Half an hour later, they crouched atop a ridge. Down below, a yawning cave opened against the mountain. Dozens of kobolds moved in and out, their snarls echoing faintly.
Leo's sharp eyes caught more details. "Besides spear and sword users… they've got archers too. Damn, this just got troublesome."
Still, his expression didn't fall. Instead, he called his shadows close, whispering low. "Alright, listen up. Here's what we do…"
…..
At the mouth of the cave, kobolds wandered lazily, their guttural voices echoing as they barked at one another. Some sat on rocks gnawing bones, others paced with crude spears in hand.
Then, without warning, a dark figure slipped out from the tree line.
It was a kobold, yet not. Its body was made entirely of shifting black smoke, its outline jagged and unclear. In its single arm, it held a spear that seemed more shadow than steel.
The kobolds froze. For a heartbeat, they simply stared. Then recognition struck, this was not one of their own. Shrieks erupted as they raised their weapons.
Mongmor, turned on his heel and bolted into the forest. The pack howled, charging after him without hesitation.
But before they could run too far, another shadowy figure appeared from the brush. This one, Mor4, stood just long enough for the kobolds to notice him, then dashed in the opposite direction from Mongmor.
The pack skidded to a halt, snarling. Confusion rippled through them. After a moment, the group split, half continued after Mongmor, the other veered after Mor4.
And then, as if planned, yet another figure appeared. Mor3 leapt from the bushes, his dark body stretching unnaturally as he bolted away at a third angle.
The kobolds shrieked again, dividing once more until only three remained, chasing Mor3 deeper into the woods.
Minutes passed in this deadly game of cat and mouse. Leaves rustled and snarls cut through the forest air. Then Mor3 suddenly stopped, spinning around with his spear raised high.
The three kobolds blinked in surprise at his sudden charge. They roared back and rushed to meet him.
That was the signal.
From behind the trees, Leo and Mor2 burst out together, their spears leveled. The ambush was set.
Each one of them targeted a kobold. Leo focused on his opponent, thrusting forward with the same technique Mongmor had shown him. His movements were sharper now, his stance lower to the ground.
But this kobold wasn't like the wandering ones outside. Its eyes gleamed with cunning. With swift, jerking motions, it swayed aside, dodging every thrust.
"Damn it, too fast!" Leo gritted his teeth, pressing harder.
The kobold suddenly countered, swinging its spear in a wide, brutal arc. Leo's eyes widened as he barely managed to pull back, his arms straining to keep his weapon up.
The clash rang in his bones.
'I can't win this…' Leo realized, cold sweat trailing down his back.
Just then, a faint ripple tugged at his chest.
(Your Shadow Mongmor has been destroyed)
Leo's eyes widened, but instead of panic, a grin split his face. 'Perfect.'
He swung his spear wildly, wide arcs cutting through the air, forcing the kobold to stay back for a second. "Come on… come closer," he muttered under his breath, stalling for time.
'Mongmor!' he called in his mind.
A surge of darkness spread from beneath his feet. Out of his shadow, the familiar figure rose, Mongmor, one arm holding a spear. The shadow kobold lunged forward without hesitation, thrusting straight into the enemy's side.
The kobold shrieked as the spear drove deep.
(Experience point +1)
Leo exhaled sharply, then gave a quick nod. "Nice, Mongmor. Come on, we've still got two left before the others show up."
The pair dashed through the trees, shadows flickering with every step. Up ahead, Mor2 was struggling, fending off a kobold's furious thrusts. The monster had the upper hand, pressing closer with each swing.
"Now!" Leo barked.
Mongmor darted in first, his spear jabbing from the side. The kobold twisted to block, but Leo came right after, striking from the front. Their combined attacks forced the creature off balance.
Leo thrust low while Mongmor went high. Two spears pierced through at once, the kobold staggering before collapsing.
(Experience point +1)
No time to rest. The last kobold had already cornered Mor3, its spear aimed at his chest.
"Go!" Leo charged in, Mongmor at his side.
Mor3 barely rolled out of the way as Leo and Mongmor struck together. The kobold snarled, parrying Leo's thrust, but it left its flank wide open. Mongmor didn't miss, his spear shot straight through its ribs, pinning it against a tree.
The creature thrashed once, then fell limp.
(Experience point +1)
Leo leaned on his spear, panting. His lips curled into a smile. "Not bad… not bad at all."
"Fall back, we need to find Mor4." Leo waved his hand, and the group followed the faint trail through the underbrush.
Not long after, shrill cries echoed ahead. The clash of steel and snarls broke through the forest air.
"That's him. Hurry!" Leo barked, picking up his pace.
They burst into a small clearing. There, Mor4 was barely holding on, his body cut and bleeding shadows. Three kobolds pressed in, forcing him in a corner.
"Go!"
Leo and his shadows rushed in. Mongmor lunged first, spear locking against a kobold's thrust. Mor3 swung from the side, driving another kobold back. Leo closed in on the third, gritting his teeth as their spears clashed.
The clearing rang with metal against metal. Leo thrust, the kobold parried. Mongmor feinted low, then jabbed high, catching his opponent in the chest. The kobold shrieked before collapsing into the dirt.
(Experience point +1)
On the other side, Mor3 staggered but managed to pin his foe against a tree. Leo seized the chance, rushing over to drive his spear clean through the kobold's throat.
(Experience point +1)
The last kobold tried to retreat, but Mongmor and Leo moved as one, Mongmor sweeping its legs while Leo thrust straight down, ending it in a single strike.
(Experience point +1)