When I opened my eyes, I noticed how weak my body felt.

My vision was hazy, my mind slow.

My limbs failed to answer my commands.

Unable to move I started to panic.

Did I turn into a cripple after that creepy human fell on me? Who will bring back the herb if I die here?

Just as I was about to fall into despair, something unexpected happened.

I felt pricking sensations all over my body, like small bees stinging me everywhere. Alleluia! I feel pain. I truly feel it! If I put my mind and soul into it I will definitely recover. Zolkhiem doesn’t abandon the braves after all!

Suddenly, a voice echoed, putting my senses on high alert.

“Oh you are finally awake! I thought I overdid it with my fall! Thankfully it didn’t kill you, or else all my efforts would have been in vain!”

With my injured body, I couldn’t even move my neck to look at the person talking to me. Nor could I answer. Seems like my vocal cords were destroyed as well.

“Oh right you are still in an awful state. Let’s repair your poor body first and show you a good spectacle! You will definitely like it!”

“Alkasam rifen toris!”

At those foreign words, a mirror appeared above me.

The reflection that greeted me made me shudder. There was no way for me to heal from these injuries. Ever. My body wasn’t even whole anymore. I didn’t know how I managed to survive in that state. I should have died long ago.

My once strong arms were now bent in weird angles, with bone shards protruding through flesh. They hang limply, looking more like a ragdoll's limb than a warrior’s. My powerful right leg was broken in multiple places, with bone shards embed into my rough green skin. Let’s not talk about my left leg, the sight made me want to cry. It was kind of missing you see…

As for my torso well… it didn’t fare much better. Deep gashes crisscrossed the original well trained six packs. Some were so deep that they revealed the white of my ribs. I could even see my guts coming out of my body.

My face was barely recognizable. My dearest long pointy ears were torn apart, heir edge broken. As for my nose, well it turned into a grotesque mess of green and red.

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I truly wanted to cry but I couldn’t. As a warrior, I should be brave. Besides, it might all be a dream since I felt so little pain.

While I was contemplating about my misfortune, I heard that weird language again.

“Meteris Esme tani!”

Suddenly, waves of excruciating pain wracked my mind and body. The intensity of the sensation was unbearable. Every single part of my body hurt like hell. It was as if my insides were being twisted by invisible hands, torn apart into tiny pieces and forcefully put back together with a hammer.

I gritted my teeth, trying to suppress my screams to no avail. A deep primal growl escaped from my throat, tears flew down uncontrollably.

All those sensations didn’t make sense. It felt like every part of my body was shattered and restructured into something else—Something different.

Every cell in my body was on fire.

At first, I felt my bones break and heal simultaneously. They grew longer but more fragile. Crack and snap echoed in my ears. My severed limb regrew slowly and painfully. It was restored anew. The bone marrow, muscles fibers and tendons regrew from nothing, intertwining themselves tightly around one another. Next came my muscles. It felt as if they were being pulled apart, healed and forcibly put back together into a much weaker version of themselves at a molecular level.

I trashed around, trying to resist to no avail. The metamorphosis continued to proceed without my consent. Unrelenting. Merciless.

The next step nearly drove me insane. To my horror, my oh so beautiful rough green skin slowly started to fade, turning into a milky white human skin.

No way this is happening! This must be a nightmare! I could endure anything but that!

The strong claws on my hands and feet were replaced by something vile. Something only a human would possess. Something useless, transparent and fragile—Nails. My teeth fell out and regrew, their sharp edge dull and harmless. My broken nose and ears shrank, their once pointy edge turning into memories. I could feel and see my eyes changing, the black beady pupils dilating and the irises shifting from black to blue. My coarse hair fell off, as soft blond hair sprouted from my scalp.

The pain was so unbearable I wanted to die.

My body was stolen from me. My goblin instincts fought fiercely against the human form taking over, a primal fear gnawing at my consciousness. I didn’t want this. I didn’t ask for this. Every fiber of my being rebelled against the metamorphosis. The schizophrenic duality drove me on the brink of insanity. I wanted to destroy everything and reclaim my body. I was a proud goblin warrior for god sake, not a vile human!

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the transformation ceased. I laid on the ground, panting and trembling, drenched in sweat and tears. My new body felt alien and weak. I couldn't even put the whole mess of emotions I was feeling into words. I was devastated.

My esteemed mother gave me this precious body and it was stolen from me. She wouldn't be able to recognize her son in the afterlife! Who could I face her now?! What about my tribesmen? Wouldn't they reject me on sight? Or worse, kill me for being a vile human?

When I looked at the mirror above me, I nearly fainted from shock.

A frail looking, blond-haired, blue-eyed human, with unhealthy pale skin looked back at me. No way, this weakling was me. It couldn't be me. Not in a million years!

Soon, the shock and despair were replaced by another emotion, overwhelming rage. I couldn't understand the reason behind the culprit actions. I didn't want to. I only wanted one thing, revenge for stealing my body.

Suddenly, the voice echoed again, “It's done. Do you like it? You should thank me, goblin. For you are my most beautiful creation."