We’d been walking for hours through the narrow tunnel, though we stopped four times to take a break. There was enough space for my legs to stretch for a bit whenever we sat on the ground. After our fifth break, my forearms started to get goosebumps. The feeling was indescribable yet familiar. Like I was watching a horror movie. Maybe we were in one. “Something’s not right here.” Marseille felt it as well. “I know, my lady,” Raja agreed. “You hear that?” Abraham picked up a sound. Many were weaving their heads while their fingers hovering near their weapons. “Sounds like running water,” Mary said. The Green Bits relaxed when the sound was getting louder, and the air became a bit damp. “That means we have arrived,” Miranda said. From the lanterns’ lights shone ahead of us, we reached the end of the tunnel. There was an underground river. The rock formations on the walls and ceiling appeared natural, with no signs of being man-made. We we

Once our visions became clear to see the dark, we saw the thing that was dragging him. It was a leafless tree, smaller than the common ones here. However, its branches were alive, hundreds of them; vine-like, slithering, coiling on its own like snakes. I didn’t know what that thing was, but Brock was definitely in danger. I was about to leap to save him when dozens of them were coming at us. Plucking a thick branch off from a nearby tree to fashion myself a club, I swatted the vines away before any of them could touch us both. “Katie, stay back.” “What about you?” “Don’t worry about me,” I said. “I can handle this.” Reluctantly, Katie paced backward about eight steps and watched as six large vines were about to flank me. I lunged forward and rolled before they slammed into each other. Back to my feet, I twirled around, and with one downward swing of my club, the vines were smashed like smooshed pasta. The monstrous tree emitted a screeching s

After we left Marseille and her companions at their lodge, we arrived at a two-storied log house. Raja and Zeki were staying with us for the time being. The first floor had a living room, a dining and kitchen area, a chimney, and stairs leading to the second floor. The decors were like any typical hunting lodge found from outdoor movies; furs, trophy heads, and wood carvings. “We’ll send you something to eat in an hour,” Joseph said. “Our guildhall is that big one in the middle.” After he left, we went to the second floor. It had two bedrooms, with each having six beds and a bathroom. Therefore, one room would be for the boys, and the other was for the girls. We were unpacking our bags in our room when Katie burst in. “They got showers and flushable toilets. And hot water too.” “Huh, I thought they have something of an outhouse here,” Wilt commented. “Guess we don’t have to go business behind the bush anymore.” That was also what we did for the past t

The next day, it was mid-afternoon. The counter-raiding party was now raised to eighty-one braves, which included my entire party. Most of us were from Green Bits and Grendels. It was decided that Sir Chandos would be the leader while the two Green Bit chiefs agreed to be his temporary commanders. To everyone’s relief, Marseille, her companions, Zeki, and Raja were also joining. Once the town’s gate opened, we began our fifty-kilometer journey to Hammerhorn. Of course, we were outnumbered, and they got a mountain brave on their side. There were risks if we faced them head-on, but doing nothing and waiting for them was not an option for us either. That was why everyone in the hall yesterday agreed we launched a surprise attack. Right now, our journey through the night-like forest was fast yet silent and secretive. We needed to get to Hammerhorn until nightfall. Any delay for a day or two, the enemies might grow in numbers. The Green Bits took the lead as our guides an

After several strikes from the magical hammer, Mount Fort still wouldn’t go down. The mountain brave regenerated the damage and his missing fingers. He began his counterattack by shooting a barrage of rocks out of his hands. Marseille threw thunderbolts to intercept. It was an epic battle. The land shook while the night sky crackled with thunder. My mouth hung open for the entire five minutes. “What’s the point of me fighting him?” Well, I was a bit relieved about that, but very much disappointed. I was looking forward to our epic showdown. “Why didn’t everyone just ask her from the start?” “Because Lady Marseille is from a big shot guild,” Zeki explained. “Asking her is like asking a favor from Dragonheart. In this world, not everything is free to give, Mr. Roche.” My shoulder sank from that statement. “But, for her and Mister Raja to offer their help without any compensation proves that heroes are still alive and well.” That brighten