I bend down to grab a loose stick i hear rustling to my side. Slowly dropping my bundle of kindling from under one arm and pulling up my spear in both hands. I scan the brush. Seeing only leafs at first, but I know what I heard and then I see them. Eyes, black voids floating in amber, ringed in crimson. Bubbling with hate and hunger. More than I can count. " Even in the trees are you, well let's see how strong your resolve is RHAAAAAA!" i scream as I grab a thrust spear at a pair of eyes.

So I may have fucked up somewhere and I'm not sure where maybe attacking first maybe not leaving this cave sooner but as im hauling ass away from a hord of goblin's that can run like ninjas in the trees, it hits me maybe those bones where not from just that small group of goblins. Axes flying past my head shattering on trees I agree with myself. "Yup these things can hunt and kill me, fuck"

After shutting the door to my shelter cave. Their old cave. I realize two things . One that wall and door won't hold up to them long, but I can funnel them into a line this way. Grabbing a loose chunk of thick bark as a one time use shield I wait. For two beats it's silent. Whoosh a column of flame rises from the ground of my door starting a baze and shaking me where nothing else has. I'm dead. To a horde of fire crazed goblin's. Sooo much better than being beat to death...fun.the wall starts to crumble as hands and heads start to push through my meager defense's. I should be shocked but I'm more angry than anything

I didn't survive just to die again. not to ugly fucks like this. Without holding back I just start stabbing through what's left, flame and blood all over. I get cuts, burns and a broken hand for my efforts but eventually the wall begins to fall so I pull back to a narrow part of the cave and wait. Only for a big red goblin or hobgoblin with a spear of his own made of I kid you not fucking blue ice. We trade blows, stabs, blood and cries of rage but in the end my spear holds where his breaks leaving me to land a killing blow. Heaving and waiting. Slowly I hear slow soft steps and a big light coming my way as a ball of fire rolls down the cave after me.

Jumping into the biggest pool saved me but my wounds hurt like a bitch from the water . The ball inferno turns the hobgoblins corpse to dust and evaporated the moisture on the cave walls. As the fire sphere rolls over the lip of the pool and sits on top of the water for a few seconds as anxiety creeps up on me until it dissipates leaving the water only a little worm. Pulling myself from the pool of water to catch my breath and get slammed with another bolt of fire burning my chest smooth and blistered but not charring like it did before. And there it stands some shamin looking glorified glob of snot taller and thinner than the rest with long robes made of thin cloth and a staff made of a spine and shiny rocks imbedded into it with writing along the curve of the spine. As our eyes meet those orbs of black turn to a vertical slit.

We stare each other down " your not going to kill me easily you green fucker so let's get to killing eachother." To my surprise the snot goblin spits "that has been shown food freak but your bulk and scary face will not stop me from cooking your flesh and baking your bones for my kin. What a meal you will be" jaw dropped "wait you talk and not just jibbering like the others" seemingly offended " of course one that has conquered their soul and broken their mind to the arcane could do something so simple. My kin otherwise find no need for it." None of what he is saying makes sense to me right now at all. "If your so smart why not go hunt animals why hunt me of all things I killed most of your kind here am I worth it" smirking " your worth my time we will repopulate you only killed those that mattered very little, and you have taken out home. That can not stand" raising a hand forming a ball of globual of fire "winner takes the cave" it says while throwing the fire my way.

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Giving me time to roll out of the way and throw a small spear at him. It lands in his ribs to burn away after only a moment. along the length of the burned spear fire spreads out like a wave washing over me burning all my upper body as I drop into the water only to get another fire bolt on my shoulder. While I'm Sitting under water he waits.standing at the edge smiling slowly forming a giant ball of fire. Before drowning I lunge my long spear at him from under the water taking him in the calf ripping skin and meat down to bone. That knocks him off balance into the water where I wait. The ball of fire floating away as we grapple in the water until I bash his head into a rock and sending blood all around me. Pulling myself from the pool he stays.

I emerge from the water, my body scorched and blistered from the relentless fire.it feels like my skin is going to fall off and smells like burned hair and oddly bacon. The snot-covered goblin lies motionless, its life extinguished by my final blow. Blood mixes with the water, creating a macabre scene that surrounds me. Exhausted and battered, I pull myself to the edge of the pool, gasping for air.

As I catch my breath, a notification message suddenly appears before me, cutting through the chaos of the moment.

-Shelter defended from an extremely deadly force

-Reputation +5

-Normal Goblins will now avoid you at all cost while residing in this shelter

-No power has taken notice of this

-No God has taken notice

-Wildlife will return to the area.

A mix of relief and confusion washes over me. My sacrifice, my fight to defend this shelter, has earned me a newfound reputation among the goblin horde. They will think twice before venturing near my sanctuary again. But who or what granted me this newfound protection? It seems that neither powers nor deities have taken notice of my actions.

The wounds on my body throb with pain, a constant reminder of the brutal battle I have endured. I take a moment to assess the damage, realizing that I must tend to my injuries soon. But for now, the immediate threat has been eliminated, and the cave stands silent, save for the gentle nibbling of fish on the fallen goblin's flesh.

I make my way out past the entrance of my cave and glance around, noticing the returning calmness in the area. It seems that with the goblin threat neutralized, wildlife has started to reclaim its territory. The sound of rustling leaves and distant animal calls fills the air, owl hooting echoes from the cloudy star filled night, squirrels jump from tree to tree and birds fly overhead. a stark contrast to the bloodshed and chaos that unfolded moments ago.

I know this victory is temporary. The goblins may regroup, seeking vengeance for their fallen kin. Other dangers may lurk beyond the confines of this cave. But for now, I allow myself a moment of respite, letting the weight of my accomplishment sink in.

With a weary but determined heart, I gather my remaining strength and begin to plan. The wounds will heal, and I will fortify this shelter, turning it into a true bastion against any future threats. The reputation I have earned will serve as a warning to those who would dare challenge me.

I am the defender of this sanctuary, the guardian of its fragile peace. And as I tend to my wounds and prepare for what lies ahead, I know that my resolve remains unbreakable. I will face any danger that comes my way, for I am a survivor, and I will fight to protect what is mine.

"Fuck goblins never again"