As I ventured deeper into the forest, a noise caught my attention. It wasn't the usual sounds of nature; it was something more deliberate, more sinister. I froze, my heart pounding, my instincts kick into gear as I quickly scanned my surroundings. Spotting a thick bush nearby, I darted towards it, my new instincts guiding me to hide.
After a what felt forever I peer through the foliage, I saw a clearing not far off. In the center stood a group of five short small creatures, their green, wiry bodies moving swiftly as they rummaged through what appeared to be a caravan their yellow slitted eyes searching for loot. The remnants of a brutal skirmish were evident—both human and the green creatures bodies lay scattered around, lifeless eyes staring blankly at the sky.
Staying hidden as I get a better look I realized they look familiar so I try to remember what was it they where green and short until I realized they look similar to the creatures, me and my siblings when we play DnD, I realized now those are goblins an actual goblins there is no other creatures I know with those green skin, short body and slitted yellow eyes anywhere I thought.
One of them was bigger than the rest with a giant axe and two tusks and a mohawk, the goblin in question then raised its as it shouted its victory as the rest did it as well before the big goblin said something and the rest began looting.
The goblins worked quickly, gathering loot from the fallen. They communicated in harsh, guttural tones, their voices filled with excitement and greed. I watched, holding my breath, as they stuffed their plunder into sacks and pouches.
My mind raced. The sight of the human bodies filled me with a mix of fear and something rising from my stomach as I fight the urge to throw up or else I'll get caught. These goblins were dangerous, and they had left a path of destruction in their wake. But I was just a hatchling, new to this world and unsure of my abilities, plus I don't know how to fight. Confronting them was out of the question.
After what felt like an eternity, the goblins finished their looting. With their sacks full, they regrouped and began to move away, disappearing into the depths of the forest. I stayed hidden until their voices faded into the distance, the forest returning to its usual quiet.
Cautiously, I emerged from the bush and approached the scene. The smell of blood and death hung heavy in the air. I scanned the area, my heart heavy with the sight of the fallen. These people had met a violent end, and now their possessions lay scattered, abandoned.
As I surveyed the wreckage, there could be stuff I could use among the wreckage, they might be useful for my survival. Perhaps food, tools, or even information about this world. I swallowed my fear and began to carefully search the area, hoping to find something that could help me in my new and uncertain life.
Moving cautiously, I approached the first dead body, my heart heavy with a mix of fear and curiosity. As I analyze the body, a thought struck me so I look at myself and yep I was naked and didn't realize it. It hadn’t bothered me before; I didn’t feel cold or hot, perhaps due to my new harpy physiology. Still, the thought of being more presentable, more human, brought a sense of comfort plus it felt embarrassing not having any clothes.
I began to search the bodies for clothing, but almost most are damaged or just armor which would probably limit my gliding ability and possibly hinder me from flying in the future, turning to look some more my eyes landing on one that seemed different from the others. The clothes were more elaborate, hinting that this person might have been a noble or someone wealthy. Looking closer it's more intact than I thought with a couple black spots which led me to believe that he was hit with a club, so I quickly go to work and began tearing the fabric to make it fit my new form.
Stolen novel; please report.
The pants were the first challenge. I ripped them to accommodate my feathered legs and talons, creating makeshift holes and shortening the pants which allowed me to move more freely. Next, was a white shirt which has a hood, examining it more of the shirt with my eyes land on the center a orange and black color that resembles an eye and gold ornamental designs, featuring a wing motif that seemed fitting. I tore the back portion to make space for my wings, the fabric giving way easily under my claws as I tear the cuffs and sleeves I almost tear it into a tank top but thankfully its fine
After that discovery I am now dressed in my new makeshift outfit, well if you call it that I just tear and some holes on it and the pants shorter but that doesn't change that I have now clothes on me. It was a small comfort, a way to cling to my past while adapting to my new reality. I took a moment to steady myself, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.
With my new clothes in place, I resumed my search of the caravan wreckage. The goblins had taken most of the what maybe valuable items, but there were still a few things left behind. I found a small dagger, its blade dull but serviceable but I can't use it to fight though it's only good for cutting meat or rope so I have to fight with my claws instead, up next was a two pouches containing a few pieces of dried meat which I ate a few and save the rest for later and a flask of water which I drank to quell my thirst. And the last inside the carts after checking most of them are full of goods such as spices, metal bars, and ore which I have no use of yet but the last cart was interesting as open the trunk inside was chest which I open to see gold coins, I stare in awe, the goblins probably forgot about it, I thought stuffing the gold coins on one of my pouches after putting the dried meat on the other pouch, money is always useful even when you basically live in the middle of nowhere plus these would be crucial for me when finding a city surely they would think of me as one of those animal-human hybrid what was it called again my siblings it was beastmen, beastkind or hm-ah I remember now it's beastkin yes it's beastkin right? After thinking for a while yep its definitely beastkin I concluded before sighting, I hope I'm not treated like a monster right?
I shake the thought and try to remain hopeful as I gathered the items, a new sense of purpose filled me. I might be a hatchling in an unfamiliar world, but I had taken my first steps towards adapting. With a final glance at the carnage around me and taking a bow for the people who died her since I don't know how to bury them even if I did there's no shovel here, I turned away from the clearing and headed deeper into the forest, hoping I don't run into anything dangerous as those goblins.
- - -
"YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME" the being shouted as it reclines back clutching it's face as it groans. "I wanted those goblins to fight that child, so I gestured them towards his general direction but instead a caravan had to show up near him, this is such bull- ah *sigh* is it to much to ask to a let a child with absolutely zero experience fight against 20 goblins," the being again shouted while sighed as it watches the boy in question looting of what the goblins left behind as the being contemplates what's next.
"I hope those people who died in the caravan weren't important otherwise I'm gonna get yelled at again,"
Turning to his vision away from the boy the being searches for something. "Well let's see then there's bound to be something that can fight that child nearby, lets see."
"No"
"Not that"
"Not that either"
"Too strong"
"Too weak"
"Too... weird"
"Too gross"
"Ah here it is and the boy is heading straight towards it," the being let out a laugh. "Let's see if this boy can survive or lucky yet perhaps kill it," the being began to laugh as the boy walks towards the danger.