We entered a clearing where we found a larger group of goblins. These were more of the Thornspitters, but there was also a new type of goblin called Oozeslingers milling about two huts made of mud, thorny branches and what we assumed were the skins of some animal.

  “Those are new,” Anya whispered. “Never seen them so decorated before.” She indicated the two huts. They were painted over in strange symbols that glowed blue. Valka nodded and frowned.

  “Might be rare mobs inside. Or it could be the Dungeon giving us a new layout variant and more of the same mob type.” Valka glanced at Igvild. “Can you get close and look inside?” The dwarf pursed his lips.

  “Welly, I could. Might be easy. Might be hard. Depends on if they’s got magic what can pierce Stealth.” Valka nodded.

  “We’ll have to chance it. Thornspitters are nothing special and Davros can pick off the Oozeslingers, but if there are any casters in those tents it could be a tricky fight.”

  “Want me to set them on fire?” I asked, but regretted it the moment the words left my mouth. I really needed to learn to temper my enthusiasm a bit.

  “No, damnit! There might be chests inside and you’ll destroy them!” Valka hissed.

  “We also don’t know what those glowing runes do,” Anya said calmly. “I think they are some sort of scrying blocker, but I’m not positive.”

  “We scout it first. We’ll just have to chance it. Go ahead, Igvild.” The dwarf nodded at Valka and crept away, the rest of us quickly losing sight of him.

  How does he do that? I wonder if I could learn how to use Stealth?

  There was an interesting notion. What other skills and traits could a Pyromancer learn? Was my path of progress set in stone? Come to think of it, were the skills Mobs dropped set in stone as well? The Slynt had used a skill I suspected was Wrath Shield, so perhaps I was limited to only the skills the monster knew? I wanted to make myself more versatile, but I supposed it would depend on what sort of bosses and rare mobs I was able to defeat and the skills they themselves possessed. More to add to my list of questions for later. The thought of being able to sneak up on one of these Goblins and fire bolting it in the back would not only be safer, but a lot more devastating, I was certain.

  The three of us could only wait to see what the dwarf could do. The clearing wasn’t particularly large, but it was clear the Goblins were responsible for clearing the space of thorns for their tents. Stumps and severed thorn limbs were scattered everywhere, which might have been a walking hazard, but the Goblins had been fastidious in collecting any thorns they cut down. Where I knelt next to Anya and Valka, I noticed a viscous red sap leaking from the severed limbs.

  I allowed a drop of the red sap to drip onto my finger. It was gooey and had a sweet scent, but I knew better than to taste any of it. An Orphan I once knew, I think his name had been Kittle, had been so hungry he had tried eating a root he had dug up near the Orphanage. It had looked like a weird potato, but he had claimed it was delicious right up to the point he had started throwing up profusely.

  I wonder if these plants have some use beyond using their thorns for ammunition? Why do the Goblins want to live somewhere they risk getting stabbed by thorns all the time? What strange creatures.

  “It’s called Tyne Sap, Anya whispered. “After they refine it, the Goblins smear it over themselves probably to protect themselves from the poisons they use. We’ve seen them boiling it in cauldrons a few times in past dungeon runs.” I nodded thoughtfully.

  Tyne Sap, huh? I guess even goblins can work things out for themselves. They are smarter than they look.

  I decided I didn’t like Goblins. They weren’t as bad as the Slynt, but I didn’t understand this need for treasure Valka had. Wouldn’t it be better to just burn them all and be done with this place? We would still net the necessary experience we needed that way, wouldn’t we? I suppose growing up with nothing makes you less needy for things you never had.

  Something walked out of one of the rune covered tents. It was a blue skinned Goblin. Anya gasped and covered her mouth while Valka swore under his breath. I examined this new Goblin closely.

  Goblin Hexblighter

  Level 7

  Other than possessing blue skin, this goblin wore a strange headdress and a necklace of thorns. It also carried a gnarled staff topped with what looked like an extra thick, extra sharp thorn. I would have thought it a spear, save that the thorn glowed an ugly red color, which gave away its magical properties.

  “Alright, we know what’s in there. If there is another Hexblighter in the second tent we are in big trouble.” Valka tugged upon one of his long mustaches, something I had seen him do before when he was agitated. I frowned.

  “They are Mages? Tough ones?” I whispered. Valka nodded, not taking his eyes off the blue skinned Goblin who was now jabbering at some of the Thornspitters and gesturing at them with his staff/spear.

  “They can cast Curses on us that will slow us down, remove protections or even cause spells to fail. Even if it were two levels weaker it would still be a challenge.” Anya whispered. “One alone with the two Oozeslingers and the three Thornspitters is a coin toss for victory. If there is another in the second tent? We may very well not survive this encounter.”

  I nodded. It sounded very serious, but rather than dread all I felt was anticipation. I wanted to do it! I wanted to fight the Hexblighter. Yet, I could see from both Valka and Anya’s expressions they did not.

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  “Maybe Igvild could take one of them out from stealth?” I suggested. “He is very reliable.” Valka seemed to consider it.

  “Maybe. Or if he could at least remove a Hexblighter out of the fight for a short time while we clean up the others? It might work.” Anya nodded in agreement.

  “They are slow casters. Interrupt and distract it enough while whittling down the rest?”

  “Aye,” Valka said, agreeing with Anya’s assessment. “As soon as he gets back we will…”

  “I think I saw a tent flap move on its own. He must have gone inside the first tent there.” I said. The tent flap had moved on its own and the three of us watched with bated breath to see if the Hexblighter would notice someone had just entered the tent it had exited.

  The Hexblighter ceased its tirade against the Thornspitters and with a final glare around the clearing it turned about and went back inside the tent Igvild had just snuck into. I wanted to cry out to warn my friend, but I clammed up. I expected to hear either Igvild or the Hexblighter raise a cry, but there was nothing.

  We waited one minute. Two. Not even a breeze stirred the Hexblighter’s tent.

  “What the hell is he doing?” Valka growled, yanking on both his mustaches.

  “He might not be able to move with the Hexblighter in the tent. We may need to engage if only to give him a distraction to escape.” Anya said.

  “And if a second Hexblighter runs out?” Valka demanded. Anya didn’t back down.

  “We deal with it like Czaks. With fire and steel.”

  “Trust Igvild,” I said. Valka sighed.

  “That Fortune score of yours better be the real deal or I will haunt you for all eternity.” Valka drew his sword and stood.

  “C’mon you ripe bastards! I’ll gut you from neck to groin!” A Czak warcry later, Valka charged into the group of very surprised Thornspitters. They were slow to draw their weapons and so Valka’s sword split the skull of the first Thornsplitter in a powerful critical attack.

  “Target the Oozeslingers, Davros!” Anya shouted as she ran to back up Valka.

  It was what I had been waiting to hear. Oozeslingers were the same yellow skinned variety as the Thornspitters, save that instead of blowdarts and axes they wielded slings to throw muddy balls filled with thorny spikes. I saw one smash into Valka’s shield causing him to reel back. The thorny mudball exploded showering the Soldier Defender with the sharp thorns they had become so accustomed to avoiding.

  Valka’s armor and shield absorbed much of the force and piercing damage the thorns caused, but due to the amount of thorns mushed into the mudball a few managed to find a soft spot. Valka winced as he felt each sting of a thorn.

  “I’m debuffed with a disease!”

  “I have it!” Anya shouted, dodging a Thornspitter’s ax. Her off hand glowed and with a light touch on Valka’s shoulder Anya laid a spell to remove whatever foul concoction the Oozeslingers had spread upon the thorns to spread their deadly disease.

  I raised my finger and pointed at one of the Oozeslingers and launched a Fire Bolt, but in the same moment the Goblin lobbed another thorny mudball directed straight at me. My firebolt impacted the mudball and burst the projectile apart. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop the thorns from bursting in every direction when the ball was destroyed.

  I felt the first several thorns impact me, but not the rest as my body almost immediately seized up with a fast acting numbness. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound escaped my lips. I wobbled and swayed, my vision swimming as notifications flashed before my eyes.

  You have been struck by an Oozethorn!

  You are infected with Bloodthick Disease!

  Speed reduced by 2.

  Having my Speed debuffed by two points brought me down to nil in the attribute. The result? It felt as if I were wrapped in invisible chains or restrained by ropes. Every movement felt restricted…even blinking! I heard the Oozeslinger cackle as it loaded another piece of thorny ammunition into its sling and I saw its eyes turn to Anya. No! I knew if Anya were slowed we were dead without her healing.

  Move! Move Davros!

  I impotently screamed inside my mind, because my mouth no longer worked. I couldn’t even warn Anya who was still focusing on backing up Valka.

  She told you to deal with the Oozeslingers. They are your responsibility. Burn them. Burn them all!

  With every passing moment the Bloodthick Disease took more and more effort to fight against. I had been struck by more than just one thorn, after all. Yet, with each thorn that pierced my flesh, a familiar pain in my stomach grew and grew until I felt myself about burst.

  Limit Break!

  A tsunami of liquid flames burst from my mouth with a roar. I was still facing the Oozeslinger who had struck me. It didn’t even have time to scream as I coated it in hellish flames. The Goblin melted, but that wasn’t all. The Oozeslinger had been standing next to one of the rune covered tents and splattering drops of glowing plasma fell onto the glowing hide igniting it instantly.

  “Damnit, Davros! I said not the tents!”

  “Valka, look out!” I shouted, suddenly able to speak again. A horrific creature emerged from the tent I had just set afire.

  Goblin Thornfist

  Level 7

  This Goblin was as tall as Valka, yellow like the others, but as muscular as a well built human and painted over with runes similar to those on the tent. What was most disturbing was the wicked looking fist weapons it bore. Thorn covered gauntlets covered each clawed hand and with a roar it tried to bring one down upon Valka who just barely got his shield up in time to absorb the hit.

  “Gah!” The Lieutenant cried out in surpise. The Thornfist was strong! Even I could tell despite my inexperience that Valka wouldn’t be able to hold off the remaining Thornsplitters and now the Thornfist as well unless they found a way to turn the tide and fast.

  All of this happened in the space of moments. My insides still roiled with fire. I felt hot, very hot, but not from any fire. No, this was anger. It was the sensation that for the first time in my life I felt a part of something where others were relying upon me. If I didn’t do my part, they were all going to die. Igvild, his dwarf friend who never once talked down to him. Anya, who despite her initial coldness towards him, was teaching him how to handle himself with patience and understanding. Even Valka, underneath his gruffness and name calling, was someone I could rely on. All three of them were so capable. What was he to them if he didn’t give it his all? Another burden, like he had been to Madame Fevre, just like she had always said he was.

  Then the Hexblighter ran out of the other tent. Its face was a mask of rage as it took in the scene. It had a hand pressed to the side of its neck as it tried to stem the flow of gushing blood.

  Igvild!

  The dwarf was hot on the heels of the Hexblighter his dagger stabbing into the blue skinned Goblin’s back. The Hexblighter roared and tried to backhand the dwarf, but Igvild dodged away and followed up with a quick riposte into the goblin’s forearm.

  “Garnak tarshak!” The Hexblighter roared. A strange symbol manifested before the Hexblighter. Igvild managed a single gasp before whatever force the symbol summoned flung the dwarf back into a tangle of thorns. The symbol writhed like a thing alive and I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I could feel the flames that encircled my mana core flare in response to the foreign mana and it took every ounce of will I could muster to raise by my hands towards the floating symbol.

  I had never tried what I was about to do. I didn’t even know if it could be done. My reasoning was that you had to fight magic with magic and I needed my next spell to be as strong as I could make it.

  A Fire Bolt took form above the index finger of my right hand and I simultaneously summoned another bolt to the index finger of my left hand. Both fingers I pointed directly at the glowing Hex.

  The Hex itself started spinning and it felt as if the world started spinning with it. It was trying to throw us off balance, creating a confusion effect. I saw Valka stumble and taking advantage of his momentary weakness, the Thornfist slammed a fist into Valka’s gut. With a cry, the Defender fell back even as Anya brought her weapon about in a desperate swing at the Thornfist’s head only to have it miss completely. Igvild still hadn’t stirred from where he lay in a heap amongst the thorns. It was now or never.

  I fired both bolts at the Hex and perhaps it was the effect of the Hexblighter’s spell making everything seem to move in slow motion, but I witnessed the dual bolts come together mid flight into one solid, greater bolt that slammed a moment later directly into the center of the spinning Hex.

  I had only a moment to stare in disbelief at the notification that opened before my eyes before the world went white.

  Mage Trait Discovered!

  Dual-Casting Successful!