We stop a few minutes worth of distance from the mines. It is what we are supposed to do if we want to contact Snaray.

Before that, however, there is something that is bothering me.

Ever since we left the outskirts of the Village.

I tap Sylvar’s shoulder, who is carefully inspecting the trees. I think he is trying to find any substances that could help with masking our presence to the Tree Beasts. His coat is covered in tree sap. Not that it matters, especially with all the stuff we put daily on our equipment to cover our scent.

“How is the situation looking?” I ask.

“What are you referring to?” Sylvar says.

I am sure he has felt it too. He must have.

“Things are weird. Too quiet.” I say.

“I see that my tracking and navigation lessons have not been wasted on you, my dear friend Volter.”

“What is wrong?” Julie asks.

Meuko stays silent, like most times. She simply stays ready, in a stance where it is easy for her to defend. In case of an ambush.

“Tell me, what do you see?” Sylvar places a hand on my shoulder.

This is getting weird. Is this a test? I am getting enough of those in my life.

“Ground is not disturbed. I do not think the goblins are watching us from the trees.” I say, looking around us.

“And why is that?” Sylvar asks.

“Because… We did not hear any bird sounds. We also did not see any groups. Was Alayne wrong? Hollis, too?” I look at Sylvie, who is sniffing around.

No idea what she is looking for.

“Thankfully, the goblins cannot smell us. Even your stench is suppressed by all the mud and manure we cover ourselves with. So… What is wrong here?” Sylvar persists.

Why is he acting like the answer is right in front of us? There is nothing here.

Wait.

There is nothing here.

“Where are all the animals? No birds, no dire-whatever. We have not seen any goblin activity. But the same is true for all animal activity around here.” I explain.

“There. You saw the effect.” Sylvar says.

“So?” I ask.

“Well, you must now think of the problem. Why is the world still? Why is it not moving around us? Breathless, except for trees…” Sylvar says.

“Ideas?” I say, expecting the whole group to help.

“They got captured, like Sylvie.” Meuko says, having a drink from her pouch.

Sylvie immediately turns her heads towards Meuko, thinking that she is being called upon. She quickly returns to her usual sniffing process.

“What about the weather? Constant shifts damaged the plants. Maybe the animals are not adapting well.” Julie says.

“Perhaps. These behavior changes in animal presence are worrying… What do you propose we do about the goblins?” Sylvar asks.

I know the question. I know I was going to have to answer it. I still do not know what the right answer is.

Whatever.

“Use the whistling arrow, move towards the mines with no hostility. No killing.” I say.

“Even if they attack us?” Meuko raises her hands. “I am not risking Julie getting hurt.”

“I told you, no need to worry about me.” Julie says.

“We cannot help that, Julie. We are worried about everyone in this group, including you.” I say.

“Right.” Julie says, lowering her head.

“So, load it.” I say.

Sylvar takes out the whistling arrow and shoots it towards the direction of the mines. There is a sharp sound coming off it, becoming more and more faint as the distance traveled grows. What starts as a shriek quickly turns into the familiar sound of the wind.

“Let us go, then.” Sylvar says.

We all keep moving forward, trying our best to be mindful of our surroundings.

If I have to fight another troll…

Our formation is a bit more spread, with Julie being in the center. The fact that Sylvie is not running away and coming back with some sort of rodent or bird means that there truly is no movement around this place.

“It is just ahead.” Sylvar says.

Sylvie growls. Intensely. Is she scared?

“Ready yourselves.” I say, taking my sword out of its scabbard.

“You said-”

“I know.” I interrupt Julie.

Sylvar is on the front middle of the formation, Meuko is on the right and I am on the left, effectively creating a shield around Julie, while in a position to interrupt any attacks against Sylvar.

“Switch with me?” I ask Sylvar.

“Yes.” Sylvar responds.

All interactions are in the form of a whisper now. Sylvar whistles and Sylvie quickly runs right next to him. We swap places. I want to make sure there is no chance someone would rush Julie from the front side.

“Anything?” Meuko whispers.

“No.” Sylvar says. “But…”

Sylvie keeps growling, heads pointing towards the mines and a bit towards our right side.

“Nothing above us.” I say.

“What do we-”

“Hey, can I come out now? You are all pretty tense.” A familiar voice snarls.

“Snaray?” I ask loudly. Towards somewhere.

“Yes.” Snaray’s voice responds.

“Where are you?” Sylvar asks.

The sudden sound of twigs and leaves being shaken makes us all get ready for a fight.

“Right here.” Snaray appears from below a tree, a few trees ahead of us.

“That one is a new trick.” I say, moving closer.

“Not really. You barely know any of our tricks. We just do not use this one that often. In case a troll is sleeping nearby.” Snaray explains.

The group follows me.

“How are you?” I ask.

“Could be worse. Your killings have not made things easier with the Queen.” Snaray says.

“Sorry. Things sort of happened.” I say.

“Okay. It has been, what, three weeks since we last talked?” Snaray says, his bony medallion rattling.

“Extremely busy times.” Sylvar says, trying to calm Sylvie, who is still growling at the sight of our gray friend.

Snaray raises his arms in a show of fear and hesitation against the Blight Dog.

I notice a few purple marks in his body, mostly in his arms and legs. Bruises.

“Everything okay? Had a fight?” I ask.

“What?” Snaray says, pulling his body a bit backwards. “Oh, these. No, fell off a tree.”

“Volt.” Meuko growls.

I know. Something is off. But what can I even say?

“Been there. How about your daughter. It was a daughter, right? How is the whole leg thing?” I ask.

“I assume you came here for metals. Come on.” Snaray says, turning his back to us and moving towards the mines.

I feel an arm poking my left shoulder. Sylvar, trying to gain my attention. He makes a hand signal. The same one when he wants us to stay low on the ground and be quiet. Why now?

Because he wants us to be careful.

“Snaray?” I ask.

“Yes?” He responds.

“I made sure you were safe from the Hunters. Have not seen them these past few weeks, have you?” I explain.

“Yes. I thank you for that. I do not like watching my people die.” Snaray responds.

I look at Meuko, who is staying carefully close to Julie, not trusting Snaray.

Why is everyone acting like that? It is Snaray.

We fought together.

I move forward, quickly realizing that my group is not following me.

“Come on, guys. We should not wa-”

The same sound of camouflage being broken. This time all around me.

“Sorry.” Snaray says.

Goblins jump out of different points of cover, all around me. Green ones, with armor.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

“Volter.” Sylvar shouts, readying his bow.

“Stop.” I say, raising my hand towards my friend.

The goblins are carrying spears, probably wanting to keep a distance.

“Snaray. We do not want to fight. You hear me?” I say, looking around me.

Ten. No, more. Do they have any reinforcements? A series of thumping sounds confirms my fears of more enemies. But this familiar sound… Like a hobgoblin. No.

“Cover Ju-”

A red hobgoblin interrupts me. Heavy armor, plates around the shoulders, chainmail, tassets and other pieces of armor I cannot carefully inspect. The large hobgoblin, like the one I fought with the giant sword, rushes me without any weapons. I raise my arms in defense but I already know I am not strong enough.

I feel a sudden pull, away from the hobgoblin’s threatening backhand. We are both equally surprised, as a golden rope brings me closer to my group. It takes a lot of effort to balance myself. I track the rope’s origin all the way to Julie. Meuko is the one doing the pulling. Explains the speed, I guess.

“Nice one.” I say.

“Told you I have been practicing.” Julie responds.

Sylvie barks constantly, ready to tear our enemies apart.

“Focus.” Sylvar says, shooting a goblin in the torso.

The rest of the goblins cower behind trees, while the hobgoblin takes out a shield.

“Stop.” I say, trying to cease the fighting.

“Snaray is gone, Volt.” Meuko explains.

I look at where our goblin friend used to be. Meuko is right. Why?

“You really are fast.” The hobgoblin says.

Booming voice, growling with intensity only a fighting spirit can give. Things are getting scary.

This is a smart one. The hobgoblin is looking around, trying to find gaps in our formation. I think it is guiding goblins with its gaze.

We are not supposed to be killing goblins.

“Volt.” Meuko pushes me, saving me from a javelin.

I try to balance myself, realizing that this situation is deadly.

“Meuko, protect Julie. Sylvar, cover our left side. Goblins are trying to flank us.” I say.

The hobgoblin approaches us slowly. It is not even remotely scared of Sylvar’s arrows. Actually, It seems to want to duel me.

Thankfully, the goblins that are trying to hide are wearing metal armor. That means I can hear them even if I cannot see them.

“I can take him.” Meuko says.

“Go, Sylvie, go.” Sylvar says, letting our companion loose.

The goblins expose themselves at the same time. Shit.

“Take cover.” I say, jumping behind a tree.

I look at the two sisters, who have safely dodged a few javelins. Julie has raised what looks like a small golden protective surface. She is preserving her magic. Nice.

“Sylvar, look up.” I say.

“None above us.” Sylvar responds.

Great.

“We need shields.” I shout.

“Tell that to Blago.” Julie responds.

She is taking this whole fighting thing really well.

“Meuko, worry about your right side. The goblins are trying to get to us. I got this.” I say, running out of my cover.

“Wait-”

A javelin interrupts Meuko, who quickly starts fighting against a group of goblins. Look at their tactics. These goblins know how to fight. They use their spears to try and hit Meuko without lunging and risking their lives.

Julie quickly improvises, picking up two javelins around her and using them to protect Meuko. A goblin gets skewered, landing messily on the ground.

“Cocky.” A voice draws my attention away from my friends.

“Shit.” I say, dropping on the ground and rolling away from the hobgoblin.

I dodge a horizontal strike.

This one is fast, with a shorter blade. Maybe thinner as well.

I suddenly prefer the bigger sword. At least that was slow enough to move around.

Focus, Volter. Come on.

“No one to help you this time.” The hobgoblin chuckles.

That is not true, Sylvar is looki-

Sylvar is fighting with his axes, trying to beat an entire group alone. Sylvie is there trying to reach him but there are just so many spears around us. This time, they are prepared. They are rushing Sylvar, trying to keep him from using his bow.

Another stomping sound makes me jump back, expecting an attack. I am right. A diagonal slash, aiming at my left hand.

I quickly throw a knife, aiming at the hobgoblin’s right shoulder. It blocks the knife, which gets stuck on the shield. The shield is wooden, with a metal outer ring. Maybe I can break it. Parts of animal skin are hanging out of the inside part of the enemy’s protective screen.

I see its belt. There are hooks strapped around the belt. Why hooks? Well, this is creepy.

“How are you so fast?” I ask.

“This armor helps.” The hobgoblin responds.

Wait a minute. This armor is not just metal. I see it now. The padding. Is that findal? How did they get this material?

Back in the cave, when we burned so many of them. Goblins took my findal armor apart. All this time ago. They built findal from scratch.

It is fast because there is less metal encumbering it. Funny word… Encumbering.

A sword thrust makes me focus on the fight. I deflect it with my Varuna bracers.

“I have better armor.” I smile.

“I will break it apart.” The hobgoblin says.

Funny. I am definitely not scared for my life.

I dash inside its attack range, hitting its sword away with mine. At the same time, I take out a knife with my left hand and stab its leg. Purple blood comes gushing out of the wound, as the enemy I am facing shouts. I twist the knife, worsening the wound and then leave it there. It will do more damage that way.

I immediately jump away from the hobgoblin, expecting it to blindly slash towards me. I manage to dodge the sword but get bashed with the shield as soon as I land. I grab the shield with my free hand and try and keep myself close to it.

The hobgoblin tries to cut me down. Instead, it is having difficulty reaching me as I spin my way around, stabbing the other leg with my sword. Using its own shield as an intermediary helps. I barely manage to pierce the skin before an elbow lands on my left shoulder.

As soon as the attack reaches me, my eyes go blurry. My mouth opens in shock and saliva starts drooping off my mouth. A cracking sounds means I probably have a broken bone somewhere.

The hobgoblin seems like it is raging right now, hitting me in the head with its shield. Blood runs all the way down my face.

“Volter.” Sylvar shouts.

The voice sounds muffled.

That is my ears hurting, not the sound itself. What am I even thinking about right now?

I can hear the axes and their magical slashing.

I raise my head, only to see the hobgoblin looking at me. Why is it not attacking me? No time to think.

Act.

Now.

I grab my sword as hard as I can, throw myself upwards and cut the arm I think is holding the shield. The hobgoblin wails in reaction, drops the shield and grabs my arm.

“Go, Meuko. Now.” Julie says.

“I cannot reach- Someone, help him.” Sylvar shouts from the other side.

There must be so many goblins.

Was running away the best choice?

No. Too many.

The hobgoblin crushes my arm, making me drop my sword. I simply cry out in pain, unable to react in any way. Not that I can do much, anyways. My huge enemy raises me up and then slams me on the ground behind him, effectively throwing me away from my group. I bounce on the ground, skid away and leave a trail of blood and shards of broken armor on the floor.

I put my one good hand on the ground and raise my head just in time to see Meuko’s leap. She gets larger, immediately releasing as much magic as possible. The hobgoblin tries slashing her away with the sword, only to have its weapon deflected by a magical wave. Same move as the one against Eadwald.

That is my big sister. Get him.

I turn myself facing upwards and do a check on my equipment. My right arm is probably not broken, thanks to the bracers. Still, could do a lot better. That crushing from earlier still hurts. There is something wrong here.

Why?

The hobgoblin is holding back against me. Snap my neck. Stab me. Crash me with a shield. All ways of putting me out for good. Instead, my enemy throws me away.

Removing me from the fight. Surrounding me during the ambush.

Am I the target?

Not a generally calming thought.

I look at the fight, expecting to see Meuko breaking the hobgoblin’s head.

This is one strong enemy. Meuko is struggling. The hobgoblin has dropped both the weapon and the shield, fighting with its bare hands. Elbow strikes, grappling. As soon as it lands a hit on Meuko, it pushes her arms away, making room for another strike.

Meuko gets a few good hits, too. It just is not enough. The hobgoblin pushes Meuko away and dashes even further back, making signs with its hand. Magic.

Black and green particles gather around the hobgoblin’s hands, creating a javelin of thorns and shadow. The hobgoblin grabs the magical weapon and throws it, dirt flying off its feet from the ferocity of the throw.

Meuko is too close to avoid it. She shouts, channeling the usual primal energy that best describes her fighting style. She covers herself in the shimmering fire energy, empowering her arms. Instead of grabbing the javelin, she uses her forearms to deflect the javelin to her left side, making it land on the tree behind her, sending patches of dirt and wood flying in all directions.

Meuko’s left arm, the one that took the brunt of the attack is completely black, bruised and possibly broken. It is hanging loosely from her shoulder.

Come on, Volter. This is why you practice every day. This needs to work.

Meuko walks towards the hobgoblin, getting ready for the second exchange of blows.

She is going to lose.

Get up.

I spit any blood and dirt I have grinding in my teeth. I brace my legs on the ground, digging deep in the earth.

“Stay back.” I shout. “Reveal.”

My left eye glows, unlocking the magic inside it. I take the Varknife out of its holster, holding it with my left hand. I focus on my magic, concentrating on my legs. The earth around my feet begins to slightly vibrate, cracking under the weight of my boots.

I try to keep my eyes fixed on the hobgoblin’s source of magic. I need to hit the core.

“Over here.” Julie shouts, drawing the hobgoblin’s attention away from me with a javelin.

The enemy group leader deflects the javelin with its right arm, quickly picking up and using the sword.

Sylvie lunges at the goblins next to Julie, keeping her safe. Sylvar sent her there in the meantime. Always protecting others. This is my chance.

There is a sudden burst of air at my feet, launching me forward. I dash at the hobgoblin intent on killing it instantly. No holding back now.

This magic wave. Like the night of the storm. The ground flies backwards, reacting to my arcane leap.

The hobgoblin raises its left arm the same way Eadwald raises hers when she defends with her shield. Yet he holds no shield. At the same time, it drops the sword on the ground.

Why?

I hold my Varknife, realizing that it has an arcane elongated edge. Part of my eye’s glow is gathering there, making it stronger.

The hobgoblin turns towards me, while magic surrounds its left arm. It reveals another weapon on its right arm.

A hook.

I extend my arm, flying through the air and bracing for the impact against the chest area.

The hobgoblin expects that.

How is it faster than me?

The magic around its arm widens its reach, revealing its form as a shield.

Smart.

The hobgoblin deflects my stab, sparks flying in all directions. I cannot stop myself.

I overextended.

My enemy uses my own momentum to open my defense. Not that I have one. I am only trying to kill him without thinking of my own protection. Meuko seems like she cannot move.

Probably because she did not expect me to do what I just did.

It feels like time itself moves slower. I cannot pull the Varknife back. I cannot use my other arm because all my effort goes into stabbing with my left one.

I look at the hobgoblin raising its hook and I already know. I cannot react.

With one decisive move, the hobgoblin buries the hook deep inside my right shoulder, forcing me on the ground.

I scream.

It is one loud, feral scream.

The pain. Shocks through my body, the wound feeling like burning.

My eye shuts down, dispersing all magic I can use.

The hobgoblin twists the hook, widening the wound. I react by kicking my feet on the ground, trying to get a good grip.

I am barely able to handle the pain, much less move nimbly.

“No.” Meuko shouts, taking a step towards me and immediately hitting the ground.

Steam comes off her body as she gets smaller.

Her magic was spent fast. Really fast.

Just how good is this hobgoblin?

The hobgoblin uses the hook to raise me higher, almost tearing my shoulder apart from my body. I grab the hook with everything I have, trying to stop it from worsening the wound.

“Sylvie.” Sylvar tries giving an order but immediately stops, realizing that our Blight Dog is covering Julie.

Julie runs towards Meuko, healing her with everything she has.

“Faster.” Meuko shouts.

I keep screaming, unable to bear the pain. I think I am crying. I cannot tell from all the sweat and blood.

I want to throw up.

The hobgoblin commands with snarling and shouting, carrying me away from the rest of the group. He points towards my friends.

Even more goblins appear, throwing javelins. Meuko barely stops them with a wave. Julie’s healing is definitely improved, working at a faster pace.

The hobgoblin reacts to the mass javelin throw, shouting with what can only be described as rage. The rest of the goblins cower in response. He does not like the fact that they use javelins.

Why?

They do not want them dead, only delayed. Then why did they use javelins in the beginning?

I cannot think straight, not with this much pain.

I look at Sylvar, who has slain the most goblins, fighting around a pile of bodies. They really do not want him to use his bow.

The distance grows between me and my group as the hobgoblin carries me away. All I can do is try to hold on to the hook with all I have. I cannot reach him with my Varknife.

Sylvie lets out a growl, weaker than usual. Multiple spears are piercing her hide.

We are dying. This is it.

No. They want me.

“Coming.” Meuko shouts, running towards me.

Julie raises a small blue dome around herself and Sylvie, removing the spears one at a time.

Did Eadwald teach her that?

I forgot about that.

Really useful.

“No.” I scream, trying to make full sentences.

I wipe away the blood out of my left eye. I can see Meuko better now. I cut the bracers’ straps, kicking them towards Meuko. Not a lot of time to think.

“Run. Go.” I throw the Varknife, which lands next to the bracers.

The goblins already have findal because of me. I will not give them any more of Blago’s equipment.

Meuko looks at me with shock, realizing that I am essentially giving up.

I am sorry.

“I got you.” Meuko says, trying to make herself larger again.

“Meuko.” Sylvar shouts, trying to get her attention.

Multiple enemies hitting Julie’s dome, making cracks. We are all in a desperate position. Sylvar jumps away from the goblins he is facing, trying to interrupt the ones attacking Julie. He throws one axe, then uses a dagger to compensate for the lost weapon.

Even more of our green enemies appear. This time, they are forming a protective line between Meuko and me.

Goblins lunge at Meuko, trying to impale her with spears, removing her ability to move.

Meuko focuses on her right side, pushing the goblins towards a tree and squashing them. Two goblins manage to stab her from the left side. She turns around and hits them with enough strength to instantly snap their heads. She dashes towards my equipment, grabs it, looks at me and screams with rage.

Then, she turns back.

I am alone, screaming once more as the hobgoblin violently lifts me, bringing me right in front of its face. A cold expression, scary yellow eyes and barely any visible sweat or any indication of effort. This is one strong enemy.

It raises the other arm, making a fist.

“Shit.” I say.

It puts me on the ground and pummels me with its fist.

It looks surprised that I am still conscious.

Dads.

I am so sorry.

I am so-

Another punch.

No more thoughts.