The fire crackled softly in the hearth as the group gathered around a table in The Goblin’s Teacup. Zerai toyed with the magical focus they had recovered, her fingers tracing the strange symbols etched into its surface. Standing across from her, Elora stared intently at the object, lost in thought.
“We need another way,” Elora finally said, breaking the silence. “I’m not going to kill an innocent creature just to chase down some power-hungry sorcerer.”
Zerai sighed. “I don’t want to kill anything either, but without the heart of a magical beast, we’re stuck.”
Thane took a long drink from his mug. “Aye, but if it’s between killin’ a beast or waiting around for this mystery villain to send more gnolls after us, I’ll take the beast.”
Before anyone could respond, a low, rumbling voice interrupted. “Find the predator or the prey.”
They turned to see the largest figure any of them had ever laid eyes on. Seated at the next table was a towering vaelin, his body covered in a thick layer of hair that blended seamlessly with the furs draped over his broad shoulders. His deep-set eyes glinted in the firelight as he took a long draught from his mug.
Elora blinked, confused but curious. “We’d still have to kill one unnecessarily. That doesn’t bother you…?” She trailed off, waiting for him to offer his name.
“Not if Tako defend Tako,” the giant replied, setting his mug down with a soft thud.
Elora hesitated. “Who is Tako?”
The giant smiled, showing sharp teeth, then took another draught from his mug. “Tako is Tako.”
Zerai raised an eyebrow. “Oh, you’re Tako.”
“Tako Bear,” he said simply, his voice like gravel.
“Tako Bear,” Zerai whispered, her eyes wide.
Thane chuckled. “Best way to defend yerself is to pick a fight first!”
Elora shook her head, exasperated. “You’re still picking a fight with an innocent creature. That doesn’t bother you?”
Tako shrugged. “Not if Tako defend Tako. Many magic beasts in wild. Some pick fight for you.”
Lira, who had remained silent until now, leaned forward. “You seem to know a lot about magical creatures.”
Tako nodded. “Tako know.”
The group exchanged glances, realizing that Tako might be their best source of information. Elora hesitated before speaking again. “Are there any creatures nearby that might be causing trouble? Something we could hunt without killing an innocent?”
Tako’s brow furrowed in thought. “Mountain near Big City.”
Lira thought for a second. “Big City? Do you mean Kaethar?”
“Magic beast there. Big. Hungry. Not like gnoll. Not want eat you—want break you.”
Thane raised an eyebrow. “Break us?”
Tako nodded gravely. “Tako see it once. Crush stone with hands. No kill for food, kill for fun. Break anything in path.”
Elora’s eyes widened. “That’s monstrous.”
Zerai leaned in, intrigued. “What is it?”
“Call grathok. Big, strong, made of rock and something else. Live in caves of Kaethar Mountains. Never stop moving. Always look to destroy.”
Lira frowned. “And this thing is dangerous enough to threaten the towns nearby?”
Tako grunted. “Grathok destroy farms, walls, anything grathok find. Kaethar send men. Men not come back.”
“Well, that sounds like more of a fair fight,” Zerai mused. “And no innocent creatures getting caught in the crossfire.”
Elora sighed but nodded. “It seems like our best option.”
“Then it’s settled,” Thane said, slapping the table. “Let’s hunt a grathok.”
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