The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the dense forest as Kieth and his companions ventured deeper into the wild terrain. Fresh from their victory in the dwarven ruins and laden with treasures, the group now had a new task before them. They were searching for Illyana's missing companions, who had been separated from her during the bandit attack. Spinner darted ahead, scurrying through the underbrush while the rest of the group followed with cautious steps.
Kieth's mind was sharp, calculating each move as they progressed. The weight of leadership bore heavily on him, especially now that the group had grown larger with Illyana's presence. He glanced over his shoulder, watching the high elf closely. Her golden hair shimmered faintly even in the dim light, and though she had been shaken earlier, there was now a steely determination in her gaze.
"This forest gives me the creeps," Clutch muttered, gripping the hilt of his massive claymore, which rested on his broad shoulder. "Feels like something's watching us."
Kieth nodded in agreement, though he said nothing. His senses were heightened as they pressed forward. The air was thick with the scent of moss and damp earth, the trees towering above them like silent sentinels. Oastlo, his goblin mage, was nearby, murmuring quietly as he invoked a spell that would mask their scent. Gozmo walked slightly ahead, tinkering with a small gadget in his hands while keeping a watchful eye on the path ahead.
"I've sent Spinner ahead to scout for any danger," Oastlo said quietly, his voice carrying just enough for the group to hear. "But we should be on our guard."
"Good," Kieth replied, scanning the dense forest. "We'll need every advantage we can get out here. Illyana, are you sure this is the right way?"
The elf nodded, her bow slung across her back as she pressed forward. "This is where we were attacked. My companions should be nearby if they've survived."
Kieth could hear the slight tremor in her voice but chose not to comment. Instead, he motioned for the group to slow down as Spinner returned, chittering nervously. Something was wrong. Kieth held up his hand, signaling for silence. The air was too still, and the usual sounds of the forest—chirping insects, the rustling of leaves—had vanished.
Without warning, arrows flew from the trees. Kieth barely had time to shout before the first one thudded into the ground by his feet.
"Ambush!" he roared, drawing his sword.
Bandits swarmed from the treeline, their rough clothing and scarred faces marking them as the scavengers Illyana had described. They moved swiftly, surrounding the group, but Kieth's companions were ready.
Clutch was the first to react, swinging his massive claymore with brutal efficiency. The heavy sword cleaved through the bandits with deadly precision, sending them scattering in every direction. His sheer strength and the power of the claymore made him a terrifying force, his roars echoing through the trees as he cut through their ranks. The bandits, seeing the giant blade carve effortlessly through their numbers, hesitated, fear beginning to set in.
Oastlo, standing back, raised his staff, summoning a gust of wind that knocked several of the archers off balance, their shots going wild. "I'll keep them off us!" he called, forming a protective barrier of wind around the group.
Kieth, blade in hand, moved like lightning. His instincts took over as he slashed through the bandits with calculated precision, his mind already working on a strategy to break their encirclement. Nearby, Gozmo's nimble fingers worked at a feverish pace, crafting small traps and bombs from discarded scraps.
"Gozmo, focus on disabling their archers," Kieth ordered, his eyes never leaving the battlefield.
Gozmo grinned, tossing a small explosive towards a cluster of bandits. It detonated with a flash of light, sending them tumbling. "Already on it!"
Illyana, meanwhile, showed her true prowess. Drawing her bow in one fluid motion, she loosed arrows with deadly accuracy, each one finding its mark. The bandits fell one after another, unable to match the sheer skill of the elven archer. Her speed was astonishing, and within moments, the bandits' numbers began to thin.
It wasn't long before the remaining attackers realized they were outmatched. With their forces decimated, they retreated into the forest, leaving behind their fallen comrades.
As the last of the bandits disappeared into the trees, Kieth surveyed the battlefield. The skirmish had been quick, but intense. His companions were unscathed, though a few were winded from the fight. Illyana, in particular, seemed relieved that the danger had passed, though there was still tension in her shoulders.
"Everyone alright?" Kieth asked, sheathing his sword.
Clutch grunted, wiping the blood from the blade of his claymore. "Nothing I couldn't handle."
Oastlo nodded, though his usual sharp eyes were still scanning the forest for any signs of danger. "We should move quickly. That skirmish may have drawn attention."
"Agreed," Illyana added, her voice calm but firm. "We need to find my companions before the bandits regroup."
Kieth nodded. "Let's not waste any time, then."
It took another hour of cautious travel before the group stumbled upon the bandit hideout. It was a crude encampment nestled deep within the forest, hidden beneath the thick canopy of trees. But something was wrong.
"It's too quiet," Gozmo whispered, his eyes darting around.
Kieth raised his hand for silence, his instincts kicking in once again. The camp looked deserted, but there were signs of a struggle—overturned crates, scattered weapons, and bloodstains on the ground.
"Be on your guard," Kieth warned as they entered the camp.
The group moved cautiously, weapons drawn. As they explored the camp, they found more signs of battle, but no bodies. Whatever had happened here had been quick and brutal.
"What could've done this?" Clutch muttered, his grip tightening on his claymore.
Oastlo knelt beside one of the bloodstains, inspecting it carefully. "This wasn't the work of bandits. Something else attacked them."
Illyana's face paled as she surveyed the scene. "My companions… we need to find them."
The search led them to one of the larger tents, where they found one of Illyana's companions. He was gravely injured, his breathing shallow and his body covered in gashes. Illyana rushed to his side, her hands trembling as she knelt beside him.
"Tharin!" she cried, her voice breaking.
The man opened his eyes weakly, coughing. "Illyana… you… you're alive."
Kieth stepped forward. "What happened here?"
Tharin's eyes flickered with fear. "It came out of nowhere. A beast… huge, with glowing eyes. It tore through the camp like we were nothing. The bandits didn't stand a chance."
"A beast?" Oastlo repeated, his eyes narrowing.
Tharin nodded weakly. "It's still out there… hunting…"
Before anyone could react, a distant howl echoed through the forest, chilling the blood in their veins.
The ground trembled beneath their feet as the howl grew louder, closer. Trees shook as something massive moved through the forest, heading straight for the camp.
"Prepare yourselves," Kieth ordered, his voice calm but firm. He drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the fading light.
Spinner, perched on a tree branch, chirped a warning as the beast drew near. Oastlo's grip tightened on his staff, Gozmo readied his gadgets, and Clutch's hands gripped the hilt of his claymore tightly, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
Illyana stood tall, her bow drawn and ready, her eyes fixed on the treeline.
The creature broke through the trees, towering over them. It was massive, with dark fur and glowing red eyes that pierced through the shadows. Its jaws were lined with sharp teeth, and its growl rumbled like thunder.
For a moment, the forest was silent, save for the beast's growls.
Kieth narrowed his eyes, stepping forward. "Let's see what we're really dealing with."