By the time they reached the town, it was well after nightfall, it was night, not even the moons were seen. After getting to the town and leaving the horses with the stable master. Scythe was ready to keep running. Until Astela grabbed his shoulder, "Scythe if you go in blind like this, you could get yourself killed."

"I… I'm sorry, I just couldn't stay still after that. I had to do something. Anything."

"Getting killed would make things worse, you can't just run on your own. You are a representative of the Guild."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry might fix it now, but when blood has been spilled, sorries won't cut it."

"I… I understand."

"Now, let's get to an Inn for the night."

"But…"

"No but's."

"Please let me finish."

"Fine, you were saying?"

"I… can't explain it, but I just have this sick sense of something, I want to go now. Because if we go in the morning, I think she will be dead."

Astela stood back a step, "How much do you trust your gut?"

"It's gotten me here." Scythe answer

"Let's go then after we grab torches."

"No need," Scythe waved his hand, the flame appeared again, "I can make light with this."

"What do you do when you run out of magic?"

"Run out? That can happen?" Scythe asked, "I've managed to keep myself warm in the winters before."

"We should probably get going now."

  Looking at the ground for tracks, Scythe slowly found the path the goblins take, seeing a bigger footstep than the rest, Scythe asked, "Hey do you know this track, It's like a goblin's but much larger."

"How much larger," Astela kept standing, with her guard up.

"About twice, long nails as well."

"Must be a greater goblin. Scythe, this might be beyond two people."

"Then what about making a distraction? Like starting a fire."

"What?"

"Starting a fire?"

"I heard you, No, we are not starting a fire."

Rustling was heard in the underbrush. "... See I told you, I saw someone." a person pushed through, with rabbit ears.

Astela grabbed her blade, "Who are you?"

"We're not bad people, we're adventurers," the first one put her hands up in surrender, "I'm Rank D, Liz, my friend here is also Rank D, her name is…"

"Reven," The woman had wolf-like ears, "Our third member was taken captive, we were hiding."

"Astela, what should we do," Scythe stood up.

"Is your partner human, or a demi, like yourselves?" Astela asked.

"Oh. she's a demi, but she did adopt a human kid."

"That leaves some gaps." Astela pondered, "How long has she been captured?"

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"Under a week, it took a week to find the goblin camp." Liz answered, "It's an old fortress, not even the village knew it was there."

Astela became more serious, "What was the styling? Stonework? And designs?"

"Uhh, everything was pretty eroded, maybe there is something inside. We didn't get close after Ifera was captured."

"We are here to get her, her child is still in the city." Astela said, "We just saw some greater goblin tracks, what are your positions?"

"I'm an archer," Liz jumped lightly.

"Swordswoman," Reven said

"And we are both sword users, but he has magic." Astela pointed at Scythe with her thumb.

"But not much." Scythe added, "I can do basic elemental magic, but nothing big."

"So lead us to the castle. We will make a plan from there."

  Walking in the night, the moons rose to illuminate the path. After a time, the castle came into sight, and you could see small lights and movement inside. Astela broke the silence, "Do you know where she was taken?"

"I don't." Liz said, "They came at us from all sides. I made a mistake, Ifera… pulled me out, and told both of us to run."

"If she isn't dead, then it's the other thing."

"Yeah, it's a slave…"

  That word somehow angered Scythe, who then had an idea, "I'll charge in first, I'll make as much noise as possible. You three sneak in."

"Scythe that is beyond reckless." Astela rose her voice.

"It'll work, I've done this before."

"What the hell do you mean?" Astela, "You are just a child."

"I'm not a child, you don't know half the things I've done. I know this will work, if it's worked on humans, it'll work on goblins."

"Scythe, you are telling me more when we get back. What do you two think?"

"I could help him." Liz suggested, "I would stay hidden until I have clean shots."

"No the chance of you getting killed is too high, you stay with those two. You all know the plan." Scythe stood up, "I'm going now, wait for a few minutes before sneaking in."

  Before anyone could stop Scythe, he ran in.

  Killing the four goblins at the gate with ease, Scythe was inside. "Little boy, are you trying to die?" Phae asked, "Because if so, I will stop you. You are more valuable to me than the other three."

"I don't care, I have to do something."

"You recall your mother's lessons on magic, right?"

"Yes."

  Phae pulled out her sword and handed it to Scythe, "As you control magic, do the same around the blade."

  Scythe stood still, focusing on magic. A dark liquid-like aura appeared around the blade. "This magic is in a way, an extension of the sword as you swing, it will spread outward cutting enemies beyond the blades reach."

  Scythe swung against the wall, the blade never connected, but a gouge was still made. "That is useful."

"I know, now this should help you live a little longer."

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me. Not yet."

  Scythe charged back in, most of the goblins didn't even notice him until he started killing them. Swarms of them came running out. Each slice killed at least three, eventually, it slowed but the greater goblins started to come out. Each greater goblin had iron armor, most of it didn't fit them. "HUMAN. YOU HAVE KILLED MANY OF US. NOW YOU TOO SHALL DIE." the largest goblin shouted.

  In almost a berserk state, Scythe didn't hear a word. And only saw threats. His body launched seemingly on its own. By the time the greater goblins were mostly defeated, the goblins wouldn't even get near Scythe, and when they had a chance, they ran out into the world but didn't get far, before getting killed. Looking at the sky, it seemed brighter but the ground in the main area was covered in blood splatter.

  After resting for a moment, Scythe entered the fortress. Scythe saw old artworks torn and ripped. The smell was terrible, sweat, blood, and shit, and as Scythe walked in the halls the smells only grew, until a different scent started building.

  Following the unfamiliar odor, Scythe turned through halls. After reaching the largest hall, Scythe knew what the smell was after he pushed the door open. It was a sickly sweet smell, permeated with iron and vomit. Seeing at least thirty different women of all ages bound and gagged. Scythe started cutting them free, one of the women with iron bangles kicked Scythe in the face. Making a deep cut, moving away from her, Scythe freed the others then untied her. Seventeen women were still alive, the rest were dead. Some mutilated beyond recognition.

  After Scythe left that room, he prepared his magic. "Ignition." Scythe chanted. Tossing the spell in and closing the door. You could feel the explosion reverberate through the halls. After the entire group left the hall, Scythe cast another spell. Burning the previous hall. Repeating this until they were in the main area. Astela came running in through the main gate, "What the hell are you doing!?"

"Burning trash." Scythe watched the flames with disgust.

"That castle is a piece of history, there could be thousand-year-old documents in there." Astela was livid.

"This place deserves to remain lost to history." Scythe turned away, starting to walk out.

One of the women went up to Scythe, "Thank you for saving us. We all mean that. Just some of us are still scared." the woman thanked, "Oh my name is Ifera, I do have partners somewhere in the woods."

"IFERA," Liz came running in, arms out, "It's so good that you are still alive. This man, Scythe, had the idea that saved you."

Ifera looked at Scythe, "Thank you, I don't know how to pay you back."

Scythe looked past the rising smoke, red dawn was here. "Don't thank me, my hands are covered in blood."

  It was then, when everyone realized all the goblins were dead, and around them in that area. A few of the women collapsed and balled up. Trying to protect themselves. They were afraid, that if the man that saved them, was worse than the goblins.