A scream of pain left Acantha’s throat as the Ghar pierced her right shoulder with one of the horns on his head. Her vines were strong and body sturdy, but her lean figure was not built to endure direct hits. She was determined to stay put, however. The other Ghar was being strangled by her vines and she made sure he would not escape. The sun was going down and the last of it’s warmth shone on her face through the canopy. With the little attention she could spare, she focused on her shoulder. In anticipation of the next blow, she hardened her skin. The Ghar had moved back and shook his head to release the tension from his spine, he was determined to pierce the dryad in front of him. How hard could it be to cut down this bush? Again he lowered his head and aimed his horns towards Acantha. She braced herself. Her determination and sturdy skin served as her single defense. The Ghar launched himself with his strong goat-like legs and he shot towards the dryad who had easily captured his comrade, but was so bad at protecting herself. Acantha closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. She heard the soft thumps of trampling feet against the forest floor.
Expecting a penetrating blow at any moment Acantha startled when she realized she had only heard one, but not felt it. She opened her eyes and saw Morn had made their way to her and managed to cleave through the goat-mans side. Blood was rushing to leave his body. The Ghar pressed both his hands on the wound and shifted his attention to the yellow orc who caught him off guard. Being able to stand on their two feet, Morn would be able to handle his opponent easily. Morn readied their axe for another swing and raised their chin to assert dominance. The Ghar was too caught up in rage to notice that this time it was not a bluff. When the Ghar attacked them, they caught the horns on their arm. The Ghar took his distance to aim another attack. He saw the bleeding wounds on the orcs forearm and their wickedly smiling face behind it. Morns eyes were glistening with delight, they relished the joy of a good fight. If Morn had felt any pain, they weren’t showing it.
Next to Morn, Acantha was now able to concentrate her efforts on her captive. Despite his struggling, she was able to gently push the air out of his lungs. Slowly his attempts to fight her off became weaker. When they stopped, Acantha let go and the fierce warrior fell limply to the floor. She turned around to help Morn, but found the orc smiling. Were they having fun? That’s insane. Morn had made a lot of smaller cuts on his opponents body from which blood was dripping, leaving dark spots on the moss below. The battle was already over, but the Ghar continued to fight.
“Morn!” Acantha called out in a warning, a hint of despair resonated in her voice. She hoped to remind the orc that the fight was not a game. Besides, they were on a time limit.
Morn agreed that playtime was over. They pushed their weakened opponent to create some space to wield their axe. With a horizontal swing they decapitated the bloodied creature.
Acantha looked towards Jade, who sat next to the cut open Ghar. Blood stained her clothes and her face was contorted in pain. Acantha did not require further explanation.
“We won’t make it,” Jade offered unhelpfully, “We will have to find shelter nearby.” She did not get up, but instead twisted her head in an attempt to spot anything that could help them get safely through the night.
“You mean something like this?” Acantha took off her backpack and unfolded the canvas to show it had the shape of a tent.
Jade blinked meekly at the sudden, convenient reveal and responded simply: “That will do.”
Morn and Acantha set up the tent. Meanwhile, Glyndwask walked back. He set himself down inside the tent without a word. Proving once more that he truly was a man of silence. The light was slowly disappearing from the forest, making room for the night.
Jade retrieved her blade from where it had landed when Morn slashed it from her hands. Then, taking her time, she walked towards the tent.
“Is it ok if I take the last watch?” Jade didn’t wait for an answer and lied herself down besides Glyndwask. Falling asleep almost instantly.
Acantha looked at Morn and they quietly agreed Morn would take first watch and Acantha second. Acantha sat herself down next to the elf and let her feet take root in the soft forest soil. She closed her eyes and fell into a deep rewarding slumber after the exhausting day.
A few hours had passed when she was woken by Morn, who held a finger to their mouth and then by their ear, to indicate she should listen. Acantha listened, something was walking outside of their tent. It was talking to itself in a gentle, feminine voice: “Men? I’m looking for a man, a strong man. Where are you?” The voice came closer, Acantha felt a chill through her spine. The voice sounded empty, soulless, a primal longing resonated from it.
“Ahh, there you are..” the voice was now right next to the tent. Acantha looked at Morn and unease was spelled across their face. Something was awfully wrong and they knew it too. Both of them held their breath and hoped that Jade and Glyndwask would not stir in their sleep and make a sound that could draw attention. They heard a soft rustling of fabric and patient footsteps crept away.
“Oh my! You are quite handsome.” The voice sounded enthusiastic and inappropriately flirtatious. A loud snap followed like the breaking of a large branch. Then, a soft slurping noise and a grinding crunch as if someone was eating an apple made out of potato crisps. Without realizing it, Acantha had raised her hand to cover her mouth. The noise somehow made her nauseous. She was looking Morn in the eye and saw that they had understood as well as she did; whatever it was outside, it was eating the Ghar.