The flames warmed my skin as I stood next to the burning golem carcass. Its massive form was fully engulfed like a bonfire. I pulled my cloak forward, running my fingers over the rough fabric that had just saved my life. There were no visible scorch marks or any signs of damage.

  “Stop admiring the thieving cloth, and get ready for more hunting!” Roq said. “It is as the big guy said. That cloak is ugly!”

  “What else can you do?” I whispered to the cloak, searching for any sign of its other abilities. The fabric rippled slightly under my touch, almost as if responding, but it was just the wind. It had to be, right?

  A heavy hand slapped my back, nearly knocking me forward a step and into the flames.

  “Ready for monster smashing?” Knut grinned down at me, his face streaked with soot. “More monsters to kill in... what you name?”

  “Cathedral of Bone,” I said, straightening. “And yes. I'm always ready, Knut.”

  “Naming thief!”

  “You're mine, and we are a team. Stop complaining about everything, you child.”

  “I'm not a child! I'm the destroyer of life!”

  But as I moved to step away, Knut's hand settled on my shoulder, grip firm. His eyes narrowed as he studied my face.

  “Wait. Fire was close. Face not burned?”

  “Got lucky,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “The cloak protected me better than I expected. Didn't get scorched at all. Must have an innate fire resistance or something,” I said, lying.

  Knut's expression turned thoughtful, his weathered face creasing as he looked between me and the still-burning corpse.

  “Enough standing around!” Roq's voice rang in my mind. “If we are a team as you say, then feed me! Claim more power!”

  “Any gems in these two?”

  “Just one in the first we killed. The burning one is as empty as your soul!”

  I caught Eryn's eye and tapped two fingers against my thigh and nodded to the first golem. She walked over and swiped it into her storage.

  “Knut, want to store the other one?” I asked. “Might fetch a decent coin, even if just for firewood.”

  The big man's laugh boomed.

  “Ha! Can sell to tavern. Instant campfire. Good for cold nights!” He stored it away and we pressed onward, our footsteps silent on the soft ground. Knut took point again, while Eryn and I followed slightly behind.

  “We need better strategy,” Knut said. “Knock one down first, then focus on second. Kill quick, then finish first before it heals.”

  “Their regeneration is that fast?” Eryn asked.

  “Like watching tree grow in spring after eating mushrooms,” Knut confirmed. “Must be quick.”

  “I need to find a way to do more damage,” Eryn said, frowning at her bow. “The fire arrows work, but they're too dangerous. Nearly roasted you both.”

  “I like the fire,” Roq said. “Reminds me of the forge. Adds a certain... flair to our battles. Maybe a few explosions would be nice, too.”

  Please don't let him be a pyromaniac in addition to a bloodthirsty warmonger.

  * * *

  I watched a streak of flames dance up the golem's side as it struggled to rise from where Knut had knocked it flat. Its movements were jerky and uncoordinated. Even with most of its bark-like armor ablaze, the thing still refused to die.

  I jogged forward at an easy pace, my shield raised just in case.

  “What are you waiting for?” Roq demanded. “It's right there! Strike! Kill!”

  “I want to see how Knut's going to finish it.”

  The big man's battle cry split the air as he launched his massive frame high above the prone golem. The monster’s head turned up just as Knut's boots slammed down onto its skull, the impact driving straight through, sending splinters and burning chunks flying in every direction.

  “By the rift!” Eryn whooped, punching the air. “That was amazing!”

  I joined in her cheering, genuinely impressed by our new friend's finishing move. It was truly something to admire. Even when wielding a great weapon like my hammer, it was one thing to swing about wildly, and another entirely to know what you were doing.

  “Oh sure, cheer for HIM,” Roq grumbled. “Never mind that WE softened it up. Never mind that I could have done that too if you'd just let me. But nooo, you had to hang back and let the big oaf steal our glory. My MEAL!”

  “We just finished the other one! You're impossible, Roq. Besides, I don't want you to level up too quickly, or I'll have to find more mind gems to catch up.”

  “I want power. We need me to grow, Ash. Think of what other abilities we will unlock. You know I am right.”

  Knut laughed as he extracted himself from the heap of wood that was the golem. I walked over and raised my shield. He grinned and tapped his own against mine with a resounding clang.

  Eryn joined us, examining an arrow still buried in the golem's smoldering chest.

  “Well, no salvaging that one,” she said with a grin. “Worth it, though. Did you see how the fire spread when it hit those glowing veins?”

  “Good shot,” Knut said, finally patting out the embers on his armor. “Two golems dead, and no wounds. Time to head back, yes? Storages full of trophies.”

  My heart sank. Twenty-two kills had provided a fortune in crafting and smithing materials, but with only two gems we'd barely have enough to cover Knut's payment, let alone keep me ahead of Roq unless we spent more time back in Dawnwatch crafting.

  “Tell him no!” Roq said. “We've barely started, besides, there's so much more to kill! Just a lot more, come on!”

  I struggled to find the right words. How could I explain our need for more kills without revealing our ability to detect mind gems and swap out the carcasses that didn't have them with those that did?

  Eryn caught my eye and I saw the same concern reflected there. Two gems weren't nearly enough to keep us on track, and yet I didn’t want to reveal our secret. I didn’t trust him that much, not yet at least.

  “Actually,” Eryn said, her voice carefully casual, “I'd like to keep going. We're learning so much about fighting as a team. And really, the more monsters we kill now, the safer both Sentinel Station and Dawnwatch are, right?”

  Knut scratched his beard thoughtfully.

  “True. Very true. But storages full.”

  “The golems should be worth more than the Glowcaps,” I said. “We can work to swap some out.”

  The big man shrugged.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “You are boss. You pay, I fight. Simple.”

  I opened my storage and carefully swapped one of my Glowcaps for the burning golem. Eryn did the same with the other, and we walked onward along the seemingly never-ending bone cathedral.

  “Yes!” Roq said. “THIS is more like it! Onward to glory and violence!”

  “And hopefully more gems.”

  We moved further in and engaged with another group. The Glowcap's claws screeched across my shield as I sensed something move behind me. I swung Roq in a wide arc without even looking and forced a second Glowcap to step back. The first monster pressed forward, its fungal head pulsing with the eerie glow that spelled toxic spores.

  “Stop playing and start killing!”

  I twisted and kicked at the first Glowcap's spindly leg. It stumbled and I brought Roq down hard on its head. The impact crushed the fleshy cap with a wet crunch, and I jumped back to avoid the spores it released on death.

  The second Glowcap's claws raked across the leather armor on my side, pushing me off balance.

  An arrow whistled past, and the monster's throat sprayed of gore as Eryn's arrow nearly took its head clean off. The monster collapsed, its death throes sending yet another cloud of spores billowing into the air.

  “Kill stealers, all of them! You must be faster, Ash! I DEMAND blood and gore! How else am I to become the strongest soul weapon the worlds have ever seen!?”

  I held my breath and retreated, ignoring his complaints.

  “Shut up and let me fight.”

  A ways away, Knut danced with the last of the four Glowcaps that had attacked us, his tower shield intercepting blow after blow without striking back. The monster's attacks grew more frenzied with each failed attempt to break through his defense.

  “Fire arrow!” Knut called to Eryn, his voice bright with excitement. “Want to see what happens!”

  “Stop playing with your monsters!” Eryn snapped.

  “Not playing!” Knut's shield rang as he deflected another strike. “This vital research! Must learn weaknesses! Test all weapons! How else find best way to kill?”

  Eryn muttered as she dug out flint and steel.

  “We really need to get me a magical fire starter. This is ridiculous. Or make me a fire-enhanced bow, Ash. Like Edwin's sword. That way I can fire all the fire arrows you boys want!”

  I shook out my arms and legs, working out the tension from the fight as I walked to stand beside her. Together we watched Knut's methodical defense, and I studied how he used minimal movement to keep the monster engaged without risking injury. Sure, his shield was bigger and made for pure defense, while mine sacrificed a lot of its size for better movement, but it was the technique that mattered.

  “Almost...” Eryn struck the flint again, sparks catching the treated wrapping around her arrow's head. “Got it!”

  She tucked the tools in her pouch and lifted her bow in one smooth motion, nocking the burning arrow while keeping it away from the grip and limbs.

  “Ready!” she called out.

  Knut's shield slammed forward, catching the Glowcap square in the chest. The monster stumbled backward, arms windmilling as it fought for balance. It was almost comical, but for the knowledge that the monster was probably about to explode or something.

  Eryn's bow creaked as she drew and released. The flaming arrow flew through the air, striking the Glowcap dead center. For a heartbeat, nothing happened.

  “Maybe need another!” Knut yelled and shot us a grin. It was the last thing I saw before the cap exploded.

  A fireball roared skyward, blasting Knut through the air, his massive frame tumbling across the ground a moment later.

  “Knut!” Eryn screamed, the shrill sound passing her lips just as he raised his head and dropped down again.

  “Portal piss!” I cursed, my heart in my throat as we legged it, running toward the big guy.

  “Fascinating!” Roq said. “It seems these fungal creatures may be somewhat flammable. Who could have guessed?”

  Eryn slid to her knees beside Knut's still form, dropping her bow as she pressed fingers to his throat, then bent to check his breathing. I stood over them, sick with worry, but also excited. We had come up with a great way of hunting Glowcaps, and now we needed to make sure Knut survived the ordeal.

  “Oh, stop worrying,” Roq scoffed. “If he dies from one little explosion, he wasn't worthy of fighting beside us anyway.”

  Knut's chest heaved as he sucked in a massive breath and his eyes snapped open as he spat out a string of curses.

  “Frozen balls and saggy witch tits, what just—”

  “Stay still,” Eryn ordered, cutting him off, though the relief was clear in her voice. “Let me check you for injuries.”

  “Bah!” Knut waved her off. “Had worse than this! Usually from angry wives when husbands not home.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Or their sisters.”

  “Stop with the macho act and let me have a proper look!”

  “Oh ho! Want to play doctor?” Knut grinned up at me. “With boyfriend watching? How scandalous!”

  I cleared my throat.

  “That's enough joking,” I said. “Come on, this is serious. Let her make sure you're not badly hurt.”

  “Yes, we wouldn't want our meat shield damaged before the next fight,” Roq added helpfully.

  Knut threw up his hands in exasperation.

  “If hot air could kill me, I would be dead long ago! Am tank for reason! You know my vitality?”

  Eryn and I exchanged glances and then shook our heads.

  “Is very high! Now, stand back and let me tank.”

  “Tank what?” I asked.

  “Those.”

  I turned to look.

  “Three bells...” I cursed.

  Through the mist of spores, far down in the 'bone cathedral', a large group of Glowcaps charged toward us, their fungal heads wobbling as they ran. Behind them, two Ironroot Golems lumbered, each easily three times the height of the Glowcaps.

  “Rift-breached monster gnats!” Eryn spat.

  “The explosion must have drawn them,” I said, my mouth going dry. “That’s three damn packs of monsters.”

  “Finally!” Roq said. “Some proper fighting! Look at them all — so much power waiting to be claimed! I might even hit level seven if you do your job properly!”

  Knut pushed himself to his feet, wincing slightly.

  “Little bird, have more burning arrows?”

  “Just one,” Eryn said, her voice tight as she double-checked her quiver.

  “Light it,” Knut said, gesturing at the approaching horde. “Aim for center of pack. Maybe we get lucky twice, yes?”

  Eryn and I exchanged a glance as she pulled out her last fire arrow and fumbled for her flint and steel, hands moving with desperate speed.

  “What's the plan?” I asked Knut, trying to keep my cool in the face of the approaching monsters.

  The big man's face was grim, but I didn't see any fear there. He knew what he was doing, and somehow that drained all the fear out of me, too.

  “This time, no holding back. If little bird kill many with one shot, we have chance.” He paused, looking at the approaching monsters. “If not, I will try to bring news of brave death to your mother and father.” He sighed. “Then they kill me.”

  A sinking feeling hit my stomach like a physical blow, but I pushed it away. There's no way I'd let him die, not after insisting on continuing. Sure, if we hadn't blown the Glowcap we wouldn't be in this situation, but as the one who hired him, I still felt responsible.

  “Portal piss to that,” I growled. “We're not dying here. We need a plan. Right now.”

  Knut raised an eyebrow.

  “You have idea? Look at battlefield. What you see?”

  I scanned our surroundings, my mind already racing. The massive ribs rising from the earth could provide cover, but...

  “If we go to one of the columns, we'll have some support, but Eryn won't have room to shoot. And the Glowcaps could surround us, press in and slaughter us from all sides. We'd lose freedom to move.” I gestured at the open ground. “But out here, those golems will go right through us.”

  “Who needs room to move when we can kill them all where we stand?”

  While I could feel Roq's bloodthirsty eagerness, it had little effect on my own emotions.

  “Wait,” Eryn said, still striking her flint. “Can the golems hit the Glowcaps with their attacks? Or the other way around?”

  I looked at Knut.

  “Of course,” he said. “A tree spear hits anything in way. Fire burns all things. But spores?” He shrugged. “Maybe trees don't breathe like we.”

  Eryn cursed as another shower of sparks failed to catch. Her hands were shaking now, and the monsters were getting dangerously close.

  “But could a stomp hurt the shroomies?” I asked. The golems had nearly caught up to the Glowcaps, their longer strides eating up the ground at a rapid pace.

  “Yes,” Knut said, “But hurt us more.”

  “Oh, this is delicious!” Roq cried with excitement. “Such wonderful odds! Such glorious death all around us! Are you not EXCITED? Just look at all that experience waiting to be taken!”

  My eyes went wide as an idea struck.

  “We need to run.”

  “Both faster than us,” Knut said grimly. “Golems and fungus men.”

  “Run? RUN? Have you lost what little courage you possessed?”

  “Not away,” I said quickly. “The golems are faster than the Glowcaps.” I grabbed Eryn's bow and pulled her to her feet. “Keep trying to light it as we move!”

  “Monster breach!” Eryn cursed as she ran, arrow tucked under one arm, flint and steel clicking frantically. “This is impossible!”

  “Ah, NOW I see what you're planning,” Roq said. “Perhaps you're not completely useless after all.”

  “What is plan?” Knut called as he jogged alongside us.

  “We kneecap both golems, knock them down,” I said through a wheeze of breath. “Then we kill the remaining Glowcaps, and by the time the golems heal, we're ready for round two.”

  Knut glanced back at our pursuers. “Hard. Maybe possible. Watch for them shooting wooden spikes when down. I take left one. It not fully aggravated. Might hit back.”

  The golems pushed through the pack of Glowcaps, their massive strides quickly overtaking the smaller monsters, unfortunately not trampling any.

  “Got it!” Eryn's triumphant cry rang out as her arrow finally caught flame.

  We skidded to a stop and I handed her the bow. She nocked the arrow and held her breath.

  “Come on,” I mumbled, biting my lip and wishing I could influence the outcome.

  She adjusted her aim, lining up the shot between the golems, aiming for the Glowcaps, and loosed.

  The flaming arrow streaked through the air, perfectly towards the gap.

  I held my breath.

  “Oh, this should be interesting!” Roq said gleefully. “What pretty flames we shall have!”

  The right-hand golem's arm swept out, intercepting the arrow, flames erupted across its wooden limb instead.

  “NO!” Roq said.

  “Monster balls!” I curses.

  “I wanted to see things go BOOM!”

  “Not good,” Knut said and shook his head.

  “What do we do?” Eryn asked.

  “Plan stays the same,” I said, rolling my shoulders. “Knock down the golems, kill the Glowcaps, then we chop firewood.”

  Knut nodded solemnly.

  “Been honor to fight with you both.” Then he charged straight at the golems, his battle cry echoing throughout the 'cathedral'. I turned to Eryn, my heart pounding.

  “I love you,” I said, before turning to run after the Northerner, Roq singing with bloodthirsty joy in my grip.

  “Battle! Death! POWER!”