3. Fungal Cave

Amid the chaos of battle, Nindia’s sharp eyes darted toward Faramos and Graknok, catching the tense moment between the dwarf and the orc chieftain. Faramos’s staggering stance and his mockery of the orcs' courage sent a ripple of unease through her. Graknok's steady, unflinching gaze on Faramos and the slight tightening of his jaw made Nindia's heart race. Her grip on her weapon tightened as she feared the orcs might take offense and strike him.

Then, that insidious voice filled her mind again, a smooth and honeyed whisper that made her blood run cold:

"They will not suffer this insult long. Their fury rises, ready to boil over. Yet you... you can tame their rage, make it yours to command. A drop of your blood on the ground—just a drop—and I shall grant you the power to boil their blood with wrath or calm it into obedience. The choice is yours, blood-bearer."

Nindia stiffened. Her pulse quickened, and her breath caught in her throat. She glanced at the others, but no one else seemed to notice anything amiss. Faramos was locked in his exchange with Graknok, his mocking words slurred but defiant. Brenda and Korena were entirely focused on the battle. The orcs, though silent and watchful, showed no sign of hearing the voice.

It was clear: she alone could hear it.

Her grip tightened on her weapon as the weight of the voice’s promise pressed on her. A drop of blood? She looked at the dagger in her hand instinctively, her mind swirling with unease.

Her gaze flicked to the orcs, their towering forms unmoving but brimming with a barely contained energy. The voice’s seductive whisper came again, as though it could sense her hesitation:

"The power is yours, blood-bearer. All it takes is a drop. Your will over theirs, or their wrath unchecked. You can choose... Or leave it to fate."

Nindia’s jaw clenched, her mind racing. The second creature, unperturbed by its companion’s destruction, shambled very close to her, its grotesque fungal body pulsating ominously. The battle demanded her attention, yet the voice’s promise lingered, a chilling temptation only she could hear.

Ninida keep focusing on the immediate danger - the Purple Servant in front of her. One problem at a time she thinks.

Yes Ninida is focusing on the immediate danger.

Nindia fights not saying a word even when dwarf falls. It is time for blade to talk.

With all purple Servants defeated, Brenda, startled by the sudden escalation from the orcs, whipped her head towards Graknok. "What in the blazes are you doing?!" she demanded, her voice filled with both fury and confusion. Then she knelt beside Faramos, her shield still at her side, and examined his unconscious form.Graknok’s glare remained fixed on the fallen dwarf. "He insulted my honor. He’s lucky I didn’t split his skull." His tone was cold but measured, and he made no move to continue his attack. He sounded like they were even now, although he was unsure of what exactly he did to the dwarf.

Korena hesitated, her bow half-drawn, ready for anything. "This isn’t the time for fighting each other," she said, her voice tense. "We’ve got bigger problems than bruised egos."

Nindia put away her weapons and approach Brenda to see her success with saving Faramos You do realize he was not talking sense? Are your orc mind immune and never affected by poisons? Nindia admits Faramos did indeed insult Orc's honor, but try to justify his behavior. This was all mistake we shouldn't have came here. Our minds are not ready for that - I did something terrible in the pool and now Faramos did this Nindia seems to give up.

Brenda, let me try. I've learned some from my mother