I jerked my body up, eyes frantic. I didn’t scream, though that was through engrained self-control, rather than a lack of wanting to. My body was still going through bursts of pain, though it was easier to think clearly now. I was in a shack of sorts, made of mostly stone rocks and wood sticks shoddily built, with a jagged stone floor and some furs. No pillow. Okay, so that dream was no such thing after all. And my heart hasn’t stopped pounding ever since I woke up. And the tall goblin is standing silently in a corner of the shack, looking at me warily, a single hand holding his spear up.

That fear’s still there, but there’s still that something more, similar to the old one but to a lesser extent. Dammit all, I need answers. Perhaps we can start now.

“Good…morning, I suppose. Thank you for the bedding. Could I talk to the elder, please?” I’m in a weaker position here; respect is mandatory, no matter their intent. He nodded, and walked out the leather flaps that served as a door, and into the open cavern. Thankfully, they put some fur clothing on me, though it’s more like a few bands of skin over my waist than anything else. Humiliating, though I doubt they intended ridicule.

The cave was huge, though it was tightly filled. Walking to a tunnel, it seemed to be in the shape of a single circular room, with straight jagged walls leading to stalactites hanging from the dome of a ceiling. The cave was damp, gray and green, and I swear I could hear a light dripping somewhere. How awful. The hut I exited was one of many filling up the area, with mine being on the edge of it all. There were no clear paths, no planning in its architecture… and my hut seemed in even better shape than most others. Heads and eyes were pointed my way at a multitude of goblins, which I suppose is a real thing now, all hiding behind or in their own homes. These had an extra dose of fear to them, even the tinier ones. They all wore similar fur wrappings, and many had weapons either strapped or around them. Stone or wood, though I could see a couple rusted metal ones.

I grimaced at the sight of it all. Inwardly, of course; the spectators could only see a polite smile and nod, though it’s not like that helped their wariness. I was happy that they took me out of that damned place, whatever it was, but throwing myself into a partnership with these…things, was looking more worrying by the second. They could barely help themselves, so whatever they ask of me will likely involve something I’ll be getting damn well nothing out of. Well, I may as well hear them out, perhaps there’s something more to things than I know. Considering all that’s been happening, that wouldn’t exactly be surprising.

We went into a side tunnel that led deeper downwards, and entered the room I was summoned from, with the piles of ashes gone. There were no decorations except for a torch sitting in a corner. The elder was in this room, eyes closed and sitting, and he had some sort of weird… blue mist around him, as though he were the one making it. Another question to the list. Hopefully my ignorance is normal, because I can’t imagine how I could hide it without knowing this place.

He opened his eyes, and gave us a relieved smile. Less fear. “You awake hero. That good”

Right, here we go.

“Hello Elder, thank you for clothing and helping me. If you don’t mind my asking, I’ve got a couple questions. Is that okay?”

“Yes! Questions fine” He said eagerly. He looked like he’s been expecting something he wasn’t getting here. Did they often experience conflict with humans? Did heroes act differently? The tall one was standing in a corner now, watching the two of us.

“Fantastic. Firstly, and I hope I’m not being rude here, you’re all… Goblins, yes? Different from humans, and all that,” An oddly relieved smile grew on the elder’s face, and a glance let me see a more relaxed posture on the tall one now. Hmm.

“Yes. I and all here Goblins. Other Goblin here named Guardian. We have own language, but can speak Lastius. Me more than clan”

“Right, thank you. Secondly, what exactly is a hero, and why do you keep calling me one?” The guarded expression’s back from both of them, that nugget of nervousness.

“Y-Yes. Hero is human summoned to Lastur. Have stronger abilities, powerful. Summoned to… fight demon lord” He was looking away now. Why didn’t these goblins kill me immediately then? It’s clear they don’t typically go with the heroes. Well, let’s file that for later.

“Hm, alright. So, I was summoned by humans. How, exactly, did I end up here with you, and what would you like of me?”

“We use demon general hand, a sacrifice before he die. Also other goblin lives. And… need help. Your help” His head bowed down, suddenly. Guardian looked away, embarrassed. It’s been a while since I’ve seen this kind of desperation, much less groveling. He wasn’t done yet though.

“New demon king and hero every 100 years. Balance between groups, demons beasts against humans. Demon king die on make this time, killed by secret attack, balance broken. Demon kings lands taken, we almost die out. No help, no guidance, goblins now alone.”

“Demon general isolated with us, knew fast-move magic, had idea. On hero make, he attack capital, hurt wards. We use hand to activate fast-move magic built circles, move you here. Now, even weaker, elders give life for magic” He explained. The half broken english didn’t make this easier, but it’s clear that the desperation Elder was feeling wasn’t one that came of his own mistakes. Well, not his alone. Now came the request.

“Goblins know hero born enemy, but you no need to attack us! You powerful, can kill if you want. But please, help goblins! Just want peace from humans, from attackers. They use goblin slaves, massacre us. We can do nothing. We help you learn too, use magic!” He bowed again, after nearly stammering over his words in a rush.

This… This was not good at all. They want my help because they’ve already lost, which means fighting in the future would be inevitable, because of course humans would want to secure their victory; tie up loose ends. I could imagine doing the same, against an enemy generations long. I’d be an enemy of humanity if I were to help these things, and they can’t do a damn thing to protect me, since I’m supposed to be their guardian angel.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

They could clearly not teach me a thing compared to humans if they’re so weak, especially if this magic truly was real, and I could control it as they say. It’s not them who actually summoned a hero, after all.

And our location… I’d be living in a cave, surrounded by disease and living in a shack. I’ve never needed to stoop that low, no matter how bad things may have gotten before. Could these goblins even properly hunt for themselves? I haven’t seen a single one that looked more than halfway malnourished.

Fuck me, they’re hopeless! I couldn’t protect myself in a real fight, much less a tribe’s worth of all things! I don’t owe these Goblins a single thing, I could leave right now, go to the nearest human village and probably show them the intricate gold band that I’ve just realized was branded on my arm; be claimed as the hero I keep getting called. It would probably be easy, I know enough to not die a day in a forest. I could lie right here, say that I want to take a walk to think things over and never come back.

But there’s a part of me that can’t forget that pain, that agony that has my heart pounding even now. I’d be walking right back to them, essentially begging them to use me for a war already won, for what else could I possibly have been summoned for? I’ve put down my pride for a lot, but I’d rather die than become a toy for the people that put me through that. They still need to pay, and they will, eventually.

Perhaps I could live quietly for a while, but I’d be ousted eventually; the mark on my arm isn’t small, and someone would find it. And even if I wasn’t found out, what would I possibly do, farm for all my life? I almost threw up at the thought.

But with these goblins to guide me, maybe I could find power here, one that’s more… direct, than what I once desired. That’s what they’re asking for, right? They want power too, practically begging for it, even if they don’t even know it. Yes, maybe this can work. If I can build myself up, I’ll build them up, and we’ll get what we need.

I smiled, this one more kind than business-like, even if they don’t yet understand what it means.

“I’m sorry for all that you’ve gone through, it sounds… awful, and I’ll consider your offer. For now, though, could I please learn more about this magic you’ve mentioned?”

With that, the Elder seemed to calm down the slightest bit, and nodded his head.

“Yes, Let teach. I show directly, yes?”

“That sounds great”

With that, he closed his eyes, and that blue mist slowly started coming from him again. That mist started to spread, sinking to the floor. Suddenly, a shimmering light blue transparent dome started to form from the group up, surrounding us all. The dome had darker shades of blue move in streaks across it, like comets coming in and out from nothing. It, admittedly, was quite beautiful. I really am in a place I know nothing about, now. The elder seemed focused, but managed to start talking again.

“All have souls, though species have own soul type. Human and goblin different races, but both close sould type. Soul is middle part of body, connects all places. I use aura now, first stage of soul creation. Soul make different power, different auras. I make bowl that protects. I now protect area for seers, who try to find source of fast-move magic on you”

“Er, okay, so the fast-move magic is-”

“Two stage make eye magic, very special. More special than aura, rare to be two stage. You two stage. Heroes never start two stage, you very special” He continued. Guardian was still here, playing with his spear now. Wait, I was the second stage? How does he know?

“So eye magic, is that a literal phrase or-”

“Stages after two stage, know little how get there. First stage need scary or intense time, reaction of braveness. Two stage needs dream, also know how to get there. Both need mana. Mana come from world, sky, also all living. Fill soul with mana, make mana your own, grow in stage, call growing levels. Five levels in stage. Now you try”

…

Maybe I should go be a farmer after all.

This goblin’s teaching skills are somehow even worse than someone who didn’t even actually care about their mentees. Even if I ask, I doubt I’d learn a thing. Elder opened his eyes, and smiled, waiting expectantly. I may be able to figure out… whatever it is I need to, but it won’t be with his help. I need to take a walk, clear my head, analyze things.

“I’ll try soon actually, thank you. I think I need a little time outside first though. It’s been a stressful day, I’m sure you know. Would you mind pointing the way outside? I shouldn’t be gone too long” He seemed a bit disappointed, as though his explanation would’ve suddenly had me understand all under heaven and earth.

“Yes, walk good. Outside is up all holes. Want guardian help? Danger outside,” Guardian looked up from playing with his spear, trying to refocus on what was happening.

“I’m good, thank you. Really, it shouldn’t be too long. Well, I’ll be back soon” I got up from sitting, and started walking.

Testing the blue dome, my hand went right through. I continued walking, and found myself back in the main part of the cave. The goblins were up and walking around now, though everything stilled yet again on seeing me. Upon a glance, it seemed that all of them were I ignored them, nothing I can do (for want to) for now. There was only one tunnel that went up, and it was the biggest one. The walk out only took a few minutes.

The outside was brighter than I remember, and it seemed that I was in a forest of some sorts, more temperamental than anything else but it’s not like I went in nature all that much. The cave I came out of semed to come out of a ridge of sorts, and was well hidden. Looking around for anything dangerous, I found some half eaten scraps of food on a plate of bark. Now, why would food be left out here, much less half-eaten? Ah, I was distracted again. I really do need a walk.

Moving through the trees in a half hearted attempt at a straight line, I didn’t notice that my hands and teeth were clenched until minutes had already gone by.

Was there a single thing that can be done about this? Maybe I did have a soul and some secret powers, but there’s not a teacher around that could actually show me how things are done. Was there even a reason I was chosen, out of all the people on Earth, or was my luck simply that awful? There was no one to ask these kinds of questions to, and no one to share my fears with. Well, at least one thing’s never changed then. My heart never stopped pounding and the agony’s never truly stopped. Or the dirtiness.

It’s not going to be too long until I crack, now.

Okay Darius, remember your lessons. Breath. This isn’t your first rodeo, as the popular slang is used. Right. I opened my eyes again, and started walking back. Seeing what this whole soul thing is about sounds like a necessity, but I can’t stay too far from the cave, or else getting lost would be too easy. I’ve studied up a bit on nature and survival, but the wilderness is foreign to me, to say the least.

Once the cave was within sight, I sat down on the dirty, uncomfortable floor, against a tree. In the quiet buzz that exists in nature, I considered crying, for just a second. It’s been years, decades, but this sequence of events made me consider trying it again. But crying’s a useless thing, and so the feeling passed. I’m not so pathetic, not anymore.

Closing my eyes once again, I shifted my frame of thought. It’s obvious magic’s real here, and it’s apparently clear I can use it. So, if Elder’s to be believed, there’s a soul within me, in the middle of my being. I…I don’t know. Searched for it? Sensed for it? Maybe this can work a bit like meditation. From the top to the bottom of my body, slowly becoming aware of every atom of my body. No thoughts. Just the process.

…

There. In multiple places, actually. First, where that pain was most developed, in the center of my body. Right above the stomach, I could feel something there, like something’s trying to occupy a space that it can’t actually fit in. From that spot I could see a sort of set of lines traveling all across my body, passages of annoyance and pain. I’ve yet to ‘see’ anything, but there’s a flicker of something, that much is slowly becoming clear.

And there’s one other place, my right eye. The pain there feels more real, somehow. Perhaps that can wait, apparently this ‘soul’ comes first. Okay, more focus.

…

There’s a light flickering, in the soul area. A sort of black fire, until I started seeing a bit of pink. The pink sparks suddenly grew more and more, until a mass of bright candy-colored light flung out of my body. I snapped my eyes open to a night’s darkness and a blob of pink fire, being molded into some sort of shape.

Slowly the fire started to mold itself. Two ears like a bunny’s a sort of stuffed body like your average plush- wait. Pippy?