Mitch roared in fury as he swung his massive sword in a wide arc, cleaving through three advancing goblins in one blow. No matter how many he cut down, more of the foul creatures kept pouring from the ruptured portal.

At his side, Lt. Wolfe coolly fired with mechanical precision, dropping goblin after goblin with headshots from his twin pistols. But even the lieutenant's preternatural aim could not stem the endless tide.

A piercing war cry heralded Captain Raven Darkholme plunging into the fray, her glowing aura-sword carving a swath through the packed mass of goblins. Limbs and dark ichor flew as she became a whirlwind of death.

Yet ever more goblins threw themselves forward heedlessly, skeletal faces split by manic grins. They felt no fear, only fanatical devotion to their king.

"Is this the best you mortals can muster?" cackled the Goblin King Isa from atop a mound of his slain warriors. He leisurely hurled javelins of dark energy that exploded among the defenders.

"I will not be denied my ascension!" Isa screamed. "The surface world shall be mine!" Laughing wildly, he gestured, opening the portal wider. Thousands more goblins poured forth, blank eyes aglow with frantic hunger.

Mitch felt the first chill of despair. Their ammo was dwindling, and these monsters cared nothing for their own lives, crazed in their worship of Isa. How could such an endless tide ever be stopped?

Raven's aura blade suddenly shattered, spent. A goblin tackled her from behind, knocking her to the blood-slicked ground. Lt. Wolfe turned to aid her, only to take a dark javelin in the shoulder, crying out in pain. They were vulnerable, about to be overwhelmed.

Seeing his friends near defeat ignited fresh fury within Mitch. He would not let it end like this - devoured by soulless beasts while their demon king looked on.

> Congratulations, [Mitch Striges]! You have reached Level 4, aura user. You are awarded a new skill: Life Rage!

With a tortured roar, Mitch drew deep from his own life essence, pouring everything he had into his sword as he charged the mound where Isa perched. The tidal wave of energy obliterated all in its path. The green and red bars he became accustomed to begin to decrease. Nothing would stop Mitch from wiping the smirk off that monster's face once and for all.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Wolfe grimaced against the searing pain in his shoulder as he quickly reloaded his pistol with his one good arm. All around, the tide of maddened goblins pressed closer, threatening to overwhelm the surviving defenders.

He risked a glance to where Mitch had carved a swath towards Isa's position atop the mound. But already the breach was closing behind Mitch as endless reinforcements poured through the corrupted portal. They had mere moments before being swallowed by the ravenous horde.

At Wolfe's side, Raven struggled back to her feet, fiery determination still burning in her eyes though her aura blade lay shattered. "I'll buy you time - go aid Mitch!" she shouted hoarsely.

Before Wolfe could object, Raven had charged back into the fray, sweeping up a fallen goblin sword to hack wildly at the encroaching circle. chaque moment bought with more of her blood.

Jaw clenched, Wolfe turned and sprinted towards Mitch's last known position. As a corporal with glazed eyes lurched at him, Wolfe calmly shot him in the head - a mercy. No time for sentiment with doom pressing so close.

Ahead, Mitch had almost reached the mound, his whirling blade carving down the last line of guards. Isa rained dark spears upon him, but sheer fury shielded Mitch as he bore down inexorably upon his quarry.

With his good arm, Wolfe took aim and picked off the last goblin snipers harrying Mitch's advance. A perfect shot rang out, then another. The path was clear to put an end to Isa's madness.

"Now, Mitch! End this!" Wolfe bellowed. Together, they would staunch this gruesome tide, though it likely cost their lives. Wolfe smiled grimly as Mitch's sword rose, ready to cleave deeply into Isa's bitter heart—a worthy sacrifice for those few innocents who might endure because of it.

Raven leaned heavily on her borrowed goblin sword, gasping for breath. All around her lay the broken remains of the goblin horde, finally vanquished. Atop his mound, the severed head of Isa leered in death, his malevolent reign ended by Mitch's savage strike.

They had emerged victorious, but the cost left a bitter taste. Dozens of brave soldiers sacrificed their lives stemming that terrible tide until Mitch could end the threat at its source. And those who remained standing looked more dead than alive.

Wolfe sagged against the blood-slicked stones nearby, face paper white as he tried vainly to staunch the ugly wound in his shoulder. Mitch staggered over and collapsed beside the lieutenant, his massive frame shaking with exhaustion.

"We did it, Captain," Mitch rasped, flashing a weary but defiant grin. "Those demon-loving freaks won't be troubling our world again anytime soon."

Raven nodded solemnly, too spent for words. She cast her gaze over the aftermath of slaughter surrounding them. So many bright souls were extinguished. But their sacrifice allowed light's tenuous victory on this dark day.

Kneeling, Raven gently closed the eyes of a fallen young private who had died shrieking in her arms amidst the slaughter. Just a boy, scarcely older than her own son back home. This sight would haunt her forever.

"Your service honors us all," Raven whispered hoarsely. "May your spirit find peace."

She looked up at the bodies of allies and goblins mingled indifferently in death. The portal loomed above them, a reminder of the endless peril and chaos still lurking on the threshold.

But for now, shadow's incursion had been hurled back. That would have to suffice.

Leaning once more upon her sword, Raven limped over to join Mitch and Wolfe.