Raph finished his meal as the sun was gleaming over the trees on the horizon. It was starting to get a bit late. A waiter came and took his plate off the table, leaving him to himself. His gaze wandered around the tavern.
He glanced around the bustling tavern, eyes scanning for anything interesting. The air was fragrant with the aroma of hearty meals, mingling with the laughter and chatter of various patrons. It wasn't long before Lia, Tess, and Finn entered, the trio's presence commanding attention despite the crowd.
"Raph!" Lia called out, her vibrant hair catching the soft glow of the lanterns as she waved. The warmth in her voice made him smile, dispelling any signs of irritation from being made to wait so long. Not that there were any, and not that he minded.
"Glad I didn't feel too lonely at this table," he replied, gesturing for them to join him. Tess slid into the seat beside him, her expression a mix of curiosity and excitement, while Finn settled across from him, arms crossed and eyes skeptical.
"So, what do you have for us?" Finn asked, his tone balancing between skepticism and eagerness.
Raph leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as he began, "I found the manticore's lair. It's nestled in a deep ravine not too far from here. When I arrived, it was sleeping, so I had a good look at it. Pretty majestic and terrifying at the same time."
"Was it alone?" Tess interjected, her brow furrowing with concern.
"From what I could tell, yes. But it's still a wild beast. We should approach with extreme caution. I took the liberty of tossing a stone to check its reaction. It didn't seem too sensitive to disturbances, though it woke up and prowled around a bit before going back to sleep."
Lia's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "That's valuable intel. Knowing that it doesn't react immediately to sounds could work in our favor."
"Exactly," Raph nodded, feeling more comfortable now that he had their attention. "We can develop a plan around its behavior. I suggest we take a stealthier approach, avoid direct confrontation unless absolutely necessary. We want to confirm it's alone before we make any aggressive moves."
Finn regarded him with a thoughtful expression, his usual skepticism softened by the logic of Raph's insights. "I must admit, that's a prudent strategy, especially with our limited information. Good work, rookie."
"Thanks," Raph said, a grin creeping back onto his face. "Just doing my part."
As they continued discussing the mission, a sense of camaraderie built between them. Lia and her party of two exchanged ideas about possible tactics with him and shared stories of past encounters that had gone awry—moments that had taught them valuable lessons about teamwork and trust.
By the time their conversation drew to an end, the sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting an orange glow through the tavern windows. They finalized their plans, agreeing to meet at dawn to head out towards the ravine.
The group felt a rush of satisfaction as they prepared to leave, the thrill of adventure pulsing through their veins, well at least the most of them. .
As they stepped out of The Hanging Willows into the cool evening air, Raph glanced back at the tavern. It had been a day of unexpected encounters and the promise of new challenges. With a newfound sense of purpose, he headed back toward the Gilded Lantern, ready to face whatever awaited them in the dark depths of the forest the next day.
*****
At dawn
The horizon glimmered with the first rays of dawn, casting golden hues across the landscape as Raph arrived at their meeting spot. He stood at the edge of the forest, the cool breeze brushing against his face, invigorating him for the challenge ahead. One by one, his companions for the mission emerged from the shadows, each bringing their unique energy to the group.
"Ready to face a legend?" Lia's voice rang with excitement as she approached, her daggers glinting in the morning light.
"Anytime," Raph replied with a confident grin, feeling the adrenaline course through him.
Tess arrived next, carefully organizing her spell components, her brow concentrated yet eager. "I've improved my mana control; I think I can support us better than last time," she said, her determination evident.
Finn lumbered in last, his imposing figure clad in Armor that clinked with each step. "As long as the beast doesn't run away, we'll be fine," he muttered, adjusting his shield.
With a reassuring nod from Lia, they set off towards the ravine where the manticore awaited. As they trekked through the forest, the rising pierced through the canopy, illuminating their path.
*********
Upon reaching the edge of the ravine, the group halted. The manticore lay stretched across a rocky ledge, its majestic body marked with the tension of a predator in repose.
"Remember the plan," Lia whispered, her focus unwavering, "Tess, you support us with your spells. Raph and I will engage it. Finn, hold the line and draw its attention if it charges."
With a soft nod from the others, Lia took a deep breath, gripping her daggers sword tightly. She felt the familiar weight of responsibility settle on her—a role she was more than ready to fulfil.
"On my count," she breathed, raising a hand.
"Three… two… one… now!"
Lia dashed forward, her agility propelling her towards the manticore, daggers glinting as she aimed for its underbelly. Raph followed closely, a sword drawn at an angle prepared to strike or deflect.
As they approached, the manticore stirred, its sleepy demeanour shattered. With a furious roar, it lashed its armoured tail toward Lia, who deftly dodged, rolling to the side. The sound of rushing wind passed her as the tail crashed into the ground, sending shards of rock flying.
Raph seized the opportunity. "Now, Tess!" he called, anticipating the need for support.
"Here goes!" Tess exclaimed, weaving her fingers in intricate patterns, summoning a shimmer of energy. A brilliant bolt of wind erupted from her fingertips, striking the manticore in its side. The beast howled, distraction momentarily focused on the pain.
"Go, Raph!" Lia shouted, regaining her position as she flanked it, aiming for a quick strike. Raph surged forward, thrusting his sword toward the manticore's flank, landing a solid hit.
The creature snarled, its golden eyes locking onto Raph. Finn stepped forward, positioning himself as a bulwark between the manticore and Raph. He raised his shield just as the manticore roared and lunged, its fanged maw snapping dangerously close. Raph felt a rush of admiration for Finn's unwavering defense, steady and strong.
"Come on, beast! You want a piece of me?" Finn taunted, holding his ground with a fierce determination. His shield absorbed the manticore's assault, its claws scraping against the metal but failing to breach his defense.
With the beast momentarily distracted, Raph took advantage again. "Lia!" he called, signaling her to strike.
She danced behind the manticore, her daggers flashing as she aimed for its vulnerable spots, striking with precision. The manticore launched its tail back toward her, but Raph interjected, moving quickly to intercept it with a slash that disarmed the creature, causing it to stagger.
"Great teamwork" Tess spoke, her focus steady as she unleashed another spell—the air crackled as she conjured a gust of wind that propelled Lia out of harm's way just as the manticore regrouped.
"Watch your flanks!" Raph shouted, circling to provide cover as Tess continued to support them with well-timed spells. The manticore, disoriented but furious, swung its tail toward Raph, who nimbly sidestepped, using his agility to evade.
Finn moved in again, thrusting his shield forward to block another lunge. "Let's bring it down!" he encouraged, his stance firm.
Once more, Raph took the lead. "Tess, now with everything you've got!"
She nodded resolutely, channeling all her mana into an incantation. "Whirlwind"
A gust of wind quickly rose up high, currents twisting in opposite directions meeting at its centre, directed at the beast. It knocked the beast on its side.
Lia, never missing a beat, had now closed the distance, delighting in her dance around the beast. With quick, precise movements, she plunged one dagger into its hind leg, then the other into its shoulder, creating openings. The manticore snarled, turning back toward her, its fury palpable.
"Now, Tess!" Lia shouted, sensing the moment was right. With a wave of her staff, she changed gears, Tess summoned a torrent of magical flames, engulfing the manticore in a whirl of heat and wind. The beast struggled, thrashing against the pain, but it only hungered for more.
Raph deflected a swipe intended for him, making room for Finn to charge at the creature. With a powerful upward thrust, Finn brought his shield crashing down against the manticore, stunning it momentarily.
With the manticore reeling from the impact and its fury redirected, Raph could see an opening. "Now! Everyone, press the advantage!" he shouted, firing up the group's adrenaline.
Lia was quick to respond, weaving between the manticore's frenzied movements. She focused on its underbelly, where the scales were thinner. "Raph, cover me!" she yelled, darting in for a swift attack.
Raph nodded, positioning himself between Lia and the manticore's charging claws. He kept his sword raised, ready to intercept any attack aimed at her. As Lia approached, she delivered a series of sharp jabs, each strike aimed at weakening the beast further.
The manticore twisted, trying to shake off the attackers, but Raph was ready with an unexpected spell, mid cast. "Hailstorm!" he shouted, invoking a flurry of icy shards that struck the manticore, forcing it to focus on defending against the freezing projectiles.
Finn charged again, his shield held high, drawing the beast's attention. "You want me? Come and get it!" His taunts echoed off the ravine walls as he engaged the manticore directly. With every aggressive claw swipe the beast took at him, he stepped lightly aside, using his bulk to shield his companions.
"Raph! Join me!" Lia called, signaling that she had prepared for a more coordinated strike. With more focus and trust than ever, Raph leaped into action, finding a strong footing as he lunged beside her.
Together, they executed a synchronized attack. Raph aimed for the creature's head while Lia darted low to disorient it further. The manticore roared, its fury intensifying, but Raph and Lia evaded its claws with a mix of agility and precise timing, their efforts culminating in a barrage of strikes.
"Tess, now!" Lia shouted, knowing their coordinated efforts needed the final push to end the confrontation.
"Here it goes!" Tess cried, combining the elemental forces within her, channeling mana into a powerful spell. "Crimson Vortex!" Her staff ignited, creating a spiraling torrent of fire mixed with wind, which honed in specifically on the manticore.
The beast, now heavily injured and overwhelmed by the combined tactics of the group, struggled against the onslaught, its form staggered as it tried helplessly to regain control. The flames enveloped it, leaving it vulnerable and distracted.
"Finish it!" Finn called out, his voice fierce and commanding. He bolted forward, weapon drawn. Raph, following closely, mirrored Finn's charge.
They struck together, Finn's shield and Raph's sword united in a forceful downward thrust that landed solidly against the chest of the manticore. With one united blow, the creature let out a final roar before collapsing to the ground, the life finally extinguished from its once-mighty form.
Silence enveloped the ravine, punctuated only by the sounds of their heavy breathing. The group stood around the fallen manticore, a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration swirling within them.
"We did it," Raph breathed. The thrill of victory rushed through the party, as he caught Lia's eye, her own expression reflecting a combination of pride and relief.
Tess approached cautiously, looking down at the manticore. "It was a fierce battle, but we worked well together. I'm proud of us."
Finn nodded slowly, wiping sweat from his brow. "We should be careful. It's important to remember the lessons learned today. Manticore or not, it still earned our respect."
Lia smiled, clapping a hand on Raph's shoulder. "This was only the beginning. We have much to learn, and many more adventures await us."
"So mister, was that enough of a test run to decide if you will join us or not?" She gave him the sheepiest smile she could manage as she said that.