John
*As he took a deep breath as they went around the corner with him as lead he sees the skull and the torch inside the human skull he decided he needed to lite his later even if it gave him away it was better then being ambushed in pitch black where he couldn't see, he lit his lantern and it illuminated itself, brightly but only a little dimmer than that of a torch,. As he sees the totems of various animal carcasses and human alike he felt sick, this made him sick, disgusted and full of hate, he looked around and saw it was enough space to draw his sword he unsheathes it and holds it Infront of him for thrusts attacks and his left free fist clenched tightly his white knuckles forming and becoming a little harder as he squeezed. He looked around and walked around the the opening to see if there was another opening as goblins set traps and fake opening for rookie adventurer's.*

"These beings are savages and that's all they know is savagery. That's why they spend more time killing each other than fighting others. But every once in awhile they get close to borders of civilization like this. Not to worry mate, we'll make sure this lot never does this to anyone again."
*Erdthand followed Faedon further into the caves.*

`"I only been to a few quests in the mountains I done them alone, as a rookie adventurer it was a tough to kill my way through even just 6 of them alone they are small, but they are as strong as a human, and quicker then us."`

*He kept going as the dark cave was making him scared his heart was racing slightly faster budum budum budum... But he wouldn't let his fear be known to the merc.*

"Nah, mate. That was the work of orcs not goblins, though I'm sure they went along with it. Goblins are opportunistic in nature, but when an orc strong arms them, they become submissive to it. We might find more of this the further we go, be ready."

`"You if orcs are in these mountains how many do you think there are I haven't faced any orcs before only goblins and a few bandits what even is an orc."`

*He asked seemingly oblivious to what an orc was*

"Dunno, hard to tell. Could be 1, could be 10. From this shoddy craftsmanship I'd say 3. But can't be too certain. Keep your wits about you, we might be close to their hideout. You'll know when you smell it."

*Was still confused about what orcs were how big were they how strong were orcs?*

`"What are orcs? How strong are they? If orcs could strong on goblins how many goblins can one orc strong arm?"`

*He asked with a flurry of questions back to back as he began to grow impatient as he picked up the pace slightly traveling in this cave winding around deeper sometimes straight it would mean more time to get back out the higher chances of getting lost.*

"Orcs, are the most savage humanoid on the planet. They are stronger than the average person and it only takes one single orc to run an army of goblins. Orcs have the same mindset as goblins when it comes the leadership. The biggest orc is their boss and calls the shots."

*Paused for a few moments before speaking again.*

`"So there basically like hobgoblins but a bit smarter?"

*He asked as his concentration ahead had been broken his heart began to slowly return to normal pumping he was still extremely stressed out he took his eyes off the path ahead for a few moments to turn to speak to the Merc*

`"This cave is running to deep... To... To... Deep an army may be waiting for us."`

"Relax lad, we got this. For your question. Fuck no, Orcs are as stupid as they come, all they have is pure savage instinct. Sure you'll get a Diamond in the rough at times, but the majority are so unbelievably stupid they couldn't find their own ass."

`"Alright then not much to worry about..."`

*He says as his lantern lit the pathway in the darkest they had been walking for around 15 minutes going deeper into the deeper into the mountain he would start to grow suspicious of the man what if he planned to kill him here? Where no one would know? Scary thought for him.*

*The merc sniffed and stopped in his tracks.* 
"We're here. Should be around the right corner where the next light is coming from. This is it."

*Walked towards the corner his sword arm was getting tired carrying his sword for the entire walk, but as he was told it should be right around the corner his adrenaline began to pick up, and his heart began to beat faster it felt like each step took forever to get there his hand was shaking slightly but he hid it from the mercs view.*

*The Merc swiftly breached around the corner, ready to fight but was met with surprise instead.*
"Lad, something beat us to it."
*In front of him, two goblin guards had been ripped clean open with what appeared to be ice sickles impaled into their eyes.*

*As they made it around the corner he raised his sword he didn't feel like revealing any of his abilities so his sword remained the same.*

`"Another Adventurer beat us to it maybe?"`

*As Faedon mentioned that, a moan came from deep within the cave.*
"OH SHIT." *The Merc whispered.*
"Back to the corner lad, we've got a bigger issue." 
*Erdthand quickly went back to the corner where we just were and was breathing hard.*

*As he heard a moan from deep within the cave he backed away slowly with his sword Infront of him in a ready position.*
`"It sounded like a moan of pain... We should go see if what it is...?"`
*He didn't understand why the Merc was breathing heavy what could be in there that made the Merc break his nerve.*

"Lad, ever heard of a shade?"

`"Never heard of a shade at all I'm a new adventurer most of these things are new it has been hard trying to join a competent crew and not running suicide missions."`

*He says with a sigh as he lowers his sword to reserve his energy.*

"Well lad, shades are poor fuckers that were once human but dark magic corrupted their souls. So they wanted about preaching the coming of their "Dark god". This one must've wandered in the caves and has been here for quite awhile and evolved to an ice shade that has ice magic in addition to what it already has."

`"We came here to clear out the goblins... It did our job for us what do we gain from fighting this? Or do we even have to fight it...?"`

*He asked as he looked straight ahead he couldn't see the shade at all his later only provided a bubble of light.*

"Good question lad. Chances are the shade won't leave here. It's grown accustomed to the mountains. So, here's what's going to happen and we need to do this quietly. Shades are fast fuckers, if that thing even catches wind of us it's going to get bloody. Cut off one of the Goblin's heads as proof. We take it back to Dimeria and get our coin."

*Nods his hands were sweaty and nervous as he knelt beside one of the goblins he lowered it head down and rose his sword and cut down slicing the goblins head off catching it's head with his free hand blood would drop from the goblins severed head on the ground his eyes widened as he looked at the Merc it couldn't be enough to see the shade off right? They needed just a head he did it quietly...*

"Good, now let's carefully make our exit so we don't disturb the fucked."

*Moves his sword around to his hilt on his left side the tip of his sword chink! Sparks went flying as it hit a rock/wall from it's length the loud sound echoed through the cave he froze as he took a deep breath feeling like he messed up his feet shifted ready to start sprinting down the cave, or to be ready to reposition to fight*

"Oh shit. RUN!" 
*The merc began to sprint as fast as he could ducking through the narrow spaces.*
"We need to get outside, now!"
Grace
*The moan that was heard deep within the caves turned into a scream as the sound of ice crunching was rapidly approaching Faedon.*
John
*As the merc began to sprint out the cave his boots, squelched from the rubber and leather he took off down the cave trying to keep up with the Merc this wasn't looking to good for him, he didn't have night vision and didn't have the chance to sheathe his sword yet his later lit the path Infront of him every few feet as he was running he would occasionally bump into the walls and have to keep moving taking the scratches and bumps, they had walked half an hour to get in this deep how long until they get out his heart was pacing adrenaline pumping as his feet carried him as fast as he could run which was still slower then the Merc the scream curdled his blood sent shivers down his spine*

*The merc kept sprinting toward the exit as if he were in a Scooby-Doo cartoon running away from a monster.*
Grace
*The scream echoed through the tunnels again as the sound of ice crunching grew ever louder.*
John
*Had lost sight of the Merc as her had ran to far from the lantern his breaths were getting heavy he pants heavily as he runs his armor and sword was weighing him down he could hear the steps getting louder and closer he felt like he needed a break his breaths were winded as he kept moving*

*Erdthand made it out just around the corner where the pair started out with and waited to any sign of Faedon.*

*Pants as sweat began to fall from the tips of his hair panting heavily his heart racing fast he turned around and rose his sword as he couldn't run anymore he sheathed his blade and steps into his boxing stance, opens his palms as his blood magic swirled around them before infusing with his knuckles he put his hands up ready to hold his ground.*
Grace
*The sound of ice hitting ground was upon him as the shade finally caught up to him. It saw he had a weapon and slowly inched forward to him, making a painful gurgling noise.*
John
*As the thing got closer he tightened his fists he had sheathed his sword but he knew this was better then swinging a sword in these tight caves, he moved a little side to side with his boxing stance so it would be harder to hit him he waited for the creatures first move.*
Grace
*The shade hissed at him and raised its hand.*
*Then Faedon would feel a hard tug on his collar as he would be sent down to the floor as ice shards flew from the creature's hand and into the cave wall. Then Faedon's body would be slid backwards as the Merc got in front of the ice shade, grabbed its arm and twisted it in a way it couldn't fire the shards off anymore.*
John
"Run mate, go! I've got this bastard."

*He saw the beast rasing it hand he stepped forward using his blood step to close the distance but before his boot hit the ground he was grabbed by his collar he was thrown to the ground shattering his lantern, as ice shards flew across to the cave wall the man saved his life he was confused as he slid backwards turning to his side he saw the Merc and knew he was outmatched if he couldn't see those ice shards coming he began to get to his feet and run through the cave using his hands to guide him as they were scrapping against the rock walls as he had to run without a lantern and didn't want to run flat into a cave wall*
Grace
*The creature screamed at its attacker as it tried to shoot ice shards into Erdthand but instead shot into the ceilings and wall instead.*
John
*The merc wrestled the creature to the ground using its own weight against it as he began punching the creature's face with his black gauntlets sending ice chunks flying off the creature's face. Then he would throw it against the cave wall and pinned it down by getting on top of it and holding its icy arms in a way it couldn't shoot him anymore as he began applying pressure to said arms to break them.*

*Panted as he kept running throughout the cave he managed to reach the area with the human skull and torch inside it he could take the torch to the lite his path he looked at around to make sure they're was nothing they're he could hear the battle going on he felt anxious he couldn't leave him alone but he wasn't strong enough to kill or fight that beast.*
Grace
*The creature screamed in agony as it felt it's arms being almost pulled apart. It kicked the merc in the back with its icy legs sending the merc forward but in the process the merc broke its arms which sent the creature sprawling on the floor wailing about its arms.*
John
*Erdthand saw it's opportunity and fled away from the grisly sight, sprinting toward the cave entrance.* 
"Shit, shit shit."

*Took the torch out from the skull and used it to wave it around he sighed of some relief that there was no goblins that came here after they went in he waited for the Merc still nervous hoping he survived.*

*The merc would be seen running through the passages toward Faedon. Once he reached him he would pick Faedon up under his arm like a football player as he sprinting toward the continued toward the cave's entrance.*

*Dropped the torch as he was picked up like a doll he would be startled for a bit until he manages to get his feet to the ground and began to run behind the Merc once more once they made it out he placed his hands on his knees to catch his breath once more it would be as if they had ran a marathon.*

`"What happened back there..?"`

"Don't ask mate, just keep running. I don't know how long it's going to be on the floor."

*Nods as he hears something he hears faint screams coming from one of the other caves of goblins being slain and something else creatures he didn't know what was fighting in the caves.*

`"We are already outside the caves if it follows us out here I can draw my sword and then we can fight it on even ground we can't let it go to the local villages it's really pissed off now."`

"They're wanderers lad. If this one is in the mountains it will probably stay here. Besides I broke its arms."
*The merc unsheathed his black great sword and stabbed it into the roof of the cave entrance collapsing it on itself.*
"It will probably die in there and if not it'll kill the less intelligent beings that reside in these mountains. Our work here is done. You have that head?"

*Nods and sighs of relief watching the cave entrance collapse in on itself it made his nerves calm down*

`"Yes it's right here."`

*He pulls the head out of his bag and offers it to the dragon hunter.*

`"I will meet with you in dimeria I have to do something or if you wish to wait for me here or come with me I'll be happy to have you, I want to go in the cave systems over there."`

*He points to the cave systems where the noises of a battle is taking place.*

`"It might be adventurers in trouble."`

*He said softly.*

*The merc placed a hand on Faedon's shoulder.* 
"No mate. Any human in these caves are already dead or dying. Come let's turn that in and collect our coin, and get out this fucking cold."

*Lowers his head and nods before accepting it they would now be heading back to the city of dimeria to collect there coin.*

`"Then I should at least thank you for saving my life."`

*He smiles softly.*