They stood there for a long moment, the silence pressing in now that the drake was dead.

  Josh finally exhaled and leaned into his shield, letting it take some of his weight. His legs were still shaking, muscles twitching as the adrenaline bled away. He looked down at his forearm, lips tightening when he saw the bite mark already darkening with blood. “That’s… going to leave a mark.”

  Brett stepped closer, careful not to brush the wound. “You say that like you don’t already have a collection.” He wiped soot and someone else’s blood from his robes. “If it helps, it only stayed still because of the binding.” He inhaled the coppery scent of drake blood and exhaled a shaky laugh.

  Josh snorted weakly. “Felt like it was about to snap free the whole time.”

  “Because it was,” Brett said. “I was counting heartbeats at the end.”

  A few steps back, Perberos flexed his fingers and hissed through his teeth. “I’m counting arrows,” he muttered, glancing into his quiver. “And I don’t like the number I’m seeing. I need to learn to pace myself better, and aim truer.”

  Carcan was already moving, her attention fixed on Josh. The faint shimmer of her magic still clung to him as she traced another sigil in the air. “Hold still,” she said, calm but leaving no room for argument. “If you shift again, I’ll let it hurt out of spite.”

  Josh froze. “That feels unnecessary.”

  “Does it?” she replied mildly.

  Caistina approached then, unhurried, eyes flicking from the cracked stone to the scattered scales and finally to the party themselves. “All right,” she said. “You’re alive. That’s the important part. Now let’s talk about why.”

  Brett straightened immediately, wiping his hands on his robes.

  “Brett, your binding was precise,” she began, tone even but firm. “You timed that incantation perfectly, though your hesitation cost precious seconds, and you could have used some more attack magic, along with defensive magic. Next time, channel your mana more aggressively to finish the fight sooner. Drawbacks come when defence outweighs offense.”

  Brett frowned. “I didn’t want to burn out before—”

  “And that caution nearly cost you,” Caistina cut in. “Defence is useful. Finishing the fight is better. Balance the two, or someone else pays for it.”

  Her words turned to Carcan. “Your shields held the line when the drake charged. Your control over the wards minimized mana bleed, exactly what keeps us alive. Maintain that discipline; overcasting is as deadly as under-preparation. You don’t need to heal every single little wound as they happen though - sometimes it can be better to wait and heal several smaller wounds at once, rather than wasting your mana. Plus it can help your front liners with picking up some other skills like Slow bleeding.”

  Carcan inclined her head. “I’ll adjust.”

  Josh straightened as Caistina looked at him, rolling his shoulder and shaking some dried blood from his hand. “You anchored it,” she said. “Your shield rotations were solid, and that twist into the thrust ended the fight.”

  Josh blinked. “That part was deliberate,” he said after a beat.

  “Good,” Caistina replied. “Now make your draws cleaner. The faster you move, the fewer chances the enemy gets.”

  Her gaze shifted to Perberos. “Your shots crippled it early. Excellent marksmanship.”

  Perberos allowed himself a tired smile. “Nice to hear.”

  “Practice firing while moving,” she added. “You won’t always have someone drawing attention for you.”

  The smile faded.

  They didn’t need orders after that. The group fell into motion, gathering what remained of the drake. The corpse dissolved into coins and materials, leaving talons, hide, and a strip of tough sinew behind. Perberos claimed the talons, turning them over in his hands. Josh carefully bundled the hide, checking for damage, while Brett crouched nearby, poking at the loot with open curiosity.

  Caistina watched with folded arms. “You handled that well,” she said after a moment. “Don’t let it make you careless.”

  Josh let out a long breath. “Thank Christ that’s over.”

  Carcan tilted her head. “Who’s Christ?”

  Josh stiffened.

  Brett exchanged a quick glance with Josh before answering. “It’s an old expression from back home,” he said, voice steady but his eyes pleading for secrecy.

  Carcan frowned, confusion lingering but she shrugged, accepting the lack of an answer. “Strange name.”

  They stood in the heart of the shattered drake’s lair, weapons half-raised as the cavern’s oppressive silence pressed in as the quiet crept back in once more, until Josh forced himself to speak. “So er… what now?”

  Eyes darted between them, searching for any spark of a plan. Caistina’s gaze passed over all of them as she shrugged her shoulders. “I’m just here to keep you from singeing yourselves.” Her lips curved into a wry half-smile that did nothing to soften her words.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  Perberos wiped dried ichor from an arrow shaft. “We’ve got the mushrooms, the eggs, the materials. No reason to stay.” He paused, eyes unfocusing. “But… I could use a moment. Time to level up, check the system whispers. You all set?”

  A hush fell. Josh’s pulse thundered in his ears, he’d been so caught up in the fight he’d nearly forgotten to see the outcome. He swallowed hard, closed his eyes, and let his consciousness drift inward.

  The system response came immediately. Level four. Relief flooded through him, followed by a surge of satisfaction. He made his adjustments quickly, dropping one point into Dexterity and Strength, and then bolstering Constitution to an even twenty. A grin split his face when he noticed his Shield Wielder and Tough traits had advanced to Adept.

  “Level four,” he said. “Shield Wielder and Tough both advanced.”

  Brett’s chuckle cut through the cavern gloom. He sat cross-legged on a fractured ledge, robes pooled around him. “Show-off.” His fingers danced over his own mental menu: three points into Constitution, one each into Intelligence and Wisdom. “Arcane Focus upgraded to adept. Ensnare got better as well.”

  Perberos gave a low grunt. “Four as well.” Carcan nodded once, saying nothing. Neither offered specifics; their silence was as much a shield as any ward.

  Caistina studied them, expression cool. “Good. But remember: raw power without control is a splintered blade. Keep your wits as sharp as your new stats, or I’ll be stitching you back together.”

  Finally they’d picked the nest clean, nothing left but cracked bones and clumps of shattered shell. After a final sweep, Josh sheathed his dagger, hefted his sword, and beckoned them forward. “Ok, time to move out. We’ve got what we need. Time to go home.”

  Their boots crunched over gravel as they threaded the twisting corridor. Brett’s staff cast a pale yellow glow, throwing jagged shadows that danced across the walls. Silence stretched between them like a taut bowstring, each footstep sounding unbearably loud.

  “Think that was the only one?” Brett asked quietly.

  Perberos shook his head. “Unlikely.”

  “Then we move steady,” Josh said. “No rushing.”

  Carcan’s hummed softly, words drifting in the stale air. “Steady, yes, but swift as well please. I’d like to avoid becoming drake chow.”

  Caistina’s lips curled in a sly smile. “Good. Learning when to leave is half the battle.”

  The tunnel narrowed until they were forced into single file. Josh led, shield raised; Brett followed, staff tip flickering. Every drip of water, every scrape of stone, sounded like a countdown.

  Then came the hiss.

  Every one of them tensed.

  Josh stopped short. “Drake.”

  The word had barely left his mouth when something slid out of a narrow crevice ahead. It was smaller than the one they’d just killed, but faster, leaner. Its body stayed low to the ground, claws scraping stone as it hissed and locked onto Josh.

  Brett swore under his breath. “You have got to be kidding me.”

  “Positions,” Perberos snapped, already drawing an arrow. “No space to play here.”

  Josh brought his shield up just as the drake lunged. Josh barely registered the snap of the drake’s jaws before its claws slammed into his shield with bone-shaking force. The impact jarred his shoulders and sent a spray of sparks dancing across the steel face. He gritted his teeth as the beast reared its head, keen yellow eyes slitted with triumphant hunger. His shoulders burned, boots skidding against the rock, but he held the line.

  “Back!” Brett shouted. Fire struck the drake’s flank, tight and controlled. Not a blast, but a punch. The creature shrieked and twisted, scales blackening where the magic hit.

  Josh surged forward without thinking. He smashed his shield into its skull and followed with a slash. The sword bit, but the angle was wrong. “Damn it!” Rage roared through him. He snarled, planting both feet and driving his shield into the drake’s jaw to force it wide.

  An arrow hissed past his ear and punched through a gap in the scales. The drake snapped toward Perberos, exposing itself.

  “Josh!”

  Carcan’s warning came a heartbeat too late. It’s move towards Perberos had been a feint. Claws raked across Josh’s thigh. Pain flared, sharp and immediate, his leg buckling until healing magic surged into the wound, heat forcing strength back into muscle.

  “Stay up,” Carcan ordered.

  The drake didn’t let up. Its tail whipped around and smashed Josh into the cavern wall. Stone slammed into his back, knocking the air from his lungs and stars burst behind his eyelids. For a moment, his vision dimmed and he tasted grit and blood on his tongue, vision blurring, life teetering on the edge, but kept his shield up as the drake bore down upon him.

  “Now Brett!” Josh gasped, voice trembling but defiant.

  His friend answered instantly. Fire poured out, steady and relentless. The drake thrashed, screeching as flames crawled over its body.

  Perberos moved while it burned. One step. One draw. The arrow took the drake cleanly through the eye.

  With a final, ear-splitting shriek, the creature collapsed in a smouldering heap, its death throes echoing like distant thunder.

  Silence fell, broken only by Josh’s ragged inhalations. Around him, the party gathered, breathing hard, concern etched on some of their faces. Josh slid down the wall, breathing hard. “That’s getting old,” he muttered. He pressed a hand to his ribs, wincing as pain bloomed beneath his palm. “Another one…” he muttered, voice tight. “How many of these things are down here?”

  “Enough that we shouldn’t stop,” Perberos said, voice low and hard. He drew that salvaged arrow free, testing its shaft with a tap against the cave floor. “We’ve risked our luck long enough.”

  “Agreed,” Brett said, lowering his staff. “Very agreed.”

  Josh took Brett’s hand and hauled himself upright, testing his weight. “Ok, I’m fine. Let’s get out before there’s a third.”

  Before Josh could brush grit from his leg, Carcan slipped alongside him, palms glowing with soft green light. “Honestly,” she murmured, pressing warmth into his bruised ribs, “you’re the shield, not the target.” Magic wove through him, dulling the ache and knitting torn muscles back together.

  He gave her a sheepish shrug, the pain easing enough for him to laugh. “Guess I volunteered for bait duty.”

  Her smile was gentle but firm. “Just remember, you’re our anchor. Keep it that way, or I’ll have some stronger words for you.”

  He managed a tired grin. “No promises.”

  Caistina stepped past them, eyes already on the tunnel ahead. “Move. Praise later.”

  They didn’t argue.

  They threaded the tunnel in silence, each footstep a beat closer to the unknown. Then, at last, they saw it, a ribbon of golden light cutting through the black mouth of the cave. Their pace quickened; breaths came in sharp, eager bursts. They spilled out onto the rocky slope just as the sun teetered on the horizon, dyeing the sky in molten amber and violet. A cool breeze surged up the hill, carrying the scent of wild grass and damp earth.

  Josh swallowed, eyes stinging with relief and drew in a deep breath. “I missed this.”

  Brett laughed quietly. “Never thought I’d miss the sky.”

  Caistina glanced back once at the cave mouth. “Enjoy it. Then keep moving.” With that, they turned away from the cave, stepping into the promise of open sky and the promise of rest.

  The spell wanes, the words grow dim…

  Only one enchantment keeps it burning bright:

  “Like, follow, review.”

  It’s ancient magic — trust me.