The blue sky was tainted with black clouds, and dark fog rose in the distance. The air was humid,the trees were swaying with the wind,accompanied by a loud screeching sound. A group of soldiers running through the forest, dressed in leather jerkins, boots, and gauntlets, halted their steps. Each held a different weapon, signifying their varied roles in the party. Their rugged weapons and garments indicated not only their low rank but also the challenging economic situation of the country.
They might have passed as normal soldiers if it weren't for one striking feature—they were noticeably shorter than the average adult, with thin and fragile limbs and innocent-looking faces.
Green, short creatures soon jumped between the trees, startling the soldiers. A scream echoed as one of the green creatures leaped at a soldier's back, pinning him to the ground. The soldier's innocent faces flushed with terror, but it didn't last long before they regained composure and hurried to their companion's rescue.
The tallest among them rushed to the scene, swinging his weapon at the creature's chest. The blow knocked it back, but another soldier holding a giant war hammer darted forward, sliding and bringing the hammer down on the fallen creature.
The creature raised its thin hands in an attempt to stop the falling hammer, but its hands broke, and its ribcage crumbled under the force. A faint grunt escaped as the air was forcefully emptied.
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"Strugling there, Thorn?" asked the hammer bearer.
"Alive, Eldric, thankfully," replied Thorn, hastily standing and grabbing his bow.
"Don't chatter; now is not the time. Regain the ranks, brace yourselves for the impact," commanded the shield bearer, wielding both a shield and a sword.
The group quickly tightened their ranks with the shield bearer at the front, a girl with a dagger in the middle, her back to the bow wielder. The halberd holder and the hammer bearer positioned themselves at the rear, guarding opposite directions, with the halberd holder behind the hammer bearer.
"Well, can you get us out of here, Finn, or will we die trying?" asked the halberd holder.
"Don't say such dispiriting things, Gavin. We will surely make it," replied the girl with the dagger.
"You're always optimistic, Lyra; maybe that's why you're a healer," teased Eldric.
"Enough with the chit-chat; they're coming," warned Finn.
soon the creature's swarmed the party,realising that the group was tightly formed they chose not to jump directly at them, but to get down to the ground first.
"At least 10 goblins,that how i like it",said Eldric sarcasticly.
a goblin soon rushed forward towards Finn,swinging with a thick wooden stick,Finn blocked the strike with his shield,the goblin's side was vulnerable,yet Finn presured by the strike was unable to counter with his sword.
Lyra,seeing such an obvious opening didn't lag behind,she bolstered forward holding her dagger with both hands,before stabing the monster's left right side.
Observing the scene, a goblin swiftly darted forward, leaping at her. However, before he could reach his target, an arrow found its mark in his shoulder, robbing him of his jumping prowess.
"Carefull",said Thorn.