Jack sat beneath the canopy of a large tree, his back against the rough bark as he chewed on a piece of dried meat he had taken from the goblin supplies. The taste was unpleasant, but it was sustenance, and he needed to keep his strength up. His mind, however, was elsewhere, focused on the map he had seen in the goblin cave. The memory of the crude drawings and markings danced before his eyes as he tried to piece together the significance of what he had seen.
The map had clearly been of the island, with various points marked in a strange, angular script. At the center of the map, there had been a prominent symbol, highlighted in a way that suggested it was of great importance. It resembled a gate or a portal of some kind, though its exact nature was unclear. The lines leading to this central point seemed to converge from different parts of the island, suggesting that it was a focal point, possibly a destination or a place of power.
Jack frowned, trying to recall the details. The goblin leader had seemed particularly focused on this symbol, and the way the goblins had reacted to it indicated that it held significant meaning. He remembered the terrain depicted on the map around the gate: a series of high, vertical rocks surrounded by dense forest. It seemed the only way to reach this gate was through the cave he had just fled from, or at least that was the most direct route. The other routes seemed blocked or inaccessible, marked by symbols that Jack assumed represented dangerous terrain or obstacles.
He finished his meager meal and stood up, stretching his legs. The forest around him was quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife absent. It was as if the entire island held its breath, waiting for something to happen. Jack felt a sense of urgency growing within him. He needed to find this gate, to understand its significance. The goblins clearly believed it was important, and if it was a source of power or a means of controlling the island, then it was crucial to their plans.
Jack decided to head towards the area marked on the map. The cave entrance was the most straightforward way in, but after his narrow escape, he knew he couldn't simply walk back in. The goblins would be on high alert now, and he couldn't risk another confrontation. He needed to find another way.
He moved through the forest, keeping a low profile and staying off the main paths. As he approached the area near the cave, he noticed the landscape changing. The trees became taller and more twisted, their branches forming a dense canopy overhead. The underbrush grew thicker, with vines and creepers winding around the trunks. The air was cooler here, and Jack felt a chill as he moved deeper into the forest.
He reached the edge of a clearing and peered through the foliage. Ahead of him, the ground sloped upward, forming a series of steep, rocky outcrops. These were the high vertical rocks he had seen on the map. They formed a natural barrier, a wall of stone that seemed almost impossible to climb. Jack frowned, considering his options. He couldn't go through the cave, and climbing these rocks seemed equally daunting.
As he pondered his next move, Jack's eyes fell on a particularly tall tree that grew near the base of the rocks. Its branches extended over the rocky outcrops, and he realized that if he could climb the tree, he might be able to find a way over the rocks. It was a risky plan, but it seemed to be his best option.
Jack approached the tree cautiously, checking the area for any signs of goblins. Satisfied that he was alone, he began to climb. The tree's bark was rough and knotted, providing good handholds, and Jack's new strength and agility made the climb easier than it might have been otherwise. He moved carefully, testing each branch before putting his weight on it. As he ascended, he kept an eye on the surrounding forest, watching for any signs of movement.
He reached a point where the branches extended over the rocks, forming a natural bridge. Jack carefully edged out onto one of the larger branches, feeling it sway slightly under his weight. He looked down and felt a moment of vertigo as he saw the ground far below. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and continued forward, his eyes focused on the rocks ahead.
Just as he reached the point where the branch would allow him to step onto the rocks, he felt a sudden sharp pain in his side. He looked down to see a small dart embedded in his skin, its tip glistening with some kind of liquid. Jack's heart sank as he realized what had happened—he had been spotted, and now he was poisoned.
He quickly pulled the dart out and examined the wound. The poison was already spreading, causing a burning sensation. Jack knew he had to act fast. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small vial of healing potion he had prepared earlier. He downed the contents in one gulp, feeling the cool liquid soothe the burning pain.
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The healing potion took effect quickly, but Jack could still feel the poison's effects slowing him down. He had to move fast before the goblins caught up with him. With a determined look, he climbed down from the tree and made his way to the rocks. He began to scale the rock face, using the vines and cracks in the stone to pull himself up. The climb was grueling, his muscles protesting with every movement, but he pushed on, driven by the need to find the gate and uncover its secrets.
As he reached the top of the rocks, Jack paused to catch his breath. The forest stretched out below him, a sea of green broken only by the occasional rocky outcrop. He looked around, searching for any sign of the gate. Ahead, the rocks formed a narrow passageway, leading deeper into the forest. Jack felt a sense of unease as he stared into the shadows. This was the only way forward, but it felt like he was walking into a trap.
Jack steeled himself and moved forward, keeping to the shadows as much as possible. He could hear the distant sounds of goblin voices, the language harsh and guttural. He couldn't make out what they were saying, but the tone was urgent, as if they were preparing for something.
He pressed on, moving through the narrow passageway. The walls of rock rose high on either side, blocking out the light and casting deep shadows. Jack felt a growing sense of claustrophobia, the air heavy and oppressive. He knew he was getting closer to the gate, but he also knew that the goblins would be guarding it. He had to be careful, to avoid detection at all costs.
As he emerged from the passageway, Jack found himself in a small clearing. The ground was covered in soft moss, and the air was cool and damp. At the center of the clearing stood a large stone arch, its surface covered in strange, glowing runes. Jack felt a thrill of excitement as he realized he had found the gate. This was the focal point of the map, the place the goblins were so intent on reaching.
He approached the gate cautiously, examining the runes. They were unlike anything he had seen before, their patterns intricate and mesmerizing. Jack reached out to touch the stone, feeling a faint warmth beneath his fingers. The gate was clearly some kind of magical artifact, but its purpose was still a mystery.
As Jack pondered the gate's significance, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He quickly backed away, hiding behind a nearby rock. A group of goblins emerged from the passageway, led by the reddish-green goblin leader. They moved with purpose, their eyes fixed on the gate.
Jack watched as the goblin leader approached the gate, raising its arms in a gesture of reverence. The other goblins knelt, their heads bowed. The leader began to chant, the words a guttural rumble that echoed through the clearing. Jack felt a chill as the runes on the gate began to glow brighter, pulsing with an eerie light.
The goblins were performing some kind of ritual, and Jack knew he couldn't stay hidden for long. He needed to find a way to stop them, or at least learn more about what they were planning. But as he considered his options, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. The poison was still in his system, its effects weakening him.
Jack knew he had to act fast. He reached into his pouch and pulled out another healing potion, drinking it down in one gulp. The potion's effects were immediate, but Jack knew it wouldn't last. He needed to find a safe place to hide, to recover and plan his next move.
He looked around, spotting a dense thicket of bushes near the edge of the clearing. It wasn't the best hiding spot, but it would have to do. Jack moved quickly, keeping low to the ground as he made his way to the thicket. He slipped into the shadows, his eyes fixed on the goblins as they continued their ritual.
As Jack crouched in the bushes, his mind raced with questions. What was the purpose of the gate? What were the goblins planning? And most importantly, how could he stop them? He knew he couldn't do it alone, but he also knew he couldn't trust the others at the resort, not after what had happened with Ben.
For now, Jack decided to focus on gathering as much information as he could. The goblins' ritual seemed to be nearing its climax, and he needed to know what they were up to. He watched as the goblin leader stepped forward, placing a hand on the gate. The runes flared brightly, and Jack felt a surge of energy ripple through the air.