You never forget your first dungeon

The sun had just reached the middle of the sky, when our group of young adventurers climbed the light hill. In front, their self assured leader Wert; by his side a beautiful Ola, followed by Pep. Two of their remaining friends showed up soon after, enjoying the sunny weather and pleasant wind. They joked around, standing and sitting, enjoying the view. All around them were green fields with tall grass and spare groups of trees, then, a mountain, their destination, to the north. Just the weather that calls you to spend the day outside.

One of the boys walked a bit back and looked down the hill they just climbed. “Hurry up, man. We are waiting for you.” He called.

Below him, a good few hundred meters, was Ben. He puffed and sweated as he carried all the adventurers' bags. Not for the first time he thought about summoning a few skeletons to take the baggage from him, but after his experience with the bandits and the looks guards were giving him afterwards, he decided to carry it by himself. He asked Wert why he had to carry all of them and Wert explained that the adventurers can’t get tired before the dungeon, so it was all up to Ben. He didn’t realize that going on an adventure would mean so much carrying, but at least he had friends now.

Finally, Ben managed to climb up the hill and join the others. He was out of breath and tired, then just as he was about to sit down, Wert smacked him on the shoulders: “Good job, Ben! We were waiting for you. Finally!” Then he turned to the rest of the group and called out: “Let’s go team!” And without a look at Ben they continued towards the mountain.

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An hour later, they stood by the beginning of the hill. The forest thinned a long time ago and nothing covered the huge gate built into the mountain. “Here we are, then,” Wert grinned at the group. They were all clearly excited, stretching their limbs, one of the boys even jumping up and down, unable to hold in the excitement. Even tired Ben, after carrying everything the whole way, felt his excitement returning.

“What’s waiting for us there?” Ben asked.

“Well,” Wert dragged a dramatic pause. “All kinds of things, you know… Goblins and beasts, traps and curses.” Wert looked around, making sure he had everyone’s attention, before adding in a quieter voice: “But… most important… the reason why we are here is…” He took a deep breath, “LOOT!” Everyone cheered, eyes on the dungeon door. There was nothing that would stop this group from getting themselves some sweet loot.

Not a minute later adventurers grouped up around Ben, taking the equipment he was carrying. “Hey, Ben,” Pep asked him. “Where is your weapon? You mage or something.”

“I guess,” Ben smiled.

“Then where is your staff?” Ola looked at him, raising an eyebrow.

“Ehm- I don-” Ben looked down, but before he could continue, Wert interrupted: “Doesn’t matter, right Ben?” He slapped Ben on the shoulder. “We will protect you, just need some help with carrying stuff.” Wert gestured at the empty bags in Ben’s arms.

“I guess,” Ola shrugged. Wert gave her a meaningful look and she left the pair, grumbling something under her breath.

Ben was about to tell Wert that he indeed was a mage, and did not need any staff, but before he could, Wert was already speaking to the crew. Few minutes later they entered the dungeon.

To Ben’s surprise, the dungeon wasn’t very dark or even that scary; the corridor they entered had crystals installed to the flattened sides. Each crystal emanated a warm light, making the dungeon entrance feel almost welcoming.

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The group continued deeper into the dungeon. Wert with warriors in their head, mages right behind them. Ben walked a few meters behind them, looking around, curious and utterly careless. He almost walked into Ola as the group rapidly stopped, before one of the inner dungeon rooms. She glared at him as he tried to apologize, but both of them were silenced as Wert started speaking, “Alright lads!” His gaze swept the room. “And the lady,” he added, winking at Ola. Rest of the group giggled as Ola grumbled under her breath. “We have been through this many times,” Wert continued. “The next chamber is just the first room. We usually get just a few goblins and skeletons, but!” Wert clapped his hands together. “That’s no reason to get careless. Keep your wits together, watch yourselves and your companions. Stay alive people!” The group cheered, weapons clanging, mana surging. “As for our newest member.” Wert looked at Ben. “Just stay in the back, alright Benny?”

Ben quickly nodded, he didn’t want to mess up his first adventure. “Alright then,” Wert finished. “Let’s move in.”

One of the boys moved behind the door and prepared to pull it open as the rest of the group formed into a battle formation. Wert took a deep breath and nodded at the boy holding the door. The boy pulled and the door swung open. The adventurers charged in Wert first, his sword high, prepared for anything and everything. Ben went in last, so he didn’t see the first encounter, but the moment he stepped in, the chaos unyielded in front of him.

As Wert predicted there were goblins already engaged with warriors. The green creatures growled and screeched as they clawed at the adventurers. But the young fighters knew their business and this was far from their first encounter with the gruesome monsters. Ben saw as one of the goblins tried to grab one of the warrior's legs, but the boy sidestepped just the right distance and slammed his club to the monster’s side. The goblin screeched and grabbed his side, stumbling back to the corner of the room, where he squeezed through a crack in the wall, disappearing into the darkness.

As Ben looked through the room, the rest of the green creatures fell under the same fate. The adventurers didn’t kill any goblins, but they didn’t have to. Once the goblin folk realized they couldn’t overwhelm the group they ran into the dungeon screaming curses as they fled.

The danger was gone. Except for one. Ben spun as he heard Ola yelping behind him, she was on the ground staring up at a menacing skeleton. Red, crystal-like eyes shined from the skeleton eyes as he raised his broken sword to strike her down.

Ben scratched his head. That was quite strange. Why was the skeleton so aggressive? He wasn’t used to skeletons showing any aggression, he played with them since he was a baby. He tried to wave at the skeleton and get his attention to tell him that Ola doesn’t like this game, but there was no help. Skeleton ignored him. Ben frowned, what a strange skeleton. He saw as the skeleton's hands started moving down, his sword about to strike Ola. Ben shrugged and snapped his fingers.

Ola’s frightened face turned into puzzlement as the danger in front of her dropped down into dust and bones. She got up to her legs, looking around, still trying to understand what happened when her eyes found Ben. He waved at her and smiled. She was about to say something, when both of their attention was drawn to Wert.

“Well done people!” He yelled. “Well done indeed,” he looked over the room. “Now let’s look at what those monsters left us.”

They found quite a fortune, judging by the adventurers' reactions. Ben wasn’t sure why they were so excited by a few bronze swords and shields, but he supposed if they are happy, he should be too. They knew better after all.

The group collected everything into the bags and Ben was about to grab one of them, when Wert stopped him. “Don’t worry about it Benny,” Wert grabbed the bag from him. “We can take it from here.” Then they all collected themselves and exited the room, when Wert stopped and slapped his forehead. “Ah, I forgot…” He looked down at Ben. I left my sword there, could you get it Benny?”

“Sure,” Ben beamed, happy to be useful again.

He rushed back into the room and started looking around, “are you sure, it’s here?” He called over his shoulder. But nothing came in an answer. He turned and saw the door closing.

“I am sorry Benny, thanks for help.” he heard Wert call before the door shut.