Encounter in the Ruins – A Tense Confrontation
As Mellali, Hadjer, and Korrak ventured deeper into the ruins, the air grew heavier, and the winding corridors seemed to stretch endlessly. The last fight had pushed them to their limits, but their spirits were still high, knowing they had gained valuable experience and loot. Yet the further they traveled, the more Mellali's unshakable sense of caution grew.
The ruins were never without danger, and as they rounded a corner into a larger chamber, they came across another group of adventurers—four of them, standing near a pile of ancient debris. At first glance, they looked like seasoned explorers, their weapons and armor worn but well-maintained. One of them, a tall man with a long, braided beard, nodded in greeting as the group approached.
"Well met," the man called out, his tone friendly enough, but something in his eyes made Mellali's gut tighten with suspicion. "Seems like we're not the only ones brave enough to explore these ruins."
Korrak frowned immediately, his grip tightening on his greataxe. He stepped forward, his stance already tense. "What are your names?" he asked gruffly, scanning the group.
The man smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm Hans, and these are my companions—Lorn, Berta, and Fenna."
At the sound of the name Hans, Korrak's expression darkened considerably. He took a step back, muttering under his breath, "I don't trust Hans."
Mellali raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways at Korrak. "Hans is a common enough name, isn't it?"
Korrak shook his head firmly. "Every Hans I've ever met has been bad luck. It's not just a name, it's a curse." His voice was filled with a strange conviction, and Mellali couldn't help but wonder just how many Hanses had crossed Korrak's path.
Hans, meanwhile, seemed oblivious to the mounting tension as he stepped forward, offering a disarming smile. "Looks like we're both after the same thing—treasure, I assume?" He gestured to the ruins around them, his eyes gleaming with the excitement of discovery.
---
Mellali's Growing Suspicion
Something felt off. Mellali had always been quick to pick up on details others might overlook, and something about this group wasn't sitting right with him. He scanned their gear carefully, and that's when he noticed it—a faint smudge of dried blood on one of the weapons. It wasn't fresh, but it was there. His mind raced, piecing together the details. Their armor was slightly mismatched, their weapons were worn in odd places, as though they had been taken from fallen adventurers rather than bought or forged. It wasn't just the blood—it was everything. These people weren't just explorers; they were plunderers.
Mellali stepped closer to Hadjer, lowering his voice. "Something's not right about them. Look at their gear—there's blood on it. They've been scavenging from fallen adventurers."
Hadjer, standing quietly beside him as she usually did, listened but didn't look particularly concerned. She glanced at the group, her expression calm. "Mellali, you say that about everyone. You don't trust anyone. If I listened to you every time, we'd be hiding from the world."
Mellali frowned, his tone firm but quiet. "You shouldn't trust them, Hadjer. You really shouldn't. Just look at them. That guy's sword has blood on it. Why would an adventurer's sword still have blood from a fight this far into the ruins?"
Hadjer glanced at the weapon but shrugged. "Maybe they were in a battle recently. You're always looking for reasons not to trust people."
"It's more than that," Mellali insisted, his voice low but insistent. "There's something off about them. I'm telling you."
Hadjer sighed softly, shaking her head. "It's just your nature, Mellali. If I followed your advice, I'd never trust anyone."
Mellali's eyes flickered with frustration, but he kept his voice level. "That's because most people aren't worth trusting. These guys? They're plunderers, Hadjer. They're scavenging bodies, not ruins."
---
Korrak's Instinct – No Trust for Hans
While Mellali and Hadjer were having their quiet exchange, Korrak's eyes never left Hans. He still had his weapon lowered, but his grip on the greataxe was tight, his knuckles white. The barbarian didn't need to know the details to follow his instincts—and every instinct he had told him that Hans couldn't be trusted.
"Names tell you a lot about a man," Korrak muttered, glancing toward Mellali. "And I don't trust anyone named Hans. They bring bad luck. Every Hans I've ever known has been trouble."
Mellali almost rolled his eyes but caught himself. "It's just a name, Korrak. But I get it—something's off here."
Korrak grunted in agreement, still staring down Hans with open suspicion. "Trust me. Hans equals bad news."
---
The Plunderers' Healer – Fenna the Druid
Amidst the conversation, one of the group—a woman dressed in simple robes, with wild hair and earthy accessories—stepped forward. Her posture was calm, and her eyes were steady, carrying the presence of someone more in tune with nature than the ruins around them. Mellali quickly identified her as a healer, likely a druid build based on her appearance. She didn't seem as hardened as the others, and for a moment, Mellali's suspicions wavered, if she wasn't a woman he could have even trusted her, but he knows better than to trust a woman. Was she simply traveling with the wrong crowd?
"Fenna's a healer," Hans said, his voice laced with an easy confidence. "She's kept us alive through more than a few tough fights. If you're worried about anything, I'm sure she can help clear the air."
Fenna gave a small nod, her voice soft but confident. "We're not here to cause trouble. We're all just trying to survive the ruins."
Mellali studied her carefully, unsure of whether her sincerity was genuine or just an act. She seemed different from the others—less eager for treasure, more focused on the survival aspect. Yet she was still traveling with a group that had the telltale signs of looters.
Before Mellali could respond, Korrak's voice cut through the tension. "Healer or not, I don't trust any of you." His gaze locked on Hans. "Especially not you."
Hans raised an eyebrow, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face. "Is there a problem here?"
Mellali stepped forward, deciding to voice his concerns. "Your group… You're not just adventurers, are you? You're looting from bodies. I've seen the signs—your gear doesn't match, and that sword has blood on it. Blood from someone you didn't just fight."
The atmosphere shifted immediately. The air became thick with tension as Hans's expression darkened, and his companions shifted uncomfortably. The facade of friendliness began to crack, revealing a much more dangerous edge.
"Careful with your accusations," Hans said slowly, his voice low and cold. "Not everyone here has your sense of morality. Sometimes you take what you need to survive."
Mellali's hand twitched toward his spellcasting focus, his eyes narrowing. "Surviving is one thing. Plundering the dead is another."
Hadjer, who had remained quiet for most of the conversation, finally stepped forward, her tone calm but firm. "We're not looking for a fight. But Mellali's right—you're hiding something."
---
The Standoff – Trust Broken
Hans sneered, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Maybe we are. Maybe we aren't. But it's not your concern, is it? You do what you need to do, and we'll do the same."
Korrak took a step forward, his greataxe gleaming in the low light. "If it involves us, it becomes our concern."
The other members of Hans's group—Lorn and Berta—moved closer, their hands resting on their weapons. Fenna, the healer, stood back, her expression uncertain as tension mounted between the two groups.
Mellali glanced toward Hadjer, his voice quiet. "I told you. We can't trust them."
Hadjer sighed softly but didn't argue. She could see the truth in his words now, even if she didn't want to admit it. "Fine," she whispered back. "But let's handle this carefully."
The Fight Begins - Hans's Betrayal
The tension in the chamber became almost unbearable as Hans's friendly facade fell away, replaced by cold calculation. His hand dropped to the hilt of his sword, and the cruel smile that tugged at the corner of his lips made Mellali's gut twist. He had known something was off, and now his suspicions were confirmed.
"Enough talk," Hans growled, his voice low and menacing. "Kill them. Take their gear before the mobs come back. I'm not interested in playing nice anymore."
Lorn and Berta, Hans's companions, moved immediately at his command, drawing their weapons without hesitation. Lorn's broadsword gleamed wickedly in the dim light, while Berta notched an arrow in her bow, her eyes narrowing as she took aim.
Korrak snarled, his grip tightening on his greataxe. "I knew I didn't like this guy," he muttered.
Mellali's pulse quickened, his mind racing. They weren't naive enough to think this fight would be easy, but they certainly weren't going to let themselves get taken down by a bunch of plunderers. "Hadjer, stay close," Mellali whispered, eyes locked on the enemy.
Hadjer, as quiet as ever, nodded in response, her fingers already brushing her rapier as her Bladesong ignited with energy. She didn't speak, but Mellali knew she was ready.
The Battle - A Close Match
Hans was the first to move, lunging forward with his bloodied sword aimed directly at Mellali. His attack was swift, and there was a deadly precision in his movements. Mellali barely had time to react, throwing up his hand as he cast Shield (reaction), a shimmering barrier of arcane force deflecting the blade just inches from his face.
(misses due to Shield)
"Not so easy," Mellali muttered, stepping back and readying his next spell. He could see the gleam of malice in Hans's eyes, and he knew this fight was going to be brutal.
Korrak, never one to hesitate, charged straight at Lorn with a roar, his greataxe swinging in a wide arc. The two warriors clashed with the sound of steel on steel, their weapons sending sparks flying as they traded blows.
( Damage: 17 slashing)
(Damage: 15 slashing)
Both men were evenly matched, their sheer strength evident in every swing. Lorn grunted as Korrak's axe bit into his side, but he retaliated quickly, driving his broadsword into Korrak's shoulder with a powerful thrust. The barbarian grinned through the pain, his rage only fueling his next attack.
Hadjer, meanwhile, was a blur of movement. Her Bladesong made her nearly untouchable as she weaved through the battlefield, her rapier darting forward with deadly precision. She targeted Berta, who had loosed an arrow in her direction moments earlier.
(Damage: 12 piercing)
Berta barely had time to react before Hadjer's rapier sliced through the leather of her armor, leaving a deep gash across her side. The archer stumbled back, trying to nock another arrow, but Hadjer was relentless, her movements too quick and fluid to be easily countered.
Fenna's Hesitation - The Healer's Dilemma
Amidst the chaos, Fenna, the healer druid, stood off to the side, her staff in hand. But something was wrong- she wasn't casting any spells to aid Hans's group. In fact, she hadn't moved at all since the fight started.Hans, noticing her inaction, turned toward her, his voice dripping with venom.
"Fenna, do something! Heal us, you useless witch!"
But Fenna didn't move. Her eyes were wide, filled with hesitation and fear. It was as if she had been frozen in place, unsure of what to do, torn between two terrible choices. Hans's words were filled with rage, but there was something more in them-control, a hold over her that went beyond simple leadership.
Mellali, always observant, noticed Fenna's hesitation. For a moment, he wondered if there was more to her situation than he had initially thought. Still, his trust in strangers- especially strangers who seemed to be in league with plunderers-was non-existent. He kept his guard up, focusing on the immediate threat.
The Tide Turns - Fenna's Choice
As the battle raged on, it became clear that Mellali's group was gaining the upper hand. Korrak's relentless attacks were wearing Lorn down, Hadjer's swift strikes had left Berta badly wounded, and Mellali was keeping Hans at bay with his defensive spells. The plunderers had thought this would be an easy fight, but they had underestimated their opponents.
Hans, now desperate, turned once again to Fenna. "I said heal us!"
But this time, Fenna made her choice. Her grip tightened on her staff, and instead of casting a healing spell on Hans's group, she took a step toward Mellali's team. Her eyes were filled with resolve now, and she began to chant softly, her hands glowing with druidic magic.
She cast Healing Word on Korrak, mending some of his wounds and giving him the strength to press his attack.
• (Healing Word heals Korrak for 10 HP)
Hans's face twisted with fury. "You traitor! You'll pay for that!"
Fenna didn't flinch. Her voice was steady as she spoke, her eyes locked on Hans. "You've used me long enough. I'm not going to help you anymore."
The Final Blow - Victory Secured
With Fenna's help, the battle turned decisively in Mellali's team's favor. Korrak, now healed and reinvigorated, let out a roar as he delivered a powerful strike to Lorn, finally ending the fight.
(Damage: 19 slashing)
Loren crumpled on the ground, dying.
Hadjer's rapier flashed one last time, delivering a precise strike that disarmed Berta, leaving her weaponless and bleeding. Berta raised her hands in surrender, knowing she couldn't continue the fight.
Hans, seeing his companions fall, growled in frustration and tried to retreat, but Mellali was ready. He cast Tasha's Mind Whip, sending a searing psychic attack directly into Hans's mind, immobilizing him long enough for Korrak to finish him off.
(Damage: 18 slashing)
With a final, brutal swing of his greataxe, Korrak brought Hans down. The battle was over.
Aftermath - Fenna's Plea
As the dust settled, Fenna stepped forward cautiously, her staff lowered. Her face was pale, and her hands trembled slightly. "I'm... sorry," she said softly. "They've been using me, forcing me to help them. I had no choice."
Mellali, still breathing heavily from the fight, narrowed his eyes at her. He didn't trust her-he didn't trust anyone easily, least of all a woman who was traveling with people like that, helping them kill people for her own benefit.
Fenna looked hurt but didn't argue. She knew she was in no position to demand anything, but she wanted a way out. "Please... I have nowhere else to go. I just want to survive."
Hadjer, who had been quiet during the exchange, finally spoke up. She looked at Mellali, her tone calm but firm. "Let her come with us, Mellali. She's not like the others. She was trapped, used. Besides, we could use a healer."
Mellali shook his head, his distrust evident. "It doesn't matter. I don't trust her. You shouldn't either."
Hadjer sighed softly, but there was no anger in her voice-only understanding. "You don't trust anyone. But I do. Let her come with us. If she's a problem, we'll deal with it. But she deserves a chance."
Fenna's eyes filled with gratitude, but Mellali's expression remained cold. He relented only because Hadjer insisted, though his guard remained up. He turned away, muttering, "Fine. But don't expect me to look out for her."
Hadjer gave Fenna a small, reassuring smile. "Don't worry about him. He's had bad experiences, especially with women. But I'll keep an eye on you."
Fenna nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."