Hani had managed lead the big Orc down a path that led through a garden behind a house. The big lummox was just trampling all the plants, even getting a foot stuck in a large gourd. His plan to lead him away from the severely injured Ralph was working a little too well. The Orc was like a dog chasing a carriage, it just kept coming. Out of the corner of Hani’s vision he noticed an eruption of goblins fountaining above a nearby roof top followed by the flash of dark energy beam. Something was happening toward the center of town, and it was happening to the goblins. That moment of distraction cost him however as the flat of the Orc’s battle axe slammed into Hani’s right side sending him sailing up and onto the same roof he was watching. If the Orc’s attack had landed blade first, he might have been bisected by the strength of the blow. Hani landed on his feet using his acrobatics skill and draining the last dregs of his mana bar. His acrobatics skill was at level nine allowing him to use mana to defy gravity and move in midair like it was solid ground. Even with that advantage that blow dropped his health bar down to twenty percent.

Hani used the break in the action to prepare an attack for when the Orc tried to climb up after him. He began swinging his hat around on the length of thin chain that led to the bell in his hand. If he could get a good shot at his wrist, he might be able to lop it off. That was when he heard a crash from below. The monster wasn’t going to climb up after him, the Orc intended to bring the building down around Hani.

Thinking quickly he ran to the other side of the building facing the main road. There he saw a giant ram with glowing horns on a rampage within a throng of goblins. They were being tossed left and right, trampled beneath its hooves. While that was strange, he also noticed several defenders and Deep Dwellers bunched up around a man with long white dreadlocks. They had gathered around him in a circle free of goblins. That was all he gathered before turning his attention back to the Orc smashing his way through the building below him.

He was out of mana, at least for all practical purposes. Jumping to the next building would throw off his pursuer but then it would just look for another victim. Hani had to get over to the defenders. That was the only way to stop this creature. He still didn’t know what a level thirty Orc was doing outside of the Deep Cavern.

Deacon heard was pleased with the work his summon was doing. The Goblins didn’t look like they could even hurt the thing. Their numbers started in the fifties before he called the ram and now, they were dwindling near the twenties. Those that were left were mostly in leather armor creating a semi-circle around it. They were harassing it with stones on one side while the other side attempted to stab it. Without enchanted weapons they wouldn’t be able to take the beast down.

“Alright, I’m all healed up now. Thanks for that,” Typhus said patting Deacon on the back.

While the ram was rampaging the remaining defenders were striking goblins that were being held at bay by Deacon’s power from within his aura. It was slow but they managed to whittle down the remaining unarmored Goblins. Several groups split off after being healed by Triage, to find others that were fighting outside of Deacon’s influence and bring them closer. One group returned with a bloody and beaten Ralph. Deacon immediately went to his friends aid. He was bruised all over and it looked like he had several broken ribs. His breathing was shallow and labored.

“Where is Tantus? He’s unconscious but he’s alive. He can’t accept my party invite like this and I don’t think we could force feed him the potions I have,” Deacon explained to Typhus.

“I’ll get him. Things seem to be calming down here. We haven’t seen him, Amanda, Hani, or Sophie since the walls fell,” replied Typhus before jumping into a nearby shadow and vanishing.

Tantus was panting with exertion holding up his magic shield. He was standing next to Sophie who held out a black sword dripping with ink. They were standing between two buildings that were on fire with a wall behind them. On the ground was a bleeding Amanda with one hand gripping a wound on her leg, a fat lip and another holding a dagger in reverse grip. Outside of the shield were no less than ten Goblins in leather armor. They had torches and several of them brandished blackjacks and cudgels.

Tantus and Sophie came across this unit of Goblins as they attempted to dog pile Amanda. That was when there were twenty of them. Several of them lay dead on the ground, there skin discolored and the contents of their stomachs sprayed out before them. There apparently was a cost to fighting this woman.

“Tantus, tell me you have a spell that can get us out of this alley way?” Sophie asked noting the timer on this ink sword was about to run out.

“If I did, I would have used it. If I use a wind spell right now it will just spread the fire to other buildings. At this rate all they need to do is ensure we can’t leave, and the fire will do the job for them,” replied Tantus, mind racing for an answer.

“Nonsense. We can take them, they’re just goblins,” said Amanda attempting to stand and failing.

“I’ve never even heard of Goblins acting this coordinated before. I mean look at their descriptions,” Sophie said sending the information through their limited party interface.

Goblin, Black Guard- These Goblins have been genetically altered to be a more cohesive fighting force. Through rigorous training in the Deep Cavern wars they have more developed combat skills and tactics than normal Goblins. With an Orc leader accompanying them, they no longer have a tendency to break ranks. Level 18/ Vat Goblin.

“Maybe I can adjust the shield letting one in at a time. No that’s dumb. I might be able to angle a lighting bolt but that would be my last spell. Who knew a long battle would drain so much mana?” joked Tantus getting a groan from Amanda.

“I’d rather you save your mana for healing Amanda. That way we can put up more of a fight. Unfortunately, that means you have to drop the shield, right?” asked Sophie straightening up and assuming a more leader like posture.

“Psst. Don’t look, just listen. Deacon is back and If I can get you all to him, he can add you to his party and heal you all at once. Give me a second to make a hole in there line. I’ll cause a distraction and that should allow you all to get out of this alley,” Typhus whispered from somewhere behind and to the left of Sophie.

Typhus had been waiting to resummon his shadow self. Now seemed like a good time. At the very least he could even the odds here a bit. He summoned his remaining mana and the doppelganger crawled out of the shadow next to him. This time it was more transparent than usual. That caused Typhus to pause and consider what happened to it earlier. Would it always be like this now? Did that blast of unholy energy damage him to this extent? He didn’t have time to question it. Typhus turned his head back to the line of Goblins just standing there waiting when Hani came sprinting by behind them.

“Don’t mind me. I’m just a distraction,” said Hain getting all the goblins’ attention.

This was shortly followed by a horrific crash coming from the opposite direction Hani was going. The Orc with the tower shield was chasing Hani down the street. The Goblins just stood there dumbfounded as their leader chased after a man in red and yellow garb prancing his way down the road. Typhus used this opportunity to slash the throats of both Goblins at either end of the line. That left eight of them against the party. In completely coordinated motions they split up into squads of four to cover each other’s backs. Sophie lunged forward at the nearest Goblin taking its head off but also catching a glancing slice across her forearm from the Goblin next in line. Tantus tried to use his shield like a plow pushing the armored Goblins ahead of him into each other. They may be more capable warriors, but they were still small humanoids.

That little bit of effort managed to break the stalemate and fights spilled out of the alley. It took another ten minutes before all the Goblins were dead. Tantus and Sophie helped carry Amanda away from the burning buildings and back toward the main road. Typhus went ahead to clear up any stragglers.

Hani burst out onto the main drag closely followed by the Orc. At this point, the Orc’s eyes were glowing red, and it was roaring as it ran. About thirty yards ahead of Hani was the circle of defenders finishing off what remained of the Goblins.

“A little help,” Hani called out pouring on the speed.

“The fuck is that?” Deacon asked as he saw the lumbering Orc behind Hani.

“That is the Orc we were talking about. He’s like a rampaging bull. That’s actually the first normal Orc thing we’ve seen it do. Something is wrong with these green skin. Oh shit, he’s not going to stop—” answered one of the Deep Dwellers before the Orc ran straight through the circle of protection knocking Hani to the ground and scattering the defenders with a wave of his shield in an arc in front of him.

The shield hit with such force that bodies flew everywhere. Deacon shot back about fifty feet landing on his ass. The Dispel Ram was nowhere in sight. Deacon assumed it took its orders seriously and when it ran out of Goblins here, it took looking for more. That left him staring at an irate Orc. He decided this might be a good time to inspect it.

Ferick, Sergeant of the Black Guard- Ferick earned his spot on the Black Guard leading his troops to victory after victory in the Deep Cavern. When the Dwarves who worship Hipag asked for volunteers he was first in line. Level 30/ Vat Orc, Paladin of Hipag Aspirant.

“Fuck, it has a specialization,” Deacon said getting to his feet.