The Systems Challenge

Kim realized shortly after she first attacked the troll that this was going to be harder than she realized. While the cut she made on its hand didn't heal right away, she could still see it healing. Then even when Owen cut of part of its other hand, it almost immediately started to regrow.

In all, she wasn't confident that they would be able to do much. Or at least not unless fire is used, which made Kim wonder. What happened to Patrick? Even Patricia hadn't come through with them. She wanted to look around, but with how the troll was moving around, she couldn't say that if she'd be able to do so without getting hit by it.

Just like a man to be nowhere to be found when he's needed, Kim complained silently.

While it's attacks didn't look like they would hurt her as badly as the bugbear's sword, she couldn't imagine it feeling any good. However, it did seem to be focused almost entirely on Bart, which surprised Kim. She would have thought that the stinging of blades cutting into it would have drawn its ire more than Bart's quarterstaff, but she didn't know how trolls thought, so all she could do was be glad it wasn't focusing on her.

However, she couldn't help but look on in horror as Bart suddenly flew through the air, having tried blocking an attack that looked like it pushed the block aside as if it wasn't even attempted. Not that Kim could understand how any of Bart's blocks had actually worked up to that point anyway.

Then she saw the troll take Owen's sword from him as if it was pulling a sucker out of a bag. Almost effortlessly. She had no reservations at that point. They were in trouble.

"Hold it off, I need t go check something," Kim said, as she disengaged from the troll. Not that it was really difficult. It had turned its focus on Elwin and Leon.

Kim springted towards the door they'd come in, only a little concerned as she didn't see Elin where she'd left the girl, but knowing what happened to Bart, she couldn't be surprised.

As Kim reached the door, she saw Patricia and Patrick, pushing against what looked like air. Whatever was keeping them out, it really had bad timing.

Then as Kim approached whatever was keeping them out, she found that she couldn't leave either. There seemed to be a barrier that kept them out and her in. It didn't seem to have any substance, nor did it feel any different. She swung her sword at the barrier to see if maybe she could cut it, but as it connected with it, she suddenly felt the inertia in her blade suddenly reverse and push back, throwing her off balance and ending with her falling on her back against the cold stone floor.

"We tried that already," Patricia said.