Even as the holy light faded into the all-consuming darkness of the cave, even as wishful little droplets melted from the frozen goblins, mixing with their black blood in convoluted abstractness, I couldn't stop staring at Tia; I was completely entranced. I couldn't stop wondering how one person could be so perfect.
It wasn't just his power as a priest, or a druid, or even a healer. It wasn't just the way his golden hair glistened in the light, or how his lustful, icy eyes hypnotized me. It wasn't just his adorable innocence or shy demeanor, nor was it simply his perfect porcelain skin, or the entirely too seductive curves of his hips and thighs.
Every little thing about him was… perfect.
I wanted him in my party forever, for he was the only healer I could ever need, but I couldn't deny that I wanted him as more than just that. Holding his hand just now simply wasn't enough; I wished to divulge every lewd secret his body had to offer.
Tia noticed my staring; scarlet red bloomed across his cheeks as his eyes met mine. His usual timidity seemed entirely gone as his gaze locked with mine, intensely and passionately.
His expression seemed to express a thanks to me; for believing in him, protecting him, or just for holding his dainty hand in mine, I couldn't tell, but the feelings his look created in my heart I knew all too well.
I couldn't help but to smile, and he did too. The innocent smile that graced his lips was in that moment the only thing I could ever desire.
"Let's keep moving." Kyros blurted out, drawing me back into the reality of the damp cave walls around us, and the undead, or rather dead goblins that lay at our feet.
"You're right," I responded, reluctantly turning away from Tia to answer the assassin, "We don't know how many more of these things there are, or what demonic magic is at play here. We need to turn back and inform the guild of the undead that crawl here. It's not safe for our new party member anymore."
Kyros scoffed. He was examining the bodies of the undead intensely; his macabre interest in necromancy was surely being satisfied at the moment, and he almost certainly wished to continue our exhibition further into the dungeon.
Tia blushed, not sure how to respond to my order, but Amethyst interjected on his part. "He just killed 10 undead singlehandedly, and you say he's not safe? Without him we would be dead, hmmm, or at least you would be... It sounds like you're just scared!" She ended mockingly, which even caused the assassin to grin.
"Yes, I know his talent as a healer is incredible; that's why we chose him to join our party, but he's still a new adventurer, it's our responsibility to keep him safe as he trains. If we continue deeper into this dungeon, we don't know-"
"I…" Tia cut me off, his cheeks ablaze from the compliments on his ability, "I want to keep going… D-Draven, please."
"Tia, please understand I need to keep you safe. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you down here."
"You will protect me, I know… 'As long as you stand beside me, I'll keep you safe.' Isn't that what you told me, silly?"
I couldn't respond; his eyes, great blue moons, gazed upon me with such genuine adoration that my heart couldn't deny his request.
"Don't worry, captain, I'll make sure none of these ugly little creatures lay a hand on him," Amethyst added, giving me a somewhat sarcastic slap on the back before turning to grab Tia by the arm and dragging him deeper into the cave. "Onward!" She exclaimed dramatically as she did so.
Kyros, who had somehow found time to collect a few severed fingers from the dead goblins, gave me a nod before following the other two into the darkness.
Those two really don't respect me at all…
"I'm still the party leader!!" I bellowed as I set off behind them.
Thankfully, our journey into the deeper parts of the dungeon was much more uneventful. After Amethyst's mutiny, we continued through the cave following the mostly straightforward path, only being met with a single crossroads, where we again decided to continue downwards by the way marked with the foreboding demonic sigil.
The dungeon was larger than we expected, so after an unknown time of walking we found a somewhat agreeable section in the cave to take a much-needed rest and enjoy the last of our dried meat. The battle earlier had inflamed our appetites, so our rations lasted mere minutes into our feast. Despite Tia's petite stature, he seemed to eat more than anyone else did, which gave the party a good laugh.
But our rest couldn't last long, and we set off once again, guided by the priest's Holy Lantern downward into the belly of the unholy dungeon.
After some time, suddenly the party reached its fated destination.
The cramped walls of black stone grew outward, forming a large empty cavern which gave way to the final obstacle in our path.
Before us stood an enormous door carved from rotting black oak and furnished with now grimy and dull gold accents. It was decorated gruesomely with goblin skulls, and in rotten black blood, the now familiar sigil was painted on in such scale and viscousness it made me shudder in fear.
Without a doubt, I knew behind this door would be the boss of this dungeon. Judging by the rest of our adventure, I was fearful that something much more sinister than a goblin king awaited us.
There was only one way to find out.
Together we cautiously made our way towards the doorway, which loomed over us in despair like a portal to hell. As we did, two large torches hanging on either side of the entrance erupted in crimson demon-flame; the gory sigil seemed to burn with demonic fervor.
Terrified, Tia stood so near to me that the warmth of his skin seemed to melt away all the evil around me. I strengthened my resolve and vowed that whatever may wait for us beyond this door, my first and only duty was to protect my healer.
"Weapons ready!" I boomed out.
My loyal companions obeyed. Staves and daggers drawn, we prepared to advance into our final encounter.
As we did, deep despotic laughter beckoned from beyond the door, echoing off the damp cave walls in mocking provocation.
Without falter, I charged forward.