Deeper into the Dungeon

The next morning, Arlan found himself staring into the dungeon entrance once again.

Duskhaven's dungeon was a constant in the city—always looming, always shifting, always promising danger and reward in equal measure. The last time they had entered, it had been a simple goblin hunt. This time, they were pushing deeper.

Second floor.

Arlan adjusted his cloak, feeling Bones stir within. He wasn't sure if it was nerves or excitement, but either way, the undead rat was ready.

Beren cracked his knuckles. "Second floor means tougher fights. No more goblins sitting around campfires picking their noses."

Leila groaned. "I swear if we run into another giant insect, I'm quitting adventuring forever."

Tomas grinned. "Well, if that happens, I'll bravely fight them in your honor."

Leila snorted. "Bravely? You screamed last time."

Tomas gasped. "I did not scream."

Mira smirked. "You definitely did."

Arlan chuckled, shaking his head. This was the normalcy he needed—banter, friendly teasing, the kind of moments that made adventuring feel… less overwhelming.

"Alright," Mira said, rolling her shoulders. "Formation's the same as before. Beren and Tomas up front, Leila covering with arrows, I'll support. Arlan, keep an eye out and use that magic of yours if things get tricky."

Arlan nodded. His last fight had been different—his magic had activated almost instinctively. He still wasn't sure how to control it, but if it could help the group survive, he'd figure it out.

"Let's go," Tomas said, leading the way into the depths.

The Second Floor

The air grew colder as they descended, the narrow stone stairway opening into a wide cavern. Unlike the first floor, which was mostly winding tunnels and small chambers, the second floor had larger, open spaces. The light from their torches flickered against jagged rock formations and uneven pathways.

"Alright, keep your eyes open," Mira murmured. "Monsters down here are more coordinated than goblins. They work in groups."

"Like what?" Leila asked, scanning the darkness ahead.

"Gnolls, maybe. Some stronger goblins. Even a few undead have been spotted."

Arlan tensed at that last part but said nothing.

As they moved deeper, Tomas suddenly raised a hand. "Hold up."

They all stopped, listening.

Scraping noises. Low, guttural chatter.

Then, from the shadows, they saw them.

Gnolls.

There were four of them—tall, hunched figures with matted fur, glowing yellow eyes, and long, wicked claws. They carried crude weapons—rusted swords and jagged spears—but their bodies were strong, their muscles thick.

Beren grinned. "Finally, something with a bit of a challenge."

Leila nocked an arrow. "Just don't get too excited, axe-boy."

The gnolls noticed them and snarled, baring their sharp teeth. One of them raised its weapon, letting out a low growl.

Then, they charged.

The Battle Begins

Tomas met the first gnoll head-on, slamming his shield into its chest before it could bring its sword down. The force of the impact sent it stumbling back, giving Tomas just enough time to strike. His blade cut into its shoulder, drawing a howl of pain.

Beren wasn't far behind. His axe swung in a wide arc, catching another gnoll in the ribs. The creature yelped but didn't go down, instead lashing out with its claws. Beren barely dodged in time.

Leila loosed an arrow, striking a third gnoll in the leg. It staggered but kept moving, eyes locked on her with fury.

Mira raised her staff, chanting quickly. A blast of frost shot forward, catching the gnoll Tomas had wounded. Ice spread over its arm, slowing its movements.

Arlan watched it all unfold. He needed to act.

One gnoll, the one Leila had shot, turned its gaze toward him. It snarled, raising its weapon.

Arlan reacted on instinct.

He reached for that cold power inside him, the one that had surfaced in the last battle. Shadows coiled at his fingertips, flickering like tendrils of smoke.

He thrust his hand forward.

A bolt of darkness shot through the air, striking the gnoll square in the chest.

The creature stumbled, eyes widening as it clutched at the wound. The energy pulsed, twisting around its body for a moment before it collapsed with a strangled sound.

Arlan's breath hitched. He had done it again.

"Nice shot!" Tomas called, slamming his sword into the ice-covered gnoll, finishing it off.

Beren swung his axe again, landing a clean hit on the final gnoll's head. It crumpled.

The battle was over.

Aftermath

They stood in silence for a moment, catching their breath. The bodies of the gnolls lay sprawled on the cavern floor, the echoes of the fight fading into the distance.

Leila let out a relieved sigh, slinging her bow over her shoulder. "Well, that was… something."

Mira wiped her brow. "Not bad. We handled that well."

Tomas smirked at Arlan. "And you, my friend, are getting way too comfortable with that magic of yours."

Arlan forced a grin. "What can I say? I'm a fast learner."

Mira studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Good. We need all the firepower we can get."

Beren stretched. "So, do we keep going?"

Leila glanced at the gnoll corpses. "Maybe we loot first? If we don't, some scavenger monster will."

They searched the bodies, collecting a handful of coins, a few rusted weapons, and a gnoll fang, which Beren claimed as a trophy.

As they continued deeper into the dungeon, Arlan felt Bones shift slightly in his cloak. The little undead rat had stayed hidden during the fight, but he was still alert.

Arlan exhaled.

For now, things were normal. For now, his secret was safe.

But as they moved forward, deeper into the darkness, he couldn't shake the feeling that something—someone—was waiting for him.

And this time, they wouldn't be watching from the shadows.

They'd be stepping into the light.