"This is the door to the floor boss's room." Jord looks at home before the comically tall doors. Marcus continues, "It's a dead give-away when only one doorway looks so different from the rest. But I've looked it up in the guide, and it appears only for early floor boss rooms."
"This is the first time we've gotten this far." Jord looks pensive. "We didn't prepare to challenge a floor boss, so I'm against going in."
"I agree," adds Marcus. "The return journey isn't guaranteed to be safe."
"Calling it quits?" Menos seemingly congeals from the dungeon air while none of us were looking.
"Yeah, we'll challenge the boss when we're prepared."
"There will be a fight on the way out. Some hobgoblins this time."
"Just one hobgoblin would be tough if this were our usual run. But did you see what happened, Menos?"
"I saw."
After a rest, we proceed toward the exit. The dungeon is unnervingly quiet.
After some time, the exit comes into view in the distance. A tension lingers in the air. The party has some unspoken conversation, and Jord steps forward. He clutches his bear skin, and releases a great roar.
Countless eyes light up in the dark, and a few return the call. Marcus is building a ball of flame. Menos is guarding Marcus's other flank.
The creatures begin to stampede in our direction. I brace for impact.