The road back to town stretched gray beneath the pale dawn. The scouts walked in silence, each step heavy with exhaustion.
Brenna limped, her shield arm bandaged tightly. Jaren stormed ahead, jaw clenched, muttering curses under his breath. Only Elira lingered behind, her gaze drifting often to the forest they had left.
She could still hear Luminus's voice in the mist.
*We are not monsters… we are people.*
But those words had not swayed Jaren. His pride burned hotter than reason.
When the gates of Darrowfell town came into sight, relief spread across Brenna's tired face. Villagers bustled around the outer market, unaware that a story of monsters—true or twisted—was about to take root.
Inside the guild hall, the four scouts stood before the oak counter. Guildmaster Halric, broad-shouldered and scarred, raised an eyebrow at their battered state.
"Well?" he asked. "Did you find the slime?"
Jaren slammed the broken spearhead onto the counter. "We found more than a slime. We found a damned army."
Gasps rose from nearby adventurers. Halric's eyes narrowed.
"Explain."
Jaren's voice was fierce. "A slime that speaks. Commands goblins and wolves as if they were soldiers. They ambushed us on the ridge. Nearly killed us."
Murmurs broke into the hall. Some laughed in disbelief, others whispered uneasily.
Elira clenched her fists, her throat tight. She wanted to shout that it wasn't true—that Luminus had *stopped* them from killing, that he had offered peace. But her voice stuck.
If she defended him now, before the whole guild… suspicion would fall on her. She would be branded a traitor.
So she stayed silent.
Halric studied them a long moment before grunting. "If your tale's true, the guild will decide how to respond. For now, rest. You'll be called when needed."
As they stepped away, Elira's thoughts churned. She knew what would come next—more adventurers, stronger ones, marching into the forest.
And when that day came, she would have to choose.
---
**The Forest in Recovery**
Back in the village, the mood was both triumphant and uneasy.
The goblins cheered their first victory over humans, but Mira's healing tents were full. Wolves limped back from patrol, their fur stained red. Even Kairn's booming laugh carried a grim edge.
Luminus stood at the center of it all, absorbing the atmosphere like a weight on his shoulders.
"Chief," Tarin said quietly, joining him at the fire. "They'll return. You know that."
"Yes," Luminus admitted. His gaze drifted to the treetops. "The question is how long we have."
Zerath shuffled forward, leaning on his staff. "The humans are many. They spread like fire through dry grass. But fire can be guided, if one knows how the wind blows."
Mira frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Rumor," the old goblin said. "Stories spread faster than soldiers march. If the humans' tale twists one way, we are beasts to be culled. If it twists another… perhaps allies to be sought."
Luminus felt the truth of it settle in his chest. But how could he shape a story beyond the forest, when he could barely hold his people together here?
For now, survival had to come first.
---
**Drills and Doubts**
The next days passed in relentless training.
Kairn hammered his goblins harder than ever, his voice raw from shouting. "Again! Shields high! Don't falter or you'll be meat for their blades!"
Rugo's wolves doubled patrols, their howls echoing every dusk. Scouts reported human movement near the edges, though none dared enter yet.
Mira worked day and night with her healers, patching wounds and reinforcing armor. She often looked toward Luminus, worry deep in her eyes.
"Do you really think words will work?" she asked quietly one evening, binding a young goblin's arm.
Luminus hesitated. "I don't know. But I have to try. If war comes… too many will die."
Kairn overheard, scoffing loudly. "Naïve. Humans don't see us as equals. You'll learn that soon enough."
But Luminus only looked at him with quiet resolve. "Maybe. But I'd rather try and fail than never try at all."
Kairn shook his head, muttering, "That kind of hope gets people killed."
---
**In the Shadows of Town**
Meanwhile, Elira sat alone in her room at the guild's inn, her journal open before her. By candlelight, she wrote:
*Day 17 in the forest.
The slime spoke again. His words were clear, measured, almost human. No—not almost. Entirely. He seeks peace. He restrained his people when we attacked. If he wished, he could have slaughtered us… but he didn't.*
Her hand trembled.
*And yet, Jaren sees only a monster. The guild will send more. Stronger. How can I make them understand?*
She closed the journal quickly when footsteps passed her door. She could not let anyone see her notes.
But her heart already knew the truth: soon she would have to choose between her companions… and the slime who wanted only peace.
---
**The Gathering Storm**
Back in Darrowfell, whispers spread.
"A slime that speaks?"
"Ridiculous."
"No, I heard it from Jaren himself—commands goblins and wolves."
"They say it's building a kingdom."
The rumors grew with each telling, until they reached the ears of merchants, nobles, even the town's magistrate. Pressure fell on the guild to act.
Halric summoned his captains. "If this slime unites monsters, it becomes a threat to trade, to safety, to everything. We can't ignore it. Form a hunting party."
Within days, word spread that gold-ranked adventurers were being called. Not mere scouts this time, but true raiders.
And Elira, standing at the edge of the hall, felt her stomach sink.
*Luminus… they're coming.*
---
**The Night of Resolve**
That same night, in the heart of the forest, Luminus sat beneath the great oak where he had first awakened. The village slept, save for the low growls of wolves on patrol.
Zerath appeared, as silent as shadow. "You worry, Chief."
Luminus gave a small smile. "Always."
The old goblin's eyes glowed faintly. "A leader must. But remember—fear and hope are two sides of the same coin. Which one you show will decide which your people carry."
Luminus looked toward the stars peeking through the branches. "Then I'll carry hope. Even if it's heavy."
In the distance, an owl hooted. The forest seemed to listen.
And though he did not know it, in that same moment Elira stood at her window, gazing out into the night, wishing she could warn him.
---
**Foreshadowing the Raid**
By dawn, the guild's call-to-arms had begun. Adventurers sharpened blades, checked armor, readied spells. Among them, Jaren boasted loudly of the hunt to come, while Brenna listened in silence, unease flickering in her eyes.
Elira tightened her cloak, her decision pressing closer with every heartbeat.
The storm was coming.
And in the forest, Luminus felt the wind shift.
He knew the next clash would not be scouts. It would be an army.
And this time, mercy might not be enough.