Josh tightened his grip on his shield until the leather creaked, the weight of his sword steady in his other hand. The air between him and the orc felt charged, heavy with the scent of moss and blood. Bhel shifted into position just behind him, the dwarf’s axes gleaming with dull menace as he set his stance like a wall of stone.

  A flare of orange light broke the tension, Brett’s firebolt hissed through the air, singeing the damp bark of a tree as it forced a goblin into cover. The creature screeched and stumbled back, its crude blade clattering against the roots, its leathery skin briefly illuminated by the fading glow of the spell.

  From above, Perberos’ arrows whistled through the canopy. They struck the orc’s thick hide with heavy thuds, embedding deep enough to draw blood but not slow it. The creature only roared in response, a low, guttural sound that rolled through the clearing like distant thunder.

  It paused, muscles rippling beneath its scarred green skin, eyes flicking between Josh and Bhel as it studied their formation. A crooked tusk jutted from its lip as it bared its teeth, saliva stringing from its mouth. The growl deepened, vibrating through the roots underfoot, and then the beast lunged forward.

  The orc’s charge thundered through the clearing, each pounding step shaking the earth. Trees shivered as the hulking brute barrelled toward the choke point, its club raised high. Josh braced himself, shield lifted, and the world narrowed to the instant of collision. The impact hit like a battering ram. Wood groaned, metal shrieked, and his legs slid a half step before his boots caught on the roots beneath. His shoulders screamed, but he held. With a grunt, he twisted the shield, turning the next swing aside. The club scraped down its rim, striking sparks that burst and died in the cold air.

  Bhel darted behind him, moving with a speed that belied his stocky frame. Twin axes flashed silver as a goblin lunged as it ran in from behind the orc, claws outstretched. The creature hissed, a blur of mottled skin and teeth, but Bhel ducked under its swipe, spinning low. The goblin stumbled past, and both axes came down in a single brutal rhythm. The wet crunch of bone split the air as the creature collapsed in a heap of torn leather and twitching limbs.

  Josh barely had time to breathe before the next blow came. The orc’s club slammed into his shield again, the impact rattling his bones. The rim bit into his forearm; pain flared white-hot. He roared back, shoving hard, the effort jarring through his whole body. The brute’s guard opened for a heartbeat, enough. Josh lunged, his sword cutting a vicious line through the air. Steel met flesh with a meaty thump, carving into the orc’s shoulder. The blade lodged deep between muscle and bone before he twisted and ripped it free, a spray of dark blood painting his forearm and shield.

  “I’ve definitely got it’s attention now!” he shouted, voice raw and ragged.

  The orc’s reply was a thunderous bellow, hot breath reeking of iron and decay. It swung again, wide, wild, murderous. The club howled through the air, smashing into Josh’s shield with a screech of metal on wood. His arm trembled from the sheer force of it, every muscle in his body screaming to hold the line.

  Bhel surged in from the flank with a battle cry that split the din. His axes came down like falling hammers, both biting deep into the orc’s side. Flesh split with a wet, sickening crunch, and a gout of black-red blood burst from the wounds. The creature roared, a sound raw enough to shake the leaves from the branches. It turned on him in fury, club swinging wide, but Bhel was already retreating, boots slipping in churned, blood-soaked mud as he ducked away. The orc’s strike smashed into the ground where he’d stood, sending up a spray of dirt and splinters.

  Perberos dropped to one knee on higher ground, drawing a slow, steady breath. His bow creaked as he pulled, muscles taut as wire. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to hold still. Then thwip!—the arrow screamed through the smoky air and struck home, vanishing beneath the orc’s arm where the armour gapped. The impact made the beast jolt, snarling in pain, its head snapping toward the ranger with murder in its eyes.

  Before it could charge, Brett’s voice rang out, a word of fire and fury that split the air. Flames spiralled up his arm, coalescing into a molten bolt that tore across the clearing. It struck the orc square in the face. There was a burst of searing light, a hiss like fat on iron, and the stench of burning flesh filled the air. The orc staggered, roaring as one eye fused shut, smoke rising from its cracked, blackened skin.

  And still, it did not fall. It turned, blood and ash mixing down its chest, stepping sideways to circle. Its single eye burned with hate. Josh saw the shift and stepped in, planting his boots deep into the sodden ground. He slammed his shield forward, the impact booming through the clearing, and bellowed, a raw, primal roar that met the orc’s own. The sound rolled through the forest, the clash of will against will, man against monster, each refusing to yield.

  The orc’s single eye fixed on Josh, burning with animal fury. Its breath came in ragged bursts, steaming in the chill air. Then it moved, swinging again, but slower this time, deliberate. Each blow tested Josh’s guard, probing for weakness. The club hammered into his shield, the impact jarring his shoulders and screaming through his arms. Every strike was a battle in itself, but he refused to yield, bracing his boots deep into the mud, forcing the creature to overreach. Josh took several glazing strikes to the body, which drove the wind from him and at one point he was sure his ribs had cracked, but he didn’t back down from the beast.

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  “Bhel, now!” Josh roared, timing his call with the orc’s next swing.

  The dwarf darted in like a storm breaking, axes flashing in the half-light. One slammed into the orc’s shoulder, the other carved across its ribs, steel biting deep. The strikes tore through thick hide and muscle, sending a spray of hot blood across the ground. The brute bellowed, stumbling, its massive frame twisting as it fought to keep balance. For the first time, the monster faltered, its weight shifting too far, its rhythm broken.

  Josh and Bhel locked eyes for a heartbeat, an unspoken understanding passing between them. This was their chance. If they pressed now, the beast would fall before more goblins swarmed in.

  The forest seemed to still, the distant birds silent, the crackle of fires dimmed. Even the leaves held their breath as man, dwarf, and monster circled in the haze of blood and smoke.

  Josh moved first. He shifted his stance and drove forward, shield angled low to catch the next swing. The impact shuddered through his arm, but he pushed up and forward, twisting his body to thrust. His sword flashed like lightning, slicing for the orc’s gut. The brute recoiled to dodge, and that was enough.

  Bhel came in again, both axes arcing in brutal unison. They tore through the orc’s flank, each hit spraying gore and cracking bone. The creature roared, a deep, rolling thunder that rattled the canopy.

  From behind, Perberos took the opening, his arrow sang through the air and buried itself just above the orc’s knee. The giant leg buckled, its weight shifting dangerously.

  The orc staggered, blood gushing down its thigh.

  To the side, Brett caught sight of movement, another goblin creeping from the underbrush. His voice rose in a sharp, clipped incantation. A burst of flame coiled from his hand and shot forward, striking the goblin square in the chest. The creature ignited with a shriek, thrashing wildly before collapsing into the ferns, firelight flickering across the battle.

  Back at the choke point, the orc’s strength began to waver. Its club drooped, grip slick with blood. Josh could see the exhaustion setting in, the fury still there, but fading beneath the sheer toll of wounds and steel.

  Josh gritted his teeth as his shield rang against the orc’s club. Each blow came with bone-shaking force, the air itself trembling with the impact. One swing came dangerously close to his shoulder, but he twisted at the last instant, feeling the rush of wind as the club tore past. The orc snarled and swung again, its massive frame shifting off balance. This time, both Josh and Bhel were ready.

  Bhel pivoted behind the creature, his axes flashing like twin arcs of steel, while Josh slammed his shield forward with every ounce of strength. The collision sent a heavy crack through the air. The orc stumbled, boots digging into the soft earth, mud sliding under its weight. Josh shouted, timing his push with Bhel’s strike. Together, their assault drove the brute backward in a furious clash of muscle and will.

  The orc roared, breath steaming through flared nostrils, its chest rising and falling in heavy, uneven heaves. Josh’s arms burned from the strain of holding the shield. The next hit landed like a hammer, rattling through his bones, but he held his ground. He saw the monster’s stance falter, its footing slipping.

  Bhel stepped in, spinning his axes in tight, practiced arcs. Both blades caught the light as they came around, aiming for the exposed flank. Josh locked the orc’s club against his shield, trapping it for a heartbeat. It was all the opening Bhel needed.

  Perberos’ arrow cut through the haze, striking the orc’s shoulder with a sharp crack. A heartbeat later, Brett’s firebolt streaked across the clearing and struck home, charring a strip of skin and flesh. The combined fury hit like a wave, driving the orc to its limit. Its massive body trembled, legs quivering beneath the weight of pain and exhaustion.

  Josh let out a hoarse cry and charged. His shield rammed into the orc’s knee with a solid, splintering thud. The joint twisted, then snapped with a sickening pop. The brute howled in agony as the leg collapsed, sending it crashing sideways into the mud.

  Bhel was already there when it fell. His axes rose and came down together, cleaving through flesh and bone. Blood sprayed across his forearms as the orc convulsed, a guttural roar dying in its throat. It choked once, then again, before falling still.

  Josh stepped forward, chest heaving, and drove his sword into the orc’s chest. The blade slid through thick muscle and found the heart.

  The remaining goblins hesitated, eyes darting between the orc on the ground and the bloodied adventurers. Fear rippled through their ranks, breaking their earlier frenzy and giving the party a precious moment to press the attack.

  The forest seemed to hold its breath. Mist coiled low through the trees, curling around boots and broken roots as the fight reached its final, brutal cadence. The goblins’ courage shattered, their shrill cries fading as they scattered into the shadows.

  Josh planted his boot against the orc’s chest and twisted his sword. The resistance was thick, almost sluggish, like driving metal through wet clay. The creature convulsed, a tremor rippling through its massive frame before a long, broken breath escaped its throat. Its head slumped sideways, eyes clouding to glass as the last of its strength bled out into the dirt.

  For a heartbeat, silence reclaimed the clearing. Only the soft patter of blood dripping from leaves and the distant drip of mist through branches broke the stillness. Then came the shrieks of the remaining goblins, a chorus of panic that cut through the quiet before fading into the forest. One stumbled too slowly, and Brett’s firebolt struck it squarely, the flash of flame casting brief light through the fog. Perberos’ arrows followed, swift and merciless, felling another before it disappeared into the undergrowth.

  Moments later, the fight was over. The forest fell utterly still again, as if unsure the violence had truly passed. Josh let his shield drop, breath rasping in his throat, every muscle trembling from exhaustion. Steam rose faintly from his armour in the cold air.

  Bhel exhaled hard and wiped a dark smear of blood from his cheek. His axes hung loose now, tips dripping into the mud. Perberos straightened slowly from his crouch, scanning the treeline, while Brett let the last embers fade from his hands.

  Carcan stepped forward, her tone low and steady as she murmured a spell. A wave of warmth spread outward, rolling through their battered bodies. The ache in Josh’s arms dulled, replaced by a slow thrum of relief that settled deep in his chest. Around them, the mist began to thin, revealing the still form of the orc sprawled in the dirt, a grim monument to the fight they had survived.

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