An Uneasy Return to the Dungeon

The morning fog had just begun to clear as Arlan made his way toward the guild hall, his cloak pulled tightly around him. Duskhaven was waking up—merchants setting up their stalls, adventurers gathering supplies, blacksmiths hammering away at their forges. The usual routine.

But Arlan didn't feel like himself.

The crypt had left a lingering unease in his chest, like a shadow that wouldn't quite fade. He had spent the night replaying the fight, the strange voice whispering to him, the way the skeletons had collapsed under his magic. He still didn't understand how his powers worked, but it was clear he was stronger than before.

Stronger, but also more exposed.

He couldn't afford to slip up again.

As he entered the guild hall, he spotted his companions at their usual table. Leila was leaning back in her chair, boots propped up, chewing on a piece of dried fruit. Tomas and Beren were locked in an arm-wrestling match, their faces scrunched in competitive effort. Mira was sipping her morning tea, watching them with a mildly amused expression.

The sight was almost enough to make him forget his worries.

Leila spotted him first. "Look who finally decided to show up."

Arlan sighed, sitting down. "It's early."

"Not early enough to avoid this humiliation," Mira said, nodding toward the arm-wrestling match.

Tomas gritted his teeth. "I've got him—just—about—"

Beren slammed his arm down with a loud thump. Tomas groaned, rubbing his wrist.

"Still undefeated," Beren said with a satisfied grin.

"Remind me to stop challenging you," Tomas muttered.

Leila smirked. "Maybe one day you'll win."

"Maybe one day he'll get tired," Tomas shot back.

Arlan couldn't help but smile.

Mira set down her tea. "Anyway, we were waiting for you to pick the quest."

Arlan blinked. "Me?"

Mira nodded. "We figured you should have a say this time. And since we all agreed to take it easy, we're sticking to the first floor of the dungeon."

Tomas slid the quest notice across the table. "Goblin culling. Should be quick and simple."

Arlan picked up the parchment, scanning it. A scouting party had spotted a group of goblins setting up camp near one of the dungeon's tunnels. The guild wanted them cleared out before they could become a bigger problem.

A standard job. No crypts, no cursed undead, no strange voices whispering in his head.

Leila stretched. "Sounds like a good warm-up before we get into anything serious."

Arlan nodded slowly. "Alright. Let's do it."

Duskhaven's Dungeon – First Floor

The dungeon entrance was just as they had left it—a cold, damp cavern that sloped downward into darkness. The deeper floors held far greater dangers, but the first floor was manageable for rookies.

They moved carefully through the tunnels, the air thick with the scent of moss and damp stone. Their boots barely made a sound against the rough floor. It was quiet—too quiet.

After a few minutes, they reached a bend in the passage. Tomas held up a hand, signaling them to stop.

"There," he whispered.

Ahead, the tunnel widened into a small chamber, dimly lit by a dying torch wedged into a crack in the wall. Around the flickering fire, five goblins sat hunched, their guttural voices chattering in their strange, broken tongue. Their weapons were crude—rusted daggers, makeshift clubs, a chipped short sword that looked stolen.

Leila wrinkled her nose. "Gods, they always stink."

Beren smirked. "At least they're small."

Mira exhaled, steadying her staff. "Alright, same as last time. Tomas and Beren up front, Leila covers us with arrows, I'll handle support magic."

"And me?" Arlan asked.

Mira hesitated.

Tomas smirked. "You could… stand there and look menacing?"

Leila grinned. "Or throw another rock?"

Arlan rolled his eyes. "You'll see."

He took a breath, feeling Bones shift inside his cloak. He wasn't going to sit back this time. He was going to fight.

Mira gave a nod. "Alright. Go."

The Fight Begins

Mira whispered a quick incantation, and a sudden flash of light erupted over the goblins' fire. The creatures screeched, momentarily blinded.

Tomas and Beren charged.

Tomas's shield slammed into the first goblin, sending it sprawling to the ground. He followed up with a quick thrust of his sword, finishing it off before it could react.

Beren, meanwhile, swung his axe in a wide arc, catching two goblins at once. One collapsed immediately, the other staggered back, screeching in pain.

Leila loosed an arrow, striking a goblin in the leg before it could flee.

Three left.

One of them growled and rushed toward Arlan.

Arlan tensed. He had no weapon—just his magic and Bones.

"Bones," he whispered. "Go."

The skeletal rat darted from his cloak, scurrying toward the goblin with unnatural speed. The creature barely had time to react before Bones latched onto its arm, sinking sharp, bony teeth into its flesh.

The goblin howled, flailing wildly to shake Bones off. It stumbled, leaving itself wide open.

Arlan clenched his fist, reaching for the strange power inside him.

A pulse of dark energy coiled in his palm, shifting like smoke. He hesitated—then thrust his hand forward.

A thin bolt of shadow shot from his fingertips, striking the goblin in the chest.

The creature jerked, its body convulsing for a brief moment—then it collapsed, eyes lifeless.

Silence.

Leila lowered her bow. "What the hell was that?"

Arlan forced himself to stay calm. "Magic."

"No kidding," Tomas said, raising an eyebrow. "But what kind?"

Arlan shrugged, playing it off. "Something I picked up when I leveled up."

Mira's eyes lingered on him for a moment, but she didn't press further. Instead, she turned back to the fight.

Tomas had already knocked out another goblin. Beren finished off the last one with a swift kick to the head.

And just like that, it was over.

Aftermath and Reflection

As they looted the goblins' camp, Tomas gave Arlan a sideways glance. "You're actually getting useful, you know."

Arlan smirked. "Gee, thanks."

Leila crossed her arms. "So, what's the spell called?"

Arlan hesitated. He hadn't even thought about it. It had just… happened.

"Shadow Bolt?" he said, testing the words. It sounded right.

Beren grinned. "Sounds cool."

Leila sighed. "Great. Now he's got magic and a creepy rat."

Arlan glanced down at Bones, who had returned to his pocket, clicking his tiny jaws.

"…Apparently."

Leila shook her head, laughing. "That's kind of terrifying."

Beren clapped him on the back. "I like it."

Arlan just sighed.

At least no one was asking too many questions.

For now.