The three led Tyrus to a place he'd never seen before.
Trees stripped off most of their leaves stood in scattered disarray among rocks and boulders, their branches reaching out like skeletal arms. A heavy fog obscured the surroundings akin to mirages. Even worse, a horrid stench, which reminded him of rotten eggs and caused his senses to recoil inwardly.
Taking cover behind a formation of rocks, Tyrus cautiously peered around, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings. As he followed the explorers he trailed, he noticed their path treading a treacherous terrain plagued by murky waters and discarded planks that seemed oddly familiar to the ones used to building homes.
“I’ll have to be extra careful from here on out,” he said. Weighing the potential risks, Tyrus abandoned the idea of trailing the trio along the unmaintained path. The loud splashing he would inevitably make in the murky waters could alert them. Instead, he opted for a different approach.
With a nimble leap, Tyrus propelled himself onto a small ledge that flanked the pathway. This would not only grant him higher ground, but it also provided some cover from the scattered trees that dotted the area. The misty fog that enveloped the marsh further played to his advantage. He only needed to watch out for the sorcerer. She seemed like the most likely person to detect him.
A pair of ravens suddenly screamed out in alarm, their cries echoing through the stillness of the marsh. Startled, Tyrus silently cursed his luck, fearing that the noise would alert the trio to his presence. He anxiously glanced towards them, relieved to see that their attention remained fixed ahead, undeterred by the disturbance.
Once the coast was clear, Tyrus maneuvered through the mist-shrouded environment, his movements reminiscent of a nimble rat scurrying through the shadows. He maintained a safe following distance, careful not to draw attention to himself.
Why are they hunting goblins? Tyrus thought to himself. Was the nearby villagers' request the reason for their help? Unless you wanted to make some sil or exterminate them, there was no point in hunting goblins. Another reason Tyrus could think on the top of his head was for training, but that seemed unlikely. Wouldn't it have been wiser to train in a safer location instead of the outskirts? Tyrus assumed that was the case for those sorts of people.
Despite his hidden pursuit, Tyrus was constantly fighting off the blood flies that surrounded him. With each smack against his face and exposed skin, he attempted to fend off the persistent insects that seemed to view him as an irresistible feast.
To his surprise, the sorcerer within the group shared his dislike of the blood flies. She, too, expressed her displeasure with the conditions, her complaints carrying through the air. Taking matters into her own hands, she resorted to using her staff to swat away the bothersome insects.
Through the oppressive warmth and persistent swarm of insects, the trio arrived at a sight that demanded their attention. Before them stood a rudimentary gate, its weathered wooden structure covered in a thick layer of moss. The ropes that once held the wooden beams in place were now torn into separate pieces, and the gate, although open, leaned dangerously.
“Well,” Fiona gulped, “we made it to Salithia–now home of the goblins.”
Reo unsheathed his daggers. “And you thought we were lost. You owe me an apology once we’re done here.”
“I will do no such thing. Rather bite my tongue off.” Fiona inspected her gear and staff before facing her comrades. “Are you guys ready? Do I need to go over the plan?”
The first person to reply was Grant. “Once we enter the abandoned village, we will take our battle positions, as you suggested, and slay every goblin that has inhabited this place. After we finish, we will gather as many goblin ears as possible and bring them back to the guild. We'll retreat if the situation becomes critical.”
“You could have just said yes instead of detailing the entire plan word for word," said Fiona.
“There's no harm in repeating plans. The most important thing is to be cautious.”
Rolling her eyes, Fiona aimed her staff at the gate. “Whatever. We better start or else the goblins will find out we’re here. I want to return by sunset.”
Following the sorcerer’s command, Grant took the lead, guiding the trio through the gate and into what appeared to be a desolate town square.
The sight that greeted them was one of destruction and abandonment, as ruined homes encircled the square. Among the remains of the village stood a ravaged wagon, surrounded by piles of barrels and overgrown shrubs. Arriving at the center, the explorers' boots made squelching sounds with every step. Right past the center was another gate–smaller than the previous one–that led to the next section. Lying on a sloped roof nearby, Tyrus watched with fervent eyes. He breathed shallowly, hoping not to be found.
They halted near the wagon rather than continuing on. Tyrus wondered why they weren’t continuing ahead until he heard snarls coming from below. His eyes widened as he caught sight of the source. Emerging from the shadows of the ruined shacks were six repugnant creatures, their grotesque forms sending shivers down Tyrus’ spine.
Each creature wielded a motley assortment of weapons, ranging from rusty daggers to rocks, clubs, and even a wooden doll. If the circumstances were different, the sight of the mismatched weaponry and surreal situation would have been amusing. However, the weight of the situation left no room for laughter.
For their features, they were downright hideous to look at. They were much shorter than the average human, and skin which resembled dark-green mucus. Their noses were flat and possessed ears strikingly similar to bats. The creatures’ eyes, a vivid yellow akin to the color of piss, glinted with a mixture of rage and aggression. Tyrus, for a moment, felt sorry for the people below.
“Grant, take the four on the left while Reo takes care of the right. I’ll provide backup!”
The moment she finished speaking, the two men nodded in agreement and charged into the fray. With his shield in hand, Grant took a defensive stance, preparing for a goblin's dagger strike. With precise timing, he deflected the attack, causing the feeble blade to shatter upon contact with his sturdy shield. The goblin, taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, barely had time to comprehend what had happened before Grant unleashed a powerful swing of his sword.
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With a resounding impact, the blade cleaved through the air, finding its mark and severing the goblin’s head from its body. A gruesome splatter of blood painted the surface of Grant’s previously pristine shield, while the lifeless goblin collapsed into a gray puddle. Another goblin tried to whack him in the head from behind, but Grant was aware of this. In a display of remarkable agility, Grant swiftly spun around, his movements defying the expectations set by his size and armor. He drove his weapon into the goblin's chest, ending its life in an instant.
Throughout the entire skirmish, Grant maintained a calm and stoic demeanor, seemingly going through the motions of combat. The way he remained composed in the face of danger surprised Tyrus, who couldn't stop watching. The two remaining goblins, seeing their comrade's quick defeat, ran away in fear. Their panicked squeals reverberated through the air, but their escape was short-lived. Attentively listening, Tyrus heard the sorcerer utter a spell and sensed an immediate gathering of mana above her.
“Dual Shot!” Fiona shouted, pointing her staff at the fleeing goblins.
Tyrus's jaw dropped as he witnessed the manifestation of two balls of flame. Immediately, the magic sped forward, quickly striking the inattentive creatures. As their bodies were lit ablaze, they cried out in agony. Tyrus stared until they were only charred husks.
"After yelling out Dual Shot, she was able to release a fiery ball… Is that the incantation I’ve been looking for?"
Tyrus inadvertently muttered the incantation before he realized it. He felt mana surge through his fingertips, and unexpectedly, two spheres of crackling blue light the size of his palm launched upward. Dread consumed him as the two orbs detonated into the foggy sky. With his heart pounding, Tyrus looked beyond the roofline to see if the adventurers had spotted him. Three pairs of widened eyes stared at him.
“Uh-oh,” he squeaked. Tyrus quickly slid down the structure and began sprinting away, following the same path they had taken, hoping to avoid getting caught. Just as he approached the gate, the twin-dagger man appeared and blocked his path.
Woah! That was quick!
“What’s a beggar doing here?” Reo mumbled.
Clicking his tongue in frustration, Tyrus attempted to climb over the wall. However, he was stopped when something grabbing onto his collar. Peering over his shoulder, he saw Grant had a tight grip on his tunic. No matter how hard he tried to push forward, the man wouldn’t budge. He looked down at Tyrus with a frown. Fiona was the last to arrive. Grant was brushed past by her as she plopped herself to the side, her eyes watching intently as Tyrus struggled.
“Seriously, what’s a little boy like him doing in this abandoned village?” Fiona asked. “Is he a straggler?”
Reo shook his head. “Impossible. The village has been abandoned for many years. This kid wouldn’t have survived here for that long, let alone a day. The area is infested with monsters and beasts.”
“Yeah, you’re right. This is a bizarre situation…”
While they were engaged in conversation, Tyrus's mind was racing, contemplating various escape strategies. He realized he had made a serious mistake–he had underestimated the strength of the incantation, which had immediately triggered the magic. He had assumed it would fail, just like his previous attempts.
Wait, don’t give up yet. I still have my hat on, and it seems like they’re too busy trying to figure out why I’m here. If I want to get out safely, then I need to avert their attention elsewhere.
Tyrus relaxed and took a deep breath. The bickering pair fell silent as they turned to stare at him. Tyrus beat them to the punch and spoke before they could ask him anything. “I-I saw you three leaving town and followed you guys. I thought you guys looked cool, so I hid on a rooftop to watch you fight monsters…”
A look of shock crossed Fiona's face as she gaped at him. “Hold on… Are you saying the lightning magic we saw earlier came from you?”
It was now Tyrus's turn to be curious. “The what’s-it-now?”
The marsh reverberated with a series of snarls, capturing everyone's attention. Their gaze immediately turned towards the gate, the pathway leading to the next section of the village. Stepping out from the structure, a band of goblins appeared, armed and ready.
Simultaneously, the sound of hurried footsteps reached their ears, originating from the outskirts of the village. Another group of goblins emerged, this time wielding even more formidable weapons. Among them, several were equipped with shields and swords. Inside the village, there were twelve goblins, while fifteen remained outside.
“Oh no,” Fiona whispered. Glancing between the groups, fear took hold of her expression. “This is not good. Grant, let go of the kid and protect him from the goblins! Reo, help me deal with the ones outside! We’ll cut a path so we can escape!”
Grant obeyed and let go, positioning himself in front of Tyrus, holding his sword and shield. “Do not leave my side. Stay close. I shall not let no harm come to you.”
“Stop acting high and mighty and start fighting!” Fiona snapped.
She and Reo had already engaged in battle. Fiona wasted no time unleashing a Fireball spell that found its mark, striking a goblin square in the face. The creature flailed and clawed at the flames, running in a panic before ultimately succumbing to its fiery demise. Undeterred, Fiona seamlessly transitioned between spells, casting her magic with finesse. Explosions of vibrant red lit up the already gray sky, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake.
Meanwhile, Reo opted for a more physical approach, engaging in close-quarters combat with three goblins. He stabbed one of the goblins right through its skull, ending its life instantly. Reo dodged a swing from another attacker and responded with a quick and powerful kick to the knee, rendering his opponent helpless. He acted quickly, taking advantage of the opportunity to stab the goblin in the eye with his dagger, effectively removing it from the battle. Without pause, Reo smoothly moved to the next target, using a swift and deadly motion to slit the throat of another goblin.
Grant had successfully maintained his position against the oncoming wave. His strength and defense were akin to that of a boulder. In one fluid slash, he cut through the torso of three goblins. Undeterred by the remaining foes, two goblins attempted to flank Grant from his left side, swinging their clubs in an attempt to overpower him. However, their efforts proved futile against Grant’s indomitable defense. With a straight face, he effortlessly parried their blows, deflecting them with ease. Not a hint of a grimace crossed his face as he effortlessly neutralized the goblin’s attacks. They too fell to his blade.
All around Tyrus was the sound of blood splatter and yelps of goblins, and the grunts of the explorers. The air reeked of flesh and smoke, and Tyrus was actively sweating from the build-up of heat.
They were in this mess because of him. The spell he cast must have alerted every goblin in the vicinity. Even with all the fog, it was impossible to miss how bright it was. Had he controlled himself and stay hidden as planned, the adventurers wouldn't have been in danger.
No… Instead of leaving everything to them, I should do something!
Instead of being idle, Tyrus stepped up. He tapped on his ring and retrieved his dagger. Taking a deep breath, he charged at the nearest goblin. A quick glance at Tyrus made Grant falter. He cut through the head of a goblin and chased after him.
"Think of this as a hunt… Think of this as a hunt!"
He repeated those words over and over as he lunged at a creature’s chest. The being released a snicker aimed at him, as if to criticize his unintelligent decision to attack. Tyrus guessed that because he was small, the goblin thought he was fragile. With cackling laughter, it drew its own dagger, displaying a willingness to directly confront the attack. That action proved to be a fatal mistake on its part.
In a burst of speed, he spun around the green creature and stabbed its heart. Shock spread across its face before collapsing face first. Confirming it was dead, Tyrus went for the next goblin. Sweat poured from its gaunt cheeks as it rushed at Tyrus desperately. He side-stepped and thrusted his weapon under its chin, killing the last goblin.
Within a span of two minutes, the battle was over. Other than the buzzing of flies and the pulsing of his ears, the village was eerily silent. Tyrus absent-mindedly gazed at his red dagger, turning it over in his hand. He was so absorbed with the weapon that he only looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He faced the trio, their clothes stained with blood and sweat, and was met with disapproving frowns.
“You have a lot of explaining to do,” said Fiona.