One of the goblin champions stood up, spear in hand, and walked confidently toward Thorian. The rest of the council also rose from their makeshift stone chairs, signaling the end of the negotiation meeting.
The goblin champion who approached Thorian barked some words at him in his native tongue, but Thorian could not understand them. He turned toward Brix and gestured for an explanation.
“He is saying that he will be the one to duel you,” Brix explained, his voice even. “As for the rest, I believe it too rude to translate.”
Thorian chuckled at Brix's latter words before turning and gesturing toward the exit of the cave. “Tell him to come outside. We need some space for this duel.”
The shaman apprentice quickly translated Thorian’s words, and the goblin champion followed him. As Thorian exited the cave and walked into the clearing, he looked up at the sky to find it devoid of clouds. The stars twinkled, and the two moons stood side by side, illuminating the earth below. It was a wondrous and beautiful sight, and for a moment, Thorian was lost in its majesty.
Snapping back to reality, he saw that the goblins around had scattered, leaving a large circular space for the upcoming duel. Thorian glanced back only to see the goblin champion with his spear at the ready. The goblin's cape fluttered with the wind, imbuing him with an aura of charisma rarely seen among the rest of his kin.
Not too bad. That is a good stance.
Seeing his opponent ready to commence the duel, Thorian turned toward Brix and advised, “Keep an eye out and be ready to heal him should he become severely injured. He is a future friend, after all.”
Understanding Thorian’s words, the apprentice shaman nodded. He then spoke some words to the goblin champion that Thorian could not comprehend. Suddenly, the goblin champion burst into motion, signaling the start of the fight. He covered a distance of ten meters with his spear in less than a second, a blur of deadly intent.
Anticipating this level of speed, Thorian's hands flickered with red flames. With a deft movement, he deflected the head of the incoming spear with his Combustion Touch. A cone of flames engulfed the spear's tip, sending it reeling backward before the champion regained his balance. With a quick flick of his wrist, the goblin doused the flames atop the spear, his eyes gleaming with fierce determination.
Choosing to give himself some space, Thorian coated his feet with mana before rushing backward. While crude, this technique allowed him to enhance his acceleration and agility.
However, just as Thorian created some distance, the goblin champion burst forth with a strong red aura. This swirling energy condensed and concentrated on the goblin's feet and the haft of his spear, intensifying the aura of menace that surrounded him. The champion's fierce eyes seemed to burn with the same red glow, promising a battle that would not be easily won.
An aura master? No, an intermediate user.
Aware of the barrage of strikes that an aura user was capable of, Thorian immediately conjured a Wind Gust with his right hand and a fireball with his left. Thank the gods for dual casting.
With that thought, Thorian hurled the two spells at the incoming goblin champion. As had happened many times before, the two skills merged into one, creating a wave of flames that engulfed the enemy.
However, Thorian didn't take even a fraction of a second to breathe or anticipate the outcome. He immediately rushed toward the flaming wave as it crashed upon the goblin champion, his hand swirling with flames.
As Thorian expected, a deep blood-red spot appeared within the orange flames before the goblin champion burst out of the inferno. But just as he cracked through the first tongues of fire, he found himself face to face with Thorian, who was ready to strike, his eyes alight with the same intense flame as his magic.
Boom!
With his hands ablaze, Thorian struck the goblin champion's solar plexus, engulfing him in the fire of Combustion Touch. The goblin let out a cry as he released his grip on the spear, sent flying back into the raging flames behind him.
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But before the champion could suffer truly devastating burn injuries, Thorian acted with swift compassion. He rushed in and pulled the goblin out of the inferno, feeling the heat scorch his own skin in the process. Then, he too jumped away from the fire, conscious of the embers that clung to him, a painful reminder of the duel's intensity.
Flame Resistance is miraculous, but it’s not flame immunity. I still need to be careful.
At the same time, Brix immediately rushed to assist the injured goblin champion. The goblin's green skin was charred in several places, with raw flesh showing through the burns.
While Brix began his healing efforts, one of the shaman elders approached and joined in, casting his own spells. Green energy enveloped the goblin champion's body, and the onlookers watched in awe as his injuries rapidly healed, the charred and damaged skin giving way to a renewed vitality.
That is some fairly high level healing - around a first advancement priest. It could be even slightly higher.
While Brix and the elder were healing the champion, Thorian surveyed the council. Some of the goblins looked on in awe, others in fear. Yet, Thorian was undeterred. Gone were the expressions of disdain, contempt, or indifferent neutrality that had marked their faces before.
Good, he thought to himself, know my power. Know the power of the one who is to be your king.
Soon, the goblin champion had fully recovered. He sprang to his feet and rejoined the rest of the goblins, his body a testament to the shaman's skill.
Brix and the council then resumed their conversation, presumably to conclude the matters of the negotiation. After some quick, decisive talk, several members of the council began to make their way back into the cave, their manner reflecting a new sense of respect and understanding.
Brix rushed to Thorian’s side and explained, “Master, they want us to return to the cave to discuss matters more privately. It wouldn’t be wise to hold the conversation where other goblins could see and listen.”
Thorian understood Brix's logic but did not respond immediately. Instead, his gaze settled on the elder with golden eyes who was walking alongside the rest of the council toward the entrance of the cave.
“Elder Omn,” Thorian called out, causing the elder to stop in his tracks. “I know that you can understand me. Why don’t we have a talk? Just the two of us.”
The elder did not respond to Thorian at once. He looked around at the rest of the council and spoke with them in his native tongue. Only then, when all the council members had stopped, did the elder turn to face Thorian, his expression softening into a smile. The golden hue that had been covering his eyes earlier had vanished, revealing their natural amber color.
“How?” Elder Omn questioned, his voice tinged with curiosity. “What made you believe I understood your tongue, king of the kobolds?”
“Your patron deity is Shora, so I could only guess as much,” Thorian explained before smoothly changing the subject. “Beyond that, what do you say to a better deal than the one my friend has offered you?”
Elder Omn's eyebrow arched in interest at the proposition. “And what might that deal be?”
“Right now, one of the three tribes that constitute your coalition will serve under my leadership as per the terms of our negotiations. This would leave the other two tribes in a much weaker state than they were previously,” Thorian began, laying out his rationale. “What I propose is a more equitable arrangement. I will fight against all of your champions simultaneously, and if I win, you all shall serve me. If I lose, then our previous deal is nullified, and the three tribes may remain together.”
Thorian's words hung in the air, a bold offer that went beyond traditional negotiation. Elder Omn’s eyes widened in both fear and shock at the proposal.
“Master-” Brix began, attempting to interrupt the heavy silence, but a cold look from Thorian stopped him dead in his tracks. Only after Brix fully backed away did Thorian turn his attention back to the elder, whose initial shock had now dissipated.
“Well then, that is an absolutely delightful deal,” Elder Omn mused with a chuckle. “But, king of the kobolds, might you be a little hasty with this proposition? As a king, you should know that wisdom often reaches farther than might.”
“You do not have to worry about me,” Thorian chuckled in response, his eyes twinkling with a self-assured glint. “Simply discuss this matter with the rest of your council and return to me with a positive response.”
Without uttering a word, Elder Omn smiled and nodded, his eyes reflecting understanding. He then turned to the rest of his council and began to explain Thorian's bold proposition.
Meanwhile, Brix approached Thorian, concern evident in his voice. “Master, I’m sorry if I’m overstepping my boundaries, but is this truly wise? The champions are strong; will you be able to defeat all of them?”
“Brix, never show fear or weakness to anyone outside our own,” Thorian warned, his voice firm but not unkind. He then looked back at his prospective opponents, confidence unwavering. “As for the champions, it will be a decent fight, but I will win.”