The cave was deeper than they had expected. The glowing orb on Healy's war hammer illuminated the interior perfectly.
Seven frogmen sat in a circle before a pile of foul-smelling fish bones and entrails, shoveling them into their mouths with their hands.
They were so engrossed in their meal that they hadn't noticed the intruders at all.
That was, until the orb's light swept around the bend at the entrance as Healy approached.
Only then did the muscular frogman facing the entrance, its body covered in yellow spots, finally lift its head from its food and let out a puzzled, "Ribbit?"
Healy charged forward without the slightest hesitation.
As she swung her war hammer, it was once again wreathed in orange holy light.
The frogman nearest to her had its back to the entrance. It had only just turned around at the sound of its companion's call when a blinding ball of light filled its vision.
Squelch! The war hammer struck its oversized head with pinpoint accuracy, like smashing a ripe watermelon.
The sudden turn of events left the other six frogmen stunned.
They were still chewing raw fish, their amber eyes fixed blankly on their companion's headless body as it slowly toppled over. For a moment, they forgot to react.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three blue orbs came hurtling in, shattering the brief silence.
He Xi's targets were the yellow-spotted frogman in the middle, the first to spot them, and its two companions on either side.
The sight of the strange orbs triggered the frogmen's deeply ingrained instincts.
The two frogmen on either side reacted almost simultaneously. Their muscular hind legs slammed against the muddy ground, launching their bodies sideways like stones from a sling, with agility that belied their size.
Thud! Thud!
But the pursuing Magic Missiles curved through