It has been a week since we found those goblin kids. My days were filled with training, intense as always. My sleep these days was heavy, feeling almost like I forgot how time passed. This time is different, though. A feeling I have had before, just once… The environment shifting in and out of existence. I must be having a dream again. I look around, trying to find Meuko and Sylvar, like last time. Instead, I find Julie. We exchange looks and try to talk. The sounds are all muffled, incoherent. We cannot talk. The environment now sets upon my place… My room. Two kids are sitting on the floor, two familiar kids. Julie and I. There they- I mean we are. I have not seen myself, except for a few glances I give against the reflection near the Village river or a bucket of water. Kid Julie is drawing things on paper while kid Me looks intensely at every move her hands make. Even then, I had mostly black hair but some white hair on my head. Nobody ever mocked me about it, but everyone else has one color of hair. Ean is the only one in my family that has a few gray patches on his head, signs of old age he tells me. Still, gray is not the same as the white ones I have. They look white as the snow that can be seen on the mountains every three months or so. That snow never reaches the Village, which is a good thing according to Modesta. My brown eyes feel like an eyesore… My body looks rather weak. Blago has certainly shaped me into a better version of this kid with his running and mock fighting. Julie and I sit on the opposite sides of the bed, watching over the kids as they draw and smiling, reminiscing...
“So, this is the body...” Kid Julie says.
“Why does it have three hands?” Kid Volter says.
“Because that is cooler.”
“But we do not have three hands.”
“You would if you could.”
“I guess.”
“It would help you climb your house.”
“I would have three hands. That would be awesome.”
I was such an idiot…
“Maybe… We could learn how to fix it.”
“Fix what?”
“The body, Vol.”
“It looks fine to me. A bit weird, but fine.”
“Not this one, stupid. I mean our real ones.”
“Can we? That seems so, so hard.”
“We fixed your sword.”
Big Julie and Big I look at the fixed sword. It is just a stick with cloth wrapped around it.
“We can do anything. Just-”
Loud winds interrupt the kid Julie’s words and the room changes, warps into a… Bloody version of it. Both of us stand up, looking around shocked. The bed is full of blood, torn up. The walls are all shattered. There is only darkness outside of this place. Only this room exists, with everything outside being almost… Evil.
“Vol. VOL.” Kid Julie says.
She is crying, shaking the Kid Volter like a maniac. The Kid is… I am dead. Big Julie and I look at each other, sharing the same confused look. The Kid version of me lacks an arm, bleeding profusely from the place where it is supposed to be. This never happened. Did it?
“This is all my fault. I can fix this. I must.” Kid Julie says, crying so much that she has to wipe her eyes with her hands, covering herself with blood. Light appears around her, the same warmth and magic she uses when she heals all of us. Only this time… It is not working.
“Why? Why? No… Please…” She says, putting her hands on the kid Volter’s body.
The light fades from her hands.
“No...”
She tries again.
“Why...”
Again.
“I am sorry.”
The room shatters further, wood flying upwards. The magic burns so bright that the blood on her face turns to dust.
Again.
The light gets stronger.
“I can fix this. I have to fix this.”
Again.
“Only I can. Why is it not working?”
Loud cracking noises, destruction spreading around us, like the whole dream is in pain. The room is completely shattered, the floor splintered and broke apart, parts of it flying around the air in this strange space. Julie and I are also flying around along with the debris, with no control over our movement. In the center of all the destruction is Kid Julie, hair floating. Kid Volter’s body is floating in front of her, almost as if she is keeping it there. All around us… Nothing but darkness. Red lighting strikes as the young girl cries out, light getting brighter with her screams.
“You need to get stronger… You need me… Free me...” A voice speaks directly in my mind. The look I exchange with Julie tells me that she can hear that voice too.
I wake up, just as suddenly as I was brought in that dream.
“What happened, kid?” Ean says. “You were screaming.”
I breathe frantically, barely able to keep control of my body. I feel like I want to run. This room… The same that was filled with my blood. So much blood…
“Sorry… Bad dreams.” I say.
“No kidding.” Ean says.
“I need breakfast.”
“No kidding.”
We eat all together, mostly in quiet. My parents are really trying here. I respect that. I somehow need to live my day like I did not just see myself die. This is not something I ever expected to say.
“You going to ask?” I say.
“Do you want us to?” Dariy says.
“I… Do not mind.” I say.
“Right… So, what happened?” Ean says, his voice sound particularly ragged and tired today.
“I saw a nightmare. It happens.”
“If you ever need a break-” Ean says.
“No. Out of the question. I need more to do, not less.”
“Then we support you.” Dariy says.
“What?” Ean says, turning to Dariy with a confused look.
“I said… We support you. Is that not right?” Dariy says, giving an intense look at Ean.
“This is wearing you down, kid.” Ean says.
“Definitely not a kid.” I say.
“To us… Always.” Ean says.
“That I do agree with.” Dariy says.
“Finally... I have finally found something to do. The rest of the people are allowing me to help them and you want me to sit back now? No… Chance.” I say.
“Fine. I get it.” Ean says. “It is just… After Travlon, you withdrew from us.”
“Sorry. It was never my intention. I still love you. But I gotta go.”
“Of course you do.” Dariy says. “Any neighbors give you hard time, I will bash their heads with my mace.”
“Of course you will.”
I hug them and walk outside. As soon as I realize I am not being watched… I run. Straight to Julie’s house. I do not return people’s good mornings, focused on finding her. What we saw… What-
I need to make sure she is calm. In front of Julie’s house I find Meuko, carrying supplies.
“Is Julie here?” I ask.
“No, she left. She went-”
“I know. Thanks.”
“Welcome.”
I make my way to the one house she could possibly rush to. I open the door, gasping for air.
“Good morning to you as well, Volter.” Eadwald says.
Julie is sitting next to her. Not looking as shocked and… Let us be honest, terrible as I look.
“Hi. I have a request.” I say.
“We were in the middle of something...”
“Teach me magic.”
“I thought the deal was for Julie. Not you.”
“Then teach all four of us.”
“That does not make it better.”
“Surely, you see the benefit of stronger allies. We could do so much.”
“The answer is no. Unless your Leader says otherwise.”
“But-”
“Leave us. We have important subjects to attend to.”
Julie stays silent the whole time. She does not even look at me. She must be as shocked as I am.
“Of course.” I say, closing the door.
I already feel so tired. I was so focused on what happened, I do not even remember how Eadwald’s house looks. So much for learning how to focus better. Modesta’s shouting wakes me up.
“Volter, is she inside?” Modesta shouts, then gesturing for me to get closer.
“Yes, Eadwald I assume you mean.”
“Of course, do not waste time.”
“Well then...” I say, trying to walk away. I am not in the mood today.
“Wait.” Modesta says “Come with me.”
Modesta opens the door to Eadwald’s house, without knocking. Am I as rude as Modesta? Surely not.
“What is it this time Volt- How bad?” Eadwald somehow reads Modesta’s expression. I cannot read anything off him.
“Extremely. We need everyone the young ones as well.” Modesta says.
“We continue later, Julielle.” Eadwald says, getting her equipment together.
“Here, I will help. Volter, get Sylvar and Meuko. Find Alayne West of the Village. Now. We will join you shortly.” Modesta says.
“Is everything-”
“Now, kid.” He says. “Do not show any worries to the other Villagers. Go.”
I immediately turn around and walk outside. Julie follows me.
“Vol… About that dream.”
“Apparently, we do not have time to discuss it right now.”
“I understand. Later.”
“Of course.”
I find Meuko again and relay Modesta’s message. She quickly gathers her things and readies the usual supply bag with Julie’s help. I make a quick stop by Blago’s place to get some daggers, only three this time. I needed the space for a short sword. I might get to put the sword to practice.
“Now, if you throw these away, you better pick them up. I have no more iron to spend on your ass, understood? You better get me some from those mines.”
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“I will see what I can do.”
“Meuko is doing the lifting, what are you getting excited for? Thinking you are useful, all of a sudden.”
“Thanks, love you too, Blago.”
“Have at them boy.”
After all that, we find Sylvar spending time with Sylvie… I still think the name is a bit much… South of the Village. I explain the situation and we decide to hide Sylvie for now. We still do not know the Hunters’ reaction when they see her. All three of us start heading towards the western side of the Village. No matter how many times I cross the same paths, nature always seems beautiful to me. Leaves making noise, wind guiding them through. Earth moving, slightly giving way at every step we make. Sylvar is every so often touching the trees with his hand. He is more at peace here than with Julie. Thankfully, Sylvar was already prepared, probably just to make sure that he did not have to return to the Village every time we suddenly decided to venture out while he was training with Sylvie. He must also spend some time practicing out here on his own. He looks… Free.
“What did you need Julie for?” Meuko asks.
“Wow, You scared me. Next time, ease into it.” I say.
“Sure… Talk.”
“Nothing important.”
“Even I can tell you are lying, my friend Volter, and I am focused on the path.” Sylvar says.
“There is a path? All I see is dirt and different levels of ground caused by the roots spreading randomly.”
“Never randomly. Trees communicate with one another. They share a network of roots, distributing water as needed, survival of the whole being their priority.”
“More importantly, Outsider, he was frantically searching for my sister.”
“Carry on.” Sylvar says.
“So?” Meuko says.
“Fine, just stop looking at me like that. I am worried you are going to fling me like a goblin.”
“I might.”
“Nope, I am good. Here goes… Remember that dream we all shared?”
“Yes.”
“Of course.” Sylvar says. He is always listening. Is it not hard for him to focus on different things?
“Well… I saw one. With Julie, this time.”
“What?”
“Most peculiar.”
“It was us and there were two of us as well, only… They were kids, playing in my room. At first it was like a memory and then… It changed into a nightmare. I was bleeding, no, the kid Volter was bleeding, missing an arm and the kid Julie was trying to help, but she could not. She kept trying and then all things around us started booming and screeching and splitting apart. Then… We woke up. And there was this voice… It was terrifying.”
“Same one?”
“I did not hear it clearly enough to say for certain. I can only imagine it was.”
“Probably not. The one we heard was hopeful, asking for help.” Sylvar asks “What would you think the reason for that dream is?”
“Scare my sister. Nothing else.” Meuko says.
“But, why Volter too?” Sylvar says.
“And is it the same voice that got Travlon to do what he did?” I say.
We all stay quiet. There are too many unknowns for us to come with a logical explanation. The mystery of the situation settles in our hearts… Definitely mine.
“Please tell me you are scared like I am.”
“Would it help you, Volt.” Meuko says.
“Sort of.”
“Not to worry, my friend. No matter what, we stay together.” Sylvar says.
“As long as you do not run ahead.” Meuko adds.
“Let us be honest… No promises.” I say.
“We have arrived.” Sylvar says, pointing at Alayne, who is crouching behind some tree roots.
This path we are on is filled with trees and uneven ground. My foot gets stuck in the undergrowth a few times, reminding me that I should be more careful of my surroundings. At least we have plenty of cover, especially since the bushes here are all huge and unkempt, with more than enough space for us to hide.
“Where are the others?” Alayne asks as soon as we approach him.
“Getting ready. Armors and such. Should be here shortly.” I say, imitating Alayne’s whispering tone.
He sounds frightening even when he is trying to whisper. Why are we whispering?
“Why so quiet?” I say.
“Look.” Alayne says, pointing a distance away.
Goblins… Green ones. These seem tougher. They wear some sort of helmet made from bones. More animal skin around them, shields the size of their fist, daggers, spears… Archers. I only see seven fighters and four archers.
“Are there more?” I ask, getting a dagger out of its holster.
“Reinforcements behind that hill. Faint dust picking up.” Sylvar says.
“Understood.” Meuko says. “So we act fast. Before they sniff us out.”
“I can handle these on my own, but having Eadwald and Modesta would mean I do not have to worry about reinforcements.” Alayne says.
I believe him. He looks terrifying and I do not even know what it is that he does. The only advantages I can see is that we can surprise them and that this entire area is not open. The trees will give us plenty of cover even if they shoot at us from the upper part of the hill.
“We are here. We take the ones with the bows. You kill the rest. Ready?” I say.
“Who do you think should have the final say. Please… Enlighten me.” Alayne says, faint sparks flying off his nostrils.
I take a big gulp, feeling my entire stomach wanting to run in another direction. I look around, trying to discern the area. The archers are mostly spread out, but the melee ones are close together.
“You, of course… I am sorry.” I say.
“Regardless...” Alayne says, looking towards the goblins that keep searching the area. “Are you confident in your ability to hit the archers before they hit you?”
“Without question, my Leader.” Sylvar says.
His confidence surprises me, to be honest. What if I miss again?
“Very well. I do not wish to test the goblins’ tracking ability. On my mark...” Alayne says.
The goblins start communicating between them, gesturing towards our general vicinity. All I have to do is kill one of the archer goblins. Meuko could take one out and Sylvar can probably take two with his skills. I think this is enough. What more could I do? I equip two daggers… Just for safety. I got this. Right?
“Breathe...” Sylvar whispers “Shoulders, footwork, follow through.”
I got this.
“Now.” Alayne says, rushing the goblins.
We follow him, spreading out in order to get better lines of sight, surprising the goblins. Sylvar taught me that the most effective way to deal with ranged enemies is to avoid grouping, use their allies against them and destabilize them. I was so focused on finding my assigned target that I only just now realize that Alayne has been muttering words, extending his hands towards the group of five melee goblins. He finishes some sort of spell, shouting with a strength of voice that I thought impossible.
“Ungelod.” Alayne shouts, as light flashes around his hands. A single bolt of lightning, thicker than my arms, travels a distance that would take me a few seconds in the blink of an eye. The space around Alayne seems to almost vibrate, with the force of his spell just as powerful as the voice that echoed through our very bodies. My body feels stuck as I witness one goblin being instantly fried by the spell, its skin emanating smoke. The lightning seems to wrap around its body, still damaging it. Every single one of us, goblins included, stand perfectly still, not knowing how to react. A moment of deafening silence. All that for a single goblin? A second flash of light, this time from the burned goblin. Four bolts, smaller than the original but just as dangerous, hit the remaining four goblins of the group, killing them instantly as well. Two melee goblins and four archers remaining. The archers.
“Now.” I say, throwing a dagger.
Everyone was just as lost as I was. Meuko and Sylvar snap out of the same confused state I was and follow my action. The goblins must have lost any fighting spirit they had with that spell, because they stumble and take their time recovering. Thank my luck. I hit one archer in the shoulder, causing it to drop its arrow and fall on the ground. That is one. Meuko throws a spear, hitting another ranged goblin, impaling it on the ground. The impaled goblin desperately attempts to grab the spear covered with blood but its hands keep losing their grip repeatedly, finally going limp. Sylvar lets an arrow loose, hitting a ranged goblin straight to the head. The last archer, however, manages to shoot an arrow before Sylvar. The goblin arrow flies towards Sylvar, as he quickly loads the second arrow. My often savior remains steady, unflinching as the arrow passes right next to his ear and responds with an arrow of his own. The final archer goblin drops on the ground as it gets hit in the chest. Meuko attempts to rush the two remaining melee goblins, only to see Alayne use another spell, this time without any words. Alayne creates four small pebble-like objects of blue and red… Well, magic I assume. Our Leader is a force to be reckoned with. The magic orbs fly towards the melee goblins, piercing through them and then dissipating. The goblins cough blood, gurgle and then drop dead.
“Well, that was… Fast.” I say.
“More will be coming.” Alayne says.
The goblin that I hit screams, twists its body on the ground and loads an arrow.
“Sylvar.” I shout.
Sylvar shoots an arrow just as the goblin sends an arrow flying in the sky. The last goblin dies as we hear intense whistling… It is coming from the goblin’s arrow.
“A whistling arrow… Get ready. Every goblin in the area will be here soon.” Sylvar says.
“If they did not hear Al- The Leader’s shouts.” I say.
“Volt.” Meuko says.
“Right… Sorry, just worried.”
Alayne stays silent for a while, looking around the bodies.
“Sylvar, stay back on the right side with arrows. Pick off a few, then focus on archers, overpower them. Meuko, in front of me while I use spells. Volter… Stay back.” Alayne spews out orders, unshaken from the whole encounter.
“What? W-why?” I say, bumbling like a fool.
“Not even one. That is why. Enough.” Alayne says.
It is true, I have to admit. But… That happens, right? I have to help. Somehow.
“Meuko, give me the bag.” I say, extending my hand.
Meuko opens the bag and takes out two spears. Thank Julie’s thinking that we use such a large bag. I take the bag and run over to Sylvar. I can at least make sure he is prepared.
“Thank you, my friend Volter.” Sylvar says.
“Anything you need.”
“You are doing just fine.” He says, with a warm smile.
“Take cover.” Meuko shouts, picking up two goblins to use as shields. That seems to be a favorite move. Three arrows come flying towards us. One hits Alayne, only to break against his scales. The other two land close to me.
“Quickly, behind the trees.” Sylvar says, taking cover as well.
I take cover in the same tree as him. I feel safer that way. We hear the collective shouts and snarls from what I assume is a rather large gathering of goblins. The fact that I do not know their numbers scares me.
“Focus. Cover our Leader.” Sylvar says, quickly turning around to fire an arrow.
It has started. I try to take a look but the sound of what I assume is an arrow hitting the tree stops me. I feel sweat in my back, along with sap messing with my hair. Why am I so worried? This is worse than the first time I had to fight. I drop on the ground, even though they are fighting right now.
“Volter… Breathe…” Sylvar says, putting a hand on my shoulder.
“I am… Too much, in fact.”
“Calm yourself…”
Meuko’s shouting interrupts him. What am I doing? They are fighting.
“More up top. Sylvar.” Alayne shouts.
“They...” Sylvar says, shooting arrows “Need help. Go to Meuko.”
I get up, scrambling for the dagger I dropped. I did not even realize I let it go until now. I have two daggers and a sword. Meuko. Now.
“Thank you, my friend Sylvar.”
He chuckles, shooting more arrows.
“The archers are mine.” Sylvar says.
I rush out, trying to discern this battlefield. Meuko is in front of Alayne. In the middle of the three archer corpses. She is throwing some bodies towards the… Oh no. Five, ten… More are coming from the hill. Alayne is using his nails to cut the goblins in half. Even so… Meuko is injured, with torn clothes. I need to get closer to see precisely where. I rush towards Alayne’s side. While he has his hands buried inside a goblin’s skull, another lunges at him. I raise my short sword, bringing it down on the attacking goblin’s side. A decapitation would have been better… This works.
“Good one.” Alayne says, discarding the goblin he held. “My coat is ruined.”
“I think it adds character.” I say, drawing the blade away from the enemy that is just bleeding out in front of me. So much blood. I opened the goblin’s side, with organs spilling out, body twitching, then going limp.
“About time.” Meuko says. She has taken care of everyone around her.
“Sorry, had to… cover Sylvar.” I say, catching my breath.
“Later.” Meuko says, taking a few steps back as spears come flying towards us.
Alayne jumps ahead of us, waving his hands in front of the spears, creating a faint wall of dirt and leaves, deflecting the spears. He takes a step ahead, then flinches.
“Back. In those bushes.” He says, making his way towards the place we started planning.
“Behind me.” Meuko says, raising two goblin bodies in front of her.
I do not plan on making the same mistake twice. I stay behind her, guiding her, since she is focused on looking at the direction of enemies while covering for us both.
“Just a little more.” I say.
I see Alayne creating a flaming spear in his hand, before throwing it towards the hill. I take a look around Meuko’s body.
“Why are you so big?” I say, taking a mental note of the enemies’ numbers.
“Unlike you, I train.”
A thud, probably an arrow.
“I train too.”
Two more thuds.
“Not as good, not as consistently.”
“Teach me.”
Another thud.
“Sure.”
Sylvar has been shooting arrows this whole time, but he is missing. He lost the element of surprise and the enemies have been keeping him pinned down. That must be why they have not showered us with arrows. We manage to reach the bushes safely.
“Sylvar, get over here.” I say.
No response.
“Sylvar?” I shout, clearly worried.
“Where is he?” Meuko says, still holding on the makeshift shields.
“Right here.” A voice says behind us.
“I swear, I will throw you in the river.” I say.
“Good one.” Meuko says.
“That diversion will give us some time.” Alayne says, looking towards the goblins. They are still worried about Sylvar’s archery. They keep firing a few shots every few seconds towards the right side of the trees, where he was.
“Why did we not rush that hill? We had them.” Meuko says.
“Because I have to worry about you inexperienced three. Besides, we would be charging blind in unknown numbers.” Alayne says. He is right. Twenty goblins have now left Sylvar’s previous location and have gathered at the base of the hill, replenishing lost spears and arrows from their fallen allies.
“Any plans?” I say, readying a sword and dagger.
“I only have ten arrows.” Sylvar says, padding Meuko for injuries and applying Julie’s medicine.
“Time to prove yourselves.” Alayne says.
The goblins point towards us. They have sniffed us out.
“We rush them.” Alayne says “And hope we can catch them off guard again.”
Everyone lowers their legs, getting ready to run as fast as they can. I do the same.
“Now.” He says.
As soon as I jump out, an arrow hits me.
“No.” Meuko says, getting in front of me, throwing a body towards the enemies.
“Pull back.” Sylvar says, dragging me behind a tree.
I did not see who shot me. I did not see if there are any reinforcements.
“Ungelod.” Alayne shouts, throwing the same bolt of lighting towards them. The flash of light is all I can properly discern. Why is everything so dark?
“Where?” I ask Sylvar.
“Volter…” Sylvar’s voice trails.
“I cannot see that well. There were two, right? Two arrows… It burns...” I say.
“Leader, we need to run out of here.” Meuko says.
I can hear it. Multiple arrows hitting the trees and ground. They are keeping us pinned, same as before. They are slowly getting closer. If only I could see… One of the arrows must have cut my head.
“My body is burning.” I say.
“You got hit through the liver.” Sylvar says.
“Dukar.” Alayne shouts. Damn it, I want to see what magic he uses. I can hear cracking sounds.
“If we move out of here, they will find the Village. We cannot allow them any closer.” Alayne says.
“He will die without proper care.” Sylvar says.
“There… You go, finally telling me what happened.” I say.
“We will get you to Julie, you will be fine.” Sylvar says.
“Why is it so cold suddenly?” I say.
“The Leader threw some sort of ice magic.”
“If only I could see it.”
“Need more spears.” Meuko says.
“Here you go.” Sylvar responds.
“Just four?”
“Do not let the melee ones near.” Alayne shouts.
“You think?” Meuko says.
“Meuko...” I say.
“I will carry him, we run.” Meuko says.
“I already told you...” Alayne gets interrupted.
“I do not care. I will not stand here, waiting for him to die.” Meuko says.
“Is it better now?” Sylvar asks, trying to clean the wound in my head.
“A bit.” I say, opening my right eye. I am shaking. My vision is as good as it is going to get.
“Volter… One eye is gone.” Sylvar says.
“I know…” I say, trying to get up “Well, I guess I have to throw with my right arm now.”
The arrows hit less frequent. Alayne claps once and then the ice around us starts dissipating and travelling towards his hands, gathering in a small orb. He claps once more and the orb is gone.
“They are close.” I say, getting a knife ready “Sylvar, use the sword.”
Sylvar draws his sword and his knife. The rising ground of this position gave us an advantage because it was harder for them to see us, but now they have turned that around on us. They can lunge from a slightly higher area. Alayne gestures at us to stay quiet. There is the usual snarling, along with a faint dragging sound. Another arrow hitting a tree. Meuko has dropped completely on the ground, using the undergrowth, while Alayne is behind the tree opposite of us. If we stay like this we will get surrounded. My body feels lighter. All this pain I had is still there but my body is not hot or cold, like before. It feels… numb. If I do not do something I will pass out. Not while they are still fighting. Not while I can still do something.
“Now.” I say, pushing myself off the tree and turning to see them. Four goblins, that were about to get the drop on us. Three are in the space between the two trees that we have taken cover behind, while the fourth was trying to surround us from the tree I was in. They probably were trying to get the weakest member… Me. I throw a dagger with all my strength to the one goblin that is alone. Thankfully, I can clearly see him with my right eye. I hit him clean in the neck as it tries to jump backwards. I immediately drop on the ground, unable to hold myself up anymore. That is all I can do. Sylvar, Meuko and Alayne each kill a goblin. My eyes… Well, eye, hurts and I cannot properly see what is happening. A sword cut, a hand pulling a head, a magical white knife. Is that the ice Sylvar mentioned?
“Light Rain.”
A familiar voice… Is that Eadwald? I see multiple golden rays flying towards the goblins. I love magic.
“They made it.” I say “I will just… Just rest here a bit.”
I am so tired…
“Volter.”
That is Sylvar’s voice.
“Go, Now.”
Alayne…
“Hold on.” Meuko says, right next to my ear. I am pretty sure she shouted, yet it reaches my ears as a faint whisper.
I close my eye.