Chapter 46

Mouse rose from his position amidst the aftermath of the brief battle, a sense of clarity seemed to resurface within him, though his demeanor remained distraught as he began to stride off to the side of the clearing under the watchful gaze of his comrades.

Barnes, still frustrated by Mouse's hasty decision earlier, attempted to talk some sense into him. "Hey... let's talk!" he called out, his voice tinged with concern. But despite his efforts, his words fell on deaf ears as Mouse continued to walk away, his steps heavy with a weight of emotions.

"Hey! Mouse!" Barnes tried again, but it was futile as Mouse sauntered off into the nearby shade, his body slumping down as he sat with his head tucked between his knees.

Barnes was about to approach Mouse when he felt a hand on his shoulder stopping him in his tracks. It was Sarge, who shook his head in silent communication, indicating that it might be best to let Mouse be for the time being. With a resigned sigh, Barnes relented, his frustration evident in his weary expression.

Footsteps sounded out as Hawk, accompanied by Alex and John, arrived at the scene.

Hawk observed the commotion with a detached air, his gaze sweeping over the scene before him. "I suggest you leave him be, decanus," he advised Barnes, his tone clipped and to the point.

Bending down to inspect the goblin that had been ruthlessly beaten to death by Mouse, Hawk clicked his tongue in disgust at the sight beneath him.

“Bloody Eve, someone had a bad day” Hawk muttered under his breath.

Alex, visibly shaken by the bloody spectacle, swayed slightly on his feet, his face pale as he struggled to process the violence he had witnessed.

Meanwhile, John remained aloof from the varying emotions swirling around him. His eyes were fixed on a specific tree, a look of wonder crossing his features before he turned his attention to the scene with a detached indifference, his thoughts a mystery to those around him.

621 watched as the soldiers each found their own way to cope with the aftermath.

Bull seemed to find amusement in toying with his captive goblin. With a sense of detached boredom, he intentionally released the creature from his grasp only to knock it down with a firm push, his expression devoid of remorse as he restrained it once more.

The goblin's pitiful cries fell on deaf ears as Bull continued his cruel game it was a silent reminder of the psychopathy that lurked within the depths of warriors.

On the other hand, Rook wasted no time in looting the area for any valuables he could find. With a pound of flesh clenched between his teeth, evidence of his grisly plunder, he rummaged through the belongings of the fallen goblins with a voracious appetite for treasure.

In contrast, there was Sarge who sought solace in the familiar routine of cleaning his blade. Striding over to a fallen log, he withdrew a dirtied cloth from his pack and meticulously wiped the crimson stains from his weapon, each motion a deliberate act of cleansing in the wake of the bloodshed.

His expression betrayed no hint of emotion as he worked, his focus solely on the task at hand as he sought to reclaim a sense of order amidst the blood.

And then there was Barnes, the de facto leader of the group, “Decanus” which 621 assumed was the title, he had his arms crossed and his brow furrowed in deep thought as he stood over an unconscious goblin. His gaze, however, was fixed on Mouse, who remained in the same position under the shade, lost in his own turmoil of emotions.

Hawk groaned as he rose from his position with a stretch but just as he did, his ears perked at a particular direction, drawn to the same tree that had captured John's attention earlier.

“Heh..”, with a chuckle, he made his way towards it, his steps purposeful as he picked up a sizable rock along the way.

"You guys... missed one!" Hawk called out with a mischievous grin, his voice carrying through the clearing. With a swift motion, he hurled the rock at the dense brush surrounding the tree, eliciting an audible cry that echoed through the forest.

In an instant, something crashed down from the tree, hidden by the thick foliage until now. It was a goblin, its form sprawled on the ground as it stared up at Hawk with fear-filled eyes. Its hands were raised in a feeble attempt to protect its now-bloodied head, the result of the rock's impact. Its cries were loud and desperate, a plea for mercy that fell on deaf ears.

Hawk wasted no time in approaching the fallen goblin, his movements swift despite a slight limp. He loomed over the creature, disgust evident in his expression as he regarded it with contempt. "See guys? I told you so," he remarked, indicating towards the pitiful creature at his feet.

Unsheathing his sword, Hawk raised it high in the air, ready to deliver the killing blow. But before he could act, Barnes's voice rang out with urgency. "Hawk, stop!" Barnes shouted, his command cutting through the tension of the moment.

Hawk's movements halted as he glanced back at Barnes, his expression one of frustration at the interruption. "We need that one too," Barnes ordered firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

“Seriously?” Hawk muttered in disbelief. “What a way to kill the mood man!”

Clicking his tongue in disappointment, Hawk begrudgingly complied, his gaze lingering on the goblin with disdain. "You're lucky... you dirty mongrel," he spat at the creature, his contempt palpable in the gesture.

With a swift kick, Hawk sent the goblin sprawling on the ground before he retrieved a rope from his pack, preparing to bind the creature in captivity. As he worked, the forest fell silent once more, the echoes of battle fading into the background as the soldiers regrouped.

“Bring it on over here” Barnes shouted.

..

The seven individuals stood in the clearing, the heat of the sun still beating down upon them as they contemplated their next move. Barnes, his posture contemplative, surveyed the scene before him with a sense of determination. The bound goblins, three in total, were tethered to a nearby tree, 2 conscious and one barely, their struggles against their restraints futile as they squirmed and screeched in desperation.

"You want to train them here?" Sarge's voice cut through the silence, his gaze fixed on Barnes as he posed the question. Barnes met his gaze with a steady resolve, his mind already made up. "Might as well while the iron's hot," he replied, his tone firm as he cast a brief glance towards John and Alex, the two young recruits idly standing nearby.

With a nod of understanding Sarge began preparing as he took out a bundle of rope as Barnes issued his next orders, his voice carrying across the clearing. "Hawk, Rook, and Bull, go ahead and scout the area. Come back if there's anything amiss," he commanded, prompting the three soldiers to saunter off in different directions, each with their own thoughts on the task at hand.

Hawk rolled his eyes in annoyance, Rook displayed indifference, while Bull offered a word of caution regarding the captured goblin he had toyed around with, warning them to be wary of its potential anger before disappearing into the underbrush.

Meanwhile, John's gaze lingered on the bound goblins, his curiosity piqued by their frantic struggles and anguished cries. One goblin in particular caught his attention, its attempts at retaliation more fervent than the others, its screeches echoing through the clearing in a cacophony of rage. It was the same one that Bull had warned about.

With a final glance towards the rest of the group, Barnes delegated the responsibility to Sarge, trusting him to take charge of the ‘training’.

"Well alright, Sarge, take the reins," he said, before turning and walking in the direction of Mouse, who remained secluded in the shade.

Sarge then turned his attention to Alex and John with a neutral expression. "Who wants to go first?" he inquired, his tone inviting yet unnerving.

Alex, on guard and hesitant, voiced his doubts. "What do you intend to do?" he asked weakly, uncertainty evident in his voice.

The grizzled man met his gaze with a reassuring smile, gesturing towards the bound goblins with a nod of his head. "Your training," he replied casually. “Come on over kid.”

Sarge beckoned Alex over with a casual wave of his hand whilst the youth’s dread was palpable, etched across his face like a shadow of fear. Despite his trepidation, Alex hesitated only briefly before obediently making his way to Sarge's side, resigned to facing whatever challenge lay ahead.

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"Good man," Sarge remarked, his tone reassuring as he assessed the apprehensive recruit before him. "What's your dominant arm?" he inquired, his voice steady and calm.

"L-Left..." Alex stammered in response, his words faltering as he struggled to maintain his composure under Sarge's scrutinizing gaze.

Without hesitation, Sarge nodded in understanding, his movements deliberate as he began to tie one end of a rope to Alex's right hand. The youth watched in confusion, his mind racing with questions and uncertainty, yet he remained determined to steel himself for whatever ordeal awaited him.

With the rope secured in place, Sarge approached one of the bound goblins, the other end of the rope in his grasp. Alex's dread deepened as he watched Sarge bind the goblin's hand to the opposite end of the rope, his heart pounding with apprehension at the realization of what was to come.

As Sarge began to release the chosen goblin from its bindings, a sense of horror washed over Alex, his face paling as the gravity of the situation sank in. "Wait, wait..." he murmured, his voice barely a whisper as he struggled to find the words to express his mounting fear.

But Sarge paid no heed to Alex's pleas, his actions unimpeded. With a final push, he released the goblin and pushed it towards Alex in a carefree manner, his words of encouragement ringing hollow in the face of the impending challenge.

"Good luck, kid," he said, his tone casual yet tinged with a hint of solemnity.

The released goblin analyzed the situation, confusion flickered across its feral features as it eyed the rope but that was only for a fleeting moment before primal instincts took hold, driving it forward with blind violence.

Seeing this, Alex panicked as he frantically attempted to maintain distance from the charging creature.

"No, no, no!" he cried out, his voice laced with desperation as he stumbled backward, his eyes wide with fear. But despite his efforts, the goblin closed the gap with alarming speed, its agile form closing in on him with predatory precision.

"Unsheathe your sword!" Sarge's voice cut through the chaos, a commanding tone urging Alex to arm himself against the impending threat. But lost in a haze of panic, Alex failed to heed the veteran's advice, his focus consumed by the primal fear gnawing at his senses.

Around the clearing they danced, a frantic chase between predator and prey, as Alex desperately sought to evade the goblin's relentless pursuit. Despite his slightly taller stature, the goblin's agility proved to be its advantage, allowing it to close the distance with effortless ease.

With a sudden leap, the goblin latched onto Alex's back, their combined weight sending them tumbling to the ground in a tangle of limbs and dust. The goblin wasted no time in unleashing its fury, pounding at Alex with ferocious blows and tearing at his armor with clawed hands.

Curling into a defensive ball, Alex sought to shield himself from the onslaught, his arms raised in a feeble attempt to ward off the barrage of attacks. The clang of metal against flesh filled the air as the goblin's assault continued unabated, each strike driving Alex further into a corner of desperation.

"Fight back!" Sarge's voice thundered above the chaos, a reminder of the stakes at hand. "Use your fists, your sword, anything!" But in the heat of the moment, Alex found himself paralyzed by fear, his mind clouded by the overwhelming onslaught of the goblin's aggression.

His body trembled with fear as he cowered beneath the creature's onslaught. Armour or not, each blow landed with bone-jarring force, sending waves of pain coursing through his battered form.

Despite Sarge's urging to fight back, Alex remained passive, his mind consumed by a paralyzing terror that rendered him unable to muster even the slightest resistance. With each passing moment, the goblin's attacks grew more frenzied, its primal rage fueling a relentless barrage of punches, kicks, bites and clawed strikes.

Time seemed to stretch into eternity as Alex endured the punishment, his world reduced to the agonizing torment of the present moment. Sounds faded into the background as his senses dulled, overwhelmed by the ceaseless assault upon his weak form.

At the side, Sarge sighed in disappointment, a heavy weight of frustration settled upon his shoulders, his expression a mask of weary resignation. With determined strides, he approached the scene, his movements purposeful as he reached out to forcefully pull the goblin away from Alex by its neck.

The goblin snarled and clawed at him, its primal instincts driving it to resist even in the face of overwhelming force. But Sarge's strength proved too great, and with a swift motion, he pinned the creature to the ground right next to the cowering recruit.

"Hey, kid," Sarge called out to Alex, his voice firm yet tinged with a hint of concern. But Alex remained lost in his own world of terror, his trembling form a testament to the depths of his fear.

"ALEX!" Sarge's voice boomed like thunder, reverberating through the clearing and snapping the recruit out of his state of humiliation. With a sudden burst of panic, Alex clawed at the earth beneath him, desperate to put distance between himself and the imagined threat of the goblin's looming presence.

But Sarge was quick to intervene, pulling on the rope that tethered Alex's hand and halting his frantic retreat. With a firm tug, he brought the trembling recruit towards him, forcing Alex to meet his gaze with a mixture of terror and shame.

In a swift motion, Sarge delivered a sharp slap to Alex's face, the stinging impact jolting the recruit out of his daze. "Snap out of it, kid," Sarge said firmly, his words a command as much as a plea for understanding.

Momentarily regaining clarity from his fear-induced stupor, Alex shivered as he stood before Sarge, his head bowed low in humiliation. But Sarge was undeterred, his gaze unwavering as he gently urged the recruit to meet his eyes.

"Look at me," Sarge said calmly, his voice a steady anchor amidst the chaos that surrounded them. But Alex, still gripped by fear, feigned ignorance, his gaze averted in shame.

"LOOK AT ME!" Sarge's voice thundered once more, his tone demanding obedience as he forced Alex to confront his fears head-on. With trembling hands, Alex reluctantly lifted his gaze to meet Sarge's unwavering stare.

"Good, now take a look," Sarge gestured towards the pinned goblin, its struggles futile against the weight of his hand. "Is this what you're afraid of? This weakling?" Sarge questioned Alex, his voice laced with frustration.

"ANSWER ME!" Sarge's voice rang out with authority, echoing through the clearing as he awaited Alex's response.

"Y-Yes..." Alex gulped, his voice barely above a whisper as he acknowledged the source of his deepest fears, his gaze fixed on the struggling goblin before him.

Likewise, Sarge’s eyes bore into Alex with a cold intensity, stripping away any facade of comfort or reassurance, his countenance changed drastically.

"Look at you," he spat out with disdain, his tone laced with contempt. "Cowering like a frightened child. Is this what the Empire's soldiers have become? Weak, spineless cowards?"

Alex was taken aback, he wanted to look away but he was drawn in by the latter's tone.

Sarge's voice dripped like venom as he taunted, "You're pathetic, Alex" he snarled. "A pathetic excuse for a man, just like your sorry excuse for parents. Useless, worthless, a burden to the Empire."

"Your parents must be rolling in their graves, knowing they birthed a waste of space like you. A coward who couldn't even muster the courage to face a single goblin."

The words hit Alex like a physical blow, his breath caught in his throat as he reeled from the onslaught of verbal abuse. The memories of his parents, long gone but still cherished, twisted into a weapon to pierce his heart.

"You thought you could make a difference, didn't you?" Sarge continued with scorn, "Thought you could avenge their deaths, bring honour to their memory. But look at you now, trembling like a little sack of shit.”

A surge of anger boiled within Alex, his fists clenched tightly to the point that his knuckles turned white. The insult to his parents, the mockery of his aspirations, it was becoming too much to bear.

But Sarge didn’t care as he pulled Alex closer to him with the rope, his presence imposing and domineering. "You think you deserve to wear that uniform, Huh? To stand alongside real warriors?" Sarge questioned; his voice intertwined with ridicule.

"No, you're nothing but a disgrace to the Empire, a stain on the honour of every soldier who has fought and died for it."

Hearing this, Alex now glared at him with clenched teeth.

“That’s it…” a cruel smile twisted upon Sarge's lips "but maybe," he continued, his voice low and dangerous, "maybe there's still a shred of dignity left in your hollow existence. Maybe you're not a worthless son of a bitch.”

Sarge sent Alex away with a forceful push. "Prove it, Alex. Prove that you're not just a worthless, sniveling coward. Prove that you're worthy of the uniform you wear. Kill that weakling and show me!”

With those words, Sarge stepped back as he dragged the goblin further away before releasing his hold on it. The creature snarled and clawed at the ground; its eyes frantic at the thought of freedom.

Without waiting for Sarge's command, Alex's hand shot to his sword, his movements fueled by a blaze of fury that burned bright in his eyes. With a primal cry of defiance tearing from his throat, he charged towards the goblin, his footsteps echoing through the clearing like lightning.

Sarge watched on with a contemptuous sneer, his gaze following Alex's every move with a cynical amusement. With a disdainful snort, he delivered a swift kick to the goblin's side, sending it tumbling in the direction of Alex's oncoming onslaught.

The goblin scrambled to its feet, its primitive instincts driving it to violence once more as it faced the charging threat with fearless snarls.

Alex was relentless in his charge, his sword held tight as he closed in on his target with a single-minded determination. With a swift and decisive motion, Alex thrust his sword forwards, the blade slicing through the air with deadly precision.

The goblin's war cries were cut short as the sword found its mark, piercing through flesh with a sickening thud. But the young recruit did not stop there. No, driven by a primal rage that seemed to consume him whole, he continued to rain down blow after brutal blow upon the fallen creature.

With each stab, the goblin's body convulsed in agony, its blood splattering across the earth in a grotesque dance of violence. Alex's cries echoed through the clearing, a raw expression of frustration and anger as he unleashed his pent-up emotions upon his hapless victim.

The ground beneath them was soon stained crimson with the goblin's lifeblood. Yet still, Alex showed no signs of relenting, his movements fueled by an insatiable thirst for vengeance almost akin to Mouse’s actions.

He stabbed and stabbed, each thrust driven by a primal instinct to purge himself of the shame and humiliation that had consumed him. It was as if he sought to wash himself anew, to cleanse his soul in the goblin's blood and emerge reborn from the depths of his own despair.

And so he continued, heedless of the horror unfolding around him, until at last, drained of all his anger and frustration, he stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving with exertion and his hands slick with the goblin's blood.

From the sidelines, Sarge watched with an eerie smile twisted upon his features like a grotesque mask of satisfaction. His eyes gleamed with a dark intensity, reflecting the carnage that played out before him in all its brutal glory.

There was something unsettling about the way he observed the violence, something almost primal in the way he seemed to revel in the bloodshed. It was as if this was what he had been waiting for all along, as if he had orchestrated the entire chain of events leading up to this moment.

His smile had widened with each stab of Alex's sword, his expression twisted with a perverse sense of pleasure at the sight of the young recruit unleashing his fury upon the helpless goblin.

There was no trace of remorse or hesitation in his gaze, only a cold and calculating hunger for destruction.