RAVEN'S GAMBIT

The weight of the warhammer Whelm was significant, both in mass and aura. Theron Blackroot turned the ancient weapon over in his hands, his brow furrowed as he felt the faint hum of divine energy inside. It pulsed with power, like a heartbeat waiting to strike.

While Theron studied, the warband set up a makeshift camp in the warm, phosphorescent-lit caverns near the fallen vampire's lair. No fires were needed here—the heat from below sufficed. Healers moved silently, binding wounds and murmuring prayers.

Near dawn, Elowyn Mosswhisper gasped awake with a ragged breath. Her skin remained pale, her voice hoarse, but life had returned. She clutched Brother Tetsuro’s sleeve weakly, her eyes brimming with gratitude before exhaustion stole her back into a gentle sleep.

After breaking camp, the company returned through the sphinx chamber and took the northern corridor—a path left untouched. The air grew damp again. The brackish water rose to their calves.

Scouts signaled for silence.

To the right, a large alcove yawned open—a shallow bowl of water and rot. Beyond it, the corridor widened into a massive, flooded chamber, bodies drifting face down in still water.

“Looks like we found our missing allies,” Lira Valesong whispered grimly.

Across the chamber, stairs rose out of the murk, leading to an arched doorway. Another, smaller door rested on the eastern wall.

“What do you think killed them all?” Lira asked.

“I don’t know,” said Hachiro Noboru, “but I recommend we find out before we begin burial.”

A low splash echoed from across the way.

From the dark waters near the far stairs, a green-skinned, wart-covered female creature emerged. She grinned wide, teeth yellow and jagged.

“Who are you?” Hachiro demanded.

But the sea hag only laughed—a shrieking, bone-chilling cackle that rolled over them like a wave of dread.

Lira, Kael Emberblood, Brother Tetsuro, Bull Dawson, Lin of the Whispering Wind, Elaren, Trix, Taya, and Brick McGraw staggered under the sea hag’s gaze.

Lin collapsed, unconscious and sinking into the water.

“I got her!” shouted Marcus 'Tank' Rourke, pulling her free and slinging her over his shoulder.

The hag laughed louder.

Hachiro and Thog tried to charge—but sank suddenly, discovering the floor dropped away. Hachiro managed to swim. Thog, submerged, clenched his eyes shut, resisting the water’s magic.

From below, massive pincers erupted, grabbing both men and crushing ribs with monstrous force.

“KIAI!” Hachiro roared underwater, slashing blindly. Blood clouded the water.

Thog snarled and swung wildly, striking nothing but silt.

Lira fired, her arrow hitting the hag’s shoulder.

Kael hurled a javelin, but it sank short.

Theron’s Eldritch Blast struck true, burning into the hag’s chest.Kaela Virell’s magic missile ended it—the hag screamed once and fell lifeless into the water.

A moment of silence—

Then the true horror emerged.

A monstrous crustacean-like abomination, dripping with tentacles and mandibles, rose from the deep.

It grabbed Lira and Kael.

Lira screamed as the pincer crushed her.Kael Emberblood was torn in half.

Hachiro and Thog, still entangled in the creature’s tentacles, fought to break free—but could not.

Lira cast a healing spell upon herself, trying to survive another moment.

Theron blasted the monster, chipping its exoskeleton.

Elowyn launched a slingstone, while Varek Duskwither hexed the beast.

Kaela, Kale, and a host of spellcasters hurled magic missiles.

Khopesh, the mummy, surfaced, slamming but missing. Tavrix 'Whisper' Malen cast Color Spray, stunning the creature. Brother Tetsuro’s nagata cracked through armor.

Bull Dawson’s revolver blasted a chunk of shell.

Dr. Finch fired his derringer.

Jahari, Talia, Elric, and others sent arrows and bolts.

Then—Tessa 'Quickfingers' Vell, hiding in the shadows, let loose a single, precise arrow—

The shaft struck deep into the creature’s eye.

It shrieked, convulsed… and fell.

It released its captives, vanishing beneath the bloody waters.

Those in the deep swam to safety. Healers rushed to the wounded.

The fallen were gathered.

The adjoining rooms yielded small treasures, but no more horrors. The company turned back.

Outside the mountain, with aching bodies and heavy hearts, they gave proper burials to the fallen.

And though their numbers had thinned—Their resolve had not.

TO BE CONTINUED...