on rocky sub-terrain

The torch flickered in the darkness, casting light and shadows as far as the beams could reach. As Alex scanned his surroundings he could tell that the chamber was quite a lot larger than he had thought it might be. He carefully picked his way onto the summit of another rock slab that jutted up from the haphazard floor decor. "I think," he spoke as reached his chosen vantage point, "That this was once an underground lake."

"You think? Can you be sure?" Raven's voice gave only a light echo.

"The ceiling of the cavern collapsed, so there's no way to be sure without removing all the fallen stone. But the moisture in the cave is quite high and the size is enormous, I still can't see the far end even from out here."

"Are the stones useful?"

"All stones are useful depending on how you use them." Alex replied.

"Same with people." Demon jibed, "Some people can't make a fire."

"Oi!" Raven reacted, "You yourself said it was harder to make a torch than it looked."

"Incorrect, I said that Master makes it look easier than it is."

"Well forgive me for not being Alex."

"One of him is enough. So you are forgiven."

Alex sighed and continued to pick his way forward with great care. He could see his way around, however the rocks were still quite slick in places and some of them were precarious enough to shift under the weight of a single man. As nimble and light footed as Alex tried his best to be more than once the stones shifted under his weight, mostly they just rocked in place, but other times they would shift with loud scrape.

In the expanse of the cavern every little noise echoed and the louder once rumbled. Even with the enhanced eyesight Alex couldn't see the ceiling in some places directly above him and neither could he see clearly what was beneath the rubble anywhere.

At length Alex found a large rock about the size of his head and an even larger gap in the rocks where he dropped it listening to the sound of the rock rolling and falling until he was finally met with the reverberating sound of a plunk as the rock falling into water.

Satisfied with the confirmation that this expanse was in fact home to an underground lake Alex began to pick his way carefully back towards the other light source that marked his entrance and exit point to the chamber. A little less gingerly than before Alex leapt across the unstable terrain ignoring the echos of his movements.

Alex hadn't gone very far thought before Demon called to him in alarm, "Master move faster! There are things coming!"

Without becoming reckless Alex accelerated his movements and called back, "Do you know what's coming?"

"No. But there are A LOT of minds coming. Too simple to be people, but too smart to be animals. They're thinking the sound means food."

Alex cursed and drew the sword from his belt, "Get the rope ready for me."

From the far side of the cave came the sound of howls and shrieks, as shrill as they were savage.

Alex looked at the distance he had left to go and cursed again, he wouldn't make it up a rope in time. With all his strength he took one final leap as far as he could go before turning to face the oncoming throng. Backing his way up carefully the large incline to give himself as much advantage as he could.

In the dark the a crashing wave of eyes became visible reflecting back the light. From the way they surged it was obvious that they were very adapt at moving through the dark, and their movements slowed as they drew closer to the light.

It had been year since Alex had faced this foe willingly. Individually they weren't much more dangerous than a malicious the malicious child they resembled, but they were rarely alone. If you ever saw just one Goblin you could always be sure that there were many more nearby. They never exposed themselves to the light unless they were many, and in this light many was the estimate that Alex could give.

Goblins lived in darkness, and the light hurt their eyes so they would hold back until they could adjust to the pain, however long that might be. But it gave Alex greatly valued time he needed to asses the situation, on the chance he could find a way out of the overwhelming odds before him. Various **** plans flashed through his mind and were tossed aside as quickly as they appeared.

(Feed me.)

(No)

(Feed ME!)

(No.)

(FEED ME OR DIE!)

(Not happening!) Alex shot back despite the desperation he and Demon were both feeling.

"Well shit!" Raven breathed as he realized the enormity of the situation more slowly than Alex and Demon had.

Alex knew that the Goblins couldn't kill him for long, but he also knew he would return to life in various pieces only to keep dying until he could be put back together enough to find a healer. Demon was not a suitable healer, and neither was was a priest for the gods of **** and Chaos. If this went badly, it would go very badly, but letting Demon jump into the fray was an absolute last resort, if they both died...that was it, they would both die.

Raven again spoke, "I hope this works."