The party trudged through uneven grasslands, their mountain destination looming against a fading sky. Lush green blades tangled with drab brown patches, where spider lambs crawled from gnarled tree nests, bleating weakly as they foraged for healthy grass. The group walked in tense silence, trading wary glances. The three hobgoblins strode ahead, leading the way, their cautious backward glances meeting Omaar's sharp eyes. Tengune watched Miograce warily, her head held high with a serene smile. Jessie reached into her pouch, narrowing her eyes at the Valkyrie as she clutched her amulet. Catching Miograce's piercing stare, she snapped the bag shut, offering a nervous smile. Miograce's lips curved in return, her gaze unyielding. Omaar lagged behind, guarding the rear, one eye fixed on Miograce at all times.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the hobgoblins halted. "We're about halfway to our village," the male goblin explained, setting down his gear. "We'll camp here tonight and arrive tomorrow."
The party nodded, setting up camp. Tengune beckoned Jessie to gather firewood, while Omaar turned to hunt, glancing back at Miograce, who lingered with the hobgoblins. "Priest," Omaar called, smirking. "I'll need assistance. Will you aid me?"
"Oh, well…" Miograce smiled, tilting her head. "I doubt I'll be much help lifting the kill."
"Divinity lets you cast light, no?" Omaar pressed. "I'll need it to see in the dark."
Miograce's smirk widened, and she nodded, following him into the tall grass, leaving the hobgoblins alone.
"That rogue," the stern hobgoblin growled. "He's going to be trouble."
"He's definitely the most cunning," the joyful hobgoblin smirked. "We'd best keep an eye on him."
"Let's focus on their plan," the male hobgoblin cautioned. "I sense they each have different motives."
They waited, and soon Tengune and Jessie returned with firewood. Tengune wove glowing runes, sparking a fire that crackled against the chilly dusk. Jessie, sweating, dragged large logs across the grassy terrain. Tengune rushed to help, easing her burden.
"I brought logs for everyone to sit on," Jessie said, forcing a smile, her breath heavy. The joyful hobgoblin burst into giggles, puzzling the others. She joined Jessie and Tengune, helping drag the logs.
"You have such a funny way of speaking," the hobgoblin laughed. "Why do you talk like that?"
Jessie hesitated, glancing at Tengune, then smiled faintly, cheeks reddening. "Everyone talks this way where I'm from."
"Really?" the hobgoblin gasped. "It sounds like a strange place."
They arranged the logs around the fire, and Jessie and the joyful hobgoblin began chatting softly. Tengune sat beside the male hobgoblin, who raised a brow. "You're a mage?"
"I am, though I've not gathered too many spells," Tengune admitted, rubbing his neck awkwardly.
"Gathering runes is tricky," the hobgoblin said. "I'd like to visit a mage school someday, though being a goblin makes that difficult."
"Tell me about it," Tengune sighed, opening his tome. "I was lucky to have a teacher."
The male hobgoblin caught the stern hobgoblin's glare. "What?" he hissed.
"You'd do well to remember we're not here to make friends," she growled. "We've a task to complete."
"Indeed," the male agreed, "but these two seem of good nature. If we want peace, we'll need rapport."
"Don't let rapport blind your judgment," she scoffed, stalking to another log to inspect her daggers. Tengune chuckled softly.
"Something funny?" the male hobgoblin smiled.
"Nothing, really," Tengune said, grinning. "She just reminds me of someone."
"Well, I'd say since we're stuck together, we might as well introduce ourselves," the joyful hobgoblin announced, springing up. "My name is Kamitafa. The grumpy one is my twin, Kokutafa, and the gentleman is Hemphie."
"Well met," Hemphie greeted, nodding.
"Pleasure," Tengune smiled. "I'm Tengune, and the woman over there is Jessie. The two hunting are Omaar and Miograce."
They nodded, settling into conversation as Kokutafa silently sharpened her blades. Soon, Omaar and Miograce returned, dragging the bloodied corpse of a spider lamb, its hide pierced with stab wounds. Omaar dropped it by the fire, beginning to skin and prepare it, while Miograce sat beside Kokutafa, her presence drawing wary glances from Jessie.
Tengune pondered for a moment. "Miograce," he called, ignoring Omaar's sharp glare. "I have a question."
"By all means," Miograce replied, smiling, "though only if I may ask one of my own."
Tengune nodded. "What's it like living in Malevia?"
Miograce took a deep breath, her eyes drifting to the stars. "Malevia is a wondrous and magical place," she said, her voice serene. "A place where all can be equally close to God."
"So, a theocratic society," Tengune deduced.
"Very much so," Miograce confirmed. "There are nine tenets of our God, the Nine, and Malevia's laws, structure, and culture are built using them as a foundation."
"You mean you've built an entire empire on nine rules?" Omaar snickered, slicing the lamb.
"Not quite," Miograce replied calmly. "The tenets have rules within rules, and each citizen devotes themselves to a single tenet."
"Such as?" Omaar probed, his eyes narrowing.
"For example, the Hall of Judgment dictates law and order," Miograce explained, "based on the Voice of Judgment, one of the Nine Voices of our God."
"I'm guessing that's where Inquisitors come from," Tengune said, rubbing his chin.
"Correct," Miograce affirmed.
"But how is your role decided?" Jessie asked, her voice cautious, clutching her amulet.
"By birth," Miograce elaborated. "The title your parents held is yours for life, passed to your children."
"So, there's no way to work your way up? You're just stuck?" Omaar smirked. "Sounds terrible."
"Not at all," Miograce countered, unfazed. "Your place in the world is shown by God, giving every citizen purpose."
"Surely some don't believe," Hemphie inquired, leaning forward.
"Not exactly," Miograce smiled. "The Grand Cathedral is God's home. There, we see and speak to Him."
"You mean it's real?" Tengune gasped, his tomb trembling in his hands.
"Our God is very much real," Miograce affirmed. "In times of old, He gifted us the Opal Star, which lets Him guide us with His voices from anywhere."
"So, what happens to dissenters?" Omaar smirked, his knife pausing.
A crow cawed sharply from a nearby tree, its rune-eyes glinting as Miograce's voice grew an edge. "Heretics who would dare spit in the face of the good grace of our God are sent to the Grotto," she smiled, her eyes widening. "There they work as slaves for the empire."
"Slavery?" Jessie gasped, her fingers tightening on her amulet. "Isn't that a bit extreme?"
"Not at all, if one won't serve God by choice then they will do so by force," Miograce hissed as her eyes widened. "There they will build their homes out of petty rock and stone, as if they will not live by the nine then they will die by the nine and serve as a physical reminder of what we would be without God. Foul, foolish gnats."
Silence fell, the fire's crackle sharp against the stunned group. Omaar smirked, unfazed, while Jessie's eyes widened, her breath shallow. Miograce coughed, giving an awkward laugh, her smile strained. "As for my question, Tengune," she said, her tone softening, "I think I'll save it for later."
Tengune stared, puzzled, exchanging a glance with Jessie, whose fingers lingered on her amulet. Omaar laid the spider lamb meat on the fire, its sizzle cutting through the uneasy quiet. The savory aroma eased the group's tension briefly as Tengune opened his magical cooking book. Omaar shot him a glare, and Tengune smiled sheepishly, tucking the book away as Omaar finished cooking. The seven shared the meal in hearty chatter, the fire's glow casting flickering shadows across their faces. As they finished, preparing to sleep, Miograce paused, her eyes glinting in the firelight.
"Dear goblins, I must ask," she inquired, her voice smooth, "why does your chief want to work with the elves? They've shown no intent to cooperate."
The hobgoblins paused, sharing cautious looks. Kamitafa nodded. "Our chief believes working with the elves would let us prosper long-term," Hemphie explained. "He dislikes conflict and wants to resolve differences peacefully."
"Then why not return the chief's wife immediately?" Tengune argued. "You said a rogue band took her. Returning her might sway him."
"You saw the chief's behavior," Kokutafa laughed, her tone sharp. "That fool would've attacked us in the village without our leverage."
"Forcing him to work with you will only make him betray you later," Omaar smirked, twirling his dagger.
"It's better than allowing him to attack us freely," Hemphie said. "Limiting him buys us time."
"Do you agree with your chief?" Miograce asked, wide-eyed, as the hobgoblins looked down somberly. Jessie parted her lips to speak but curled them shut, glancing at Tengune nervously.
"I'd love to work with the elves," Kamitafa smiled. "It's a positive for everyone. Think of what we could accomplish together."
Miograce leaned forward, her smile sharp. "The clash in ideals and culture would likely do more harm," she countered. "Not to mention, goblins are classified as monsters. Much of the public would reject the union."
"I think it can be worked through with time," Hemphie affirmed. "The problem is that village's chief. Maybe killing him would be best."
"No need to go that far," Tengune argued, his voice firm. "That'd only breed resentment. If elves are to work with you, it must be on their own terms."
"But that's not fair," Kamitafa protested, her voice rising. "We have as much right to live here as they do!"
"It's completely fair," Miograce countered, her tone icy. "You invaded their lands, settled there, forced them to compete for resources, and now try to enforce peace. They have the right to refuse you."
"Finally, someone with sense," Kokutafa smiled, her hand resting on her dagger. Jessie's fingers tightened on her amulet, her breath catching as the blade gleamed in the firelight. "We'd be better off killing all the elves and taking the land for ourselves."
"It's obvious why your chief is the leader," Omaar snickered. "You're all stupid."
"Excuse me?" Kokutafa growled, gripping her dagger.
"Your chief knows brute force won't work," Omaar explained, twirling his dagger. "Taking the village would bring the Malevian Inquisition's hammer, as it's under their jurisdiction. Forced integration would spark war, with elves living beside greenskins. Killing the chief would just make the villagers call Malevia for help."
"A jester who thinks he can solve this easily but understands nothing," Kokutafa snickered.
"Your chief knows telling you simpletons anything would only worsen things," Omaar laughed. "His goal is coexistence through a stalemate, letting the villages adjust over time while avoiding the Inquisition." Omaar stood, brushing grass from his cloak, and lay down on a patch nearby.
"Told you she reminds me of someone," Tengune snickered, nudging Hemphie, who smiled. Jessie glanced at Tengune, her expression wary, then settled by the fire, clutching her amulet. The group ended the night, taking shelter under the moonlight's pale glow, the distant stars cold and unyielding.
As everyone's eyes lay closed in slumber, Jessie stirred faintly, clutching her amulet as a soft rustle broke the quiet. Omaar's eyes flicked open, gazing at Miograce, who lay in the grass, hands clasped, seemingly asleep. His eyelids grew heavy, and he dozed off. Moments later, Miograce's eyes opened, catching Omaar's restless tossing. She rose, grinning ear to ear as he grimaced in his sleep.
Omaar ran through a cathedral's stone halls, crows flocking around him as he shooed them away. A bell's relentless dong echoed, entwined with that mocking melody humming in his skull. Large windows to his right blazed with blinding light, engulfing the hall. Turning a corner, he glimpsed a woman's shadowed figure, her form obscured by the glare, clutching a strange pocket watch. A deafening tick-tock pulsed, and a force blew him back, slamming him into the wall. His vision blurred as he slumped, staring at a hollow void torn into his chest—
His eyes snapped open, panting and sweating under the dark sky. Miograce's face loomed above, crows gathering around them, their rune-eyes glinting as he lay, head in her lap, trapped in her clutches. Omaar's eyes widened, meeting her wide-eyed smile, the melody and tick-tock resounding. He lunged, pouncing on her, pinning her down with his dagger to her neck. "What did you do to me?" he hissed, hands trembling with sweat.
"Panic doesn't befit a rogue," Miograce smiled, unfazed. "But I was right—you too see visions of your end, don't you?" Her golden eyes flickered, a haunted shadow crossing them.
Omaar pressed the dagger harder, drawing a trickle of blood. "What did you do?" he growled, his voice rising.
"Nothing but bless you with light," Miograce snickered, her grin sharp. "Just like those villagers, I blessed them with light, and soon they'll return to God." Omaar's mind flashed to the plaza, a boy's head in Miograce's lap, engulfed in her embrace, his gaze vacant as crows cawed.
"Speak plain, witch!" Omaar whispered, his smirk faltering as he gripped her neck with his free hand. "Or I'll kill you now."
"You belong to God now, Omaar," Miograce coughed, laughing, her golden eyes burning with a volatile glow. "Don't you know Malevians defy death? God plucks us from its clutches to live again. When I return to Him, you'll follow, but I will always return." She reached for a crow, her hand phasing through its form, its rune-eyes unblinking in their otherworldly glow. "And at my command, you too will be one with God."
Omaar froze, teeth gritted, then stumbled back, lifelessly disappearing into the tall grass. Miograce giggled softly, hugging herself, swaying side to side. "Even to you, Omaar," she murmured, her voice low. "I am almighty."
Omaar collapsed in the grass, heart pounding, the tick-tock pulsing in his skull, the melody relentless. He pulled his hair, grinding his teeth. "There has to be a weakness," he panted, biting his hand, drawing blood. "A way to break it." Memories flickered—Miograce in the plaza, the boy's trance, the village's eerie calm. "It's the same spell she used on that boy," he deduced. "She's holding the village in her palm, her true trump card." Crows gathered, cawing to the melody's tune. He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the rune-mark on his chest, its lines grown sharper. "It's evolved," he sighed, voice soft and somber. "She holds my life in her hands."
He wrapped his dagger in bandages to dull its poison and stabbed his left arm repeatedly, blood seeping through. "I was careless," he hissed, face cold, ungrimacing. "I shouldn't have slept. I shouldn't have taken this quest. I should've… been better. Am I better?" By the end, no potion could fully heal the damage as he sat, bandaging his arm under the unyielding stars.
The sun rose, casting a pale glow over the camp. The party stirred, rubbing their eyes and yawning as they began breaking down their equipment. Tengune scanned the clearing, frowning when he couldn't find Omaar. He whispered instructions to Jessie. Miograce watched Tengune leave, a sly smile curling her lips. Tengune parted the tall grass and found Omaar sitting alone, his neck faltering, eyes sunken and decayed, heavy with bags. The grass around him was stained red with blood. Omaar's gaze slowly met Tengune's as he stumbled to his feet.
"What happened?" Tengune gasped, his face frozen in shock.
"Nothing," Omaar denied, brushing past, the melody and tick-tock pulsing relentlessly in his skull as crows trailed behind, cawing softly. Tengune grabbed Omaar's arm, lifting his sleeve to reveal bloodied bandages, but Omaar yanked away, not glancing back.
"Omaar," Tengune called, voice soft but urgent, "what's going on? Ever since you met that priest, you've been acting strange. Tell me, I can help."
"Do whatever you want," Omaar said, his voice calm and lifeless. "It doesn't matter anymore." He walked off, Tengune chasing after as they returned to camp. The group froze as Omaar stumbled in, blood dripping from his bandages, an aura of malice radiating from his hollow eyes. Jessie watched in horror, her hands cupped over her mouth.
"What's going on with him?" she mumbled, her voice trembling as Tengune approached her. "Is he okay?"
"I don't know," Tengune sighed, staring at Omaar's defeated frame. "I've never seen him like this." He glanced at Miograce, who stared at Omaar with a menacing smirk, the tick-tock pulsing louder in Omaar's ears as her gaze met his. Tengune's eyes ignited with fury, but Jessie grabbed his arm, shaking her head. Tengune frowned but relented as the group finished packing and headed east.
The walk was quiet, Kamitafa's attempts at light conversation falling flat as Omaar lagged behind, head hung low. Tengune glanced back, his expression somber, rubbing his head in thought. Jessie offered a small smile, and Tengune tried to return it. Before long, they stopped at the cave's entrance beneath the mountains, its massive maw looming, revealing only darkness within. Jessie shivered at the looming darkness as she eyed Miograce nervously. Omaar looked up, staring into the abyss as crows perched above, cawing as if inviting him in, the melody humming louder with each step closer.
"We go to the first section of the village first," Hemphie explained, opening his tome and weaving runes to make his finger emit a bright light. "We'll rest there, then head to the second section to find the chief."
"Stay close," Kokutafa urged. "There are still monsters in the cave."
"You still have monsters in there?" Miograce questioned, raising a brow.
"Of course," Kamitafa confirmed. "We handle them just fine, but they're great for intruders."
"Interesting," Tengune said, a faint smile breaking through. "Using the monsters as defense."
"Surely fighting monsters to get home is stressful," Jessie said, her voice nervous.
"A double-edged sword, to be sure," Kamitafa smiled, "but we're well-versed in handling them now." The seven began moving in, but Omaar stood frozen, staring into the cave's abyss. Tengune gave him a light nudge, and Omaar took a deep breath, stepping forward as they all entered the darkness together.
As distant footsteps echoed from the cave's mouth, the Goblin Sanctuary thrived deep within, its village lit by torches and glowing crystals of myriad colors. A rippling stream of blue water shimmered through the settlement, reflecting the light of wooden and stone buildings. Inside one such structure, an elven woman lay on a fur rug in a dimly lit room, her plain white dress clinging to her pale, freckled skin. Her long brown hair splayed as she stirred, her brown eyes fluttering open. She sat up, her gaze darting to a muscular hobgoblin with short, spiky black hair, clad in puffy fur robes and leather boots. He sat at a wooden desk, scribbling on tree bark, his finger scratching softly feint magic.
She gasped, scrambling back, her fingers trembling against the cold stone wall. The hobgoblin glanced over his shoulder, his eyes soft, and rose from his chair.
"Stay back, monster!" she yelled, her voice sharp, her eyes scanning for an escape.
The hobgoblin knelt, his shoulders relaxed, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "Please, calm yourself," he said, his voice deep and soothing. "I mean you no harm."
"Really?" she panted, her fingers tracing the wall as she rose unsteadily to her feet. The hobgoblin stood, towering over her, his presence steady but unthreatening. "Then where am I? I have no recollection of coming here."
"You are in the goblin village," he replied, his smile warm. "As for how you got here, I regret to inform you that you've been captured."
"Regret, do you?" she scoffed, her lips curling, her posture stiffening. "If you regret it so much, you'd be keen to take me home."
"We cannot, I'm afraid," he sighed, his head bowing slightly, his eyes somber. "I'm sorry."
"You claim no ill will yet keep me prisoner," the elf retorted, her hands clenching. "Your intentions don't seem pure."
"Your chief has been difficult to negotiate with," the hobgoblin said, his brow furrowing. "His ruthless reputation precedes him, but we've heard of his attachment to you. Though unplanned, your presence here may aid our in securing peace."
"You're mistaken," she sneered, her eyes narrowing. "I wouldn't call it attachment. He might, though."
"Time will tell," the hobgoblin said, his smile returning, soft and earnest. "Let me show you the village. I'd have you as a guest, not a prisoner. It's the least we can do for your entanglement in this mess."
The elf hesitated, her fingers twitching, but locked eyes with him, his gaze disarming her wariness. She nodded, her steps cautious as they walked outside. The air hummed with the crystals' vibrant songs, their light dancing on the stone buildings. Giturn led her through the plaza, where goblins bartered at a bustling market, and into the mess hall, where laughter echoed. In the tavern, crystal rituals wove tapestries that pulsed with mana, their vibrant notes lifting the air with joy.
"We are a simple people," Giturn said, his hands clasped, his smile warm. "We seek only happiness, as all do."
The elf's lips curled faintly, her shoulders easing as she watched goblins pass, their smiles genuine. "You must understand," she sighed, her gaze distant, "my husband would raze this place to retrieve me. He'd never negotiate, no matter your goodness."
"He's made that clear," Giturn replied, his eyes darkening, his voice low. "But we must try to avoid war."
She sighed, watching goblins wave warmly. A few children tugged at her dress, giggling, pulling her to play. She glanced back, her expression softening.
"Let us try again," Giturn said, extending his hand, his posture open. "I am Giturn, chief of the goblins."
"Lisara," she replied, a faint smile breaking through, her cheeks flushing. "Unfortunate Chieftess of Wellingrid's chief." Giturn kissed her hand gently, his eyes bright.
"'Tis a pleasure, Chieftess," he said. Lisara's blush deepened. Giturn raised his voice, startling her as goblins gathered. "My kin, this is Lisara, Chieftess of Wellingrid. She is our guest for a time. Treat her as one of our own."
The goblins nodded, introducing themselves with smiles. The children dragged Lisara off, laughing, as Giturn waved. Another goblin approached, whispering, "Kokutafa, Hemphie, and Kamitafa should return to the caves soon."
"Good," Giturn grinned, his shoulders lifting. "Let's hope they bring news of peace."
The party entered. The cave was vast and spacious, dimly lit by the faint glow of mana crystals and fungi scattered across the walls. A river of glowing blue ran alongside, its trickling filling the silent ambiance. A warm breeze drifted through as the seven walked cautiously, staying on high alert.
"It's surprisingly vibrant in here," Tengune said in awe. "What are those crystals?"
"Mana crystals," Hemphie explained. "They've absorbed mana from the atmosphere."
"They create such beautiful crystals," Kamitafa smiled. "Don't you agree?"
"Yeah, even the mushrooms are pretty," Jessie gasped, smiling at the array of colors.
"The water's glowing," Miograce observed. "The mana here is that dense?"
"My guess is there's another cave system above," Kokutafa affirmed. "The mana seeps down and collects here."
"Where's Hayzel when you nAeed her?" Tengune laughed, and Jessie chuckled.
Omaar's eyes darted, scanning every corner, crows hanging from the ceiling like bats, their rune-eyes glinting. The melody hummed faintly, syncing with the water's dance. They passed through a narrow opening into a cavern, shallow glowing water at its base bathing the chamber in serene blue. Jessie marveled as they waded in, the water enveloping their feet.
"Shit, I hate wet shoes," Jessie complained.
"We'll be through it soon," Tengune smiled.
"Shit? What does that mean?" Kamitafa laughed.
"Oh, it's a curse word," Jessie said, blushing. "You know, like fuck, damn."
"Not a word I've heard," Hemphie said, raising a brow.
"Interesting," Miograce pondered. "Shit. I like the sound of it."
"Um, sorry, Miograce, but that's not exactly priestly language," Jessie chuckled.
"Oh, really?" Miograce giggled, sparking laughter until Kokutafa hissed, "Quiet." The clicking of mandibles and scuttling feet echoed, growing louder through the cavern. The group tensed, shifting in the shallow water. The goblins unsheathed their weapons as giant black ants squeezed through crevasses, splashing down with heavy thuds. Jessie screamed as they closed in.
"Get behind me!" Tengune shouted, stepping in front of Jessie. Miograce approached her. "Stay by my side," she smiled, clasping her hands. The tick-tock surged as Miograce's golden aura flared, cloaking the area in radiant light. Tengune felt his mana strengthen, glancing at the goblins with a grin. Omaar stood, hand shivering on his dagger, sweating as crows splashed in the water, cackling. The melody pulsed with each ant's movement. Eyes wide, Omaar took the flank, darting and vanishing as Tengune and Hemphie wove runes.
Kokutafa spun, her chain-linked daggers arcing in a deadly dance, cleaving ants in scores. She swung, the daggers flying to flank an ant, then snapped them parallel, a bolt of lightning crackling between them, eviscerating it. Kamitafa tapped her thin, sharp-edged blade's hilt, shouting for the party to duck. They crouched as the blade extended, cleaving a mark into the cavern wall before shrinking to sword-size. She and Kokutafa charged, matching pace with blinding speed, slaying ants in tandem.
Tengune's hands burst into flame, unleashing a roaring blaze that engulfed a swarm. Hemphie summoned water spheres, raining them down like bullets, ripping through ants as they repositioned. An ant crashed before Hemphie, and Tengune leapt to block its strike with his staff, weaving runes. Acid sprayed, singeing his shoulder. He cracked the beast with his staff, and Hemphie lunged, completing Tengune's runes to blast the ant with flame. "Focus!" Hemphie grinned, and Tengune nodded, shocked. Radiant light enveloped Tengune, his shoulder healing instantly. He glanced back at Miograce, her hands glowing.
Jessie panted, her mind swirling, hand in her pouch. "I can't just sit here," she sweated. "I need to help. I can be useful. I can do this." She hesitated, her hand trembling as she reached for the Valkyrie. Miograce watched, eyes wide. Jessie steadied her breathing, swiping the amulet with two fingers, its magazine flashing. "Just like Dad said," she mumbled. "Steady breathing, steady hands, steady aim, see your target…" A shot rang out, piercing an ant about to spray acid on Kamitafa. A second shot downed it. Jessie's eyes lit up, refocusing, pelting ants with shot after shot. Empty. She swiped the amulet, resuming fire, bodies piling up.
Tengune grinned, hands ablaze again, but the ants swarmed relentlessly. Omaar slashed at an ant, his strike shallow. It swiped, and he dodged, blocking, but another sprayed acid from behind. Acid seared his wounded arm, rendering it limp. He shielded himself, staggering. Tengune shouted, "Omaar, focus!" but the melody's hum and pounding tick-tock drowned him out, crows cackling from above. An ant struck, sending Omaar slamming into the wall. Tengune and Hemphie hurled spells to clear his path.
"The biggest fools always speak the loudest" Kokutafa snarls but ants block the path to Omaar as she curses. Omaar struggled to rise, eyes growing heavier, vision blurring as ants closed in.