Ziplocke was not in a good mood. He scowled more than smiled, he growled more than laughed. The three were back at Modok’s crooked stone palace. This was the fifth time Ziplocke used the Rift aspect to teleport to the abandoned castle. The upside, he finally listened to Graul and repaired the broken Threshold, so teleporting here was much cheaper. The downside? Ziplocke felt like he was wasting the Hold Core’s tremendous potential on frivolous things. The Goblin Lord was not in a good mood.

“Okay, I think we have everything we need,” Graul stated.

Ziplocke looked up and sighed. Tiny Lessar Goblins were all over the chamber. Climbing and falling from the jagged walls. Sniffing and poking at everything. Ziplocke rubbed his face.

“Aww, do not worry. I am sure we will not need to return back here. At least not right away,” Leandra said.

Ziplocke was tired and realized he missed the Material realm. When they returned to retrieve Modok’s heart they discovered that the Howlers had taken the castle and they were forced to flee. Graul had the bright idea to return with a Goblin force to retake the castle. So, teleportation number three to Modok’s castle consisted of herding Goblins and Lessar Goblins to mount a siege. That didn’t go well as they didn’t have a strong enough force to take the castle. Most of the Lessar Goblins were either slaughtered or fled to hide among the many crevices within the crooked palace. It took Ziplocke two more times to transport enough Goblins to successfully retake the castle. He now had a greater appreciation for Dunar’s tactical mind. He actually missed the Material realm.

“Can’t have a Goblin uprising without taking a few risks, am I right?” Graul asked as he slapped Ziplocke’s shoulder.

“What if the Fiends find out and mount an attack to reclaim Modok’s territory?” Leandra wondered.

It was one thing to fight a pack of Howlers and Lessar Fiends, but against actual Fiends? Could their Goblin force manage? Ziplocke worried that this would mark the end of his kind.

“Relax, I left Lummox in charge. At any sign of trouble he will lead the Goblins back home and close the Threshold,” Graul said.

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“Lummox? Really?” Ziplocke wondered.

Ziplocke glanced at the Goblin in question. Lummox was a regular Goblin with droopy eyes that made him appear like he was asleep. He was smaller than Leandra and Graul and not one to inspire any type of confidence. Ziplocke sighed. We are doomed.

“He fell asleep again,” Leandra pointed out.

“What? Hey Lummox, wake up!” Graul snapped.

The smaller Goblin snapped awake and cried, “Retreat!”

About a dozen Lessar Goblins screamed and ran through the portal to return back to the Glass Forest. Before Graul can stop him, Lummox also dove through the portal. In moments the Portal shut down. There were still hundreds of Goblins that remained in the palace with no way to return back to the Glass Forest outside of walking.

Ziplocke rubbed his face and sighed. “We are doomed.”

“I mean he is learning right? You saw how fast he reacted? That was good, don’t you agree?” Graul said.

Leandra nodded and replied, “It was very impressive. Maybe next time he can at least get a dozen more folks before he flees? You know, to ensure the survival of our species.”

Graul nodded. “I will instruct him on that. Hey Ziplocke, can you create another Threshold to the Glass Forest?”

The Goblin Lord was not in a good mood. He didn’t even argue or complain but tapped into the Rift aspect and created another Threshold using the Portal arch back to the Glass Forest.

“Die!” Lummox charged through with a squad of howling Lessar Goblins. He was holding the spear backwards.

“Hey! It’s us!” Graul cried. He disarmed the smaller Goblin of his weapon.

“Hi Graul,” Lummox greeted with a crooked smile.

A Lessar Goblin threw a rock and it bounced of Ziplocke’s face. This was followed by a snickering and then dozens more pebbles were flung at the Goblin Lord.

“Enough!” Ziplocke roared.

Lessar Goblins squealed and fled in all directions to hide among the numerous shadows in the jagged palace.

“Retreat!” Lummox cried and ran through the Threshold.

Gaul sighed, “Not again.”

The Threshold shut down again.

“I think he gathered a larger group this time,” Leandra poitned out.

“No, he didn’t,” Graul observed and added, “But I still think he has potential.

“We are doomed,” Ziplocke muttered.