James sat near the river, his legs crossed and his sword across his lap. The last two hours had been productive. Doris was a monster with the Flaming Sword and chainmail armour. She showed no fear as she slashed and stabbed the goblins around her. More times than not, they tended to flee her and go after James, who they thought was a softer target. The Goblin Fighters were fierce and fast, with Barbara using James' bow and Connie utilizing a couple of the spells she learned the night before. Firebolt had a nice kick to it. She had yet to find a time to use the Stinking Cloud Spell.

James got a level after completing the ninth cave. They had just finished the eleventh cave, and it was easier than the previous day. It helped them that they knew what to expect. After that cave, the Party decided that they would take a break for lunch and then tackle the last cave and hopefully find the entrance to the dungeon.

The Party was also victorious in finding some treasure in the last five caves. They found a couple of sacks of coins, three healing potions, two mana potions and a Potion of Strength. They also found two interesting items. The first was a Ring of Strength +3. It was of use to everyone except Connie. Since James already had two rings and couldn't wear more (According to Rocko), Barbara and Doris sorted it out. They had a staring contest of sorts. James wasn't sure, but they stared at each other for several minutes before Doris blinked rapidly and looked away. Barbara cheered and snatched up the ring. The second was a pair of Enchanted boots. The boots were listed as Common and gave a bonus of +3 stealth. James wanted the boots but didn't feel like contesting it. Since Barbara got the boots (need before greed), she gave Doris the Ring of Strength +3. Everyone seemed happy.

After completing the ninth cave, James got to level 8. He had reviewed the progress up to that point and then his Status for level 8. At the time, they were:

Strength +1

Agility +1

Dexterity +1

Willpower +1

Intelligence +1

Charm +1

Armour - Medium +2

Back Attack +1

Critical Strike - Sword +1

Evasion +2

Melee - Glrick Sword +2

Perception +2

Shield +2

James had used his Glrick Sword exclusively all day, and the difference between that weapon and the rapier he used the day before was striking. The weapon cut through the goblins like a hot knife through butter. Although he focused on using the specific techniques taught to him by Barbara, he did enjoy a bit of freestyle once in a while.

Name: James Gleason Race: Glrick Class: Shadow Knight Specialization: Level: 8 XP to next level: 12% Armour Rating: 32 Age: 42 Health: 275 Unarmed Damage: 15 Stamina: 100 Glrick Sword: 36-41 Mana: 250 Bow of Piercing 36-46 PSI: 390 PSI Regen/Min 6.50 ATTRIBUTES Unspent Attribute Pts: 15 Strength 15 Agility 19 Dexterity 14 Endurance 12 Willpower 17 Intelligence 22 Charm 13 Luck 8 SKILLS Unspent Skill Pts: 7 Analyze 10 Armour – Medium 8 Astral Navigation 7 Back Attack 2 Crit Strike – Sword 5 Evasion (M) 7 Info Gathering 2 Inspect 8 Meditation 5 Melee – Glrick (M) 4 Melee – Sword 4 Negotiation 1 PSI – Targeted 6 Ranged – Short Bow 2 Perception (M) 6 Res – Mental 1 Res – Pain 3 Res – Poison 5 Shield 7 Stealth 9 Unspent Advantage Pts 30

Since gaining level 8, he earned a few more increases in his Attributes and Skills. These were the notifications he was reviewing now.

Dexterity +1

Luck +1

Inspect +1

Meditation +1

Melee - Glrick Sword +1

Perception +1

"You made some solid progress today," Rocko said from his side.

James nodded, "Ya, better than I expected. That's for sure. I hope this dungeon is worth the effort."

"Sorry to say, James, but this is the first dungeon of many. If you think this is effort, you will be shocked a month from now."

James gave his little friend the stink eye, "I have no fear of hard work. I just wanted to make sure that this dungeon was worth the effort."

Rocko smiled, "I think you will be pleased." But James held his comments in reserve.

James used Shadow Sense to explore the first chamber of the twelfth cave. This cave was very similar to the seventh cave. It only had four goblins in the first room. Deciding not to take any chances, James tried to use Inspect on the goblins in the room and was pleased when it worked.

Name: ? Race: Goblin Warrior Level: 8 Damage Range: 21-26 Damage Type: Slash Armour Rating: 10 Special: Melee Name: ? Race: Goblin Javelin Thrower Level: 7 Damage Range: 19-24 Damage Type: Piercing Armour Rating: 12 Special: Range

James passed on the good news to the rest of the Party. The goblins were only level 7 and 8, and only four of them. This was manageable. Of course, he could not see what level the reinforcements would be, but he was confident that they were within the Party's ability to control. After some quick discussion, the plan was decided upon. James would move to the back of the cave, checking for traps along the way. Doris would deal with the first two goblins, and Barbara and Connie would help. Everyone agreed that getting to the tunnel was essential to prevent reinforcements from making it into the room before blocking off the tunnel.

Moving with purpose, he nodded to Barbara, who moved forward to disarm the two traps they found at the cave entrance. One of the traps James had missed, but once Barbara started disarming it, it was revealed to him. The traps were becoming better hidden and deadlier. Although he didn't think the spike trap would get through his armour, he didn't hold out the same hope for Connie. Barbara gave Connie a look, and Connie started casting. The Flash Spell was the best weapon the Party had. The first few seconds were crucial to their success, and having the goblins blind for those few seconds made all the difference.

With Flash Spell came shouts and screaming from the cave. The battle was started. James ran into the cave and noticed that the two goblins at the entrance were dazed and blinded. He was trying for a quick kill; James Thrust the Glrick Sword at the goblin's throat. Sometimes, things don't go your way. For whatever reason, the goblin turned its body at the last moment, and the blade left a long slash along the throat but didn't take the goblin out of the action. James kept running to the two goblins at the back with Javelins. Either Barbara or Connie hit one of the rear goblins in the chest with an arrow. This caused the goblin to stagger back a step but not fall. The other thing was that the goblin didn't appear to be blinded. Neither of the two rear goblins seemed to be blinded.

"These two are not blind," he yelled over his shoulder. He wasn't expecting a response, but it would have been nice. The goblin that the arrow had not struck leaped forward and thrust the javelin towards James. His shield blocked the attack, and he countered with a thrust of his own. The goblin had a small wooden shield, and the Glrick cut the shield to ribbons when the goblin tried to use it to block the thrust. Surprised it barely had a chance to jump backwards. The Glrick blade bit into flesh but not deep enough to seriously wound the creature. James started to hear running footsteps coming from the tunnel by this time.

James saw six goblins running down the tunnel towards him, sparing a glance.

"Six reinforcements coming. I will try and stop them," he shouted to the Party.

"Go, I got this one," Doris said from right behind him. He arrived partway down the tunnel using Shadow Step and past any usually set traps at the entrance. The tunnel was only wide enough for two goblins to reach him at once, but that didn't stop the ones at the back from throwing a Javelin at him. Also, when one of the goblins in the front lost its shield, he stepped back, and another goblin stepped up. These little bastards were more intelligent than the kin he had already slaughtered.

"Use your poison Spell," James shouted to Connie.

"It would hit you too?" Connie shouted back.

"Just do it,"

James blocked one of the goblin's swings and Thrust his sword at the other. The goblin was surprised, but James pressed his advantage and stabbed the goblin. The second goblin used its stone axe to parry the attack, but the Glrick Sword cut through the axe's haft.

A green mist billowed out of nothingness among the goblins. James tried to step out of the affected area, but the green mist also surrounded him. He didn't even notice a difference between his Stalwart Magic Resistance and his Resistance - Poison. He did opt to hold his breath, and while the goblins were coughing, he began attacking vital areas with his sword.

Barbara fired off a few arrows that got the goblins at the back of the green mist out of James' reach. Still, he moved quickly to dispatch the goblins.

Connie called out from behind him, "Second casting." The second Spell landed the same as before, and James ignored it. The goblins were not so lucky, and by the time the second Spell had expired, he and Barbara had dispatched the remaining goblins.

The green mist was not thick or obscure, but there was a definite boundary. James stepped out of the fog and nodded to Connie that he was alright.

"More Champion magic?" Doris grumbled, but James just shrugged as he used Heal Self III to get rid of the minor wounds on his body.

"These goblins were more challenging than the goblins from the earlier caves. And I don't just mean in level," Barbara commented.

Connie nodded in agreement, "It is like they have a boost or something."

"Maybe they are tougher because they are closer to the dungeon entrance?" Doris suggested.

"That makes as much sense as anything else," James shrugged.

Doris shrugged back, "The gods only know."

"Do you think that is all the goblins in this cave?" Connie asked the group.

Barbara shook her head, "That doesn't match the pattern. I would expect at least another four goblins. They may be tougher or in another part of the cave, but there should be twelve or fourteen."

"Why so linear?" James inquired.

"What do you mean," Barbara asked.

"Well, this is not naturally occurring; the number and layout of the goblins seem so artificial."

"It is," Connie explained. "The gods created this area specifically for the Champions to hone their skills. It was not intended for us mortals to take advantage of. After the Challenge is complete, this complex of caves and goblins will all vanish."

"Doesn't that seem...," James stumbled over his words, trying to find the right ones.

"Careful James, the gods, maybe listening," Rocko warned him.

James looked over at Rocko and nodded, "Seems odd. But it works for us."

The women nodded. "For now," Doris added. "We still have the dungeon to explore, and I am sure that it won't be as safe as the caves."

James took the lead as the Party moved through the tunnel. The tunnel took a sharp right turn after about 8 meters. James still wondered how the women could see in the dark but decided that it was not his business and would leave it for now. As he turned around the corner, he failed to notice the tripwire that triggered the trap.

There was a big crash further down the tunnel, and then James was staggering backwards, a javelin sticking out of his gut.

The javelin has pierced his armour in both the front and the back, and his Harden Skin I Power. James found himself sitting on the ground, holding onto the javelin. He wasn't moving or doing anything, just holding it. The shock of the attack and damage fogged his mind. Doris had moved in front of him and was standing in the ready position with her shield up and flaming sword in her hand. Connie moved to James and pulled out a Potion of Healing. Barbara had her bow out and at the ready.

"Damn," Rocko shook his head, "That hit was for 220 health!"

James just looked at Rocko, his eyes slightly out of focus. Connie had fed him a potion and was reaching for another by this time.

"I am good," James said, dismissing the other potion.

"Good?" Doris said from over him, "You may not have noticed by you have a tree trunk sticking out of your stomach!"

"Your armour blocked 34 points, and that is why you are still alive. Mind you; you have a Bleeding effect." Rocko added.

"Can you stop Bleeding effects, Doris?" James asked weakly.

"Yes, but it may not work on you because you are a man," she explained, turning around and putting her sword away.

Kneeling beside James, she looked over the wound, "Shit, this looks bad."

"Feels bad too," James tried to chuckle, but it hurt too much.

"We need to remove this piece of wood and then start healing before you bleed to death," Connie suggested; Doris just nodded in agreement. Although they did share a look, James was not sure what. It was either, 'I hope he survives,' or 'I get the jewelry.'

"I will heal myself. You pull out the javelin. If you can help with the bleeding, that would be great." James checked his health and noticed he was down to 44 and losing 5 health every 3 seconds.

Barbara pulled out the javelin while Connie applied pressure on the wound with the sheet James brought with him. Doris had already started casting when Barbara began to pull.

It was a good thing that James didn't need to speak to use his Powers as his voice was occupied screaming. Falling on his back on the ground, James tried to get his breathing under control. Heal Self III could be used every 5 seconds. It would heal him for 1-10 health plus 40 health. The bitch was that he was now bleeding at 10 health every 2 seconds. When James finally gained 100 health, the bleeding dropped back to 5 health every 3 seconds. When he reached 200 health, the bleeding stopped altogether. The wound healed quickly with Doris also casting Soothing Touch, but James had her pause after the first few to conserve her Mana. Also, the effect was reduced significantly due to him being male.

Although the wound was gone, James lay on the floor in a pool of his blood for a bit. The pain was gone but still there: a phantom of some sort. Opening his eyes, he started up at his three angels. Well, maybe two and Doris. All three looked at him with fear, concern and worry.

"I am alright now. I need a minute to sort out my nerves. Also, used a lot of Mana healing." He whispered.

"How did you use Mana to heal? I didn't see you cast a spell," Connie asked.

"shhh, too many questions," James mumbled.

James slipped into a half-meditative and half-asleep state. It was very relaxing and calm. He was not aware of anything around him, and he hoped the women would not be battling for their lives while he napped.