Everything had been going so well for the goblin and his companion. They were progressing through their bond taking giant steps toward the next level. In two days, he would have enough life mana to imprint a name and a role for the bear. Two days and maybe he might have a name for himself.

Now the bloody dragon was destroying all his progress. Blacker than the night, and armored in thick scales, the dragon’s wings stretch far into the sky, blotting out the sun. Its dark presence flies over the goblins and kobolds just as they are striking down the last of the spiders. Five black flaming balls race from the dragon's mouth and explode the forest into fire and oblivion.

Why is the dragon protecting the spiders? The goblin tries to clear his eyes of disbelief. Flames burn all around the goblin. His focus drops for a second and his squad dies before he has a chance to offer them healing support.

"Take cover," the muffled voice of his raid commander calls out. Even in his blurry vision, it’s clear their forward charge of the army shatters. There is no order here.

"Hydros, douse the flames. Pyros harness the excess energy. Ice and earth guardians, build us a wall. Keep us protected. Nikos, where are our silencers?" Commands the kobold captain.

"Here he comes again. Silencers —" Five black flames crash into the forest, cutting off Nikos' command. Ice walls shatter, and water evaporates. A foggy steam cloud blurs the once-clear sky. Massive trees explode, shaking the ground as large burning debris falls to the earth crushing already lifeless bodies.

A blanket of blackness covers the forest. In the darkness, a roar thunders. Chaos stills. Yet the goblin's ears ring loudly. His sweaty hands reach for his pounding head, trying to ease the pain. All he can do to watch as his world and hopes for a new life burn around him.

The putrid smell of bodies burning all around him overwhelms the goblin’s senses. He wants to vomit. More than anything, he wants… needs to move. He can’t. Frozen in the darkness, all he can do is feel the death surrounding him. It was his duty to keep them alive. How could anyone survive this?

He closes his eyes and at once feels some relief as their scratchy dryness begins to soak in moisture. He keeps his eyes closed however his energy sense paints the picture for him.

Darkness, like cold, damp air, is the first thing he notices. No surprise there. He heightens his sensitivity and stretches out his perception. Fire mana feels wild and hungry. Unsatisfied, the energy searches the forest for more fuel to consume. Nature, usually calm and gentle, is frenzied. The mana is chaotic, wanting to escape the flame but can’t. All around him, the feeling of nature diminishes. Vibrant greens turn pale gray, and the hunger grows closer.

Death is abundant. Wherever the fire goes, pale energy follows. Hungrily, it consumes, even outpacing the fire's appetite for more.

The smooth and vibrant life that this forest once was full of diminishes around him. Yet he feels the life mana calling out to him — his mana wants to be used to combat this gluttony.

The goblin reaches for his power. There is no response. The dragon's silencing spell is still in control of the battlefield. Still, he focuses on the life around him. Though it is quickly fading, one bright light of energy stands out. Staying by his side, he feels the deep bond of his bear. His companion is still by his side. He isn’t alone. They are in this mess together. The thought is a comfort and a curse.

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"We have to go. We can't fight this." He tries to command his bear.

Duty imprints his soul.

The impression shakes him. Duty has no meaning here.

"Stupid bear.” His emotions are raw and clumsy. “Our duty is to live. There is no living through this.” It doesn’t have to end like this. He puts all his will, longing, desires…his needs into his command. “Please."

Protect.

His loyal bear’s simple thought crushes his soul. Still, there is a chance. They have time to run. "You can't protect —”

Cold empty blackness thicker than the surrounding blanket of darkness lands fifty yards away from him. Rampage and slaughter begin again as bright yellow mana quickly fades. The dragon is fearsome and relentless. The cold gray rider launching off the dragon’s back is equally vicious. More life snuffs out.

The goblin has no time to consider who the mystery man is. The distance between him and the dragon grows shorter and shorter. However, he can't convince himself to leave without his bear. He will not leave his companion's side, as stupid and stubborn as the beast is.

Fire and claw descend upon him. He feels, more than ever, the thick presence of the hungry pale mana eagerly waiting to consume his life. Intercepting the blow aimed at him, his bear rushes in and challenges the dragon head-on.

"Run. Just run," he commands… begs. It is useless to try and direct the bear. It’s oathbound to protect. He doesn’t care about the oath. The oath means nothing if the bear dies. He wants his friend to live. Why can’t we just run away?

The bear takes the brunt of the dragon's attack. The connection between him and his companion tears out of his soul. Yellow mana slips out of existence. Clinging to hope, he reaches out to the bear's lingering life.

The bear’s life slips through the goblin’s hands as he’s knocked backward. His head crashes into a tree causing the tree to collapse into ashes. The warm wet liquid drips down the back of his head. The feeling is lost in his legs. Despite his blurring senses, death and destruction can be felt covering him like a blanket.

The fury of the dragon is intense. Everything is burning. Then it is over. The surviving goblins and kobolds flea. The dragon and strange man fly away, and the spiders leave. Loneliness and despair, his consistent companions, welcome him as cold emptiness blossoms in his soul. His vision fades in and out. The pain is severe. The paralysis is even worse.

The dying goblin breathes in and out. His breaths are heavy. Tears accumulate on his lids no matter how hard he tries to push them back. Mercenaries of The Eternal Darkness do not show emotions, not even the runts. Still, the sorrow builds, and the hollowness stays. His companion. His effort. His chance. All gone. Now he slowly lets his hopes fade as well.

In the slow agony of his demise, his anger and sorrow grow. First, it is sorrow. Then like the flame claiming the life of the woods, his anger consumes his grief. How can he have room for sadness when everything has been so wrong?

Anger continues to burn as the cruelty of his life plays in his mind. It isn't hard to recall the memories. They are a part of him. His resentment motivates him to push against the wall of his dungeon.