As the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, the five companions gathered once more in the familiar clearing near the southern village of Hafenstadt. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew-kissed grass and the distant murmur of the sea.

  Jamie and Thomas stood side by side, clad in their usual attire: worn boots, sturdy trousers, tunics, and a simple leather armor. Today's only difference was the larger backpacks slung over their shoulders, packed with provisions and essentials for the journey ahead. The quest was to last no more than two days, so they carried only what was necessary.

  Aldwin and Bertram adjusted the fit of their newly acquired leather armor. The day before, Thomas had given them several silver coins to purchase the protective gear. The leather was supple yet firm, perfectly balancing defense and mobility.

  Camille was similarly outfitted in leather armor, the dark material hugging her form and allowing for seamless movement. Numerous pockets and straps adorned her attire, each holding bolts for her crossbows or other necessary tools. She moved with feline grace, testing the range of motion her armor afforded.

  The only outlier in the group was one whom only Jamie could see. Jay hovered a few feet above the ground, clad from head to toe in heavy plate armor that gleamed ethereally. The armor appeared weightless, and his entire form was translucent, shimmering like a mirage.

  "Got to be prepared," Jay quipped playfully.

  Jamie shook his head with a wry smile, trying to ignore his spectral companion's antics. "Always the dramatic one," he muttered under his breath.

  "Everyone ready?" Jamie asked aloud, turning his attention back to the tangible members of his team.

  "Yes," came the unanimous reply.

  Leaving the clearing behind, they set off down a narrow, winding path leading southward. The passage was scarcely more than a deer trail. The remnants of autumn blanketed the ground; dry leaves in hues of amber and crimson crunched beneath their boots, and the occasional twig snapped.

  The sea accompanied them to the west. Waves rolled gently against the rocky shoreline. Gulls cried out overhead, circling before diving toward the water in search of breakfast.

  Despite the uneven terrain, the group maintained a brisk pace, their endurance honed by weeks of rigorous training. They moved in a loose formation. Jamie and Thomas took the lead, eyes scanning ahead for any signs of danger; Camille and Aldwin flanked the sides, ever vigilant; Bertram brought up the rear, his broad shoulders cutting an imposing figure.

  As they progressed, the landscape began to change. The familiar trees of oak and maple gave way to towering evergreens, their needles forming a soft carpet underfoot. Sunlight became scarce as the canopy thickened, casting the forest floor into a patchwork of light and shadow.

  Eventually, they reached the threshold of a dark and ancient wood, the last barrier before the peninsula's end. The forest loomed before them, an imposing wall of intertwined branches and dense underbrush. The trees here were old, so old that their gnarled roots rose from the ground like the limbs of slumbering giants.

  Jamie observed the forest before them, noting how distinctly it differed from the surrounding landscape. This part of the continent remained untouched by development, and as a result, the trees here stood tall and ancient, their towering trunks stretching skyward before weaving together in a dense canopy overhead.

  "This is the place," Thomas whispered, pointing toward a narrow opening between the first colossal trees.

  "Alright," Jamie replied softly. He turned to face the group, his expression resolute. "From this point onward, weapons at the ready and silence. Our objective is simple: locate the goblins' cave, eliminate them, and return. If we avoid drawing attention, it should be straightforward."

  "Understood," came the unified, hushed response from the four companions.

  Jamie continued to lead as they ventured into the forest's embrace, with Thomas close behind. Bertram followed, gripping his shield tightly, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. Aldwin and Camille brought up the rear, both moving with practiced stealth, their senses attuned to the forest's sounds.

  Jamie meticulously chose their route, seeking the easiest passages and avoiding areas thick with brambles or dry twigs that might snap underfoot. Still, the dense environment conspired against them, amplifying even the slightest sound in the silence.

  Suddenly, a faint but unmistakable noise reached Jamie's ears, a series of guttural grunts and the patter of hurried footsteps. He halted abruptly, raising a hand to signal the others to stop. The companions froze, their breaths held as they strained to listen.

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  Emerging from between the thick trunks ahead were four goblins, their small, wiry frames darting frantically through the underbrush. Their skin was a sickly hue of green and grey, and their beady eyes were wide with panic. Clad in ragged leathers and clutching crude weapons, they appeared disheveled and frightened.

  Luckily, the goblins hadn't noticed Jamie and his companions. Their attention was wholly consumed by whatever they were fleeing from deeper within the forest. The goblins' hurried passage was easily heard by the branches snapped, leaves crunched, and their anxious chittering echoed eerily among the trees.

  Jamie gestured silently for his companions to move off the path. With practiced ease, they slipped a few paces to the side, melding into the shadows cast by one of the towering trees.

  The goblins approached, oblivious to the hidden watchers.

  As the goblins passed the tree where Jamie and his group hid, he gave a swift hand signal. In an instant, Thomas and Bertram sprang from their cover, blocking the goblins' path. Thomas moved like a force of nature, his strong arms shoving the nearest goblin backward with such force that it tumbled head over heels. Bertram followed suit, his shield held firmly as he crashed it into another goblin, the impact echoing like a dull drumbeat in the quiet forest.

  The remaining goblins barely had time to register the sudden ambush. Confusion flickered across their grotesque faces as they scrambled to grasp the situation. Seizing the moment, Camille emerged from the shadows. Her eyes narrowed in concentration as she raised her twin crossbows. With lethal precision, she loosed two bolts. The projectiles cut through the air, embedding themselves into the stomachs of two goblins. They doubled over, shrieks of pain mingling with the rustling leaves.

  Aldwin didn't hesitate. Spotting another goblin; which stood momentarily alone, its comrades either incapacitated or engaged. The young half-elf darted behind the creature, his steps silent on the soft ground. With a swift thrust, he drove his short sword into the goblin's back. The creature gasped, a look of surprise and fear flashing across its face before it collapsed to the forest floor.

  In mere moments, the four goblins were reduced to one. The final goblin lay sprawled on its back, having been knocked down by Bertram's initial assault. It groaned, disoriented but alive. Bertram loomed over it, his mace poised. Yet, as Jamie observed from a short distance away, he noticed the hesitation in Bertram's eyes. The young man's hand trembled slightly, knuckles white from gripping the weapon too tightly. Beads of sweat dotted his brow, not from exertion, but from the internal struggle waging within.

  "Bertram," Jamie called out softly, his voice a steady anchor. "Finish it."

  The goblin snarled, its yellowed teeth bared as it began to rise. Sensing weakness, it lunged at Bertram with its dagger aimed for his midsection. Instinct overtook doubt. With a guttural shout, Bertram swung his mace. The weight of the weapon connected squarely with the creature's skull, resulting in a sickening crunch. The goblin's head shattered under the force, fragments scattering like macabre confetti.

  A heavy silence settled over the forest. The only sounds were the ragged breaths of the companions and the distant cawing of crows. Jamie stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Bertram's shoulder. "You did well," he said, his eyes conveying understanding.

  Bertram swallowed hard, nodding as he tried to steady himself. "First real fight," he admitted quietly.

  [The God of War hates goblins]

  [You obtained 50 Exp]

  [Thomas, Camille, Bertram, and Aldwin obtained 50 Exp]

  An intangible warmth spread through him.

  Jamie allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction. Not only had they successfully dealt with the goblins, but his companions were growing stronger, more confident.

  He glanced around at the others. Camille was already retrieving her spent bolts, her movements efficient and composed. Aldwin cleaned his blade on a scrap of cloth, a determined set to his jaw despite the flush in his cheeks. Thomas remained vigilant, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees for any additional threats.

  "Strange," Thomas remarked, sheathing his sword. "They didn't even seem to notice us before we attacked. It's like they weren't concerned about anything but getting away."

  Jamie nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps they're fleeing from something. A dispute among the goblins, maybe? Could be internal strife."

  "Possible," Thomas agreed, brow furrowed. "But if they've lost their leader or are fighting amongst themselves, they might soon appoint a new goblin chief. That could complicate matters."

  "Only one way to find out," Jamie said, his gaze turning toward the deeper shadows of the forest. "They came from that direction."

  "Stay alert," Jamie advised, his tone firm but encouraging. "We don't know what's ahead."

  They set off, Jamie leading the way with confident strides.

  After some time, they emerged into a clearing. At its center yawned the entrance to a cave, the mouth framed by jagged rocks and overgrown with draping moss and ivy.

  But something was amiss. There were no goblins guarding the entrance, no flickering torchlight from within, no sounds of activity echoing from its depths. Instead, the area was eerily silent.

  Scattered around the cave's entrance were bones; countless bones. Skulls, rib cages, limb bones; all bleached white and haphazardly strewn about as if tossed aside without care. Some were clearly goblin remains, while others belonged to creatures larger and more imposing.

  "What could have caused something like this?" Jamie wondered aloud, unease creeping into his voice. He stepped cautiously toward the nearest pile, prodding a skull with the tip of his boot.

  Thomas knelt beside him, examining a broken femur. "These fractures; whatever did this had immense strength," he observed grimly. "And some of these bones are fresh."

  A sudden, thunderous crash resonated through the forest, followed by the sound of splintering wood. The ground beneath them trembled. Jamie's heart leapt into his throat as he spun around to locate the source.

  From the dense foliage, an entire tree hurtled toward them, uprooted and flung as if it were nothing more than a twig. "Take cover!" Jamie shouted, diving to the side.

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