9

Goblin Invasion I

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“If you don’t want to die, then be quiet!” Edward’s voice echoed in the church as the multitude of voices disappeared.

He was a well-known and trusted figure in the community, yet nobody had ever seen him get so vocal. Silence descended, and aside from the few crying children, everybody turned their attention toward Edward.

“Listen. We’re in danger,” he gravely stated. “We will all be dead if even a single person doesn’t listen.” The contrast between his earlier voice and now sent chills down everyone’s spine. His eyes had narrowed, his brows furrowed, and the chill in his voice could seemingly kill a person.

“There is something- something non-human- ” He paused and looked around. “Out there, non-human creatures have targeted us. We’re being hunted. Right now.” Edward couldn’t believe what he was saying either. He had to close his eyes to recall what he saw.

Edward opened his eyes again and saw the shocked crowd, it was best to pull the bandaid quickly. The speculation would only worsen their situation.

As the silence continued several voices spoke up.

“What?!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Have you gone crazy” The chaos started resounding again, but this time it wasn’t Edward who spoke up. A woman started crying, and then one more, and then another.

There were almost thirty people who ran towards the church. But by now they had realized, only four had made it in alive. No, there were five, one of the survivors was a baby who was being carried by a woman. It was this woman that started crying as blood poured from her feet. Only now did the crowd see that her feet were cut open and gashed by large shards of glass.

“Please,” a soft voice started pleading through the grieving voices. “Please listen.” Jenny was breaking down. Lydia had already started her treatment as several large shards of glass were pulled from the soles of her feet. But she wasn't alone, the women surrounding her were wounded as well.

“Can’t you see what’s happening?” Edward questioned. “The moment the night sky disappeared and the news displayed that sight, we were already in unknown territory. From the looks of it, not a single person can access the internet right now either.”

Theo had a grave look on his face. One of the first things they did after barricading themselves inside was to try and contact the outside world. Almost everybody here had tried calling someone.

Alduin looked on, his father was still trying to get in touch with Egan but not a single person could access the outside world.

“We should consider this is happening everywhere as we speak. We are being hunted. And from what we saw, we are facing certain death. So if you don’t want to die. Listen!” Edward raised his voice once more and nobody dared to speak up anymore.

“Young lady, tell us what you saw.” Anxiety was pushing everybody to their breaking point. Yet a primal instinct was present in every single person here. The fear of death and the will to live.

“They... They... We had closed ourselves inside,” Jenny spoke up while holding her child close. “We heard laughing sounds and cackling voices.” Her eyes teared up. “People must have looked through their windows, and before we knew it, the sound of glass breaking and people crying rang out. They shouldn’t have found us, they shouldn’t have...” Jenny lost focus momentarily.

“-But, but we heard banging on our door. They were looking at us through the windows. Their height, they were no taller than children, with large ears and a nose that dominated their faces. Trolls. Something. No, goblins. I- They, they were playing with us, my husband was killed holding them back and I-“ Jenny broke down crying.

‘They let her run away.’ Reality began to settle in the crowd.

“They’re going to kill us.” She had completely broken. The only thing she could now think of was the child she was holding. Other women were trying to console her but the story she told brought shivers to every person in the church.

A cold voice spoke up. An adult woman, somewhere around her mid 20’s. Sharp eyes looked at everyone as she tied up her long black hair. “She’s telling the truth. Small muscular imps. Almost like green hairless monkeys. They found me even though I was hiding. With their sense of smell, they know we’re here. Their strength itself is phenomenal, a single kick broke down a locked door.”

Isa, a rather tall and slender woman stepped next to Edward.

“I don’t want to die here. It seemed like they kept some people alive as well. But I assure you that you don’t want that either. I want to survive.” Her brown eyes were bloodshot, yet her tone was matter-of-factly. A cold gaze spread over everybody as she readied herself for whatever was to come. Unlike Jenny, this woman showed immense composure.

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“From what I’ve seen there are thirty in the main street, but I’m sure there’s more than fifty in total.” Isa seemed to count the number of people in this room.

“Their strength.” She sized up Alduin. “Their strength is easily about three adult men.” A mocking chuckle escaped her as she continued, “But there seems to be another kind as well.” Everyone listened intently as Ise looked at Alduin again and then turned towards Edward.

“There are several with bows, I didn't see it clearly but they were larger than the ones running. But-” Alduin was the next person to speak up. “There’s a big one out there,” Alduin said as he held his arm. The impact he received still tingled through his muscles.

Powerlessness washed over the crowd. The realization that more than a thousand people were murdered by what? Less than a hundred impish creatures. The mockery of fate replaced their fear with a desolate sense of doom.

“If you understand the severity of the situation then be quiet and rest until we have a plan,” Edward said as he stepped forward “Gather all provisions. Get the blankets or cloth available in church and stay close to each other.”

The hopeless eyes now landed on someone they could rely on.

“The more noise we make the sooner they’ll advance.” Edward pointed towards the storage room in the back of the church. “I won’t die here. And if you listen to what I’m saying, you won’t either. So prepare yourself.”

Nobody dared utter a word and no questions were asked. Edward, a reliable figure, had now claimed authority.

Women lined up towards the back of the church to get the provisions inside the storage room. Men were clearing the benches, chairs, and useful provisions. Edward in turn gathered Alphons and Theo before they started walking over to the barricaded church door.

Alduin looked with amazement towards this old man, his tall stature seemed even larger than before. Even his muscle mass, which he had become used to, seemed more impressive for a man his age. But more than that, in such a short span of time he had shown authority and order in such a chaotic environment.

“Go talk with my granddaughter, I’ll talk with your parents.” Edward passed Alduin as he patted his back. A small smile could be seen but no matter how hard he tried, his face could only show severity.

***

Alduin walked over to a group of young adults, Leon and his friends had gathered around together. Veleda was being hugged by Frieda as she was quietly sobbing. Everybody had talked to their parents, but they in turn started gathering together to brainstorm a way to survive.

Frieda looked at Alduin with anger in her eyes as she tried calming Veleda down. Alduin could only sigh with regret as he knew he was in the wrong.

“Frieda, can I borrow Veleda for a second?” Alduin asked with a guilty voice.

“I don’t know, it depends-“

Veleda’s shaking shoulders had betrayed her surprise. She felt embarrassed and guilty. It was guilt for being angry, and embarrassment for panicking so suddenly.

Seeing as she didn’t turn around yet he asked gently, “I need some help with my arm.” He had no choice but to go this route.

Frieda replied, “Maybe I should help instead?”

“I’ll do it.” A soft voice escaped Veleda the moment she turned around. Her blond disheveled hair couldn’t hide her teary face as she approached while shaking.

“I’m sorry...” Even now tears formed in her eyes, that was the first time he had ever shown anger toward her.

Alduin walked forward and embraced her with one arm. “It’s my fault, I’m sorry for getting angry. I think I was in shock” Alduin leaned on her. “I was surprised and distressed.” Alduin gently leaned back and caressed her face. “can you forgive me?”

Alduin didn’t like being like this when he knew his friends were watching, but right now he had other concerns. He didn’t know if he saw it correctly but a small glint shone in Veleda’s eyes. He was slightly amused, it appeared she also knew how to get what she wanted.

“It’s okay. I’m sorry too, I didn’t know what happened and I didn’t know what to do.” She hugged him again and looked up at his face. “I thought you wouldn’t get up again,” She spoke with hesitation. A fear still marked her face. Her entire body had lost its energy.

“That won’t happen anytime soon.” he calmed her down. “But to make sure I can protect everyone here, can you help me with my arm?”

Veleda often took extensive care of Alduin, especially after he went to the mountains with Edward. That was something he tried to keep a secret from his parents, and she had always been there for him. He often thought he was lucky she wanted to become a doctor so he didn’t mind being her guinea pig. It was one of the reasons they grew so close, so out of all the people around here, she was most familiar with helping him recover.

They both sat down, and Alduin, who had taken his shirt off, could finally relax. Veleda started massaging the tensed muscles. She took her time making sure he would move again soon. As well as check his arm for hidden injuries. But other than a bruise that was spreading, he seemed to be alright.

As Alduin looked to the side he saw that Edward had finished talking to his parents. It seemed that they had calmed down as well as they glanced at him with caring eyes. The shock of his outburst had mostly subsided and a regret of his anger washed over him.

‘I shouldn’t let my emotions control me like that,’ he couldn’t help but think. Emotions had been running high. But right now, as he looked around in the church, it seemed that the next phase would soon start.

‘But that beast. I’ll make sure to pay it back,’ Alduin stared in front of him. He knew who shot that arrow. A green goblin, larger than the others, and his mocking eyes were etched into him. The rage he had shown was transforming into a ruthless plan that was gradually being formed in his mind.

The first encounter was short but deadly. Every person in the church was lucky to still be alive, plenty of older residents had gathered around the priest to start praying. Others in turn gathered together to find even a single lifeline.

Because as the sounds outside were rapidly quieting down, only one thing was certain. They had become prey. And they were undoubtedly next.