nodded. "I'll assist you no matter what," She spoke softly.
"SilentScope, you'll assist us from afar. Got it?"
"Got it," SilentScope replied with a nod.
"ManaMuse, prepare a powerful spell again—we'll distract the monster."
"Don't worry, I will prepare my most powerful spell. This time, I won't miss." ManaMuse spoke confidently.
"Did everyone follow?"
Everyone nodded, then began preparing for battle.
"NOW!!!"
While preparing to attack, Lightwhisper also began casting her spell—Greater Divine Blessing.
"Oh, heavenly being, once more heed my prayers. Grant me power so I may guide and protect my allies—Greater Divine Blessing," Lightwhisper intoned with a soft, elegant voice.
CrimsonEdge and the team leader were both blessed by Lightwhisper 's spell, receiving a powerful buff that enhanced their physical speed and strength, as well as their resistance to heat, cold, poison, and curses. An additional effect coated their bodies in a protective barrier.
Then—
DEFEAT.
—flashed across the screen.
"Augh!" Bulwark groaned, his face full of frustration. "We were so close to defeating that monster!"
"Don't worry, Bulwark. In our next game, we're gonna defeat that monster," Lightwhisper said softly, uplifting Bulwark's spirit.
"That was the final boss—Auuurgh!" CrimsonEdge spoke with a frustrated look. "It was true when everyone said that this game is really hard."
"We can do it next time, you guys," SilentScope said, encouraging them. "By the way, where are ManaMuse and ShadowReap?" he asked.
"Oh, ManaMuse and ShadowReap said they had something to do," CrimsonEdge replied.
"Okay, guys—see you tomorrow!" Bulwark said, waving at his teammates.
The voice chat cut off, and the call ended.
Deon— Bulwark username—let out a frustrated groan."Auurgh! That was so close." He was still clearly annoyed about the game they had lost.
We should've come up with a strategy… we could've beaten that monster. What a waste.Sigh… oh well. I'll make up for it in the next game, Deon thought to himself, staring blankly at the dark screen.
A moment of silence passed. The room felt a little emptier after the call ended.
"Let's go to sleep, shall we?" He muttered quietly, pushing back his chair with a sigh.
An hour had passed while Deon was sleeping. A faint noise kept echoing from the living room—soft at first, then stopping. Silence fell.
Then, his bedroom door creaked open slowly… as if someone—or something—was entering.
A small figure stepped in, moving quietly toward Deon's bed.
Still half-asleep, Deon's eyes fluttered open. A blurry shape he saw in his vision, but he could just make out a small, humanoid figure approaching.
"Huh?" he muttered, his voice groggy. "Who's that? Danny… is that you?" he asked, squinting in the dark.
Then—
KSHHH!
A loud crash echoed from the kitchen. The sound of shattering glass rang through Deon's house.
Deon's eyes snapped open, fully awake now.
Standing near the foot of his bed was a monster—a small, furry creature walking on two legs, with glowing yellow eyes, pointed ears, and clawed hands.
He panicked. "What the hell is that?" he said.
Then the monster jumped onto his bed. He rolled to the right side, falling off—but managed to dodge the creature just in time.
Is that a goblin? No… It's furry. Shit, that thing's dangerous, he thought to himself. I need to think of a way to escape.
The monster dashed toward him—fast. Deon jumped aside just in time, slightly dodging the attack. His eyes darted to the corner of the room—his bat. Without thinking, he bolted for it. The creature lunged again, claws extended, aiming straight for Deon. But just in time, Deon grabbed the bat and swung with all his strength.
CRACK!
The bat hit the monster, sending it crashing into his closet. The impact was strong—loud. The wooden door of the closet broke down from the force.
"Danny…" he murmured, thinking of his little brother.
"DANNY!" Deon shouted toward the other room.
Their parents were away on a work trip, so Deon was in charge of the house.
Please be okay, he thought, worry sinking in.
He stepped out of his room—then he froze. Another monster stood in the living room. For a moment, they stared at each other.
Then it charged.
Its claws slashed toward him, but Deon dodged and swung his bat. He managed to hit it, but it wasn't as strong as before. The creature stumbled, then quickly got back up. Deon gritted his teeth, tightened his grip, and swung again—this time with all his strength.
THUD!
The monster fainted. Deon ran to his brother's bedroom and banged on the door three times.
"Danny! Danny! Danny! Wake up!" he shouted, pounding harder.
He considered breaking the door down—until suddenly, it opened.
"Huh? What's going on…?" his brother mumbled, rubbing his eyes, still half-asleep.
"Oh, thank God you're okay—get inside," Deon said, grabbing his brother's arm and pulling him into the room.
Both of them hurried inside Danny's bedroom, then shoved a drawer against the door, barricading it as best they could.
"You got your phone? I left mine in my room," Deon asked, catching his breath.
"Yeah, here," Danny replied, handing it over. "But… what's going on, bro?"
"No time to explain. Call the cops. Now," Deon said quickly.
Danny tapped the screen, waited. "I… I can't get through. It's not working."
He tried again, but nothing. "It won't connect… The call won't go through. I think the signal's dead."
Deon cursed under his breath. "Damn it…"
"What's happening?" Danny asked again, his voice shaking now.
Deon turned to him, face serious. "There's a monster in the house. I know it sounds crazy—but I swear I'm not joking. It was small, kind of looked like something out of a video game. It was small, just like a goblin, but not quite… I think it is a kobold. It attacked me while I was asleep."
Danny stared at him, stunned. "A… kobold?"
"Yes. So be quiet, alright? We don't know if there are more out there."
Danny nodded slowly, fear creeping across his face. "And the signal's gone. We can't call anyone."
"Okay, we just need to stay here and wait until help arrives," Deon told his little brother, trying to keep his voice steady. "Keep an eye on the door and the windows. That thing might try to break in again."
Both of them stayed alert, tense… but drowsiness slowly crept in. Minutes turned into hours, and eventually, the two drifted off to sleep.
CRACK!
The sound of something shattering jolted them awake.
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
A scream echoed from outside—it was coming from their neighbor's house. Then came the snarling—harsh, guttural, and far too familiar. He knew that sound. It was those kobolds he fought earlier, and not just one. This time… it sounded like four of them.
To be continued...