The orc screamed as the massive black dire wolf pounced upon it, the beast pushed it to the ground and sank its teeth into its arm. It may not have been able to full puncture through the metal but could easily crush muscle and bone as it shook it head about, thrashing the body about like a rag doll. The King and his knights moved ahead, attacking the orcs but these creatures were well trained and put up a good defense. The King's sword found its mark as it cut deeply into the orcs side; its black blood staining the King's armor as gritted his teeth.

"Ignore the knights! Go for the woman."

Three of the orcs turned their attention to the one woman dressed in the immaculate suit. She appeared unarmed and would make a fine addition to the trophies they had captured, so they rushed ahead with weapons drawn to subdue what they believed to be easy prey.

"Such filthy creatures."

Guild Manager reached within her coat and drew out two pistols, she calmly took aim at the nearest orc and fired; the round entered through its eyes before exiting out the back of its head. She then followed up with aiming for the second closest orc and fired again, this round tearing into his chest as the creature collapsed to his knees screaming in pain. Before it could counter, Guild Manager took the but of her pistol and slammed it atop its head. The third orc stopped itself as it saw the other two now down on the ground and looked toward the woman, her expression had not changed at all since she started fighting.

"Effective at a close range, but a single shot is quite troublesome." Guild Manager sighed as she tossed the pistols aside and allowed her bladed chain to fall out through her right sleeve. "Fortunately, I am far from defenseless."

She effortlessly got her chain spinning above her head, the orc was completely taken aback by this that it failed to notice her give a small tug of the chain. The movement brought the blade towards the orc neck and in one swipe, the orcs head fell off its shoulder.

"How pitiful. Just like a goblin." Guild Manager drew back her blade then quickly plunged it into the back of the head of the orc she had clubbed with the pistol. "How naïve. Did you truly think I did not see you moving toward me?"

Goblin Slayer too hacked away at the creature with sword and mace; he used his sword to hack at the monster's limbs while crushing their heads with his mace. The lead orc nervously looked around as the 15 orcs sent to guard the rear were quickly being dispatched by the knights and adventurers.

"Damn it! Get that gate open or we're going to lose everything!" The lead orc took hold of the mage's cloak and shook the demon.

"Unhand me you orc filth!" Beside the mage was a sudden burst of blue light, the gate had been opened. "It's done! Get the slaves in now!"

"You five!" The orc leader picked the closest five orcs and pushed them forward. "Stop them! The rest of you get the other group of slaves!"

The five orcs were shocked and confused but heeded the words of their leader and rushed forward the stop the approaching adventurers. Goblin Slayer watched as three of the orcs took the group of six slaves and pushed them into the blue light, the moment they entered all vanished from sight. He did not know where they had disappeared to but he would not allow the other creatures leave with the other captured women. He rushed ahead with Wolf at his side and smashed his way through the group of five orcs, dropping his mace to reach behind his back for his southern throwing knife. He did not know what the figure in the cloak was but knew he was the one responsible for the magic, just like a shaman he would have to die first.

With an audible grunt he threw his knife, it spun through the aim as it flew forward but found its mark, the center of the creature's face. The was a bloody grunt from the demon mage as it crumpled to the ground, the moment he was dead, the gate spell had stopped. The other two orcs were stunned as the blue light vanished, they were now trapped as the other knights rushed in to quickly deal with them and free the captive women.

The King and Guild Manager looked over the battlefield, they had not lost a single man, the orcs had been dealt with, and they managed to save most of the women, but off to the side was Goblin Slayer and Wolf examining the creature who had used magic and the spot where the girls had vanished. They moved to join with him just as he tore his knife free from the creature's face, he gave it a shake to remove the blood before tucking it away.

"A demon. I wonder what he was doing with these creatures." The King frowned as he looked down at the remains of the magic user. "We at least stopped them from whatever they were doing. With the demon dead they won't be able to return."

"No. This was not a victory." Goblin Slayer stood from the spot, now just burnt grass, where the gate spell had been cast and went to retrieve his mace. "Some of them escaped and took half the women."

"You can't save everyone Goblin Slayer. Surely even you realize that." Guild Manager was immune to the suffering those women would endure, but also knew there was only so much one person could do.

"I am aware of that, but as long as those creatures are alive they can reproduce and create more of these mutations. These…what did you call them?" Goblin Slayer had finished secure his mace when he looked toward his sword.

"Orcs, Beloved. These creatures are known as orcs. In my time there were those who claimed that these creatures were the same as goblins."

"The same as goblins…" Goblin Slayer mulled over what the Lich Queen had mentioned as he studied the body. "The same as goblins, but they are not. They are intelligent enough to strategize attacks. Speak the language of humans. They were afraid of the greater numbers but did not run. Like goblins…but not like goblins."

"Something you thought of?" Guild Manager secured her chain away as she looked toward Goblin Slayer then back toward the dead orcs around her. "Now that I know what we are dealing with, I shall send alerts to the adventurers to be weary of any potential "goblin" quests."

"Yes. Before we return to the castle, let us ensure these women are returned to the temple safely. I only hope the damage has not been as severe." The King looked at the orc bodies then motioned for his men to protect the traumatized women. "We make for the Earth Mother Temple!"

"Hmm…I don't like it." Goblin Slayer continued to study the body of the orc, wishing he could cut it up to truly study it, but remembered how his wife frowned upon him doing such things around others. "A thing that acts like a goblin but is not a goblin…what is the answer?"

xxxx

"The gate! It closed!" One of the surviving orcs found himself looking at the spot where they had entered then back to the one who commanded them. "No one else made it through."

"Damn it. Those humans must have killed that useless mage." The orc leader growled in frustration then looked to one of the nearest slaves and struck at her with his fist. "You useless bags of flesh! Slowed us down and cost us…"

"Enough!"

The surviving orcs stopped their bickering to see a figure stomping towards them, he was dressed in silver and red armor, a flowing black cape attached to the shoulder plates, and helmet armed with spikes atop his head. The orcs growled in frustration as the figure stopped before them, his yellow eyes looked at the small number of slaves they brought then back to the orcs.

"Is this all you brought?"

"Our magic user must have been killed after we got this group in. We had another seven to bring with us but were attacked by a detachment of knights." The lead orc spoke, anger swelling up in his voice as he looked at the figure before him.

"I don't want any of your excuses! Thanks to your incompetence we've not only lost valuable slaves but orcs to use in the breeding and a demonic magic user! I should have you…"

"I don't take orders from a lowly goblin!"

The figure in silver armor frowned, he was the goblin the orcs spoke of, a figure as tall as a man, muscular unlike the smaller goblins but not quite as big as a goblin champion. The three orcs drew out their weapons as the goblin also drew his sword in response.

"That's Commander to you." The Goblin Commander sneered as he looked down at the orcs in their dirty, black armor compared to his own.

"Only commander because you can use a bit of magic, but with enough Orcs, we can easily tear you apart. Maybe we should do that very thing this instant!"

"All of you stop this foolishness!"

All four ceased their actions and put their weapons away as a new figure approached them. This figure, like the goblin wore polished black armor with gold trimming; his long, flowing hair cascading down to the middle of his back. His skin nearly as black as the darkness that surrounded them and bright red eyes that looked over the four squabbling figures. The four knew well they should not cross this demon, not when he was one of the surviving Demon Lord Generals.

"My plans do not allow for you all to waste time trying to kill each other. Right now I need you focus on secure females for breeding purposes." The Demon Lord General frowned as he looked over the new females, smirking at the fear on their faces.

"A wise choice indeed my lord."

The Demon Lord General let out a sigh of annoyance as he turned to see a human figure approaching them. He appeared to be a gentleman in his late fifties, as evident by the slight wrinkles on his face. He wore a full length gown of wool bright red in color, a miniver of white fur decorating it, in his hand was a long golden scepter which he used as a walking stick and atop his head of light brown hair was a red tricorne hat.

"Now, let's have a look see." The human looked over the women, doing his best to comfort them as they whimpered and cried. "Shh, shh, shh, shh…no need for tears. You will all be doing a great service to this kingdom."

"Must you wear that foolish disguise?" The Demon Lord General scowled as he looked over at the human.

"My Lord, as the King's Grand Chancellor, I must keep up appearances." The figure smiled before waving his hand over his face as his human appearance change to that of a demon. "But for an old friend, I shall appear in a more familiar manner."

The Grand Chancellor, or rather the Demon Warlock, had skin the same as the Demon Lord General, but had short blue hair and bright yellow eyes. The demon had a much younger appearance than his human form, but that was for the purposes of the General's plans.

"Friend? We are not friends."

"Fine. Then we are partners in establishing a future empire for the Demon Lord when he is next revived."

"Yes. You fooling that ridiculous King, my Goblin Commander in charge of the orcs and our future army, and I leading the demonic forces. Soon this land shall become an additional territory to add to the wastelands where we await our time." The Demon Lord General chuckled as he motioned for the orcs to get the slaves. "Put them in the cells…then you may have your fun."

The orcs grunted and complied as they moved the captives through the darkened chamber; as their eyes adjusted to the dim torch light, they realized the walls around them were made of stones, they were in some sort of fortress or castle but they soon saw walls lined with metal cell door, but what terrified them was the sounds. The anguished moans and crying of multiple women in these cells assaulted repeatedly by orcs only added by their grunting and laughter. Then they heard they heard what almost sounded like crying but was perhaps shrieking of smaller creatures…offspring. The captives screamed as they were dragged away as they orcs eagerly waited their opportunity to indulge themselves in their baser desires. The Demon Lord General, Goblin Commander and Demon Warlock all smirked as the sounds echoed in the dungeon of the castle.

"Like goblins, they breed rather quickly but unlike goblins they create something new as they rape their victims, a creature that is able to withstand the sun. Legends say that the orcs were created by the gods cursing fallen elves to a state of deformity but now…I shall resurrect a force superior to any the world has ever seen. The Uruk-hai." The Demon Lord General chuckled as orcs brought out the shrieking offspring for the next part of his plan. "Very soon, this land will be one which the forces of evil shall claim in the name of the Demon Lord. Let us see the Hero or the Gods deny me this time!"

xxxx

"I really can't believe you made a weapon out of that thing." Wolf Brawler sighed as she watched Saber Rider eager swinging his new weapon. "Be careful with that thing! Those spikes are no joke."

Saber Rider moved away a bit as he smiled as he continued to swing his new mace around gleefully. He had boiled the remains within water until the flesh was finally loose enough to remove from the bone. He remembered what Half-Dragon Priestess had mentioned and made sure to burn the meat so no animals would be tempted to eat it. Then with a thick piece of wood and strips of leather, he went about creating a handle and securing the spiked bone to it.

"Tail bone very thick. Hard like rock. Make good weapon." Saber Rider laughed as he looked at his small bone mace in hand.

"Ok then smart guy, how you going to carry that without hurting yourself?" Harpy Scout smirked as she crossed her arms, eager for her friend to realize his mistake.

Saber Rider grunted as he looked over his newly created weapon, carefully looking it over in his hand before looking back toward Harpy Scout.

"What Bird Girl mean, I carry it in hand like this." Saber Rider chuckled with a big smile on his face while swinging it around. "You must be simple. See, I carry and not hurt self."

Harpy Scout sighed as she covered her face with both hands, not exactly sure if she was going to scream or yell at Saber Rider, to her chagrin, her other comrades were laughing hysterically at the response.

"I don't know what I was expecting…except maybe support from my friends! Stop laughing!"

"Sorry…sorry I'll stop now." Half-Dragon Priestess cleared her throat as she did her best to stifle her laughter. "It was just, the timing and his response was just too much."

"I'll say." Wolf Brawler had turned her head away, covering her mouth as she continued to chuckle. "That was too damn funny."

"That's the last time I suggest anything." Harpy Scout sighed as she shook her head then noticed Padfoot Monk had also turned his head away and could see his shoulders moving up and down. "Don't tell me you're laughing too."

"A, apologies. The response caught me off guard." Padfoot Monk continued to snicker before standing and letting out a deep sigh. "I believe we should continue moving. If we continue to linger, we will never be out of this foul swamp."

"He's right. Been almost a week moving through here and we're still no closer to exiting." Half-Dragon Priestess stood stretching her arms before reaching over to pet Specter. "After that encounter with the monstrous creation, we've been fortunate enough to avoid any other problems."

"True. The sooner were out of here the sooner we can reach a new settlement. Need to see what new quests we can undertake to raise our ranks." Harpy Scout smiled as she was eager to be out of this swamp.

The party moved through the swamp, an occasional splash to the side made them turn only to see the faint ripple in the water where something had moved through. Saber Rider and Fang brought up the rear of the group, also looking around for signs of trouble when the screeching of Talon could be heard. Saber Rider looked up to see the hawk screeching and flapping its wings, the others stopped and turned to see their avion companion circling around them.

"Talon, why you make so much…saw who?" Saber Rider listened as the hawk flapped its wings in place while screeching. "Strange person. Where you see strange person?"

Talon continued to screech, everyone was looking around for signs of this strange person the bird had seen. Saber Rider grunted with mace in hand then paused as his eyes looked onto a strange shape far off to his left. There he could see a figure that looked like a man, his clothing stained with blood and atop his head was what appeared to be a pumpkin with a sinister smile and two glowing red eyes.

"Who the hell are you? What you want?"

The others looked to Saber Rider, seeing him taking a few steps forward with mace pointed at something off in the distance.

"Who or what are you yelling at?"

"Strange man…over there?" Saber Rider looked towards his friends but upon looking back found the odd creature had vanished. "Where he go?"

"Who? What strange man?"

"Man with strange head. He have…what people call it…large orange fruit for head."

"A large, orange head? I do not understand what you are speaking of my friend?" Padfoot Monk was a bit confused by what his comrade was speaking of.

"Tèt Joumou."

Everyone turned, startled by the new voice, the Swamp Hag walking out of the mists towards them with staff in hand, her eyes glowing from within her skull helmet.

"The Swamp Hag. Wait, what was it you said to us?" Half-Dragon Priestess cautious of what the magic user had said.

"It means Pumpkin Head." The Swamp Hag stopped short of reaching the group as she carefully examined them yet seemed to look toward the swamp as well. "Why are you in my swamp? Did you not promise to leave my domain?"

There was something about her tone that made the others a bit leery of the Swamp Hag, well more so than before.

"We're trying to leave. As we mentioned before we have no intention of intruding upon your domain." Half-Dragon Priestess eyed the Swamp Hag, worried if she would cast any of her spells.

"But that did not from killing my familiar."

The Swamp Hag raised her staff high, a bright green glow surrounding her body and eyes as the winds whirled around her. Half-Dragon Priestess and the others took a couple steps back as they looked toward the Swamp Hag, her gaze focused on them filled with murderous intent.

"What familiar? Wait, do you mean that beast we fought in the swamp?" Wolf Brawler raised her hands to shield her face from the gusts of wind.

"That beast was my loyal companion! You drove him mad then killed him without a hint of remorse! You shall all burn!"

"We did not afflict your creature with any madness, that was the work of others in that village. When we attacked it was already infected and beyond saving. We did not know it was your beast, we had only wanted to prevent it from infecting any further creatures in the swamp."

"Lies!" The Swamp Hag swung her staff at the adventurers who backed away, not caring for their excuses. "I'm going to make you all pay!"

"We did not purposely intend to hunt down your beast, but we will defend ourselves." Harpy Scout readied an arrow as the Swamp Hag drew closer.

"You are outnumbered. I suggest you withdraw before any further blood is needlessly spilled." Half-Dragon Priestess readied her own blade to defend herself against this crazed woman.

"Did you not hear me earlier? Pumpkin Head is with me."

The ground beneath them began to shake as the water sloshed against the nearby tree roots; suddenly several thick green vines shot straight up into the air whipping around like wild snakes. Though shocked by the sight of all these vines, they soon noticed a new figure behind Swamp hag walking toward them. It was a figure with tattered dirty farm clothing; atop its head was a large pumpkin just was the hag had mentioned with a sinister face carved into it. This figure's arms hung at it sides but were clearly pushing into the earth and controlling the vines around them.

"He is my tool of vengeance! He is the earth manipulator! The swamp shall be your grave…KILL THEM PUMPKIN HEAD!"

Pumpkin Head let out a horrid shriek as the whipping tendrils attempted to crush the party who quick scattered away, the group quickly recovered from splashing into the water and went on the attack. Specter and Fang pounced on the thick vines biting as dark green fluids spilled around them while with Saber Rider and Padfoot Monk slashing at the vines as they carried the large animals away. Harpy Scout let loose two arrows at the creature called Pumpkin Head but noticed it did little to even affect the monster.

"I think it's some kind living plant. My arrows won't work on it."

"Then time to use a little brute force!"

Wolf Brawler rushed past her friend and smashed her right fist into the creature's head, watching as the fruit shattered sending bits and pieces flying in all directions. To her surprise she could see a human skull within the pumpkin but was knocked away by one of the vines.

"Damn it."

"Huntress! Are you alright?" Padfoot Monk spared a quick glance back as he heard the sound of his friend hit the water.

Harpy Scout rushed towards her downed friend only to see the pumpkin begin to regrow around the skull; once complete the creature called Pumpkin Head began to laughed at their plight.

"What the hell it just restored itself!" Wolf Brawler gave a quick shake of her fur to knock off as much water as possible.

"Dog Girl not smash hard enough! I show you!"

Saber Rider laughed wildly as he rushed away from the vines to attack Pumpkin Head, eager to test out his mace. With a swing of his mace he smashed the pumpkin but was far from finished; with axe and mace he continued with his attack, hacking away at the body and even crushing the skull beneath the pumpkin. He smiled as the pumpkin remains and green fluid splashed against his body but then the vines wrapped around his legs and drug him beneath the water.

"Rider!" Harpy Scout quickly put away her bow and went for her dagger to cut him free before he drowned.

Thick brown roots shot up from the ground, picking up the bones from the water, and recreating a human form. With its body restored the creature moved forward to attack the party who continued to battle with the vines. While they were busy with the body of the creature, Half-Dragon Priestess did battle with Swamp Hag.

"Die you miserable shit!" Swamp Hag had drawn out rusty dagger to stab at the adventurer and whenever she attempted to use magic, Talon would swoop in to scratch at her skull helmet. "Damn you foul bird! Get away from me!"

Half-Dragon Priestess rushed and swung her blade at Swamp Hag, she took no pleasure in this battle but would not simply allow herself to be beaten. Her blade cut at Swamp Hag's side to which she screamed as the blood stained her dark robe, but what happened next was most surprising. Pumpkin Head shirked and also clutched at his side as if he was the one to have been cut, the party took quick notice of this and adjusted their attack.

"Attack the Swamp Hag! She connected to that monster!"

Swamp Hag would not simply allow them to have their way and raised her staff to which Pumpkin Head went on the attack. Multiple vines whipped around and attempted to impale or crush the adventurers who were forced to dodge away and focus on the vines. With every one they cut down another took its place and they were being forced further back as the vines moved to ensnare them. Harpy Scout knew this would be a losing fight if they did nothing but stay on the defense, she put her dagger away and went for her bow and readied an arrow. She let the arrow fly which easily plunged into the right side of the Swamp Hag's chest! Swamp Hag screamed as she stumbled backwards, this caused Pumpkin Head to also shriek and let up on its attack. Half-Dragon Priestess took in a deep breath and spewed forth a stream of fire which burned away most of the vines; with many of the vines tossed cleared away they charged forward.

"DAMN YOU!" Swamp Hag once again raised her staff to force Pumpkin Head to attack.

Pumpkin Head's vines quickly wrapped themselves around Harpy Scout and pulled her beneath the water. The others saw this and went to help Harpy Scout but the new vines erupted from the ground to knock them away while their friend struggled to hold her breath even as the vines tightened their grasp around her. Half-Dragon Priestess saw this but knew the key to truly stopping all of this was to deal with the Swamp Hag. She rushed forward to attack, the Swamp Hag saw this and smiled beneath her skull and raised her staff. She began the incantation to stop her when the adventurer spewed fire out of her mouth; Swamp Hag raised her free arm to protect herself from the fire but it did not reach her…but Half-Dragon Priestess did. Half-Dragon Priestess used the fire as a decoy to have the Swamp Hag drop her guard and she moved in with a quick, downward swipe, cut deeply across Swamp Hag's chest.

Blood spilled from Swamp Hag's mouth before being followed by a scream that echoed through the swamp before collapsing into the water below. Pumpkin Head too shriek as all the vines had gone limp, the adventures moved to free Harpy Scout who eagerly took in a dep breath of fresh air as she was brought to the surface.

"Bird Girl alright?"

"*cough*…of course…*cough*…I'm not alright you fool. I nearly drowned!"

"Why Bird Girl yell? When I go under water and come up I not yell at you."

"I…I'm sorry. Thank you for asking about me." Harpy Scout let out a deep sigh, both out of defeat and happiness that she was no longer under the water.

"I not mad. I happy Bird Girl okay and we win!"

Wolf Brawler and Padfoot Monk smiled then heard a heavy splash as Pumpkin Head feel upon its back, sinking to the bottom of the swamp. Half-Dragon Priestess smiled as she saw her friends were alright but was soon distracted by the sounds of Swamp Hag coughing. The old woman gurgling on the blood in her throat as more of it mixed into the water as it seeped from her wound. Her green eyes looking up at the sky before fixing themselves upon the young adventurer, hatred still flowing through her though her body would not respond.

"Y,you…damn you…killed my…familiar…"

"It was not intentional. As I said, it had been afflicted by a foul poison which drove it mad. It would never have been the same creature you knew."

"Lies…your fault…all of you! Had I the strength…I'd kill you…" Swamp Hag focused her eyes on the swamp above, she could feel her strength fading. "I hope…you…and your friends…will die a painful death. May you enemies…find you…and kill you. With my last breath…I curse yo…"

Swamp Hag's arms went limp, before Half-Dragon Priestess could even mutter a word several vines emerged from the water below and wrapped themselves around the body of Swamp Hag. Everyone was surprised by this when they heard a shrill cry and turned to see the remains of Pumpkin Head reaching out for the Hag's body.

"A blood pact was made…a soul is due. To hell I came…and now I shall return with you!"

Swamp Hag's body was violently dragged beneath the water, taken deep beneath the earth as Pumpkin Head began to disintegrate, clumps of its body splashing into the water. There was a few moments of silence as everyone struggled to collect their thoughts on what had just transpired, but in the end there was nothing they could have done differently.

"I believe we've spent more than enough time in this foul place." Half-Dragon Priestess looked toward her friend with a weary smile and gently petted Specter's head as he moved towards her. "Let's get out of here and find something more pleasant."

xxxx

Dragon Executioner calmly examined the remains of the village; it had seen the smoking crater and what was left of the creature within. Now it could see the destroyed village and the large spot where the bodies had been burned.

"Curious. They buried the bodies of the ones I killed in the village yet here they burned all traces of the people as well as that beast they attacked them." Dragon Executioner smirked as she admired all the devastation before walking back towards the swamp with purpose. "Wait for me children! We shall have so much fun once I catch up to you all!"