"Donn, my boy, you're back from your hunt," his father boomed from across the tavern. Martin was a massively rugged man that people instantly trusted, like a large cuddly bear. Martin scooped his son into a bear hug that took Donn's breath away. Donn laughed at his father's exuberance and hugged him back tightly. Martin had taught him young that men didn't have to hide their emotions and should be friendly and open to helping those that needed their help. Martin knew the true value of friendship when you were an adventurer. "I am glad you're all back because I have an adventure for you, if you want it." Donn looked at his father's excited face and felt pride, pride that he could keep the family business going now that his father was retired. "Tell us all about it, father."
"My friend in Burch needs help. You see, slimes have infested his crops and started killing them." Martin explained. "Well that sure is odd. Slimes aren't native to that part of the country. Though they could've come from a forest just north of there." Donn commented. "We can go and look into it tomorrow morning. Who's in?" "You know I am always ready for an adventure" Adia chimed in. "Count us in, Donn" Baylin and Darya said as one, giggling when they realized. "You know you can count on me, Donn" stated Stellen stoically. Kit gave Donn a thumbs up and Finn winked at Donn. "Well Father, I think we're off on another adventure. Those slimes don't stand a chance." Martin slapped Donn on the shoulder heartily and replied "I know, my son. No monster does. Have fun and I'll see you when you get back home." "Alright, Father. Now we plan." The gang spent the next two hours eating, chatting, and planning.
The next morning the gang set off on their two day trip to burch for an adventure. They saw lots of cool and interesting sights on their way; by nightfall they had made it halfway there and set up camp so they could get some rest. Donn was the first to keep guard while the others slept. As Donn was admiring the stars he heard a twig snap from the forest nearby, he shot up and started to walk toward the forest. Before he got to close he felt an aura, it was the same one from the boy he met in the forest back home. Donn got close enough to see a figure in the trees, and the boy came out from behind a tree. Standing face to face with the boy Donn said, his voice a whisper "You, what are you doing here? Why did you follow us?" "I must warn you, dear Donn. There is a monster you may encounter on your journey. If you do, please try to stay away from it." The boy said with a look of worry on his face. " And why would I believe you, I don't even know your name. Plus I'm an adventurer, it's my job to fight monsters." Donn turned to walk away when he heard. "Lefu, you can call me Lefu. Or you can call me yours." Lefu winked at Donn with a playful smile. Donn was flustered and blushing, he didn't know what to say. Lefu laughed and disappeared back into the shadows. Donn shook his head, wondering if he was going crazy.
The next day, Donn and the group had made it to the town of Burch. Burch was a small but prosperous town that specialized in farming. The rolling fields held a plethora of edible bounty as far as the eye could see. The town center held many stalls full to bursting with fruits and vegetables of every color and shape. The people cried out to those passing to try their mouthwatering goods for a low, low price. The farmers were a happy rosy cheeked group with curvy figures, as they worked hard but had a great love of food and included special dishes in all their holiday celebrations. The people wore the bold and vibrant colors of their food and the effect was dazzling. So many colors and smells meet the senses at once that the gang stood shocked for a moment, not sure where to look first. After a brief pause, they headed to the town's tavern where they had been told to ask for Leo.
"Goodday, I am looking for Leo. I was asked to meet him here," Donn told the man wiping down glasses behind the bar. The man cocked his head to the side and gave Donn a once over before speaking. "So, you must be Martin's son, Donn. Pleased to meet you, son. I am Leo and I'm so glad you could come and help us." "It was no problem at all, Sir. My father told us of the slimes and how they're destroying your crops. We would be pleased to help in any way. Just point us in the right direction and we will be on our way." Leo nodded in approval at the confident way in which Donn carried himself, he reminded Leo so much of his good buddy Martin in his younger days. "Head north to the fields over yonder and you will find them in the forest surrounding the field. They're hard to miss," The gang thanked Leo and headed to the north fields. As they approached the north fields the colorful and lush landscape quickly began to change to a dark and depressing empty field that seemed to be dying and the life sucked out of it. The gang headed into the forest and as they entered the trees they all fell silent, ready for trouble and scanning the surrounding trees looking for signs of the slimes.
Donn closed his eyes, reached deep to his center and waited for that all too familiar pull in his stomach. After a few seconds he could sense that they needed to head slightly east through the forest. Donn pointed east and led the way, with his friends following closely behind. They soon spied a cave entrance that was partly hidden by the overgrown branches and leaves. The gang were very skilled adventurers and they knew they would need light within the cave, so in an instant seven balls of light sprang to life in the palm of each person's hand while in the other hand the weapon of their choice. Adia was a skilled light magic wielder and had only to think of her desires and they would spring to life from her free hand, golden and bright. Darya had her trusty bow and arrow and Baylin her earth magic. Stellen held his sword made of the finest steel with ease and a practiced hand. Finn also preferred his sword and held it in a tight fist, ready for action. Kit, the ever improvising tinker had his bag of magic tricks, in this bag he could fit anything. Donn, as usual, wore his steel claws, specially made by Kit just for him. The gang walked slowly and carefully into the cave ready for anything.
Immediately after entering the cave the gang were not surprised to see that there were slimes of all sizes, some were tiny and some were bigger than others. The slimes bounced around excitedly, as if they were afraid of something. Donn couldn't help but think of what Lefu said, he wondered what would invade slime territory and force them out of their home. Just then out of the depths of the cave came a loud clanking, the group slowly turned the corner to find a room lit by flames that glowed green, the room was filled with gold and precious gems. In the center of the room was a man clad in black armor, he was riding a black horse and appeared to be looking for something important. The group paused and questioned what to do next, Donn stepped out from the corner and hid behind a large pile of gold. The group looked at him like he was crazy, all except Finn who ran to join him. The pile of gold the two were hiding behind was tall and unstable, so when Finn went to peek from it a small portion collapsed. The man turned to see what made such a ruckus but all he saw was a tiny slime, and so he went back to searching. Donn, who pulled Finn back before he was seen, was covering Finn's mouth to keep him quiet. He sighed and released him, Donn put his finger to his mouth to shush Finn then peeked and swiftly moved to another pile of treasure, Finn was still shaken, and stayed put.
"That prince is too gullible, I was able to escape the guards so easily. They're so weak that I could defeat him in my sleep!" The demon laughed. Donn listened closely, trying to gather information. The demon stopped and turned around, his eyes darting around the room. He stopped on the pile Finn was behind and started walking closer. Donn, not wanting Finn to get caught, jumped out and ran to the other side of the room. The demon darted after him swinging his weapon and Donn blocked. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?" The demon questioned. "Why are you here? This is slime territory." Donn demanded. "I'm Cimeies, I go where I please." It was clear Cimeies was not going to give up, so Donn had no choice but to retreat, and so he did.
Cimeies laughed a deep hearty laugh having sized him up and decided he could easily defeat him . The dark clad figure ran toward Donn with a surprising speed. Donn hated to back down from a fight but he could sense the immense power rolling off the man and didn't want his friends to step in to help him and get hurt. This man was a serious opponent and he would need some stronger fighters to defeat him. Donn started knocking over treasure as he ran back towards his friends to buy them a few seconds and to slow Cimeies down. Cimeies cursed at Donn but just kept coming, like a raging bull. Donn, spying his friends, made the retreat signal and his friends ran with him, having been told of the danger by Finn. They knew the cave was a bad place to battle this maniac so they headed for the woods to lose him or gain an advantage. They needed a few stronger fighters as most of their friends were magic users and had no real training in hand to hand combat.
"Finn and Kit, you stay here with me and help me distract this creature. Everyone else heads back to town and recruit some stronger fighters and return as quick as you can." Everyone nodded in agreement and left the three friends there with promises to return and don't get killed from their friends. The three brave adventurers watched from the woods as Cimeies came charging out of the cave raging. The man was so tall and the sunlight played off his full body armor like stars in the night sky. The man roared and called out to Donn, "Where are you are, you coward. Come fight me and die like a man, not like you will last long but I will take pleasure in breaking every bone in your puny body." The three friends got ready, having practiced for hours on end for just this moment. Donn stepped out of the trees, " Looking for me, dog breathe. Well here I am, come and get me."