Unnamed

From the fog, a monstrous swarm of centipedes emerged, their segmented bodies glistening under the pale light. The group stood in a tight formation, weapons drawn and ready. The click of thousands of legs skittering toward them was deafening.

Karl clenched his staff. "They're coming in from all sides," he muttered. "We need to hold them back."

Patrick adjusted his hold on his sword with a firm nod, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. "Stay close. We won't let them overwhelm us."

Trish swallowed nervously. She was smaller than most of her companions, but her battle axe still felt weightless in her hands. She was trembling, though she tried to hide it behind a fierce scowl. "I—I'll be ready," she whispered, even as the massive swarm loomed closer.

Leah stood still as a shadow, her eyes darting back and forth. Her scimitar gleamed in the low light. "We need to focus on the big ones," she said, her voice low and cold. "If we take them down, the rest will scatter."

Matt didn't speak, but gave a single nod. He slipped into the shadows, blending with the darkness around them.

With a low growl, Karl raised his staff and used [earth spike]. The earth rumbled beneath their feet as jagged stone spike erupted from the floor, creating a temporary barrier between the group and the advancing swarm. But it wasn't enough. The centipedes crawled over and around the stone walls, their sheer numbers threatening to drown the group.

"Hold the line!" Patrick shouted, his voice booming as he brandished his sword to deflect the first wave of centipedes. His sword flashed, cutting down the creatures that attempted to crawl past him. "Don't let them get too close!"

Trish stepped forward, her battle axe raised, and swung with all her might, cleaving through the first few centipedes. "Get off me!" she cried out, trying to hold her ground. But as the swarm pressed in, she stumbled back, her heart racing in her chest.

Leah darted between her comrades, her scimitar flashing like quicksilver as she targeted the softer parts of the centipedes' bodies. Every strike was precise, every movement calculated. "We can't keep up like this," she muttered, moving with lethal speed. "I'm going after their leaders."

Karl's eyes widened in realization. He'd been so focused on the swarm, he hadn't seen the massive forms pushing their way forward—three giant centipede acting as general, far larger than the rest, their bodies armored with strange, shimmering plates. Their pincers clicked as they made their way toward the center of the group.

"Big ones" Karl called out, pointing at the advancing creatures. "If we don't take them down, we're done for!"

Patrick locked eyes with him. "We'll need to work together. Trish, stay close."

Trish nodded, gripping her axe with both hands, her knees shaking but her resolve hardening. "I'll fight... I'll fight."

The first giant centipede, its massive pincers snapping toward Patrick, who slashed his sword into the creature's face. The blow sent Patrick stumbling back, but he held steady, sword already raised. "We can't let them break through!"

Karl, using multiple [earth spike]. The ground trembled, sending large earth spikes shooting up from beneath the general's legs. It screeched in fury, but the spike had already trapped its legs, slowing its movements.

Leah seized the opportunity. She darted forward, her scimitar flashing, and struck at the exposed underbelly of the trapped general, her blades slicing through its soft flesh. But the creature wasn't done yet. It thrashed, trying to free itself, its pincers swiping at her.

"Leah!" Trish shouted, leaping forward to intercept the blow. Her axe crashed into the general's pincers just in time, knocking it aside. She gritted her teeth, still shaky, but determined. "I won't let you hurt her."

Patrick pushed forward, slashing through the centipedes. "Finish that one off, Karl!" he ordered. "Trish, Leah—help me with the other generals!"

Karl, sending another wave of earth spikes crashing into the first general. It shrieked as its body was impaled by the rocks, its legs twitching as it finally fell still, lifeless. "That's one down," Karl said, bead of sweat forming on his forehead.

Leah had already moved to the second general, her scimitar flashing as she targeted its legs, trying to weaken it. Matt emerged from the shadows, silent and deadly, and together they struck at the creature's soft spots. The general thrashed, but Matt was already behind it, his dirk sinking deep into its back. Leah's strike finished it, her scimitar finding the gap in its armor, and the general collapsed with a final, deafening screech.

The third general charged at Trish, its massive form barreling toward her. Her heart hammered in her chest, but she stood her ground. "I can do this," she whispered, and when the creature's pincers snapped at her, she ducked, narrowly avoiding the attack. With a shaky breath, she swung her axe with all her strength, hitting the general in the side. The impact staggered it, but it retaliated with a tail swipe, knocking Trish off her feet.

"Trish!" Patrick shouted, but before he could reach her, Karl's voice rang out.

"Hold it down!" Karl called, his magic power flaring as the ground beneath the general erupted, sending large earth spike grazing and ensnaring its legs and body. The creature struggled but couldn't break free.

Trish, still on the ground, scrambled to her feet, her breath coming in short gasps. "I'm fine," she said, her voice shaky but resolute. She staggered forward, her axe raised high. "This ends now."

With one final strike, Trish cleaved through the general's neck. It collapsed, its massive body falling to the ground with a sickening thud.

The swarm of centipedes, now without their leaders, faltered. They hesitated, disoriented by the fall of their generals. Karl, Matt, and Leah took advantage of the moment, quickly finishing off the remaining creatures, while Patrick and Trish held the line, cutting down any that tried to get too close.

When the last of the centipedes was slain, the battlefield fell silent. The group stood amidst the carnage, panting, their weapons slick with blood and ichor. Trish, exhausted and trembling, finally lowered her axe. "Did... did we win?" she asked, her voice small.

Patrick clapped her on the shoulder, his armor scratched and dented but his spirit unbroken. "We did. You did great."

Karl, still holding his staff, let out a sigh of relief and repetitively using [lesser heal] to heal the team.

"Told you we can handle it" Karl said beeming a smile.

Leah cleaned her scimitar and nodded. "We fought well. And next time, we'll be even more prepared."

Matt emerged from the shadows, his expression was one with joy. Added "Next time, we'll end it faster."

Trish looked around at her companions, a smile tugging at her lips. She might have been shy, but she knew she wasn't alone anymore. Together, they had won—together, they would face whatever came next.