Chapter 12 - Battle in the Forest Part 1

Authors Note: This wont be for all battles just important ones.

(Human rolls for encounters in the forest: 7/10 (6-10 = zerg encounter) (Difficulty roll: 8/10)

(POV: Kael Redwyne)

The scent of ale, sweat, and burning wood filled my nose as I stepped through the heavy oak doors of the Iron Fang Adventurer's Guild. The low murmur of voices, the clinking of mugs, and the distant crackling of a hearth greeted me, a familiar kind of chaos that always buzzed through this place. 

I had been here many times before—more than my companions, anyway. A Shadowblade like me didn't make a name for himself sitting in bright halls drinking wine with nobles or parading in armor like a city guard. No, I thrived in places like this, where rumors flowed like stolen coin and a man's worth was measured in the weight of his blade. 

Behind me, my party entered the guild hall in a far more noticeable fashion. 

Lord Alistair Blackwood, our leader, strode in with the confidence of a noble trained for war. His Vanguard-class armor, polished but battle-worn, made him stand out amongst the rougher adventurers in the room. The lion crest of his family was emblazoned across his breastplate, though slightly dulled from use. 

Lady Seraphine, his ever-serene Ascendant Healer, walked beside him, her presence like a calm breeze amid the storm of laughter and curses that filled the air. Dressed in flowing silver robes lined with celestial patterns, she carried herself with grace but I'd seen firsthand how quickly she could turn that serenity into raw, divine power. 

Trailing behind them was Elysande, our resident swordswoman. She adjusted the twin blades strapped to her back, her sharp eyes scanning the room with restless energy. Unlike the others, she hadn't settled into her class fully, yet she was still chasing the evolution into Spellsword, trying to bridge the gap between martial skill and magic. 

And then there was me. 

A Shadowblade. An uncommon evolution of the thief class, one that blurred the lines between stealth, shadow magic, and assassin techniques. I wasn't built for heavy combat like Alistair or for divine miracles like Seraphine. I struck from the darkness, I disappeared when needed, and I gathered information that others couldn't. 

Which is exactly what I planned to do tonight. 

The guild hall was livelier than usual, even for Iron Fang standards. Groups of adventurers were hunched over tables, speaking in hushed tones, while others stood near the mission board, scanning the newest contracts. The air was thick with something electric, something that spoke of uncertainty and opportunity. 

Alistair, naturally, wanted to check the mission board, but I had a different priority. "I'm heading to the bar," I muttered. "I'll see if there's any real information worth hearing." 

Alistair nodded without looking at me, already focused on the parchment pinned to the board. "Don't start a fight." 

I snorted. "I don't start them. I finish them." 

Seraphine gave me a small, knowing smile before following Alistair. 

Elysande hesitated for a second before turning to me. "I'll go with you." 

I raised an eyebrow. "Didn't take you for a gossipmonger." 

She rolled her eyes. "Someone has to make sure you don't get stabbed for being a cocky bastard." 

I chuckled. Fair enough. 

The bar was packed, but I had an eye for where the real conversations happened. The best rumors didn't flow where the drinks were loudest they thrived in the corners, in the spaces where people thought they weren't being watched. 

I found an open seat near a group of veteran adventurers, the kind with scars that told better stories than their mouths ever could. Elysande took a spot beside me, ordering a drink without saying a word. 

I leaned in just slightly, tuning my ears to the conversation nearby. 

"—another attack outside Rivenbrook." 

"Tore through three guards like they were made of paper." 

"The beasts are acting wrong." 

That got my attention. 

One of the adventurers, a burly dwarf with a patchwork beard, downed his ale and slammed the mug on the table. "I've been huntin' these lands fer decades," he grumbled. "Never seen the beasts act like this. Somethin' in that forest is stirring 'em up, makin' 'em crazed." 

His companion, a tired-looking elf with a jagged scar down his neck, nodded grimly. "It's not just the wolves. The birds, the deer, even the damned trees feel... unnatural. I don't know what's in that forest, but it's not something I want to cross." 

I exchanged a glance with Elysande. She had heard it too. 

I leaned forward, just enough to get their attention. "Sounds like you two have seen worse things than rabid wolves before." 

The dwarf eyed me suspiciously. "What's it to ya, boy?" 

I held up my hands in mock surrender. "Just a curious adventurer looking for work. My party's interested in the Guildmaster's latest post." 

The elf scoffed. "You kids? Hah. I'd turn back now." 

Elysande bristled beside me, but I placed a hand on her arm to stop her from biting back. "Humor me," I said smoothly. "What exactly are we dealing with?" 

The dwarf scratched his chin. "Don't know. But I'll tell ya this—whatever it is, it ain't natural. And it sure as hell ain't friendly." 

Before I could press for more details, a loud voice cut through the air. 

"Alright, listen up!" 

Everyone turned toward the front of the guild hall, where Garrick Thornvale, the Guildmaster, stood atop the central table. He was an older man, broad-shouldered and scarred, with the kind of presence that commanded silence without asking for it. 

"We've got a problem" Garrick said bluntly. "And it's spreading." 

A hushed murmur rippled through the crowd. 

"The Beastwave isn't just a string of attacks" he continued. "Something is stirring in the deep forest. Something that's making the creatures restless, violent, and fearless. If we don't act soon, this won't be contained to the wilds—it'll hit the city next." 

The room was dead silent now. 

Garrick's eyes swept over the gathered adventurers. "I've posted an open mission. Anyone willing to investigate this,find the source, put an end to it—will be well rewarded." 

I could practically feel the shift in the room. This wasn't just another contract. This was an opportunity. 

I glanced toward Alistair and Seraphine, who stood near the mission board. Alistair met my gaze and nodded. We didn't even need to speak. 

We were taking this mission. 

Elysande smirked. "Looks like we've got our next job." 

I grinned, already feeling the thrill of the unknown creeping in. "Then let's find out what's lurking in that forest." 

As the guild hall erupted into movement, adventurers scrambling to form parties and stake their claim, I took a slow breath. 

I had a feeling this wouldn't be just another job. 

Before entering the forest, we had made one last stop at a merchant's outpost near the treeline. It was a small, unremarkable place a wooden shack with a slanted roof and a crooked sign reading "Bren's Wares." The smell of dried meat, old leather, and steel hung in the air as we stepped inside. 

"Supplies first" Alistair had declared, making his way to the counter. 

I had taken the opportunity to pick up a few extra throwing daggers, while Elysande bought more whetstones for her blades. Seraphine restocked her supply of healing salves and vials of purified water. Alistair, ever the prepared one, ensured we had enough rations to last the journey. 

The merchant, an aging man with a scarred face and a lazy eye, had looked at us warily. 

"You lot heading into the forest?" he had asked, voice low and gruff. 

Alistair nodded. "Guild business." 

The merchant had snorted. "Damn fools, all of you. Place ain't right these days." 

I had leaned forward. "You've noticed something?" 

The merchant hesitated, then muttered, "The animals. The air. Feels wrong. Used to be that hunters could track the game easily. Now? The deer don't run. The wolves don't howl. Somethin's got 'em riled up." 

We'd left soon after, the merchant's warning settling like an uncomfortable weight in my gut. 

And now, as we approached the edge of the forest, I was starting to understand exactly what he meant. 

The road leading to the forest was rough and uneven, lined with patches of wild grass and jagged stones. The smell of damp earth mixed with the crisp scent of pine and oak as we drew closer. The towering trees loomed ahead like ancient sentinels, their thick canopies blocking out most of the sky, leaving only scattered patches of sunlight to break through the dense foliage. 

The moment we stepped onto the grass leading into the forest, the air changed. 

It was subtle at first. The usual sounds of the wild—the chirping of birds, the rustling of small creatures in the underbrush—were absent. The only noise was the whisper of the wind through the branches, and even that felt too still, too unnatural. 

My instincts flared up. I felt the danger before I saw it. 

"Something's coming" I muttered, my hand drifting to the hilts of my daggers. 

Alistair raised his shield, stepping forward. "Where?" 

Elysande had already drawn her swords, her stance shifting into something defensive but eager. Seraphine stood ready, her hands glowing faintly with divine energy. 

Then, we saw them. 

Three deer but something was wrong. 

Their eyes were wild, rolling in their sockets like they were trapped in some unseen terror. Their fur was matted, streaked with dirt and what might have been blood. Their breathing was ragged, nostrils flaring as they stomped at the ground aggressively. 

Deer weren't supposed to act like this. 

"They're going to charge" I said, my voice barely above a whisper. 

The largest of the three, an old stag with broken antlers, let out a guttural snort before lunging forward. 

The moment the stag charged, Alistair moved like a wall of iron, stepping into the creature's path and slamming his shield into its face. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, the deer skidding backward with a furious screech. 

Elysande was already moving. With a quick flick of her wrist, she slashed at the second deer, her blade cutting a clean arc. The creature dodged at the last second, its unnatural reflexes making it move faster than any normal animal should. 

I didn't waste time. 

[Shadow Step]. 

Darkness rippled around me as I teleported behind the third deer, my daggers flashing in the dim light. I sliced deep, my blade finding purchase in its flank. The creature screamed, thrashing wildly, but I was already gone, fading back into the shadows before it could retaliate. 

Seraphine raised her hands, golden light flaring to life. "By the Radiance, let your rage be stilled." 

A pulse of divine energy radiated outward. The second deer faltered, its frenzied movements slowing—but not stopping. 

"Damn" she muttered. "Something's wrong. They're fighting the magic." 

"Then we do it the hard way" Alistair grunted, bringing his sword down in a sweeping arc. His blade sank deep into the stag's side, forcing it to the ground in a heap. 

Elysande, now moving with a strange rhythm, feinted left before driving both of her swords into the slowed deer's chest. A quick, clean kill. 

The third one—the one I had wounded—was still standing 

I reacted on instinct, hurling a dagger so the last deer collapsed with a dull thud, its legs twitching before finally going still. My dagger was buried deep in its flank, warm blood seeping into the dirt beneath it. I exhaled, slowly rising to my feet, wiping the blade clean against the hem of my cloak. 

The air around us was tense, but nothing else moved. No second wave of crazed animals. No unnatural presence lurking in the shadows. Just the eerie silence of the woods. 

"That was... unsettling," Seraphine muttered, her golden eyes scanning the area, fingers still faintly glowing with divine energy. 

Alistair, standing tall with his shield lowered, nudged the deer's body with his boot. "Deer don't attack people. Not like this." 

Elysande sheathed her swords, exhaling sharply. "Maybe the merchant was right. Something has them stirred up." 

I frowned, crouching near one of the fallen creatures. Up close, it looked normal—no strange mutations, no dark corruption seeping from its wounds. Just a deer, now dead, acting in a way no deer should have. 

"Maybe.." I said, rolling my shoulders, my eyes still flickering around the edges of the clearing. "But if it's just some animals going berserk and not all of them, that means it's not the forest itself—it's something inside it." 

Alistair nodded grimly. "Which means we need to go deeper." 

The deeper we went, the thicker the forest became. The sunlight that once filtered through the canopy above grew scarce, replaced by an emerald gloom that turned the towering trees into looming giants. Moss-covered roots twisted across the ground, and distant birds fluttered between branches, their songs light and normal—not panicked, not frenzied. 

It was a stark contrast to what had just happened. 

The further we walked, the more I realized that most of the wildlife was behaving as it should. A fox darted away the moment it caught our scent, its sleek form vanishing into the underbrush. A pair of squirrels scurried up a tree, chittering to each other as if we weren't worth the trouble. Even the rustling of unseen creatures in the foliage was natural, not the eerie stillness that had unnerved us before. 

Elysande noticed it too. "Are we sure we didn't just run into a fluke back there?" she asked, voice low. 

Seraphine shook her head. "No. Something caused those deer to attack us. But whatever it was, it doesn't seem to be affecting everything." 

I was still uneasy. My instincts weren't screaming danger anymore, but there was still something off. 

"It's like a ripple" I said, running my hand along the rough bark of a nearby tree as we moved forward. "Like something stirred the animals in certain parts of the forest but left the rest untouched." 

Alistair grunted in agreement although her voice was sarcastic. "Then we should be careful where we step. We might walk into another one of those 'stirred' areas at any moment." 

The others nodded, and we pressed on, moving cautiously but steadily through the undergrowth. 

We walked for nearly an hour, winding deeper through the twisting paths of the forest. Our earlier skirmish had left us wary, but nothing else seemed eager to throw itself at us. 

Then, the air shifted. 

________________________ 

(Third person POV) 

The only sound was the rustling of the trees and the distant chirping of birds, but even those sounds seemed to fade into an unnatural hush. Something was watching them—something unnatural. 

Kael Redwyne, the assassin, narrowed his eyes as he peered through the thick underbrush. His sharp gaze cut through the dim light of the forest, focusing on movement in the distance. The creatures were unlike anything he had ever seen—six hunched, reptilian beasts skittering across the forest floor, their chitinous carapaces glistening in the fading light. Behind them, towering above the others, were three serpentine creatures, their muscular frames lined with spiny ridges and deadly, coiled appendages. Further back, half-hidden in the underbrush, a grotesque, bloated form hovered just above the ground, its fleshy mass pulsating with an alien rhythm. And in the shadows beyond, something even larger lurked. 

Kael didn't hesitate. His instincts screamed danger. 

"Contact. North, moving fast" he hissed, voice barely above a whisper. 

Alistair Blackwood, the Vanguard, reacted instantly. He slammed his shield into the ground and called upon his training, his presence becoming a [bulwark] for his allies. A translucent, shimmering wall of energy formed in front of him, expanding outward a Shield Wall, the first line of defense. As he dropped into a Bulwark Stance, his body became an immovable object, ready to withstand the impact of whatever hellish beasts were charging them. 

Seraphine, the Ascendant Healer, moved closer to Alistair, hands glowing with divine light as she prepared to act as his support. She had never seen creatures like these before, but their intent was clear. They were predators, and they had found their prey. 

Kael, meanwhile, disappeared into the shadows. With a flicker of movement, he activated [Stealth Step], vanishing from sight as he reappeared high up on the jagged cliff face nearby. His foot slipped slightly as he landed, and he barely caught himself before tumbling forward. He cursed under his breath. Even so, he pressed himself against the rocky surface, blending into the darkened edges of the terrain. 

They still hadn't spotted him. 

Elysande, the aspiring Spellsword, tightened her grip on her twin blades, stepping forward into a natural chokepoint between two cliffs. If she could hold the line here, she could keep them from flanking the group. 

The creatures closed in. 

The Zerglings were fast faster than anything the group had encountered before. The first four rushed toward Alistair, their clawed feet tearing through the undergrowth as they leaped through the air. 

Impact! 

The first Zergling smashed into Alistair's shield, claws screeching against the reinforced metal. The second one bit into his shoulder, but his armor held. The third slashed wildly at his legs, but he braced himself against the onslaught, his strength holding firm. 

Pain lanced through his body as deep gashes tore into his plated shoulder, It was a hard hit, but he was still standing. 

The other two Zerglings peeled away, heading straight for Elysande. 

One of them lunged at her, its claws flashing but she pivoted just in time. The attack sailed past her, tearing through empty air. 

Her response was immediate. 

With a quick flourish, she activated [Blade Fury], her twin swords moving in a blur. The first strike cleaved into the Zergling's chest, green ichor spraying as it reeled back. She followed up with a second, deeper cut, slicing across its midsection. 

The Zergling screeched, collapsing to the ground, barely clinging to life before it struggled back upright on its legs. 

Then, the real nightmare appeared. 

Emerging from the darkness beyond, a towering, grotesque form stepped into view. 

A Zerg queen. 

It was larger than anything else in the swarm. Its armored body pulsed with unnatural energy, its elongated limbs ending in vicious, clawed appendages. Its many eyes glowed a sickly yellow, locked onto the intruders with an intelligence that the others lacked. 

The battlefield had just changed. 

Alistair gritted his teeth as the creatures swarmed around him. "We need to end this fast!" he barked, glancing toward Seraphine. 

She nodded, already summoning the light of her divine magic. "I'll keep you standing, but we need to deal with that… thing" she said, eyeing the newly arrived Queen warily. 

Elysande wiped the green blood from her blade. "You focus on defense, I'll thin the numbers." 

Kael, still perched above, watched with narrowed eyes. He had yet to be spotted, which meant he had the element of surprise. He just needed the right moment to strike. 

His gaze flickered toward the Overlord, floating silently near the edge of the battle. Unlike the others, it did not charge it simply loomed, observing. (stealth Check Passed) 

The towering Zerg Queen let out a guttural, unnatural shriek that echoed through the dense forest, shaking the very air around them. The cry sent a pulse of energy through the battlefield, and the creatures under her command moved with renewed aggression. The battle was far from over. 

Alistair, blood seeping from the gashes in his armor, gritted his teeth and pressed forward. His shield was already raised, his muscles tensed from years of discipline. He spotted a Zergling still snapping at his legs, its fangs clamping down on the edges of his boots, refusing to let go. 

"Enough of this" he snarled. 

With a powerful motion, he slammed his shield forward, catching the Zergling in the face with a brutal impact. The creature let out a strangled shriek as it was sent sprawling onto its back, its claws flailing wildly as it struggled to get up. 

The shield bash left it prone, exposing its underbelly. A deep dent marred its chitinous exoskeleton where Alistair had struck it, cracks forming along its body from the sheer force of the blow 

Seraphine was already moving, her hands glowing with divine energy. "Hold still," she commanded, stepping closer to Alistair. She extended her hands, and golden light washed over him, mending some of the wounds from the previous Zergling attack. 

The warmth of her healing magic flowed through his body, sealing the deeper wounds but leaving a dull ache behind. 

Much better" Alistair muttered, adjusting his stance, ready for the next onslaught. 

From his perch on the nearby cliff, Kael watched everything unfold. 

His eyes flickered across the battlefield, assessing weak points, looking for his moment. Then he saw the Zergling Elysande had already wounded. 

It was struggling to keep up, limping slightly from the deep gash across its abdomen. 

Perfect. 

Kael vanished from sight, stepping through the shadows with practiced ease. He appeared just behind the injured Zergling, its sickly green blood dripping onto the dirt. Before it even had a chance to react, his dagger flashed in the dim light, and he drove it deep into the back of the creature's skull. 

The [Silent Strike] was clean and decisive. The Zergling stiffened, letting out a short, strangled hiss before collapsing, lifeless. 

Elysande, still engaged with the second Zergling near the chokepoint, gave Kael a brief nod before refocusing on her own opponent. 

But while the humans were locked in battle, something else was happening beneath them. 

One of the Hydralisks, standing just behind the advancing front lines of the Zerg, suddenly halted its approach. Its body coiled tightly, its spiny ridges folding back in preparation for something unexpected. 

Then it burrowed. 

The ground trembled slightly for only a moment before settling, the creature disappearing beneath the earth with surprising speed. The dense foliage and shifting terrain masked its movements. (Stealth check passed). 

No one saw it vanish. 

Meanwhile, the other two Hydralisks continued their advance, slithering closer, their elongated forms rippling with anticipation. 

Kael had barely recovered from his assassination strike when his instincts screamed at him. 

His body twisted, moving purely on reflex. 

A sharp whistle cut through the air then thunk! A razor-sharp spine tore through the fabric of his cloak, barely missing his torso. Another spine, fired with lethal precision, found its mark. 

Shhhk! 

Pain erupted in his side, the chitinous projectile tearing into his ribs. He barely had time to register the hit before another sound followed—a second barrage from a Hydralisk that had just resurfaced behind him. 

Thunk! Thunk! 

The first missed, embedding itself into the rocky cliff behind him. The second struck true, this time piercing his shoulder. 

Kael let out a sharp breath, his vision momentarily flickering from the sheer force of the attack. His entire right side burned with deep, searing pain. 

Blood dripped down his armor, his body screaming in protest, but he remained standing. 

He gritted his teeth and forced himself to focus. Now both Hydralisks knew where he was—and he was dangerously exposed. 

On the ground, Elysande felt the shift in the battle. The Queen was getting closer, her presence looming over the battlefield like a dark storm gathering strength. 

She couldn't waste time. 

The second Zergling in front of her lunged, but she was ready. 

"Not this time," she muttered. 

Tapping into her fledgling arcane potential, she activated [Arcane Surge]. A faint, glowing aura pulsed around her, her body infused with raw magical energy. It flowed into her blades, the once-ordinary steel now shimmering with faint blue light. 

She struck with inhuman speed. 

Her first blade carved through the Zergling's neck, severing tendons and cutting deep into the exoskeleton. The second blade came from below, piercing through its underside and out its back in a single, fluid motion. 

The Zergling twitched violently, its screech cut short as it collapsed into a heap. 

Elysande flicked the ichor from her blade, her breathing steady but her heart racing. 

Then, she heard it. 

A deep, guttural growl. 

She turned her head and there it was. 

The Queen was finally within full view. 

The forest trembled beneath her weight, her limbs crushing the undergrowth beneath her as she loomed over the battlefield. The air around her rippled with energy, as if the very environment was bending to her will. 

She was watching them. Studying them. 

And she was not alone. 

With her arrival, the remaining Hydralisks and Zerglings became more coordinated, their movements sharper, faster, more aggressive. 

For the first time since the fight began, it felt like the real battle had just started. 

The Zerg Queen loomed, her massive, grotesque form casting a long shadow over the battlefield. Her chitinous body pulsed unnaturally, her many unblinking eyes locking onto the intruders who had dared to challenge her swarm. 

Alistair, blood trickling down his armor from previous strikes, steeled himself. His breath was measured, his stance unwavering despite the chaos unfolding around him. He couldn't afford to fall, not now. 

With a deep inhale, he channeled his inner resilience activating [Grit], and a faint glow radiated around him as his wounds closed slightly. 

Rejuvenated, he pivoted on his heel, slamming his blade into the closest Zergling. The impact was brutal, the steel carving deep into the creature's thick exoskeleton. Green ichor splattered onto the dirt as the Zergling shrieked in agony.  

But there was no time to celebrate. 

Kael Redwyne, watched the Hydralisks slithering forward. He needed to move. 

Flickering between the shadows, he darted forward, closing the distance between him and one of the serpentine creatures. His daggers gleamed in the dim light, his movements swift and calculated. 

The first strike landed, sinking deep into the Hydralisk's tough hide. It let out a sharp, guttural hiss, recoiling slightly from the unexpected attack. 

But Kael wasn't done. 

Summoning the dark energy that pulsed through his veins, he shifted his second strike into a [Necrotic Slash]. His dagger pulsed with a shadowy black aura, and as the blade cut through the Hydralisk's side, a sickly darkness spread from the wound. 

The Hydralisk shuddered violently, its body momentarily flickering into shadow, the magic visibly eating away at its flesh. 

But the Zerg were nothing if not relentless. 

The first Hydralisk lashed out in response, its razor-sharp claws swiping at Kael. He twisted just in time to avoid the first strike, but the second attack struck true, claws raking across his side. 

The second Hydralisk reared back, firing twin projectiles of razor-sharp spines at the assassin. Kael braced himself one missed, but the second hit… only not where it was intended. (Zerg Crit fail) 

The spines struck the first Hydralisk instead! 

The injured creature let out a hissing snarl, glaring at its ally as friendly fire tore into its flank. Kael smirked despite the pain. "Not much for teamwork, are you?" 

Across the battlefield, the third Hydralisk had different prey in mind. 

Its beady black eyes locked onto Alistair, the Vanguard standing tall at the frontline, unyielding in his stance. The creature coiled its muscular frame, its ridges flexing as it fired a deadly barrage of razor spines. 

Alistair had no time to react. 

Thud! Thud! 

Both spines found their mark, punching through his heavy armor, embedding themselves deep into his chest and shoulder. 

A flash of searing pain shot through him, his knees nearly buckling under the force of the blow. Gritting his teeth, he wrenched the spines from his armor, his breathing ragged. But still, he stood. 

On the other side of the battlefield, Elysande faced down the remaining Zerglings. 

One of the creatures lunged, its clawed appendages slashing wildly. 

She deflected the first strike, her blade catching the blow, redirecting it harmlessly to the side. 

But the second strike hit. 

Just as the Zergling's claws were about to rake across her side, Alistair's shield can be seen hitting the zerglings talons and shifting it so it only cuts through leather armor, drawing little blood. She winced but held her ground. 

She exhaled sharply, gripping her blades tighter. She wouldn't falter. 

The queens presence loomed, her grotesque form towering over the battlefield. And with a single motion, she extended her clawed limbs, pointing at Alistair—as if marking him for death. 

A split second later, she fired a volley of razor spines, each one moving with terrifying precision. 

But Alistair was ready. 

He braced behind his shield, steel meeting the deadly projectiles. 

Thud! Thud! Thud! 

None of them made it through. 

The spines bounced harmlessly off his reinforced defenses, the sheer force pushing him back slightly, but not enough to break his stance. 

Through gritted teeth, Alistair let out a deep breath. "You're going to have to try harder than that." 

Hovering above the battlefield, the Overlord made its presence known. 

Its massive, fleshy form pulsated, emitting a deep, guttural howl that resonated through the area. The sound was not just physical it was psionic. 

The entire battlefield shook as the disruptive pulse hit everyone within range. 

Alistair gritted his teeth, forcing himself to fight off the mental pressure. (Wisdom check passed.) 

Seraphine stumbled slightly, but her resolve held firm. (Wisdom check passed.) 

But one of the Zerglings, seeing the moment of opportunity it lunged at Seraphine, its claws flashing toward her. 

She barely had time to react before a deep gash tore across her arm. 

The pain flared, but she refused to cry out. 

Blood trickled down Seraphine's arm, her breath steady but sharp. The Zergling that had wounded her twitched in place, its unnatural, reptilian eyes locked onto her as if savoring the small victory. 

Nearby, Elysande engaged the second Zergling, her blades flashing as she attempted a dual strike. 

Her first blade missed, the Zergling dodging nimbly to the side, but her second strike hit true. The blade sliced deep across its chest, causing it to reel back, green ichor spilling onto the dirt. 

Before she could press the attack, a horrifying shriek echoed across the battlefield. 

The Zerg Queen, looming like a monarch over the battlefield, extended her clawed limbs, her many eyes gleaming with unnatural energy. 

A pulse of dark green light spread out from her body, washing over the battlefield near to her 

The Zerglings that had just been on the brink of death the ones battling Alistair and Seraphine twitched violently as their wounds closed. 

Alistair's jaw tightened. "Damn it." 

And then, she struck. 

A deadly spike ripped through the air, aimed directly at the Vanguard. 

Thud! 

The impact slammed into his armor, piercing through a weaker joint near his ribs. He grunted in pain, staggering slightly under the force of the blow. 

But he was not deterred. 

Snarling through clenched teeth, he raised his mace and swung at one of the Zerglings swarming him. 

The mace connected, cutting into the creature's side. 

Seraphine, regaining her focus, channeled her divine magic, stepping toward Alistair. 

"[Blessed touch]" she whispered. 

A gentle, golden light washed over the Vanguard, closing some of his wounds. 

Alistair exhaled, his stance fortifying once more as the light slowly faded. 

Kael, watching from a distance, knew they were losing ground. His breath was labored, wounds searing across his ribs and shoulder from the previous Hydralisk attacks. 

He couldn't stay still Retreating quickly, he pulled a dagger from his belt, his grip tightening. 

The Zergling attacking Elysande was on its last legs. 

With a single, fluid motion, he flicked his wrist, the blade whistling through the air. The dagger sank deep into the Zergling's skull. The creature let out a final snarl before collapsing, its body spasming once before going still. 

Elysande looked toward him, nodding in thanks, but there was no time to celebrate. The Hydralisks, having seen Kael's attack, turned their attention to him. 

Two of the creatures reared back, their spined ridges flexing, before launching deadly projectiles. 

The first Hydralisk fired two shots one missing, the other finding its mark. 

The second fired with frightening precision. 

Both of its razor-sharp spines hit Kael directly, tearing into his already-wounded side. 

Thud! 

Thud! 

The impact sent him staggering, his vision blurring. His breathing was ragged. His legs trembled. 

He needed to retreat. 

Kael, now severely injured, began to fall back, his mind focused on getting away from the frontlines. 

But he never made it. 

A Zergling, one of the creatures that had been locked in battle with Alistair, suddenly broke away from the fight, its clawed feet tearing through the underbrush. 

Alistair lashed out, landing a glancing blow as it passed, green ichor splattering onto the ground. 

Elysande, realizing what was happening, attempted to intercept—but her blade missed by inches. 

And then it leaped. 

The Zergling's powerful hind legs propelled it forward, closing the distance in an instant. 

Kael barely had time to react. 

He turned, but it was already upon him. 

Claws sank deep into his chest, tearing through flesh with horrifying ease. 

Pain exploded through his body. 

His vision darkened. 

And then—he fell. 

Kael Redwyne, the Shadowblade, was dead. 

Seraphine's eyes widened in horror as she saw Kael collapse. 

"No…" she whispered, her grip on her staff tightening. 

Elysande's hands shook, rage flooding through her veins. 

Alistair tensed, his grip on his sword tightening as he turned toward the Zerg Queen, his expression unreadable. 

Alistair, battered and bloodied, barely had a moment to process Kael's fall before three Zerglings leaped at him. 

He raised his shield instinctively. 

Clang! 

The first set of claws scraped harmlessly across his armor. 

Thud! 

The second attack bit deep into his side, pain flaring through his ribs. 

Crunch! 

The third Zergling landed a powerful rake across his shoulder, nearly tearing off a chunk of his armor. 

Alistair staggered back, his breathing ragged. His armor, once pristine and noble, was now dented, torn, and barely holding together. 

And then a new threat loomed above them. 

The massive, pulsating Overlord drifted directly overhead, its fleshy mass casting a shadow over the battlefield. Its many tendrils quivered, releasing an organic, mucus-like substance that spread across the battlefield in sickly purple waves. 

The ground beneath the Zerg forces pulsed, the creep spreading outward in a horrific organic sprawl. 

Seraphine gasped. "What is that?!" 

Alistair scowled. It didn't matter. What did matter was that the Zerg were now faster. The Hydralisks slithered with renewed agility, and the Zerglings twitched with increased energy, their claws now scraping faster against the earth. 

They had to fall back. now. 

Realizing the fight had turned, Elysande began her withdrawal. Her blades whirled in quick slashes, keeping the remaining Zerglings at bay as she edged closer to her allies. 

One of the Zerglings lunged at her, snapping its jaws, but she sidestepped, slicing across its side as it passed. 

Shhk! 

The Zergling collapsed, twitching in the dirt, barely able to move. 

She panted, backing up toward Alistair and Seraphine. "We need to get out of here now!" 

But the Zerg Queen had other plans. 

With a powerful, thunderous charge, she rushed forward, shoving two Zerglings aside like they were nothing. The creatures yelped, tumbling away in the dirt as she barreled straight toward Seraphine. 

Seraphine barely had time to raise her staff before the Queen slammed into her, sending her crashing to the ground with a brutal impact. (Seraphine failed Constitution save)/(Queen stealth check met). 

Seraphine's world blurred. The air was knocked from her lungs as she landed hard, the weight of the Queen pinning her down. 

And then unknown to all, A thin, almost delicate proboscis extended from the Queen's underbelly, lancing into Seraphine's side like a needle. 

A strange warmth spread through her body, almost numbing. It felt wrong, but not immediately painful. 

"Get off her!" Alistair roared. 

With a surge of strength, he slammed into the Queen, his shield bashing against her hardened exoskeleton. 

The impact barely made her flinch, but it was enough to push her back just enough for Alistair to grab Seraphine and hoist her onto his shoulder. 

With no time to check on her condition, he gritted his teeth and started running. 

Elysande covered their retreat, her swords flashing as she slashed at any Zerg that got too close. 

The Zerg pursued, their growls and shrieks echoing through the darkened forest. 

But then the Queen raised her claw. 

And the Zerg suddenly stopped. 

They watched as the humans fled, their forms disappearing into the depths of the trees. 

And then, she turned away. 

The Swarm did not pursue and instead gathered the slain Zerg and human and disapeered back into the trees. 

The three burst from the treeline, the city walls in sight in the distance. Their bodies ached, their breaths were ragged. 

Finally, they stopped, collapsing onto the dirt road. 

Alistair panted, setting Seraphine down carefully. "We… made it." 

Elysande fell to her knees, exhausted. "Barely." 

Seraphine trembled, her hand pressed against her side. "I think I—" 

Shrrrk! 

Her eyes widened. 

Pain exploded through her stomach. 

Something was… moving inside her. 

"Seraphine?" Alistair asked, his concern rising. 

She screamed. 

RIP! 

Two sickly, writhing creatures burst out from her abdomen, spraying blackened blood across the ground. 

Broodlings. 

The Zerg Queen's seed had hatched. 

The two Broodlings shrieked, their tiny, serrated fangs dripping with Seraphine's own blood. 

Seraphine collapsed, her hands shaking as she pressed them against her open, gaping wound, trying to stop the bleeding. 

Through sheer willpower, she muttered a spell, her magic barely holding her together. 

The Broodlings lunged. 

Alistair raised his shield just in time as one of them barely sank its claws into his side. 

Elysande reacted faster. 

Her sword flashed, and with one clean stroke, she bisected the first Broodling. 

The second clawed at Alistair again, sinking its teeth into his arm. 

Snarling, he grabbed the tiny monstrosity and crushed it against his shield, stomping it into the dirt. 

The air was thick with the stench of blood and ichor as Alistair, and Elysande trudged toward the city gates. Each step felt heavier than the last, exhaustion gnawing at their muscles. Their breaths were ragged, their bodies bruised, but their minds reeled from the battle they had barely escaped. 

Seraphine, was in the worst condition. She was still alive but only barely. 

Alistair carried her carefully in his arms, her weight almost nothing to his battle-worn frame. But even his endurance had its limits. 

Elysande, walked beside him, blades sheathed but hands still tense, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. She could feel the weight of what had happened pressing down on them. 

Kael was gone. 

And they had no idea what Seraphine had just survived. 

The wound on her stomach the place where the Zerg Queen had impaled her was still sealed by magic, but the way she shivered, the way her fingers clenched weakly at her robes,that something was still wrong. 

As they neared the city's outer walls, the scene before them was chaotic. 

Other adventuring parties were returning as well, some in better shape, some far worse. Some groups carried fallen comrades, their bodies wrapped in whatever cloth they could find. Others stumbled forward, leaning heavily on allies, their wounds barely patched up. 

But what stood out most were the corpses of creatures no one recognized. 

A group of adventurers stood near the entrance, several of them surrounding the body of a slain Zergling. 

"Gods, what the hell is this thing?" one man muttered, prodding the corpse with his sword. 

A second adventurer, a half-orc woman clad in heavy armor, shook her head. "We killed three of these. They're fast. Too fast." 

Another party, less damaged than most, dragged a second Zergling through the dirt. Its chitinous hide was riddled with arrows, green ichor leaking from its many wounds. 

"We thought they were demons," one of them muttered. "Never seen anything like it." 

Alistair exchanged a glance with Elysande as they passed. Their experience had been far worse than just those creatures.