Do you want me to count the scars for you? Just to know the progress we made so far. Or are you going to finally blabber on about your friends? Where are they?

Nothing? Then, I want to remind you what a good friend this serrated blade is. You have been so close these days. She knows you inside and out. This time, I want to do the introduction myself. The kid is kind of useless.

You know what is truly unacceptable? That if you had another chance, you would not kill all of the goblins that caught you. That at the end of the day, you do not know what to do with your own power. Still a kid.

I snap awake, holding a dagger in one hand and breathing frantically.

“Lower that now, before I shoot you.” The man says, crossbow aimed at my gut.

“Sorry. Nightmares.” I chuckle, holstering my dagger. “Wait, why did you never take my weapons?”

“I am wondering that myself. He probably wants you to feel safe.” The man responds.

“Me? Safe? Oh, Zordel manages that all on her own, no worries.” I say.

I learned last night that Zordel is clearly a female iminya, but I have not been given information about the different traits of iminyas, another sign that she does not like me, I guess.

The Sun’s first light spreads over the mountains, alleviating the cold of the night. The fire seems to be out. Four tents, all occupied. Who is in which one? I can only guess that the one most covered in trinkets and bronze rings belongs to the sorcerer.

“What is your name? You know mine.” I ask.

“None of your business.” The man responds.

“Do not act in such an impolite manner, Higaun.” The old sorcerer says, coming out of the tent. “You will have to excuse him, Volter. He is merely concerned about our safety. An admirable quality, if it did not hinder his social inclinations as it seems to do so.”

“Why would you tell him? Secrecy is a weapon. We should-”

“Do not react as such.” The sorcerer interrupts Higaun, who seems to cower under the authoritative words. “I would only work towards our united goal, is that not so? Then, a modicum of trust is in order, I believe.”

The absurdity of their discussion is almost enough to distract me from that nightmare. Almost.

The last few words of the red goblin. I do not remember it talking like that. Not that nightmares are meant to make sense.

I miss my group. I would probably try to hide my worry, only to have Sylvar address it in some hesitation. Meuko would find the most direct approach for getting better, disregarding the problem and focusing on training. Julie would reassure me that she would be there for me, if needed.

Soon.

“Who is making the grub?” The orc says.

He is not wearing any armor. Weakest I will ever find him.

No. I need to focus on getting information out of them, not causing a fight. They are doing some rituals. The location of the next one would be useful leverage against the goblins.

“It is your turn, Nibwen.” Zordel growls back at the orc, coming out of her tent.

Same clothes as yesterday. That is gross.

Not that I am one to talk. I have not bathed in weeks.

I am pretty sure I have thought about that before. My head is a mess. Drumming like crazy.

I get up from the ground, tossing away a blanket they offered me last night. The only protection against the cold of the night.

Stretching gives me a moment to take in my surroundings. They seem to have set up a camp in an area with as many trees as possible. I thought they would simply prefer a different hill.

“Can I have some of that grub as well? Please?” I ask.

“Of course you can. But, a discussion was left unfinished and we really should get on with that.” The old sorcerer says.

“You never said your name, even though you are willing to give away your friends’ names.” I say.

“Yes, I suppose you are correct. My name is Tiaj Irmgard. I am a Seeker of the Blazing Crown.” He bows.

“The what?”

All the members of the group look at me in pure shock.

Tiaj bursts into laughter.

“If you do not know as much, then you must be living in the wilderness.”

That was bad. I needed to fake knowledge, not the absence of it.

“Is anybody going to ask him how he got here?” The dwarf says.

They mentioned a storm yesterday.

“I waited until the storm blew over.” I say.

“Hear that, Zhaleh?” Tiaj says. “The man was simply patient.”

The rest of the group looks at me suspiciously. This look is different than the previous ones. Almost organized.

“You know, for someone intent on learning a surname, you sure do not mind that the rest of them have not revealed theirs to me.” I say.

Bad choice of words. It is obvious I am just delaying with the same argument I used a second ago. Come on, Volter, get it together.

“Grub is ready.” Nibwen says.

“Finally.” Zordel responds, grabbing a plate.

“Offer our guest some food, Zordel. No need to be rude.” Tiaj says.

“Hope you choke on it.”

She does not seem happy to give me a serving.

Time passes rather peacefully, as they all have their breakfast in silence, looking at each other. They are always mindful of their surroundings, looking at the source of whatever noise they happen to hear around the forest.

The sudden change in pace throws me off. I am the first to finish but there are no remarks on that. No insults. They are just watching me. Am I finally being shown some trust? Are they starting to like me?

“So, Volter. Why are you lying?” Tiaj asks, using a cloth to wipe his well kept beard.

As if it would be so easy.

“I am what? Why would I lie when you are all about to kill me?” I ask.

My heart is thumping so hard that my ears feel like they are trying to split my head in half.

“The storm is never ending. It never subsides. Such a thing is common knowledge in our world. Yet, you make an attempt at an obvious lie. Why would that be so?” Tiaj asks.

“We finally found one.” Zhaleh says.

This is bad. And I do not even know what this is.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“Found one?” I ask.

“I theorized this is where the Old Guard set up base, yet could not prove it. Of the many expeditions for the Ruinous Mountains, none had ever succeeded to infiltrate the storms. Until now.” Tiaj explains.

I say he explains but I do not understand the explanation itself.

“Okay. So, you named a lot of things I do not know. How about helping me out a bit?” I ask, since faking competence is not something that is going to work now.

I do not know these people. All I know is that the goblins said their rituals are dangerous. What if they are not? What if they could be the Village’s allies?

“If your theory was true, would they not teach him their own history?” Nibwen says.

“Tell me, young man. Do you know of the Old Guard?” Tiaj asks.

“No. What is that?”

“Perhaps you know them by name. See, there used to be one particularly strong individual known as Edvath. A legendary figure, managed to dethrone kings, incite rebellions, even kill a Fractured God. Still, ss powerful as they were, they needed companions. Together, they garnered more fame than empires. Those people were named Alayne Tonary, Eadwald Neosa, Modesta Rifnso and Blago Dieven.”

“I… I do know them. Not like that, at least.” I say faintly.

“What was that?” Tiaj asks.

“They cannot be all that powerful. They struggled against hobgoblins. How could they kill those Gods of yours?”

“I am certain that the years, since the Patch, have affected their abilities. Seventy years will weaken even the strongest of men, without proper training.” Tiaj sighs, as if my information has somehow made him feel depressed.

Seventy? Blago does not look seventy and I am certain he is a human. They must be someone else.

“What is the Patch?” I ask.

“What have they taught you about the world around you, Volter?” Tiaj asks.

The man, Higaun, moves towards his equipment, slowly getting ready.

Am I under threat?

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I had not even seen a goblin before I had to leave the Vi-” I catch myself.

“Do not be afraid. We would not hurt you.” Tiaj encourages me.

“I would not be so sure of that, Boss.” Higaun says. “Look at his equipment. All superficial cuts, no structural damage on his equipment. I thought he barely escaped the goblins.”

“I did.”

The orc, Nibwen, grabs his greataxe. The dwarf, Zhaleh, moves towards her sword and shield.

“Are you suggesting what I think?” Tiaj asks.

“If the cuts are all over his armor, why are the straps all functional? He did not run away from the goblins. They let him.” Higaun says, crossbow on the ready.

“Is that true, Volter? Have you been acting as an inside force for the goblins?” Tiaj asks.

“No. Why would I? Look at what they did to me.” I point at my injured shoulder.

“Yet a man will do anything for his freedom. I am afraid I cannot allow you to leave our company now. I would like to keep you alive but I fear your treachery makes your use as a diplomatic tool quite difficult. And my companions would no longer trust me if I kept you around.” Tiaj says, nodding at the rest of them.

Shit, I have to run. This is it.

Just like that? It all ends this soon?

A small proof of my lies. The cuts and the dents made to the armor were purposely made so that I could still wear it. And they saw through it.

“Your wish is granted, Higaun. Feel free to dispose of him.” Tiaj gestures with his hand.

It is officially a fight. Let loose or you are dead. Remember your training.

Higaun raises his crossbow in one swift move, shooting a bolt in my direction.

I shout with all of my strength, letting my magic fly out the same way it did against Thando. Vibrations in the air as my voice rumbles across camp, deflecting the crossbow bolt.

The tent Zordel came out of is immediately destroyed. The pot with the grub is sent flying, food splashing around.

The shock wave hits Higaun, Zordel and Zhaleh, sending them to the ground.

I cannot fight all of them. I lack the element of surprise or stealth. I am under equipped and I can only use one arm.

I dart away, running between trees in case of a bolt flying at me.

“Where are you going?” Nibwen says.

I spin my head around just in time to see him jumping, greataxe held high. He wants to kill me instantly.

He will reach me.

I gather magic in my functional arm, sending a blast of air to my side. The force is enough to quickly push me away from the orc’s attack. I land on the ground, rolling to mitigate the weight of falling on my knees.

The greataxe buries itself on a tree. The sound of the wood shattering against the force of the weapon is enough to scare me.

I do not want to block this weapon.

“You are good.” Nibwen chuckles.

He struggles getting the greataxe free.

This is the only chance I have.

I throw a knife at him, aiming for the head.

He protects it using his arm, growling as the knife draws blood. One injured arm is still a good result.

Running footsteps alert me.

Zhaleh is carrying both her sword and her shield. She is careful.

I draw my sword in time to deflect a thrust. She bashes me with her shield but I focus on dodging, taking a step back just in time to avoid a sword slash meant for my exposed leg.

I hit her sword with enough force to send her back.

She lowers her stance, which makes me wonder if a certain man is about to shoot me with a crossbow.

I spin behind a tree. The sound of a bolt’s impact lets me know it was a good call.

I start running again, leaving the dwarf behind. Sorry, Zhaleh. Sylvar’s training taught me better than to waste time. The only thing that matters is getting out of here. I sheathe my sword, focusing on just avoiding them.

A shriek makes me turn around. Zordel is running straight at me, intent on killing me.

The thought is not a calming one.

Run.

The shouting sounds closer and closer.

She is outrunning me?

“I will kill you.” Zordel shouts.

“Got it.” I respond.

This is no time for jokes. Breathe.

What about the rest of them?

I risk a look behind. She is the only one keeping up with me. The rest have fallen behind. Good.

Before long, she will reach me.

Think. I have a few weapons but throwing them will mean losing any momentum. She can probably deflect them with that freaky skin of hers.

Unless I can bait her.

One strike. That is all I need.

I turn around, taunting her.

“Come on. Are you as weak as the rest of them? Cannot even kill an injured man.” I say, taking out a knife.

I throw it and just as expected, she uses her arms. The knife clangs against her skin and exposed bone, deflected.

I throw another. Same thing.

“I can finally gut you.” She says, close enough for me to do what I want.

“I…” I draw my sword once more, dirt and dust gathering around it. “Do not think so.”

I only have a second and the quality of the sword is not great. I cannot put all my magic into this strike but I hope it is enough. Wind circulates the blade, making my hand shake from the resistance.

The bait works. She raises her arms, ready to deflect. The weak knife throws make her think this is going to be just another blade.

The sword lands on her body with speed enhanced by the wind. The earth I infuse around the sword creates a magic explosion the moment Zordel blocks it with her body. The sound of metal rending makes my ears hurt, as she flies back, crashing into a tree, breaking it apart. The sound carries all around the forest, birds flying away in fear.

I am not as weak as I used to be. All that magic sword training is finally worth it. There is no blood anywhere around me, which means the hit probably did not kill her.

Just how tough is she.

I drop the hilt, which lands in the pile of metal shards. The sword is destroyed.

I take a step away, only to drop on the ground, panting.

I used too much magic. At least no arms broken. Well, except the one that already is.

I can hear growling from the broken parts of the tree.

Come on. Just stay down.

I slowly get up, trying to fight the need to close my eyes and go to sleep. If I do it here, there is no waking up.

I walk away, breathing heavily. If I can somehow absorb some magic, maybe I can keep myself awake longer.

Can I even do that?

Hey, Voice. Are you there? Answer me. Can I do that?

No response.

The iminya is not after me. Maybe I can hide.

I cannot climb anything right now. That means I have to hide like the goblins did, under a tree.

Thankfully, there are plenty of trees with large enough roots that I can dig for a hole.

“Zordel, where are you?” Higaun shouts from afar.

I am running out of time.

I use magic to move the dirt exactly how I want, making a hole big enough for myself and then covering it with leaves and rubble.

As soon as I make sure I cannot be easily seen, I turn my magic off.

Without warning, I spit blood.

Why? I have not been injured.

My legs cannot move. I just used all of my magic.

In a more positive note, I learn something new about my abilities. When I run out of magic, the painful effects differ depending on the way I spent it. Slowly running out makes me bleed and leaves ne exhausted but spending everything I have at once causes a more violent reaction.

“Where is he?” Nibwen asks, offering Zordel a shoulder.

“He ran this way. He is stronger than we thought. Hid his magic.” Zordel responds.

“We heard an explosion. That was him, right?” Zhaleh asks.

“Yes. Guy threw me into the tree.”

They rest on the ground, a few steps worth of distance in front of me.

Please do not find me. Please do not find me.

“I see goblins up ahead. One hobgoblin leading them.” Higaun says.

“I can fight.” Zordel says.

“You need rest.” Higaun responds. “I do not like this but we have to go.”

“What do we tell him? He will not like this.” Nibwen says.

“Who cares? We follow the plan. A few goblinoids cannot stop us. The man makes no difference.” Zordel says.

“He does. Those were not simple moves. No goblinoid could have trained him.” Nibwen explains. “He used speed against me, strength against Zhaleh and his magic directly only against Zordel. Avoiding one strike but deflecting the other, only to clash hard and disengage. All while staying out of Higaun’s line of fire. Imagine what he can do when he is not tired and injured. Or running away.”

“Next time, we do not underestimate him.” Zhaleh says.

“They are going to see us, I need to know now. Do we engage?” Higaun says, aiming for what I can assume is Daldrag.

“We have to pack. He will want to know.” Zhaleh says.

“Yeah, you are right.” Higaun says lowering the crossbow.

“Come on.” Higaun grabs Zordel from the other side, retreating.

Finally.

Nobody saw me drop on the ground. Otherwise, there is no way they would assume I ran all the way back there.

Thank my luck.

When they are far enough away, I start digging out. I cannot push myself out with my feet, I can only crawl out using my arms. My breathing is raspy. I am exhausted.

But it was a good test. I stood against four enemies who had every intent to kill me and the only injury I had was because of magic overuse. I made every right decision for once. Even they thought I was good.

“There he is. Get him.” Daldrag’s voice.

“That way. They are expecting you.” I point towards the camp.

Daldrag uses goblinoid language. Two black goblins go after the group while the rest stay around me, inspecting me for any injuries.

“You might die. Internal bleeding.” Daldrag chuckles.

“No worries. It will heal.” I pant.

“What now?” One of the goblins say.

“We go after them. Carry him.” Daldrag says.

I just got out of there. Now I am going back?

Thank my luck.