A narrow field of grass spread out as far as the eye can see. The bustling town radiates life, off into the distance. The grass sways in the wind, interrupted by a rumbling sound. The sound came from many goblin boots. A legion of monstrous soldiers march, trampling the grass with reckless abandon. The town is their destination and so it is within their sight. The army just short of the destination splits into five smaller groups. Two of them composed of swordsman, ogres and pikemen. Behind them are two more groups of archers marching side by side. Behind each of these divisions, a smaller group of commanders lead by Orpheus himself.

Orpheus is wearing a black hooded cloak and concealing his face with a red mask. Imprinted upon the face are jagged teeth and black eyes as deep as the void. The army marches and soon station themselves, not too far off from the town, yet close enough to strike once commanded.

Peering up to the sky he chants a spell in a deeper voice than normal. "Volant." His body starts to shimmer with ethereal energy. Now untethered from the earth, he ascends to levitate a few feet high. With a thought, his body propels into the sky. Flying through the air, the wind shear gathers around his aura protecting him from harm.

Soaring in the town's direction, gliding over, stopping just short of entering. Raising his staff to his chin, the stone shines luminously. "Sonus Amplificare." The staff vibrates with a red hue. Speaking into the stone as if there was another person listening on the other side. "Greeting citizens of the Theavalon Kingdom!" His voice rings out with a volume greater than before. Reaching the senses of every citizen in range.

Several figures pour out of their homes, coalescing into the town square. Their gazes cast towards the sky. Some clutching their families or partners, while taking in the presentation above. "What is going on, who is that man in the sky!" One of the questions, his arm raised to a point.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Orpheus has his audience. "I am Mavrath the sorcerer and I have brought with me an army to bring death to your town. Any man or woman who does not wish for this fate may depart and postpone their inevitable demise." The self-proclaimed villain echoes his proclamation across the distance. Fear passes across the faces of many townspeople, their minds struggling to comprehend. Yet their eyes bear witness to an army of monsters, just across the field of green. "I will give you one hour to pray to your pathetic gods for salvation and send forth your pitiful resistance." He bellows through the staff, amplified and spread across the town exciting them all to raise the alarm.

"Someone send a rider to the garrison and request reinforcements!" One of the townsfolk shouts to nearby guardsmen. The guard initially stunned, reclaims his mind and promptly rushes to complete the task.

Lowering his staff, Orpheus chants another spell. "Subcinctus Egomet." Vanishing in an instant, the townspeople erupt into a panic. Only a few keeping their wits and going forth to gather the soldiers and militia. Reappearing behind his commanders, Orpheus prepares for the initial attack in one hour's time.

The crucial first-hour ticks away, and in the distance various figures arm themselves with whatever weapon they can find. Their weapons range from swords to pitchforks. Weapons in hand, others without begin construction of a makeshift barrier. The barrier is composed of wood and stray furniture. During the lull before the battle, their construct spans across the intersection, leading into the town. The guardsman, militia and soldiers gather behind the makeshift wall. Waiting with bated breath until the first attack.

The time to ready themselves soon ticks away. Orpheus seated upon a rock rises to greet his army. Turning to the side he makes his way over to the commanders. Standing before them, he surveys the bulk of his forces. The massive ogres, blotting out the sun, stand in a row between himself and the town. Ignoring the large framed creatures, he announces his final order. "My goblin army, I command you attack!" Bellowing his command, the staff shines ever brighter. The staff having a visible effect on all of the goblins.

The staff commands them to obey, yet the stone once shining, flickers out like a light. "What the?" He comments, dumbfounded by the odd behaviour. Soon resorting to slamming the staff against his palm. His attempts to reactivate the staff are all for not. While this occurs, the goblins soon experience their minds relinquished from the spell. "What is wrong with this thing, is it broken or something?" He queries while continuing to slam his hand against the staff. Unbeknownst, the magical leash which bound them breaks in two.

Now released from his control, their hearts and minds become their own. Again, the goblin commanders turn to Orpheus, rage pouring out of their eyes. Still furiously beating the staff as if it owed him money. Without his notice, all the attention culminates towards him. Soon he notices the change in the status quo. "You dare command us with your filthy magic, we will kill you for this heresy!" One of the goblins shouts, as the other commanders slowly group up, drawing their weapons.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Orpheus turns to the wrathful goblins and quickly brings the staff to bear, ready to recast his spell. "Imperium Autem." The staff glows for a short moment, but soon dissipates afterwards, having no effect on the incoming enemies.

Starting to ponder why his eyes furrowed in confusion. His confusion is short-lived, just as a mace comes descends from the sky. "Crap not enough mana." He mutters before instinctively reaching for his belt bag. Gasping a single potion for a split second, the mace crashes against him. Coming down upon his mask, the weapon shatters the apparel with a soft crack.

Reacting on instinct, jumping back to put some distance. Gripping his face, he could feel a wet substance. Pulling his hand away, his eye catches the blood. Dazed and confused, he could not defend himself against the goblin, reaching out to grab his cloak. The furious monster tearing it in half spilling the contents of his person. His cloak, sword and bag drop to the ground before he can pull away successfully. "Oh, shit!" Cursing to himself, he quickly consumes the potion, rejuvenating his magical power.

Raising his staff once more to enthral his foes. "Imperium Autem." Again, the staff has no effect as if they were immune. The goblins move ever closer, the army begins to turn. Deciding on a new plan of action, in the wake of events. "Screw it, if you don't want to be my slaves, ill burn you all to cinders!" Bringing his staff to bare at the incoming goblins, he chants ferociously. "Ignis Augeo Adtono." Soon a massive fireball manifested before him. The blaze engulfed the enemy. Breaking free from its prison, the fire propels forward. The blazing inferno envelopes the goblins incinerating them all.

The goblin army glares back at their commanders. Now nothing but ash and charred corpses. Soon their expressions change, and dread replaces rage, right before a booming voice seals their fate. "You're next!" He bellows while pointing and conveying his murderous intent. "Subcinctus Egomet." He vanishes before their very eyes. The absence confused the now panicking goblin horde.

Surveying the area for his location, they all frantically look around. It was only when one such goblin raised his gaze to the sky. Witnessing their foe from above, falling from the sky like a comet.

High above them in free fall, he chants a spell under his breath. "Volant." With this word of power, he immediately stops his free fall now suspended in the air. Above the army of goblins just outside the border of the town, he readies for his next attack. Orpheus looks out towards the horizon, admiring its red hue. The sight stirs his heart to melancholy just for a moment. Within a moment he rids himself of such thoughts, only to ponder his situation. "Well, this is a bit of a failure. Maybe destroying this rabble of insects will cheer me up, a bit." He looks down towards the army, aiming at his staff while readying a spell. "Ignis Augeo Multa Scopum Inimicus." His voice rings out calling forth many fireballs. Alongside them, ethereal crosshairs frantically locate a prospective victim. Thrusting his staff forward, the fires barrel forward. Death raining an inferno upon them. One fireball after another, incinerating the fleeing goblins, disrupting their formation.

A continuous stream of fire spews forth, descending the staff, each finding new victims to obliterate. The fire moves in a way, one could think they were sentient. Seeking out large groups and setting them ablaze. Screams radiate from the suffering, the fire consuming their ranks one after the other. Orpheus smiles at the utter massacre, the sensation of unparalleled mana surging through his mind. Moving his staff over, he sends more of his hellfire towards the remaining army.

"Retreat!" The goblins yell, desperately trying to escape the constant barrage from the endless inferno. Fleeing just as the townspeople witness the act, all in awe at the sudden event.

"A saviour has come, a hero to defend us and smite the invaders.” Someone screamed, the elation obvious in his voice.

“Men attack, match his bravery with our own!" The leader of the soldiers steps up, one leg raised upon the makeshift barrier. Drawing his sword, he brandishes the blade towards the fleeing invaders.

Armed soldier and militia, cascade over the barrier and throw themselves against the retreating horde. The ends of their spears pierce the front line. Blood spews from their many wounds just before the archers launch a volley. The arrows descending upon them like rain. One after the other, the goblins fall from Orpheus's aerial barrage along with the town's zeal.

The remaining goblins flee into the forest, their human pursuers following behind. "They are retreating, praise our hero and his might of magic!" The soldiers extol his actions just as Orpheus ceases his barrage, descending to the ground just near the town.

"My magic is almost drained, that spell took a lot out of me. I can barely keep levitating." He thinks to himself, just as the townsfolk flock to him. Pouring over the wall, they surround him.

"There he is!" The townspeople shout in unison, running towards him. Orpheus still attempting to use his staff, but the jewel keeps dissipating with failed spells. He looks back at the incoming people fearful of their intentions.

They surround him with gleeful smiles before one grabs him by the shoulders. "Thank you, hero, for coming to our rescue. We are forever in your debt!" The townies words rang forth erupting with joy and admiration.

As the words ring out, a wave of confusion passes across Orpheus's face. "What the hell did you just say, I'm not a hero!" He pleads, insisting against their perspective of him.

"Such modesty, you saved our entire town with your incredible magic!" The towns apparent spokesman states firmly as if it were gospel that no-one could refute.

Orpheus face deadens with a vacant expression of confusion. Soon realisation dawns on him as a single perilous thought, crossed his mind. "Oh, shit did I just save these pricks!"