You've got company

Your eyes fail to process what you're looking at... The abomination, the former miner, had indeed fallen to its knees, and its head had fallen to the ground and rolled several feet away from the body. Only, the tentacles animating the body were still just as active as before. What's more, new stalks had grown from the stump of the creature's neck.

Which was hideous, of course, in its own right, but was not what had propelled Russ to charge toward you. At the edge of the lamp's illumination, you spot three more of the creatures barreling toward you with arms and other appendages outstretched. You could just barely fend off the first monster, and that was already rising to confront you once more, having easily shrugged off what should have been a fatal blow.

Maybe if you weren't in dark, unfamiliar caves, you'd have a chance to outrun them, but they'd be on you before you could reach the last turn, if you didn't knock yourself out cold by running face-first into a wall. Your only chance is to fight, side-by-side with Russ. There's just enough time for you to invoke the power of your goddess once more, filling your muscles with divine strength, and then the swordsman is by your side, and the monsters are upon you.

This combat is entirely different than the previous one. You were able to duel the creature you'd decapitated, but there is no room to single out an opponent, nor can you afford to over-extend or give too much ground. If you press your advantage while Russ is defending himself, you'll find yourself cut off and surrounded. Allow yourself to be driven back and your partner will likewise be stranded. Your opponents have the advantage of numbers, not to mention they are heedless of the wounds you inflict, so they can attack you as recklessly as they will.

It isn't hopeless, however, far from it. You've been well-trained, and your previous encounter has already taught you a great deal about how to defend yourself. Aided by the divine power of the Burning Rose, you're a **** to be reckoned with. Russ, for his part, impresses you almost at once. You're sure he studied your battle intently, as he not only is defending himself as skillfully as you, but is able to anticipate your movements, covering you when you push back, or are **** to give ground. He's agile, even more than you, but then his weapons complement the finesse of his movements. He's able to flick his slender blade several times around you to lop off attacking tentacles that were able to sneak past your defenses, opening up opportunities to cut gaping wounds with your blazing-hot, holy sword.

The battle is intense, but over in a only a few minutes. You drive the relic blade into the heart of each creature, chanting a prayer to the Burning Rose all the while, and their corpses are consumed in holy fire, putting the pitiful creatures to rest. Each of you are covered in sweat and gore, exhausted, but exhilarated from the thrill of fighting together.

"That was," Russ starts to speak, but you cut him off, with a smirk.

"Intense? Thanks, you weren't so bad yourself." The flirtation escaped your lips unbidden, but you realize you don't want to take it back. You sweep a lock of your sweat-streaked hair out of your eyes and settle your gaze on his body, his clothing sticking to his frame and showing off his lean musculature. You find yourself undressing him mentally, and you don't try to stop it.

He laughs after a moment. "Not quite the word I would have chosen, under the circumstances, but you were a sight to behold."

"I AM a sight," You correct him, fully intending to follow it up with some other banter, but the heat of the moment propels you into his arms and you're kissing him deeply. Growing up in an abbey, you were only remotely exposed to the connection between sex and ****, mostly through reading certain books which were frowned upon but not expressly forbidden. At this moment, you've never felt a natural lust so strong in your life - your devotion to your goddess is still important to you, but you could do without your vows.