Leaving the former prisoner a few floors up to keep her safe the party headed down the spiraling path. Wizard and Dwarf took position one floor up, the human focusing her magic into a wide area sleep, one goblin nearly woke but it's brief cry of alarm was overwhelmed as it fell forward asleep once more. Once it was clear none would wake the Dwarf stepped up calling upon Undines and Gnomes to turn the floor to sticky mud-like substance...The sleeping goblins and large debris sank into it. After a few moments the goblins woke and tried to struggle free before they suffocated, only a few were able to get their heads above the surface but were all too stuck to pull themselves out... That's when the others stepped forward. Weapons drawn they walked out into the room, unaffected by the Dwarf's spell as the his spirits only effected the enemy. Systematically they placed a coup de gras on any goblin to manged to get their head above the mud. It was simple and brutal as one would expect from the Goblin Slayer.

"Whats with all the racket out there?!" A deep voice bellowed from further down in the structure. Massive footsteps shook the ground getting closer and closer. The party retreated back to the ramp and hid as the Ogre came into view through the massive entryway. Wizard's breath caught in her throat. It was Huge, over twice the size of the formidable Lizard man, wielding a club of stone the size of a tree trunk. It took in the carnage and growled lowly. "Intruders, trying to dismantle my army." he took a step out and his foot immediately sank up to the ankle. Stepping back into the safety of the hallway he let out a snort of derision. "A simple enchantment." motioning his free hand forward "Summoveo." he said firmly and to mud-like floor hardened back to stone immediately, the dwarf's enchantment dispelled... the goblins still alive and trapped could only scream as their fates were truly sealed by their own master. Ignoring the muffled screams of his underlings the ogre confidently stepped forward into the center of the room, scanning the surroundings. "I know you're still here, show yourselves and perhaps I'll grant you a quick death!"

"We'll engage as we discussed." Goblin Slayer said softly, "Summon both of your warriors, were going to need more bodies."

"Yes Milord." the party split. High Elf searching for a good vantage point to engage while the Shaman waited, hand in his satchel of sand ready to apply his own offense. Wizard only got a brief glance of the forming of two skeletal lizardmen as she stood up on the stone banister and loaded her sling... she was meant to be the distraction. Building up a suitable speed she launched a rock pinging it of the back of the ogre's head, doing no damage what so ever.

"Hm?" It did get his attention though, the massive beast turned her way. She held her ground but could feel her heart trying to beat out of her chest. She just had to distract it for a little longer. The sharp teeth and tusks formed the mockery of a smile on seeing a single human girl. "Is this your doing girl?" he asked clearly bemused.

"Indeed, my power is not to trifled with." she spoke with confidence she didn't have reaching into her belt pouch and taking her two remaining thunderstones, loading them carefully into her sling through trembling hands. The ogre laughed loudly as it walked toward her, it's head nearly level with her despite being a floor up from him.

"A power so terrifying you feel the need to throw rocks." he taunted, "But if you are the one that killed my goblins your going to have repay by fixing what you've broken, with your body." He muttered darkly sending a chill down her spine. "But you don't need legs to breed." he added raising his massive weapon. "Ugh!" His confidence was cut by an arrow striking him directly in the eye causing him to flinch backward. Momentarily free from the oppressing aura that had stolen her breath and held her still Wizard spun her sling up to speed. Releasing the crystals and hit the massive beast in the chest and shattered with a staccato of thunderous roars which disoriented the ogre further, trying to shake the ringing from his ears. Wizard jumped back into the path and relocated, taking the time to settle her heart and shaking hands. Down below the others had moved to engage. The Priest and his Dragon Tooth warriors darted in cutting away at the monster's legs alongside Goblin Slayer... but something was wrong. The wounds closed almost as soon as they opened.

"Regeneration?" The Wizard whispered clenching her fist tightly. How could they stop this thing if nothing could damage it? Something that continues to damage... she didn't have any acids in a large enough amount to put a dent in something so large... "Fire." she rushed up the large spiral as the fight continued below. Stone pillars crumbled as the monster swung it's weapons about trying to land a solid blow.

"Stone Blast!" she heard the dwarf shout followed by the heavy footstep of the ogre being forced back. Her breath heavy she made it back to their supplies, where the Elven Scout remained crouched passing a fearful gaze her way as she clutched the blanket on her shoulders tightly.

"Everyone's fighting, I just need to get something I forgot." Wizard managed a small smile to try and reassure the girl, pulling her bag open and slipping the largest vessel out of her bag. A sturdy clay pot with a tightly sealed top.

"...What is that?"

"My custom fire mixture." she said proudly. "This should give the bastard something to think about."

"Enough!" the beast bellowed, his shout shaking the very stone where they stood. Wizard looked over the edge to see the entire party in the circular arena, the Archer having been knocked from her higher perch and forced to join the others on the ground. "Carbunculus... Crescunt..." A fire grew in the ogre's hand slowly growing as it focused. It was going to be a massive spell, and there would be no where to hide. She had to stop the casting, but damage wouldn't do anything. The mixture might stop him, but what if she missed? She had a spell that might break his concentration but the range was too short and there was no time to run back down the spiraling path. Without thinking she began casting.

"Sailo Salito Transilo!" magic filled her legs. "Jump" She leapt over the stone banister trusting in her magic to let her land safely in the arena below. As she fell she drew upon magic reserves she didn't have and focused mana into her hands. "Pigmentum Spargo..." she muttered even as she fell her was vision blurring, continuing to draw magic to her hands. Overcasting... it as a dangerous prospect, something the academy always warned her against. Going past ones magical reserves, converting your own life force into Mana. It could empower a weak spell or let you cast past your limits... but could easily be fatal. But she couldn't think about something like that right now, she couldn't stand back and watch everyone die. "Exsolvo!" She shouted as fell passed the growing orb of fire. Light grew in the gap between her hands and as she became level with the Ogre's head she thrusted her hands out and it released all at once in an intense blast of Prismatic sparkles "Color Spray!" The Ogre screamed trying to cover his eyes, the half formed fireball wavered and exploded sending intense heat in all directions. Wizard landed hard, barely keeping her consciousness as she weathered the edges of the misfired spell. Her body felt lethargic, vision further blurred from losing her glasses at some point during her mad fall. She didn't have time to sleep though, grabbing a piece of rubble to slowly pull herself up hissing from the lightly burned skin. The ogre would only be stunned for a moment...

"You insect!" The ogre bellowed turning sharply to the struggling Wizard, it's skin already healing the backlash from the spell's misfire. He swung his club wide, the giant weapon dwarfing her half-crumpled form. Unable to move she watched with cold detachment as it grew closer. So this is what it was like to die? It didn't have the same intensity as when the hob was choking her, she almost felt like she was falling... not falling. She was being pulled. Her eyes widened as her feet left solid ground flying backwards away from the weapon. Goblin Slayer bodily throwing her out of the way as the club crashed into him instead.

"No," she watched his body bend with the impact and he was lifted off his feet, flying across the battlefield until he collided with a stone pillar. "N-no," It cracked with the force and he slowly slumped down before landing limply. Unmoving. "Goblin Slayer!" she screamed as time seemed to move again she reached out shaking. He'd Saved her. Why?! Why had he done that?

"Hm, such a futile gesture." The ogre chuckled darkly. "Dying only to delay your death for another moment." he taunted as he lifted his club up but she couldn't even hear him. Her eyes remained locked on HIS unmoving form. He couldn't be dead, life couldn't be that cruel... not for a second time. "The Strong will always crush the Weak!" A shadow fell over her as the club was poised to crush her flat. For the second time she felt her body move.

"You will not have your way monster." Lizard Priest's words were accompanied by the rattle of bones as a skeleton scooped up the injured wizard and carried her out of the way of the thunderous smash that cracked the stone below.

"Damn it Rookie, you're too reckless." the High Elf chastised as she passed the skeleton as it was placing Wizard down. "Check on Orcbolg, we'll hold him off." she notched three arrows and took off running back into the fray. The battle continued behind her as the porcelain crawled across the shattered and scorched arena until she reached the adventurer. His chest armor was cracked, the back of his helmet dented heavily. She reached out a shaky hand placing it on the his chest, afraid to even breath... his chest was moving ever so slightly, he was still breathing. Emboldened she began to shake him lightly.

"G-Goblin Slayer... please.. please get up." she whispered, voice too choked up to speak any louder. He groaned lightly but still remained motionless. "Please wake up." she leaned forward burying her face into his chest, she didn't stop the tears. She could hear his ragged breathing... his heartbeat. He hadn't died, not yet at least. She hadn't killed him. "Goblin Slayer..."

"You're only delaying the inevitable." The Ogre growled batting away at the agile Priest as another rain of stone from the Shaman barely made him flinch. It was barely taking any damage but it just couldn't land the decisive blows it needed to be free of the tenacious party of Silvers. "I, chosen by one of the demon generals, will not be beaten by the likes of you." A stone pillar shattered sending rubble showering the battlefield crushing the remaining Dragon Tooth warrior but once again just missing the nuisances that plagued him. "You are beneath me!" it bellowed shaking the very foundations of the dungeon. It's shadow looming over the remaining three adventurers, exuding palpable menace. Then tension broke with the shattering of a pot. The ogre looked to his shoulder in puzzled frustration, the remains of baked clay were stuck to a thick black liquid that oozed down his back and chest. "What is this?"

"F-Fire!" several floors up a the Elven Scout shouted as loud as she could, leaning wearily over her the stone banister.

"Ah, I normally don't take orders from elves but-" The Dwarf smirked, immediately reaching for his pouch pulling two rocks from a pouch on the back of his belt. "Oh Salamander, let Sparks become a Flame. Light the Forge and strike the iron!" he struck the stones against each other. It created a spark that flew forward toward the ogre hitting it's chest with a soft hiss before the thick oil caught light and engulfed the beast's torso in flames. It screamed in pain, the powerful regeneration battling against the continuous burn. The Silver's pressed their advantage... Goblin Slayer coughed.

"Huh?!" Wizard immediately sat up rubbing her face clean, his helmet tilted her way.

"You're okay."

"Y-Yes, thanks to you."

"Where are the others?"

"They're still fighting."

"I see." he took a pained breath. "I need a healing potion and A stamina potion."

"Yes Sir," she immediately reached for her own belt, pulling two vials from a padded pouch. She helped him sit up, shakily holding him upright as he drank both potions tossing them aside with hardly a care. The rush of the stamina potion kicking in as he fully sat up on his own.

"Let's do this." He slowly started to get to his feet, reaching back to pulled his back pouch off. He pulled out His scroll and tossed the bag away.

"Grahhh! If I'm going to burn then let's all burn together!" The Ogre brought out his hand palm up. "Carbunculus... Crescunt..." The fire began to grow as it had before... there was no stopping it this time. Despite the obvious danger Goblin Slayer began to walk forward with no hesitation.

"I-Is that spell going to be enough?" Wizard called out to his back, trying to ignore the spots of blood he trailed behind him.

"Only one way to find out." was all he said in reply, yet somehow hope soared. The rest of the party cheered in their support as he continued past until it was just the Goblin Slayer standing defiantly against the burning giant, the even more massive fireball reaching critical mass above him

"Iacta!" he brought his massive arm down, the giant ball of fire following ready to engulf the room in a hellish blaze.

"Fool." The scroll unraveled and the room was momentarily blinded by the unleashing of massive amount of mana and a rush of... Water? A torrent of water shot out from the scroll overwhelming the Fireball and continuing into the ogre itself. And then through even the monster, bisected along the middle and sending both arms flying in different directions. In one exchange the fight was over, the remains of the ogre propped up under on a pile of rubble. The arena now coated in ankle deep water. The beast questioned what had happened, what could reduce him to such a state? Goblin Slayer marched forward holding up the used scroll.

"This Scroll contained a Gate." he said calmly. "It was linked to the bottom of the sea." Wizard's eyes widened a she watched him causally toss the parchment aside. This man, took a rare lifeline for adventurers. Ancient magic that can't be replicated... and turned it into a weapon. Originally with only killing Goblins in mind. She couldn't stop the smile from reaching her lips... Imagination is a weapon indeed. The Silver ended the threat with a simple coup de gras leaving his sword deep in the monsters skull as he stumbled off of the corpse. There was still a small amount of ruins left to go, but the adventure was over. All of the party were injured or spent in some way. Reluctantly Goblin Slayer relented and they slowly made their way back out of the ruins, meeting back up with the Scout who had recovered enough to at least keep up with the party's own weary pace.

The signal to the settlement took several hours to receive a response. They rested and ate... the High Elf passed criticism and praise toward the Wizard in equal measure. By the end the young girl wasn't sure what to think of her actions in the greater scheme of things... she had just needed to help in however way she could. The fact that it worked out was all the better... all the while Goblin Slayer sat in relative silence, the stamina potion no doubt having run it's course and the injuries taking a greater hold. But he was alive and that was enough for Wizard. Her own injuries and exhaustion called to her... perhaps a small rest was in order. As wagons rolled in from the distance she closed her eyes and let unconsciousness take her. A gentle smile resting on her lips...

AN: This was an intense write and a big thanks to my friend WindFalcon who gave me some vital advice to making the flow of action a lot more clear. Lacking The ultimate defense of Priestess and her protection miracle this version of the party had to act much more aggressively. Making for a much more hectic battle... It as a challenge trying to figure out how they could pull this out with Wizard only using 1st level spells... Thank goodness for Color Spray. Also decided to give the Elven Scout a small bit of Revenge. Seemed thematically appropriate and was one of the few ways i could think to slowing the ogre down a bit... those guys are really busted. stupid monsters, making my job are writer harder...

It got a little bit dramatic there in the middle, Wizard has some issues still lingering within her about people getting hurt/killed saving her. This battle didn't do much to help fix those things we'll have to see how Wizard grows from this. But it's probably the biggest break of her persona thus far, not even she likely realized how important GS is to her at this point. and something is to be said for the action that caused that in the first place. their relationship is definitely different then he has with priestess in canon but it's still close in some way. They have a few more major events in their future to help sort out where that line lies...

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the battle. We have an interlude next with Wizard interacting with a different group of characters. Then leading on to the end of the First Volume of content. Oh boy THAT'S gonna be fun to write up. Till next time everyone!