Realm of shadows: The enchanted dungeon

Sebastian, followed by Roland and his team—Liam and Markus—ventured deeper into the mysterious depths of the Enchanted Forest. The dense foliage surrounded them, creating a humid and stifling atmosphere. Rays of sunlight struggled to penetrate the thick canopy, casting shimmering patches of light on the moss-covered path. The air smelled of damp earth, mushrooms, and a faint, wild animal scent. The silence was broken only by the chirping of birds and the rustling of wind through the leaves.

They had barely traveled a hundred yards when a sharp screech shattered the tranquility. A wave of goblins burst from the ferns, their bloodshot eyes gleaming with primal rage. Their guttural growls echoed in the humid air, mingling with the stench of sweat and unwashed skin that emanated from them. They brandished crudely carved wooden clubs and rusty knives, advancing with blind fury.

"Roland, behind you!" Sebastian shouted, his heart pounding in his chest.

Roland spun on his heel just in time to parry a blow with his sword. The clash of metal against wood echoed through the forest. "Thanks, Sebastian! Stay sharp!"

Liam, with the agility of a wildcat, weaved between the goblins, his twin blades slicing through the air with deadly precision. One of his daggers left a deep gash on a goblin's arm, dark blood splattering the leaves. But in the exchange, he felt a sharp pain in his own arm. A goblin had raked him with claws as sharp as razors.

"Damn it!" Liam grunted, gritting his teeth as he clutched his arm. Blood stained the sleeve of his tunic.

Sebastian rushed to his side, rummaging through his satchel. "Let me see that, Liam." He examined the wound, which was bleeding profusely. I need something to stop the bleeding, he thought, as he pulled a handful of broad, green leaves from a plant. He quickly crushed them with a stone and applied them to the wound. "Press here," he instructed Liam.

While Sebastian tended to Liam, Markus faced the brunt of the goblin assault. With each swing of his massive sword, he pushed back several enemies, but the horde was relentless. A club slammed into his shoulder, making him stagger. A groan of pain escaped his lips.

"Markus, are you alright?" Sebastian asked, his voice laced with concern.

Markus gritted his teeth, his face contorted with effort. "I can manage," he replied in a hoarse voice, though his arm hung limply at his side.

Sebastian frantically searched his bag, finally finding a small vial filled with a greenish ointment. He approached Markus and applied the ointment to his shoulder. "This will ease the pain, but you need to rest after this."

The battle raged on, a chaos of screams, growls, and the clang of metal against bone. Sebastian fired arrows tipped with an extract from a paralyzing plant, watching with satisfaction as several goblins stumbled and fell to the ground, giving his companions the chance to finish them off.

Gradually, the number of goblins began to dwindle. Finally, the last one fell, leaving a tense silence in the forest. The three of them breathed heavily, their bodies aching and covered in sweat and blood.

Roland leaned on his sword, panting. "We… we did it."

Sebastian nodded, feeling a tremor in his hands. He looked at Liam, who was pressing his injured arm, and at Markus, who was holding his shoulder in pain. "Yes. But… we need to tend to those wounds before we go on."

Markus nodded with a grunt. "You're right. I need to rest this shoulder."

Liam examined his arm, frowning. "Damn it. This cut's going to bother me for a while."

Sebastian approached them, ready to apply more herbs and ointments. The battle was over, but the consequences lingered. The bond between them had strengthened through adversity, but it was still fragile and needed time to solidify.