They were small, green, and disgusting -- something that remained true in any F-type universe. Nu sensed that before even seeing them. It walked into the thicket and rummaged through the brush picking out the goblins.

Many of the goblins looked thin like a bag of bones. Several had sticks fixed with sharp stones but many had nothing. I thought you were going to kill them, Otto asked.

“I will. I’m gathering intelligence, their strength and capabilities. This should suffice, however. Goblins are goblins no matter what the universe.” Nu took a position in the middle of the goblin group. They number 24. Six of them were hanging in the trees acting as scouts. Ten of them were scattered in the area, foraging and checking the area. The rest were bunched together by the forest’s edge, a clearing where the tree growth wasn’t as dense.

Wait, are you going to fight them without a weapon?

Nu clapped its hands and brought them apart. A polearm materialized in the space; a fauchard hovered in midair. “Of course not,” it said, twirling the ornate polearm around Otto’s body. Nu slammed the butt into the earth and Otto felt the flow of time. The goblins finished their motions as if nothing had happened. It took a second for them to realize a man stood among them. Several jumped back in fright. Others brandished their impoverished weaponry.

The goblins charged at Nu with feral howls. The fauchard spun around Nu and it glided through the goblins like a dancer. One side of the polearm crushed the green monsters, shattering their bones. The other sliced them clean. Nu moved the polearm in grand sweeping motions that flowed from defense to offense addressing each of the goblins that crashed into it.

Otto took in the power of the being called Nu. It was only goblins – monsters that any soldier or adventurer could eliminate. But, it was Nu’s skill, his movement that impressed. Back in his hometown, every year there was a festival to mark the harvest season and the tournament was always the main attraction. It featured many local upstarts looking to make a name or brag to their friends, but many travelers stopped by and threw their weight in the ring. Otto got to see many warriors and fights over the years. Nu displayed a brilliance of movement and precision he had not seen before.

Three goblins launched at Nu from the tree canopies. Nu paid no attention, sensing their approach. It spun its polearm above and swatted them away like a kid would bat away a ball. The goblins were smacked lifeless to the ground.

Nu walked up a tall tree, “All that’s left is the trash up here. I can smell their fear – they hope to avoid death in the leaves above.” It swung the spear around holding the sharp end and smashed the butt into the base of the tree. With a thwack a part of the tree disintegrated. Nu repositioned himself a few steps as the tree groaned and shook from the loss of support. It was unable to keep itself up and toppled down straight into another tree with a crunch. Between the splintering and crushing of falling wood the two heard the pained cries of the goblins hiding in them.

Nu held the fauchard straight and let it go. It disappeared into the ground creating circular ripples of light like dropping a stone in calm water. Nu clapped his hands together and dusted them, “Not bad. This body is underdeveloped, but the high compatibility makes up for it.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I’m glad you like my body…? Otto remarked unsure how to feel. Nu displayed a level of power and skill he would never be able to touch; Nu was utilizing his body to a level he was never able too, and it wasn’t the one living in it for over 24 years…

Nu did not reply instead leaving the forest back to the road.

It was a long walk to the capital. In fact, it would be several days by Otto’s estimate. When he left home he thought he would head there and look for work, but decided against it as he was uncomfortable with the idea of a big city. Say, Nu, would you mind if I ask some more questions? I want to learn more and we have plenty of time.

“No objections.”

Great! Otto said. He didn’t expect such a quick and positive response so he didn’t have anything prepared. Otto thought for a moment and asked, So, part of this war, you have to eliminate all the enemies that came over here right? How do you do that? How do you even find them?

“It’s not easy,” Nu replied, “But there is one way to find out. In non-complete integrations you see with Ilm, the irises will display odd behaviors. For instance, you cannot see but since I am in full control your eyes are shimmering gold and white. Any Gaikin will experience the same phenomenon. In cases where the host retains control but utilizes the Gaikin’s power, typically only one eye will display this. The only way to avoid it is by having the Gakin exist dormant in the body with the host retaining full control with no access to powers and abilities. On top of that, when humans from my universe release their power and energy, it is sometimes detectable depending on the type or nature of it.”

Shimmering gold and white eyes? Are you sure? I don’t know how much you know but many people in this world have heard of something like that before…

“Of course, it’s part of many native religions here. One common name is ‘Heaven’s Iris’, is it not? Said to be a sign of someone of celestial origin: a god or godkin or angel.”

I mean, not only that but, several royal families have things like that, you know? The Lantasig Dynasty from which this county’s emperor and many other royal families have lineage have that.

“Exactly,” Nu said with a smile. “It’s hard unless they make it easy.”

Pfffft, Otto could not contain his skepticism, So you are telling me this world is ruled by some secret group from another universe that’s cultivating society so they can transplant people from their empire here to avoid defeat in a war?

“Quite so.”

Well, ain’t that some shit.

Nu stopped

Hey, hey! It’s not like I don’t believe you it’s just that—

“Somethings coming.”

It whizzed at them like an arrow and swept them off their feet. A moment later the two were plummeting to the earth

Prepare for a rough landing, Nu said. It clapped the hands and a warm light enveloped the body. They crashed into the earth like a meteor. The earth ruptured and shockwaves rippled the ground. Nu lied in the middle of a crater with only scratches and bruises.

Nine walked towards the craters edge looking down upon them like insects. They were garbed in clothes embroidered in gold and silver. Their weapons and armoring shined majestically in the sunlight.

The one in the center walked into the forefront and announced, “We found you, ----!”

Nu had already straightened and looked coldly upon them. “You shouldn’t be able to track me.”

He laughed, “Normally we wouldn’t, we both know this. However, with a mix of this world’s magic and some of our world’s technology, we were able to come up with something. It alerted us as soon as you dogs started trespassing. We won’t let you stop us this time. Your minutes are numbered, devil.”

Otto, panicked, asked, What the hell is going on?!

The Sig Federation, my enemy, has found us.

Nu, what do we do then?

I will fight. You will go dormant.

Wait, what do you me—

Otto was banished into the darkness.

“Are you sure nine is enough?” Nu taunted, releasing all the constraints on his power. It could feel Otto’s bones and joints creaking under the pressure. His body was nowhere near developed, but it couldn’t be helped.

“Nine might be too much,” laughed the ringleader. “Look at you, ----! Still so weak. We figured our best chance was to kill you while you still haven’t fully integrated.”

Nu shrugged, “Not a bad plan. But ideas mean nothing if you can’t execute.”

The man atop of the creator barred his teeth and readied his weapons. “Kill him!” He curtly yelled and the eight flew at Nu.

Nu released his power and went to war.