The first sound that reached the deeper parts of the sanctuary was not the sound of weapons.
It was cheering.
At first it was faint, almost impossible to distinguish from the distant rumbling that had shaken the cave for what felt like hours. The diggers working along the unfinished escape route paused with their tools still raised, listening carefully as another wave of noise rolled through the stone walls. Then the sound became clearer.
They were dozens of voices cheering loudly.
The realization spread through the workers like fire. One kobold slowly lowered his pickaxe while staring toward the tunnel behind him, his exhausted face gradually breaking into disbelief. Another dropped the shovel in his hand and turned toward the others.
"They won..." he whispered.
