The night passed quickly and uneventfully. With the goblins taking turns on watch, the shifts were shorter, giving everyone a rare chance to get some proper rest. Cromus woke to the unpleasant sensation of Athas’s rough tongue dragging across his face.

  “Alright, alright! I’m up,” he grumbled, wiping the slobber from his cheek. Blinking groggily, he realized he was alone in the cave, a hollow that once served as the den for the Bearded Vulture Bear. Two large bushes partially concealed the cave’s entrance, allowing light to filter faintly through while providing some cover. Outside, he could hear the chatter and laughter of goblins as they went about their business.

  The smell of damp earth and old fur lingered in the air, mixed with the faint aroma of something cooking. Cromus sat up, stretching his stiff limbs and trying to shake off the last vestiges of sleep. His back ached from the uneven stone floor, but the hollow was lined with old grass, leaves, and other nesting materials that softened their sleep.

  From outside came a sudden burst of loud cackling, followed by a string of sharp, guttural goblin words. Curious but cautious, Cromus grabbed his bastard sword, resting it against his shoulder before stepping out into the pale morning light. The goblins were gathered in a loose circle, their daggers—taken from the cave where they were captured—resting nearby. In the center, two of them were wrestling, their movements exaggerated and clumsy for the amusement of the others.

  Keezz, the oldest and the group’s shaman, spotted Cromus and raised a hand in a calm, deliberate gesture. His weathered face broke into a faint smile, his sharp, uneven teeth showing. “Cromus awake. Come, watch the young ones,” he called, his voice steady and low, as he gestured toward Ush and Jagz mock-fighting in the center of the circle. Nearby, Loose Tooth’s animated laughter and excited shouts punctuated the scene, adding liveliness to the otherwise small group

  The two young goblins seemed to really be getting into it. Ush used her smaller frame to dart in, poke, and step back, while Jagz, though not much bigger than his sister, was slower with his swings.

  “Come on, Jagz! You not gonna let a girl beat ya, right?!” Loose Tooth called out.

  Keezz leaned close to Cromus. “He say that, but he lose many times to girls in old clan.”

  “HEY! It wasn’t many,” Loose Tooth objected, before sheepishly adding, “Only a couple times.”

  Keezz smiled. “Many times,” he snickered.

  Jagz, unable to hear Keezz and Loose Tooth’s conversation, was bolstered by the first comment about losing to a girl. When Ush darted in again, he grabbed her, twisted his waist, and flipped her over him. She landed on her back with a thud. Silent triumph spread across his face as he raised his hands over his head, declaring himself the victor. His grin widened as he looked up to the sky—only to see it getting much farther away as he fell backward, knocked off balance by Ush sweeping his legs out from under him.

  Loose Tooth burst out laughing, his raucous cackle echoing through the small clearing. Keezz nodded along, a sly grin on his face, while Cromus gave a thumbs-up to Ush, who simply smiled before turning to help her brother to his feet. The morning light filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the ground. The fire from the night before had died out, leaving only faint wisps of smoke curling into the crisp air. Nearby, a large den lay partially hidden by two thick bushes, their branches intertwined to form a natural barrier to the entrance.

  Jagz frowned, his expression dark with frustration. Loose Tooth opened his mouth, clearly ready to fire off another jab, but Cromus interjected before the words left his lips.

  “That was a great counter, Jagz,” Cromus said, a wide smile lighting his face.

  Jagz’s frown softened, and he returned the smile. “Yeah, thanks,” he said.

  “I’m assuming this is something you all do to practice?” Cromus asked, his eyes flicking between the goblins.

  “Yeah, we fight to see who strongest,” Ush said, her voice quiet but eager.

  “Well, I think you two are well on your way. Keep up the hard work,” Cromus said, ruffling Ush’s hair and placing a hand on Jagz’s shoulder. “One day soon, I can see you two being able to beat Loose.”

  The laughter in the clearing died instantly at Cromus’s words. Loose Tooth’s face twisted in disbelief.

  “Nu-uh, they too small. I’d beat ‘em easy,” Loose Tooth said, crossing his arms.

  “Size isn’t the only thing that matters, Loose,” Cromus said, his tone patient. “I was technically smaller than the naga I fought, and I was sure as hell smaller than the Bearded Vulture Bear Sais and I took down.”

  “More numbers help,” Loose Tooth said, squinting.

  “True, but the environment and your own abilities matter just as much,” Sais chimed in, stepping closer to join the conversation.

  Cromus nodded at his words, then looked back at Loose Tooth. “I’ve seen plenty of fights where someone smaller won simply because they had more to prove. The bigger one underestimated them. It’s just like what Ush did to Jagz. He thought he’d won just by throwing her, but she didn’t want to go out like that. She turned it on him in a moment. That’s all it takes for a fight to swing in someone else’s favor.”

  Kaazz, who had been quiet, nodded. “Cromus right,” he said. “But why explain this?”

  Cromus met Kaazz’s gaze steadily. “Why? Because you four are with us. Sais and I promised to help you grow stronger, and that means leveling up. I also plan on helping the other three grow too. If we can figure out how classes are passed before we face Red Fist, we’ll have leverage. That might tempt more goblins to join us, which means less pushback after I beat him. I’m not just fighting him to win; I’m fighting him to build something. Something better. For all of us.”

  At the mention of Red Fist, all the goblins flinched except Kaazz. Jagz’s ears drooped, and Ush instinctively clutched her brother’s arm. Loose Tooth shifted uncomfortably, but Kaazz stood firm, his expression unreadable.

  “You think you can beat him?” Kaazz asked, squinting a bit.

  Cromus shrugged, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. “I don’t know. But he’s a problem we can’t ignore. We don’t know where we are, how far we are from any settlements, or what’s out there. I don’t know about Sais, but I’d like to get to some real food and a real bed. The quickest way to that, in my mind, is through your people.”

  “Bed? Food? We got that here. You cooked good last night, and Vulture Bear’s nest was comfy,” Loose Tooth said.

  Cromus grinned devilishly. “Loose, one day I’m going to introduce you to food so good you’ll never forget it. And when we get our hands on actual beds, you’ll finally understand my longing for those little luxuries.”

  Loose Tooth’s eyes went big. “Better than that? Biggin’, if you not lying, I’ll follow you,” Loose Tooth said.

  Cromus’s grin widened. “Oh, Loose, there’s so much you’ve never experienced. Food is just the beginning.”

  “Well I hate to break up this inspirational moment, but Cromus I have been waiting to do something till you wake up,” Sais said.

  “Oh?” Cromus asked, standing up straight.

  “It’s time we bring back a friend.” Sais smiled as his mana dropped and a portal opened. Out flew a familiar Clockwork owl.

  “HENRY!” Cromus said excitedly, his face lighting up.

  Henry glided through the air with a soft metallic hum, wings flashing faintly in the morning sunlight. The clockwork owl landed gracefully on Sais’s shoulder and nuzzled his cheek, ticking softly in a comforting rhythm. Sais grinned as Henry adjusted his balance, the two clearly sharing their thoughts in a way that needed no words.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Cromus’s expression softened as he watched the familiar mechanical creature. “Good to see you, Henry,” he said warmly.

  Henry’s golden eyes flicked toward Cromus, then locked on something near his foot. The owl gave a loud hoot and pointed a polished wing downward. Cromus followed the motion, his gaze landing on Athas, who was staring intently at Henry.

  The small asilisk tilted its head, its crocodilian eyes gleaming as it caught Cromus’s gaze. Athas’s square jaw parted slightly in a lopsided grin, his long tail flicking once, and his tongue lolled out in simple happiness.

  “Oh, this is Athas,” Cromus explained with a chuckle. “He helped me against the Naga before you and Sais showed up.”

  Henry hooted again, his feathers glinting as he shuffled slightly. “He’s just shocked you have it chilling next to you,” Sais translated, still grinning.

  “Well, only fair,” Cromus replied, giving Athas a fond pat on the head. “You and Sais have a bond. Now I have a bond with Athas.”

  There was a brief pause as Henry tilted his head toward Sais. They locked eyes, and though no words were spoken, it was clear the two were deep in a telepathic exchange. After a moment, Henry flapped his wings once and settled more comfortably on Sais’s shoulder. Sais chuckled and looked at Cromus.

  “Okay, he’s all caught up on everything,” Sais said. “And he’s just a little mad we waited so long to summon him. But he’s glad you got a long rest, Cromus.”

  “Hey, you can’t put the blame on me. I didn’t know you were waiting on me,” Cromus said defensively.

  Almost in sync, Sais and Henry quirked mischievous smiles.

  “Oh, you bastards,” Cromus said, shaking his head. A slight smile played on his face.

  Cromus straightened, brushing a few stray leaves from his gear. “We might as well get the day started.”

  Sais glanced at Henry, giving the owl a brief nod. “Henry, could you scout out something nearby? Kaazz needs some experience.”

  Henry flapped his metallic wings once, hooted, and shot into the air with a mechanical hum, his golden eyes scanning the horizon. The morning sun reflected off his polished feathers, making him easy to spot as he climbed higher. Cromus watched him go, a confident smile on his face.

  “Let’s gear up, everyone,” Cromus said. “If Henry finds us a decent target, we’ll need to be ready.”

  The goblins nodded, their expressions a mix of nervous excitement and determination as they began checking their weapons and tightening their gear.”

  The forest felt strangely inviting, almost serene, as the group moved deeper into its embrace. Dappled sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, illuminating patches of moss and wildflowers scattered across the forest floor. Birds sang faint, trilling notes in the distance, accompanied by the rhythmic rustle of leaves stirred by the morning breeze. After fighting a Bearded Vulture Bear and surviving the croakers, the woods seemed oddly peaceful. Yet, despite its calm, Cromus knew better than to let his guard down. The forest held secrets behind every shadow, threats hidden among the vibrant greenery.

  Still, Cromus felt a rare sense of ease. The breeze was neither sharp nor biting, carrying with it a refreshing coolness that countered the effort of the walk. The goblins fidgeted uneasily as they followed Henry, who glided silently ahead of them, his golden eyes scanning through the trees.

  With a hoot, Henry swooped down and landed on a low-hanging branch. Sais stepped forward, sharing a brief telepathic exchange with the clockwork owl before turning to the group. “There’s a Cradlethorn Tree up ahead,” he said. “It has a colony of Thornspitter Primates living in it. Henry thinks it’s a good source of XP for the goblins. If things get too rough, we’ll step in.”

  Loose Tooth groaned. “Thornspitters? Those things suck.”

  Kaazz nodded, his expression grim. “Might be good XP, but we don’t have much range. The young ones aren’t as lucky as us—you forget.”

  “No, I didn’t forget,” Cromus replied, his voice steady. “But they need exposure. Maybe working as a team will unlock something—like classes. Either way, it’s a chance to see how everyone works together before we face the rest of the goblins.”

  Kaazz considered this for a moment before sighing. “Fine. But if things go bad, you help?”

  “Of course,” Cromus said with a nod. Sais echoed the confirmation beside him.

  Kaazz pointed his makeshift staff at Henry with a determined look. “Lead the way.”

  The group pressed on, the forest growing denser as they neared the Cradlethorn Tree. Soon, they reached a clearing where the other trees seemed to bow away, leaving a single giant to claim the space. The Cradlethorn Tree loomed ahead, its twisted, jagged trunk stretching skyward like a fortress. Sticky, amber sap oozed down its rough bark, pooling in the gnarled roots below. Bulbous pods dotted the trunk, glistening faintly in the light. Above, the canopy was a chaotic tangle of thorny branches and bright, carnivorous flowers that dripped acidic nectar, their petals trembling with every breeze.

  Among the branches, the Thornspitter Primates swung effortlessly, their rose-like heads shimmering with life. Their thorny, vine-like arms stretched out to grasp branches as they moved, their bark-covered bodies blending seamlessly into the tree. Cromus’s Identify revealed their details, but the sheer number of creatures moving among the branches made him uneasy.

  The Cradlethorn Tree:

  The Cradlethorn is a large tree that serves as both the home and lifeblood of Thornspitter Primates. Its trunk is rough and jagged, exuding a sticky sap that is both highly flammable and toxic but serves as nutrients for the Thornspitters. The tree's bark is peppered with small, bulbous pods that explode into clouds of thorny shrapnel if disturbed. Its canopy is dense and covered in bright, carnivorous flowers that drip acidic nectar, preventing anything but the Thornspitters from safely climbing its branches.

  Thornspitter Primates

  Thornspitter Primates are small, monkey-like creatures about the size of a large cat. Their heads resemble blooming roses with thorny vines cascading down like wild hair. Their vine-like arms, covered in sharp thorns, are both flexible and strong, allowing them to swing through trees with ease. Their bodies are bark-like and covered in small mossy patches, further blending them into their forest environment.

  These creatures dwell in tight-knit groups around special trees known as the Cradlethorn, which is central to their survival. Their role as guardians of the Cradlethorn makes them both territorial and aggressive toward intruders.

  “Okay, now I see why you were hesitant,” Cromus muttered, his gaze sweeping the tree. “That just looks like a bad time.”

  “Told you,” Loose Tooth added.

  “Sure, but they’re only really dangerous in numbers and when they’re near the tree,” Sais said. “If we can lure them out, bit by bit, we can manage. I counted twenty, but there could be more in the upper branches.”

  Cromus turned to Kaazz, eyeing the faint red hue that still tinged the goblin from the crystal he’d consumed. “Kaazz, you said you only had healing and buffs—no attacks?”

  “I have a small fire spell now, thanks to the crystal,” Kaazz replied.

  “Good. Loose, Ush, and Jagz—you’ve got your daggers, right?” Cromus asked.

  The goblins nodded, though their nervous expressions betrayed their uncertainty.

  “Sais can aggravate them from a distance with his bow. Once they’re close, you three will strike. Sais and I will support from range, and I’ll step in if things go south.”

  Loose Tooth hesitated. “You promise to heal us if we get hurt?”

  Cromus crouched, meeting Loose Tooth’s wary gaze. “I promise. You’ve seen me fight. You know I’ll protect you.”

  Loose Tooth nodded reluctantly. Sais stepped forward, nocking an arrow and drawing his bowstring. The mana crystal embedded in the weapon hummed faintly as the arrowhead ignited. When he released it, the arrow flew straight, striking one of the Thornspitters and pinning it to the tree. The small flame began to spread.

  The colony reacted immediately. Thornspitters scrambled to the flame, slapping at it with their vine-arms and spitting thick liquid to douse the fire. For a brief moment, relief flickered in the group—until the creatures kept coming.

  They hadn’t miscounted—they’d underestimated.

  From the branches above, forty-five Thornspitters poured down, their rose-heads glowing faintly as their collective cries echoed through the clearing. Half the group charged directly, while the others launched pods from the tree. The pods exploded upon impact, sending shards of thorns flying.

  “New plan!” Cromus bellowed, activating Nature’s Shield and stepping forward. “I’ll tank—you all attack when you can!” His bastard sword, Raging Boar, cleaved through the first Thornspitter with ease, its thorny remains scattering across the ground.

  The goblins froze, panic gripping them. Ush was the first to act, letting out a war cry as she charged into the fray. Kaazz followed, flames sparking from his fingers as he enchanted Ush’s daggers, the blades now wreathed in fire. She slashed at a Thornspitter, the flames catching and spreading along its vine-arm.

  Loose Tooth, shaking, muttered, “This is stupid,” before yelling, “I KNEW THIS WAS A BAD IDEA!” and rushing in. Jagz followed close behind, weaving beneath Loose Tooth’s strikes to land quick, precise blows.

  Cromus smiled grimly, swinging his sword to cleave through three more Thornspitters. Around him, chaos reigned—pods exploded, thorny projectiles flew, and the cries of Thornspitters filled the air. Sais fired another flaming arrow, igniting part of the tree and drawing attention away from the group.

  As the last few Thornspitters fell, the clearing grew quiet, save for the heavy breathing of the goblins. Loose Tooth dropped to the ground, exhausted, while Jagz leaned against a tree. Ush, adrenaline still coursing through her veins, shouted at the retreating Thornspitters, “WHERE YOU GOING? I GOT MORE FOR YOU!”

  Her triumphant grin faded as a deep, guttural roar echoed from above. The tree seemed to tremble, its branches swaying as something massive stirred. A shadow shifted in the canopy, and then it dropped—a hulking form crashing to the ground with a force that rattled the clearing.

  Its rose-like head glowed faintly, the petals darkened and scarred. Thorny vines coiled around its massive frame, and its bark-like skin was streaked with jagged lines. The air around it seemed to thrum with power as it let out another deafening roar, its crimson gaze locking onto the intruders.