6

The group stopped before the moss-covered entrance of the dungeon. The ancient iron door, corroded with rust, screeched with a metallic groan as they opened it. The facade, crumbling under the weight of centuries, was a clear omen of the mysteries that awaited in the depths. A smell of damp earth and stagnant water emanated from within, mixing with a faint aroma of sulfur.

Upon crossing the threshold, they found themselves in a dark and damp corridor, illuminated by flickering torches that cast dancing shadows on the walls. The stone, cold to the touch, was covered in a thin layer of saltpeter that shimmered in the torchlight. The floor, covered in dust and small stones, crunched under their feet. The echo of distant flapping resonated in the air, suggesting the presence of winged inhabitants.

Markus, with his hand on the hilt of his sword, took the lead. He turned to his companions, his face serious. "Entering a place like this is always risky," he said in a deep voice. "Traps, monsters… and, hopefully, treasure. But let's not get careless."

Roland nodded, his gaze fixed on the darkness that stretched before them. "Markus is right. Stay alert. Anything could be lurking in the shadows."

Liam, with a hand on one of his daggers, added with a tense smile, "I hope the treasure's worth the risk."

Sebastian, his heart pounding, watched his companions. Excitement shone in their eyes, but also a caution that he shared. I hope we know what we're doing, he thought, adjusting his satchel.

With a collective nod, the group advanced down the corridor. As they ventured deeper, the echo of flapping grew louder, and a sharp screech echoed in the darkness. Ahead of them, a dozen shadows moved between the torches.

"Bats," Roland murmured, squinting. "Shadow Bats. From the way they move and the echo they produce, I'd say they're about level three. Agile, but not very strong. Watch out for their bites, but they don't seem very resistant to arrows." Roland watched the erratic flight of the creatures intently, as if he were reading something invisible in the air. "Their agility must be around thirty, and their vitality… I don't think they're above five. Intelligence… well, they're bats. Twenty at most."

Sebastian observed the creatures. Their wings, with a wingspan of about thirty centimeters, moved with surprising speed. Their small bodies, covered in short, glossy black fur, blended into the shadows. But their eyes, small red dots that glowed in the darkness, betrayed their presence. Agility thirty… strength five…, Sebastian thought, remembering Roland's words. I'll have to aim carefully.

The bats swooped down on them, screeching and fluttering. Sebastian nocked an arrow, selecting one tipped with paralyzing poison. He aimed at the nearest bat, tracking its erratic flight. It dodges well… but it's not very tough, he thought, remembering Roland's words. He released the arrow. It hissed through the air and struck the bat in a wing. The creature shrieked in pain and fell to the ground, thrashing.

Liam drew his daggers, moving with his characteristic agility. He dodged the bites of a bat and landed a precise cut on its neck. The creature fell to the ground, lifeless.

Markus, with his shield raised high, protected Sebastian and Roland from the frontal attacks. With each swing of his sword, he pushed back the bats, though some managed to scratch his armor. The metal screeched against the stone, sending sparks flying.

Roland, with his sword in hand, supported Markus, looking for openings in the bats' defense to attack. "Watch out, Markus! To your right!" he shouted, just in time for Markus to block an attack with his shield. The impact resonated with a dull thud.

Sebastian fired another arrow, hitting another bat in the chest. The creature fell to the ground, paralyzed. Despite his aim, some arrows missed, disappearing into the darkness. I need to be more precise, he thought, as he reloaded.

A bat lunged at Liam, scratching his arm with its sharp claws. Liam cursed under his breath, clutching his wound. "Damn it! They almost took out an eye!" he exclaimed, his face contorted in pain.

Markus, seeing Liam injured, roared in fury and delivered a brutal blow with his sword, felling two bats with a single swing. The impact made the ground tremble.

Sebastian, seeing Liam bleeding, remembered the herbs he carried in his satchel. Quickly, he pulled out some Sylphium leaves and offered them to Liam. "Chew on these. They'll help with the pain."

Liam obeyed, chewing the leaves with a grimace. "Ugh… bitter," he said, but instantly felt a slight relief in his arm.

Meanwhile, Sebastian prepared some Moonwort ointment, mixing the crushed flowers with water in the palm of his hand. He approached Liam and applied the ointment to the cut. "This should help it heal faster," he said.

Gradually, the bats fell. Finally, the last one dropped to the ground, leaving a sudden silence in the corridor. The four of them breathed heavily, their bodies tense from the battle. The smell of blood and burnt fur hung in the air.

Markus wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "Well done," he said with a tired smile. "Good teamwork." He looked at Sebastian. "Those poisons of yours were very useful."

Liam nodded, examining his arm. "That ointment of yours works, Sebastian. Thanks. Though I still feel a sting."

Sebastian nodded with a slight smile, feeling a small wave of relief. "I'm glad I could help. But we need to keep moving. Those wounds need more attention."

Roland nodded, his gaze fixed on the darkness that stretched beyond the corridor. "Yes. There's still much to explore."