No Storm Lasts Forever, a DND inspired story, by Allan Concillado

Chapter Two: The Goblin Horde, Part Two

The party and the remaining mercenaries followed the river downstream. They reached the end at the waterfall and received a beautiful scenery of a "forest" of gems. Stalagmite gems stood as tall as trees and populated the earth in the thousands. Sorvex drooled.

"We could make money off of these crystals," Phil said, saying what Sorvex was about to say, the greed in Phil's voice apparent. "Let's go," He ordered and started to climb down the mountain towards the crystal forest. The rest of them started to climb down too.

As they reached the bottom, their breaths were stripped away as they gazed upon the many of if not the most beautiful crystals, shining as bright as the stars in the dark sky. At the roof of the cave was a humongous crystal. It acted as the sun of the cave as it shined the brightest. The place felt cold, but no wind came in the caves.

Sorvex started to pick up the crystals from the ground, but the moment it came into contact with the hero, the crystal quickly turned to glass. "What the hell?" Sorvex asked, extremely confused.

"Cursed i'd imagine," Phil said. He scratched his lightly bearded chin. "Ledias," He called her over, "pick up that crystal on the floor." He pointed at the small stalagmite crystal. She picked it up, but it didn't turn into glass. "Knew it." Phil muttered, his theory proved correct. "Seems like the crystal itself can detect the sin in a person's heart or mind, be it caused by the crystal itself or the natural sin of a person only allowing those without that impurity to grasp upon it without transforming," he looked at Ledias, "and since you're a Paladin, you're allowed to touch it due to your 'purity'."

She blushed when she heard that she could be pure of heart. The crystal turned into glass as lusty thoughts entered her mind. "Never mind," Phil said. She became slightly disappointed. They continued their journey through the stalagmite forest, still in awe at the scenery.

There was a faint orange glow in the distance. A fire was lit by the stalagmite crystals and a huge ogre sat by it. It was different than the others, so different they weren't sure whether they should classify it as an ogre or not. It was easily twenty feet tall and could possibly be recognized incorrectly as a hill giant if it didn't have its green skin and tusk. It sheathed a gigantic sword, as long as his leg, and a large javelin to its side. The javelin's blade was easily as tall as them, but slim.

"No point in trying to fight him if we can get away with it," Phil whispered. They all agreed without hesitation. They started to crawl away silently, but out of the corner of Ledias's eye, she saw the mercenaries approach the ogre. For some reason, Lily was there with the mercenaries, carrying a short sword too heavy for her to wield. The baby was gone, probably at the house already.

Commander Timber was there with his rapier drawn. He signaled someone to attack the sleeping ogre. Lily shook her head and said something, but he struck her after only a moment of her explaining herself. Tears streamed down her face as she was pushed forward to face the ogre. The mercenaries stifled their laughter as she approached the ogre and wet herself. She was wailing in fear as the ogre turned around and noticed her. It stood up and looked down at her in confusion. Lily stood there, quivering in fear. Her legs shook so badly, Ledias thought that they would break.

Ledias's eyes were filled with hot red anger. She gritted her teeth and her gauntlet glowed. "Wait, don't do it! It's too risky," Phil tried to reason with her, but she ignored him. She charged at the ogre.

The ogre, awakened from his slumber, found himself thankful for the meal right in front of him as he quickly attempted to snatch her before she could run. Lily screamed and closed her eyes, preparing for death.

"Divine Smith!" a familiar voice yelled. A huge explosion rang through the cavern. Lily opened her eyes and found Ledias stopping the Ogre's grasp. Her beautiful black hair waved through the explosion, her white clothes and armor making her look like an angel.