The battlefield was silent.
The Mercenaries of Mayhem stood, bruised but victorious, while the orc warband, still scorched and battered, waited as their elderly shaman leader sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
The shaman studied them for a long moment before speaking.
"You seek the Arcane Eye, yes?"
Bob grinned. "Yep! That's the one!"
Jim tilted his head. "Sooo… what is it, exactly? Magic rock? Fancy scroll? Legendary talking sword?"
The shaman scoffed. "Fools. The Arcane Eye is not some mere trinket."
Slowly, he raised his hand to his face—and to the mercenaries' horror, he pressed his fingers into his own eye socket.
Bob recoiled. "Oh gods, what are you doing?"
With a wet squelch, the shaman removed his own left eye—revealing a glowing, green, pulsating orb in its place.
The group stared in disgust.
Jim gagged. "Why did you do that in front of us?"
Marcus winced. "You could have just described it."
Derek, looking deeply disturbed, muttered, "I'm never eating eggs again."
The shaman ignored their reactions, holding up the Arcane Eye. The green glow intensified, swirling with arcane energy.
"This is the true Arcane Eye," he said. "A relic of the legendary mage Humbleball. It does not grant raw power—but sight beyond the physical world."
Bam tilted his head. "You mean like seeing through walls?"
The shaman nodded. "Through walls. Through illusions. Through secrets hidden from mortal eyes."
Jim whistled. "That actually sounds useful."
Bob scratched his chin. "So, if I had that… I could see where people hide their gold?"
Derek sighed. "That's not the point."
The shaman continued. "The Eye fuses with its wielder."
Marcus narrowed his eyes. "So, you've been using it this whole time?"
The shaman nodded. "Yes. And while it may have other functions, I know only what I have discovered. It is a gift—and a curse."
Jim raised a hand. "Quick question: Does it hurt?"
The shaman stared at him, unamused. "What do you think?"
Jim nodded. "Fair."
Bob grinned. "Alright! Hand it over, and we'll be out of your hair—er, uh, tusks."
But the shaman shook his head.
"I cannot give it to you," he said. "Not in our current situation."
The group paused.
Bob blinked. "What situation?"
The shaman let out a long sigh.
Jim groaned. "Oh, great. Here comes the part where we have to do a favor."
Derek crossed his arms. "Because of course nothing is ever simple."
Bam just smiled. "Majestic."
And thus, their next problem began.