Deep within the forest, beneath the gnarled roots of ancient trees, a dark cave yawned like the mouth of some forgotten beast. Four adventurers — two men and two women — had come here, tasked with clearing a goblin threat. The air was thick with damp earth, and the faint rustle of leaves seemed to whisper warnings they chose to ignore.
"I am Liana, a magician trained at the Northern Sage Academy," the young sorceress declared, her voice brimming with pride. She patted her chest, her robes shimmering faintly in the dim light. "Don't worry, I'm here."
Beside her, Elena — a priestess in robes of white and gold — clutched her staff tightly. The staff's carvings glowed faintly, its holy power a fragile beacon in the gloom. "We should be careful," she warned. "Goblins may seem weak, but they're cunning. We can't underestimate them."
"What are you afraid of?!" Gareth, the swordsman, scoffed. His greatsword rested easily across his back, and his armor clanked as he strode forward. "They're nothing but pests."
Derrick, the burly axe-wielder, nodded in agreement. "We're going to slay dragons someday. These goblins are just a warm-up."
A cry broke their conversation. "Look! Goblins!"
The adventurers turned to see twisted figures lurking in the shadows — squat, green-skinned creatures with jagged teeth and glinting eyes.
Elena raised her staff, ready to cast a blessing, but Gareth was already moving.
"Hmph!" he grunted, charging forward. His sword swung down in a deadly arc. The goblin's head hit the ground with a wet thud, blood pooling at his feet.
"Hahaha! See?" Gareth grinned. "I told you, they're garbage."
Crack! A sharp sound split the air. Gareth turned just in time to see another goblin lunging at him, dagger poised to strike.
"Squat down!" Liana's voice rang out.
Gareth dropped without hesitation. A blazing fireball erupted from Liana's hands, streaking through the air and striking the goblin square in the chest. Flames consumed the creature in a burst of heat and smoke.
"Watch where you're casting!" Gareth barked, brushing soot from his armor.
"I did warn you," Liana quipped with a smug smile.
Before Gareth could respond, another goblin crept toward Elena, its dagger gleaming.
"Behind you!" Derrick roared, his axe flashing as he split the goblin's skull in a spray of blood.
"Thank you," Elena stammered, her face pale.
But before she could finish her words, an arrow shot from the shadows, slicing through the air and striking Derrick's arm. He let out a cry of pain, clutching his bleeding limb.
"Hold on!" Elena shouted, raising her staff to cast a healing spell.
"Damn it!" Gareth roared. He charged toward the goblin archer — but the ground beneath him shifted.
With a sudden snap, a net sprang up from the dirt, wrapping tightly around him. The more he thrashed, the tighter it clung.
"What... what's going on?!" Gareth gasped, struggling for air.
Swish! An arrow pierced his hand, forcing him to release his sword.
"Ahhh!" he howled, sweat pouring down his face.
"Don't move!" Liana cried, summoning her magic. But before she could complete her spell, a shadow crept behind her.
A rough hand clamped over her mouth.
"Mmmph!" Liana thrashed, eyes wide with panic.
Swish! A dagger plunged into her stomach. Blood spilled from the wound, staining her robes crimson as her body slumped to the ground.
The goblins swarmed from the darkness, twisted grins on their faces. Their laughter echoed through the trees like a sick chorus.
"No... no..." Liana whispered weakly, her voice fading. "Help... me..."
Gareth, still bound in the net, watched helplessly. "You... beasts," he growled, biting through the net until his gums bled. He grabbed his sword and rose to his feet.
"I'll kill you all!" he bellowed.
But the goblins kept coming. More and more emerged from the gloom, their cruel eyes glinting with savage delight.
"I'll kill you!" Gareth roared again, but his words were soon swallowed by the tide of goblins swarming around him.