Ch 30: Kill the Messenger

Markos looked towards Ben, his face frowned. He placed his hand on Ben’s shoulder, as Ben looked up at Markos.

Markos: “Ben… I understand that this fight is scary, however… This may also be our last. Do not force yourself, for fear is an enemy to defeat as well. I’ll lead the charge.”

Markos’ lifted his greatsword onto his shoulders and he looked past the goblins and at the silver-haired hobgoblin.

Regis: “Time is wasting, prepare for the charge.”

Regis’ magic shined upon the ground, as tremors shook the ground floor. Goblins lose their balance, while the defenders hold still. Walls made of dirt and stone arise to form a straight passage towards the silver hobgoblin. Several goblins stood within the passageway confused as these walls had suddenly trapped them in.

The two soldiers in front killed off the remaining goblins stranded inside the hall and noticed Markos’ nod. Each wearing their shield and equipping a spear.

Soldier: “Onwards! Charge! AHHH”

The two men started to charge through the goblins, their yells of encouragement heard throughout the battlefield. Markos only frowned as he followed his two men towards the Silver-haired hobgoblin.

Derek lifted his staff and summoned the winds.

Derek Kel: “May the winds guide my compatriots to their destination.” (Wind shield)

The winds, mixed with green, flowed through towards the front of the two soldiers charging.

The goblins that stood in the way were skewered upon the spears of the soldiers. When the spears broke away, the swords were drawn out as they slew each goblin for their captain. The goblins were frail, isolated, and dazed towards the onslaught of two crazed soldiers. The silver-haired hobgoblin took interest and stood up with his fists, its muscles bulged and its eyes burned with interest.

As the two soldiers stopped in front of the hobgoblin’s gaze. They were gasping with exhaustion. Before the hobgoblin got the chance to walk forward. A javelin is thrown at the hobgoblin, who quickly side-steps and crushes the handle with its hand.

Silver: “My name is Silvers. What slave dares to throw their arms at me?”

Markos walked in front of his men.

Markos: “I will challenge you! Come at me!”

Silver: “You? Challenge me? There will be no duel, for you shall die a pitiful death!”

Silver stretched his back as his arms flexed with strength, the veins popped out and the sounds of cracking could be heard within. Markos ready his greatsword.

Ben looked at Markos face off against Silvers the hobgoblin. He noticed Scarlett’s gaze.

Scarlett: “... Are you okay Ben?”

Ben looked down at his hand, they were shaking. Where has all of his confidence gone? The days of peace that he had once known in his old world should have been gone from the days he spent killing goblins and living in this world for almost a month. Yet… the idea of a battle with the thing ahead of him scared him. As Ben looked down at his hands, he saw that he was shaking, and his hands were cold.

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Ben: “I see…” Thinking back at Markos himself. He saw through Ben’s silence, yet as the older person, Markos took it upon himself to face the Silver hobgoblin.

Ben looked back at Markos. Ben’s hands tightened, and his heartbeats could be heard within his ears. A decision needs to be made.

Markos clashed with Silver’s fist. The hobgoblin’s way of attack is through brute force. Markos’ greatsword swings against the hobgoblin’s fist. Yet, the speed of its fist was too fast. Its arms are strong as steel as each clash would sound out.

Markos: “Steel arms? On a hobgoblin! Blasphemy!”

Markos started to slash faster, the hobgoblin only continued to stop the attacks with its arms. Markos’ face was grim, the feeling of being powerless against this started to overwhelm him.

Markos: “AHHH!!” He yelled to boost his own confidence.

A great swing came at the hobgoblin’s side. However, a hand-blocked the attack, Markos’ sword was held in place. Markos looked up as his sword was stopped. Silver smiled and threw a punch. Markos’ instinctively used his armguard to block the hit.

As the hand and armguard came into contact, the sounds of bone and armor crunching. Markos’ yelled in pain, the greatsword dropped to the ground as Markos walked backward.

Soldiers: “Sir Markos!” One of the soldiers held onto Markos’ back, while the other drew his sword and pointed at Silver.

Markos groaned in pain, his right forearm’s armor was shattered and soaked in blood. Markos could only groan in pain as the two soldiers began to retreat slowly. Silver started to slowly walk forward towards them.

Silvers laughed as he walked forward, inching closer to the people as they tried to back away. As he closed in on the soldier with the sword out, yelled out in desperation as he charged in… it was a futile attempt as Silvers knocked the sword off of the soldier’s hand and gripped it upon his neck.

Soldier: “Grkk!” He struggled in Silver’s grips. “R*grk* RUN!”

A crack was heard as Silvers tightened his grip, dropping the lifeless body onto the ground. A slight sobbing could be heard from the remaining soldier, who continued to drag Markos as best as he could from Silvers, who only continued to walk slowly once more.

Ben ran through the passageway made by Regis alongside Scarlett, his eyes could only see the carnage that Silvers had done towards Markos and the soldier. Time felt long as Ben continued to dash towards Silver, the battle that Markos and Silvers had was over in an instant. Ben looked back towards his sword once more. Derek’s wind magic slowly went inside of his sword. Power was called upon, green orbs appeared to slowly leak onto Ben’s legs. Ben’s determination began to steel once more, as his speed slowly increased, the wind blew through his clothes as it soothes the burning sensation of exhaustion. Everything felt free as Ben dashed through the passageway, leaving Scarlett behind as Ben ran faster and faster.

The last soldier was gripped by the neck by Silver, his hands holding a dagger continued to try and stab into Silver’s hand.

Silvers: “Resistance… futile.”

Soldier: “May the goddess of Raglene burn you with her radiant smile!”

A crack echoed once more, and another body crumbled onto the ground. Markos laid there with his arms held. His teeth gritted against the pain.

Silvers: “Humans will fall, your goddess has no power, your goddess has weakened, and the saviors that you all have forgotten about.” Before Silvers could finish talking, Ben unleashed a wave of flames onto him.

The flames flicked upon the hobgoblin’s arms as Silvers backed up.

Ben touched Markos' shoulder.

Ben: “I’m... I’m sorry that I didn’t come earlier.” Ben’s words were remorseful as he looked at the two dead soldiers in front of him.

Markos: “...” He could only smile a little bit, his hands placed upon Ben’s. He placed pressure and gripped Ben’s hands before falling unconscious.

Ben stood up against Silvers.

Silvers: “Another pitiful human, you face Silvers! I shall present your head to my King!!”

Silver’s face was slightly singed and his anger could be heard from his voice.

Ben: “I don’t care where you came from, or what you want to do to the people here. However, I’ll do my best to stop you!”

Ben gripped his sword and started to run towards Silvers.

Silver’s fist shot forth, Ben dodged the first set. Feeling the force beside his head. Ben swings at Silver’s side.

The sword was fended off of Silver’s arm, a mass of muscle followed through to knock down Ben, with a body slam. Knocking down onto the ground, Ben quickly regained his stance as a fist punched down onto the spot.

Earth shots come from below Ben as he summons them. Blasting Silver’s face with sharp rocks for a short moment. Scratches and dirt-stained Silver’s face.

Silver: “Dirty, dirty Dirty!”

Fists flew at a rapid pace, Ben could only defend and dodge as the speed of the fists came frequently. Each clash with sword and fist left Ben’s arm trembling. He was being pressured, eventually, Silvers will emerge victoriously.

(This is too much… gotta think of a way)

Silvers’ fist caught onto Ben’s left shoulder and a crack could be heard. Ben immediately jumped back and threw a flash of fire from the air. As Ben landed onto the ground a sharp pain shot through his mind as every movement he did continued to stab each pierced flesh. Unrelenting pain made Ben drowsy.

Ben: “Ugh.” Ben held onto his sword as his shoulders slumped to the side.”

“Do not falter, fight with your heart.”

Rose branches appeared from Ben’s clothes as they covered the shoulders. The pain slowly withdrew into the background. Ben focused his gaze once more as Silvers came charging at Ben. Fists came once more, however, Ben continued to back up as he sent sharp stones at Silvers who continued to punch them out of existence and block the ones that would come at his face.

Ben: (There’s no opening, he’s fast, and I don’t have a chance to recover)

Silvers: “Your head is mine!”

Ben dodged another punch and countered with a sword, connecting onto Silver’s shoulders, the feeling of steel against steel could be felt on Ben’s hands.

Ben: (His body is also tempered to steel? This hobgoblin!)

Silvers, seeing the hesitation, made for a grab at Ben’s sword. Ben realizing his mistake, willed the sword to reduce to a pocket knife and returned its form to a sword as he created a space between Silvers.

Silvers sneered as he looked at Ben’s sword with amusement.

Silvers: “Magic sword? I would like that!”

Silvers began to rush Ben with the intent to grab the sword. Ben could only dodge as the fear of Silver grabbing his sword appeared in his mind.

Silvers: “Only a matter of time before I end your pitiful life!”

Silvers stopped trying to punch Ben and opted to grapple, as Silvers threw his arms out and ran at Ben. A large shadow overshadows Ben’s as Silver’s body was much larger as his arms became outstretched. Ben could only stand his ground as Silvers came down upon him.