Chapter 7

  The Sea Goblin’s Final Invasion I

Musk

Musk didn’t waste time in assembling the workshop. It was a lot of work, luckily Spiel and the rest of their squad joined in to help. But that was only after Spiel promised them that they’ll be the first to receive the things that Musk will soon create.

Musk sighed. He had grown accustomed to his friend’s shamelessness that nothing his friend does will ever surprise him even more. Aside from that imaginary reward, the prince had cut off their physical exercise by almost half until the workshop was finished.

This made Spiel’s members ecstatic at first, but soon they’ll found out that they had just traded one hell from another.

Musk said. “Here, place it here.”

Three men were holding and transporting a crate of bricks outside the carriage.

Musk did a quick tally of the things that had arrived and found out that everything he had listed was there. The prince was true to his words. And Musk knew he had to reciprocate in kind. He had already planned everything, from the base of the workshop to the crucible he will use.

The hardest part, Musk thought, was the base. It must be able to support the weight of the forge, from the stack to fuselage. He had originally planned on using hardened lumber as base, but the prince had insisted that it should be able to stand every punishment it take, especially against the never-tiring enemy, that is time.

So Musk decided to use cast iron as axles and bricks as the flooring. Creating the base alone would be probably take me two weeks, Musk thought, if Spiel and I worked night and day.

When Spiel heard his friend of his project timeline, Spiel could do nothing but complain. “Why do I have to work night and day?”

“Because among these people, you and I are the only one with enough crafting skills.” Musk said.

Spiel had always loitered in Master Uchivev’s workshop and bothered Musk and Master Uchivev every chance he get. Musk had retaliated in kind by manipulating his friend to do some of the tedious work. And Spiel was very talented. Musk thought it was a shame that his friend had decided to be a thief instead of pursuing a more noble profession, say a craftsman.

But Spiel said in defense. “There’s nothing more noble than stealing from the nobles itself.”

Musk knew that if he dragged Spiel into the project, Spiel would dragged the rest, by whatever means necessary.

When Spiel’s squad finished unloading all the materials needed. Musk, then, started giving out orders. Spiel laid out the bricks that they were going to need in the flooring, while Musk repaired Dankel’s forge using some of the clay he had requested. Even Mr. Dankel's offered help, and Musk was surprised at the strength of the old blacksmith, and to his skills as well. Musk estimated they would finish the workshop faster than he thought.

Musk knew the repairs he had done on the forge was only a temporary fix. It would probably allow him to turn the forge and fire it at its maximum temperature for two consecutive days before the heat started leaking again.

Musk then started heating the Classification 41-A steel shaft, the same classification of steel used to make anvils. Two of his Spiel squad members were holding a brand new hammers and Musk held the glowing, hot shaft using a brand new thong and gave the order to start hammering it.

Ding, dang, ding.

Sound of alternate metal strikes resounded throughout the shop. The rest of the prince’s squad couldn’t help but looked at the worn-out workshop and only guessed what was happening. But they were only distracted for a minute because the prince had increased the pace in their morning run, and Lt. Brax had sworn that everyone that would fell behind will be in-charge of whetting all the sword and cleaning the armors.

That alone was enough motivation for the rest to keep up especially everyone’s swords and armor have been rusting at a pretty alarming rate.

In the next day, Musk was surprised that along with their usual breakfast, a soup was being served by a beautiful lady. Such wonderful luck, Musk thought. For the first time Musk thought of getting married, and he would be the luckiest man in the world if lady Aysha would be his bride.

“Here.” Lady Aysha said, as she handed a bowl.

Musk couldn’t look at the lady in the eye, thus, he quickly noticed the abnormal texture, color and smell of the soup. It was no soup, more like a sewage dump. Musk looked at the slightly smoking, black ichor that filled the small bowl, then to the lady.

But Lady Aysha wore her innocent smile that made Musk’s heart skipped a bit.

“Come on, it’s delicious.” Lady Aysha urged him on.

Musk, with great reluctance, took the bowl of disgusting stuff. Musk thought he’d probably die on the spot if he drink it, but his honor as a man forbids him to reject such gesture coming from a beautiful lady, and from a nobility no less.

“Drink it.” Aysha said to Musk, smiling.

Musk cursed his luck again. Why do I have to be the first one in the line? Musk asked himself.

Soon, everyone looked at Musk, cursing him for hogging the beautiful lady’s attention all to himself. But, Musk would gladly trade his place right now just for a chance of not having to drink the soup.

“That tiny bowl of soup is worth three months of your stipend.” The prince said out of nowhere.

Musk looked at the prince who had just arrived with a dried fish on his hand. Seeing he has no way out, Musk forgo all of his earthly desires, and made peace to himself then quickly gulped the soup.

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Ok’tar

Thousands meters deep below the sea, Ok’tar roared. He had just received the word that the two hundred sea goblins he had just sent to secure the eastern village were obliterated. Granted that along those two hundred, only fifty were veterans.

What Ok’tar didn’t knew was that it had only taken his enemy a few minutes to subdue his best goblins. Ok’tar was losing face. All of the villages in the eastern sections have been neutralized by his fellow sea hobgoblins, all except Sitio Village.

Ok’tar was the youngest among the sea hobgoblins that was tasked to clear out the eastern section of the lands inhabited mostly by humans in order to build forward bases. At first, Ok’tar thought the mission was a piece of cake.

That's why he had conserved his goblin army, and only sent gobliraks or disgraced goblins to terrorize the village. Most sea hobgoblins used the same strategy on other villages and it worked just fine .

But after some time and a hundred gobliraks, Sitio village stood stronger than ever. This pissed Ok’tar, he was already way behind the schedule, and his fellow hobgoblins didn’t waste time on making fun of his failure.

When he send two hundred of sea goblins, he had expected the village will finally cave in. But that was also a futile attempt on his part. Now, he had no choice but to do it himself.

Ok’tar had arrived at one of the elder hobgoblin’s territory.

“Ok’tar, son of Mok’tun, greets elder Ba’Yek.” Ok’tar bowed.

“Speak, Ok’tar, son of my friend.” Ba’Yek said.

“I need goblins,  elder Ba’yek.”

“Last time I checked you still have over three thousands of goblins at your disposal.” Ba’yek said.

Ok’tar shrugged. He was surprised that his Elder knew the exact strength of his army. But Ok’tar cannot use them all and charged at the surface. He needed at least two thousand goblins and more to guard his territory. After all, the sea was far more dangerous than the surface.

At best, Ok’tar could summon one thousand goblins to his aid. But most of those were newly born goblins who haven’t had a taste of real battle. Ok’tar estimated he could only send around five hundred goblins to the surface with him leading the charge.

In theory, he knew it was enough. However, something had bothered him, and when the report came to him that there was a human encampment set up on the village and was mostly comprised of young soldiers, Ok’tar felt like he needed more to completely win.

“Then you know, Elder Ba’yek, that I can only send a third of them in the surface. I need more, and you know the curse dampened our ability by half.”

“I can send you two hundred of my goblins, but that would cost you.” Ba’yek said.

“I know, Elder Ba’yek. You’ll have my support in the upcoming Chieftain selection.” Ok’tar bit his green tongue. He has an ambition to be the chieftain himself, but only those who have evolved into Sea Goblak have the right to be nominated. Elder Ba’yek was a hobgoblin himself, but Ok’tar knew the old hobgoblin was about to evolve. Else he wouldn't stay hidden in his territory surrounded by tens of thousands of goblins.

“Good, then you shall have them.” Elder Ba’yek signaled one of his lieutenant goblin.

“I say thanks to the elder.” Ok’tar bowed then left with two hundred goblins.

Ok’tar now has seven hundred goblins ready to swim towards the surface. He has more than enough, however, just as Ok’tar arrived on his territory, a hundred goblins gathered around the entrance of his territory.

“Ru’men sends us, Ok’tar, son of Mok’tun.” A sturdy looking goblin greeted Ok’tar.

“Ok’tar welcomes you.” Ok’tar said.

Ok’tar couldn’t help but smile, he has now eight hundred goblins rearing to go to the surface.

It took only a half day for Ok’tar to arm all eight hundred goblins. Then, massive surge of wave erupted as Ok’tar and his eight hundred goblins swam fast towards the eastern section.

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Rain

The assassin has no shred of hesitation and drink the bowl of soup lady Aysha had offered her. She has working knowledge about poisons and she had the feeling that the soup would do her no harm. Disgusting, sure, but harmless.

Besides, a dozen of other recruits had drank it before her, and they turned out to be just fine. As the soup went down on the assassin’s throat, she felt refreshed. The fatigue in her body slowly fading, the pain in her shoulders lessening.

The assassin had guessed that it wasn’t a soup at all, it was a rejuvenation potion. She had those before, but the kind the Order had given her pale in comparison to the soup she had drank.

The assassin looked at the lady, she was the same as the prince. Not being bogged down by intricacies of being a noble. The lady wore plain clothes but her beauty still stand out. Not grace, but simply beauty. Unlike those stuck-up bitches in Calis, she thought.

“Thanks.” The assassin said.

After the surprising breakfast, everyone secretly admitted that, for the first time, their body feels good. The pain in their muscles subsided, however, it was only a momentary comfort because the prince ordered their exercise routine to be doubled.

After the pushups and squats, the prince told the details of the mock battle. Lt. Brax arranged his chosen squad at the right side while Milo did the same and positioned to the left. The prince had given each a small flag and ordered Lt. Brax and Milo to tie it on their backs.

The goal of the battle was simple. Retrieve the flag. And there was only one rule: Everyone that was hit by the baton must play dead.

With the danger of goblins attacking, the assassin thought it was a good rule.

The assassin felt they have a glaring disadvantage. Almost everyone in Milo’s group were afraid of the Lieutenant, that’s why she knew, it was up to the squad leaders, and Milo to retrieve the flag.

Armed only with wooden batons, Milo’s slowly charged the enemy. The space between Lt. Brax’s base and Milo’s base was riddled with pits. Both teams were aware of it, but the group that will fully utilized the pit has a higher chance of winning.

Milo’s ordered Rain’s squad to cover their left flank, while Pole’s squad was to the right. And being the strongest squad in their group, Remus’s squad and Milo took the center. Their formation was like an arrowhead, and Remus was the tip.

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Rain looked at the Lt. Brax’s group charging towards them, shouting all the way. The lieutenant decided a straight on battle will net him the victory. In retrospection, the assassin agreed at the lieutenant’s decision.

Milo’s group specialty was speed, having two of the fastest squad in his side.

“Remus and I will hold them off. Rain circle around them from their right side, while Pole on the left side. Our target wasn’t the lieutenant, but everyone.” Milo said.

The assassin nodded in agreement, and wondered at the same time. How did a fisherman’s son has such good grasps of tactics? Even Remus silently agreed on his plan. She guessed it was probably the prince’s influence.

Milo’s plan bet on the assumption that he and Remus’s squad will be able to soldier on until they have arrived, assuming of course that they will defeat their respective enemy. If Milo and Remus were to be defeated before Rain and Pole arrive, then Milo had just wasted two of his squads.

However, as the assassin and Pole branched out, two of the Lt. Brax’s squad followed suit. It was Spiel and Fenrir’s. Lt. Brax and Bifor continued their charge towards the center, while the assassin’s squad was about to face Spiel’s squad who was planning on intercepting them.

The assassin was surprised by the flexibility of the lieutenants group. They were probably anticipating such move from Milo. Nevertheless, the plan remains the same. Eliminate everybody, then onto the lieutenant.

Remus and Milo roared and charged to meet the lieutenant. Quickly, everyone found their target. Milo’s target was the lieutenant, while Remus was up against Bifor. Sound of wood hitting wood exploded along with the villagers who were cheering from the sidelines.

The assassin faced Spiel, and bombarded him with series of attacks, both high and lows. But Spiel was clearly intent on not engaging her, but rather focused on defending and dodging. They were buying time for Lt. Brax to capture the flag.

The assassin knew Milo had little chance of defeating the lieutenant, since the opposing squad has no intention of fighting the assassin's squad, the assassin tried to rush towards Milo.

"Where you going?" Spiel said, blocking her way.

She swung her baton at a frightening speed, but Spiel had dodge it at moment’s breath. She was surprised that the fourth squad leader had dodge it. She knew the man he’s facing wasn’t to be underestimated either.

The assassin then quickly twisted her body then threw a spinning kick. Spiel was caught off guard, and the kick hit his face. Luckily, the rule only applies on baton hit, otherwise he was already out of the battle.

The assassin quickly followed her kick by a downward swing of her baton, but a crude looking man blocked the attack for Spiel.

“Spiel, are you alright?” Musk said.

The assassin saw Spiel wiped the blood on his lips. She then turned around and looked at the rest of her squad, so far no one had been ousted on her side, but the same can be said on the other squad.

She knew the fourth squad she was facing was the best at defense and have an abnormally good teamwork despite knowing each other for only a short time. And furthermore, the assassin realized that Spiel was deliberately luring her away from the central battle. He was doing all of that, while barely dodging her attacks.

She knew she had to help Milo if she wanted to win, but then she grimly realized that she has no reason to win. It was just a mock battle, after all. Then, she quickly calmed herself into rushing towards the central battle, and put her entire focus at the squad she was facing.

Now that she was calm enough. She realized it was the perfect scenario for her to train her members, and at the same time, an equally good chance for the opposing squad to further hone their defensive skills.

After all, wasn’t it the true purpose of the mock battle?

She then gave orders well suited to five man to man battle. For example, she ordered her members to circle them around. That order was only possible because Spiel’s squad had the tendency to cluster.

 Soon the entire fourth squad was surrounded by five people. The fourth squad arranged themselves in a circle formation facing towards every attacker.

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 Musk

Musk, along with Spiel and the rest, was surrounded by the second squad. And their leader, Musk thought, was a very good fighter, else he wouldn’t be able to land a kick on his friend’s face.

Spiel said. “Remember, when we fought Johnny and his gang of butchers?”

Musk barely remembered it. Their lives on the street was a constant battle. Every day they had to face kids from other streets trying to pick on them, or bully them. Sometimes they had to fight older kids who stole from them.

Musk always liked those kind of battles. At least it gave him a fighting chance. Compared to their one true enemies—the hunger and the cold.

Now that Spiel had brought it up, he remembered the two of them were also up against five people. Spiel decided at that time that even if defeat was imminent, kicking Johnny’s ass would be totally worth it.

So Spiel and Musk charged at Johnny, completely disregarding the other four kids with him. The big butcher boy and the rest had barely enough time to react. Spiel quickly snaked his way into Johnny’s back after Johnny had thrown a massive punch.

Spiel then grabbed Johnny’s back, his arms locked around Johnny’s armpits and shoulder. Then Musk threw all of his weight into the punch that connected into the butcher’s stomach.

Spiel let go of the butcher as it fell on the ground, then the butcher crimped and writhed out in pain. Then Spiel and Musk started to kick the butcher on the ground. Musk hated violence, but sometimes, grim experiences had taught him that violence, though brutal and barbaric, could be an answer. And sadly, most of the time, a very effective one.

The four kids who were with the butcher on that day, ran out of fear and leave the butcher on the ground.

“On three, then.” Musk said, as he nodded to his friend.

Sands sprayed violently as Spiel and Musk hassled towards the second squad leader, Rain. The second squad members reacted fast, but so did the remaining member of the fourth squad.

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Rain

The assassin braced herself as Spiel and his friend charged towards her. An ordinary soldier would have swing his baton towards the incoming enemy out of fear. But the assassin was far from ordinary. The enemy waited and so has she.

Spiel was about to throw a stab, but it was a feint, and the assassin saw through it. When the Spiel and Musk was within her striking range. She jumped back, then threw a side kick towards Musk. She aimed at the lesser warrior between the two.

Musk receive the full brunt of the kick, but he soldiered on and grabbed the assassin’s feet. The assassin knew she was in trouble. Spiel had just rushed towards her left side, and made a swing of his baton.

The danger of spreading around, just like the assassin’s squad did, was that it would take others quite a time to rescue someone in trouble. However, one of the second squad strengths lies on their speed.

Spiel’s attack was blocked just in time by a member of the second squad, and the assassin brought herself closer to Musk, then she used Musk's grip on her right foot as her foot hold then jumped, twisted her entire body then delivered a kick on her free leg.

All of it happened in mid-air, and stunned everyone that had witnessed it. Musk sprawled to the ground, but quickly recovered and got up, but a baton had already touched his neck. Then, Musk stayed down.

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I just witnessed the gamble the Spiel and the crafter took that didn’t paid off. I was surprised and amazed that the second squad leader could move gracefully like that. Looks like I have to reevaluate my squad leaders again.

Soon, the fourth squad, being down by one men, was overwhelmed.

Somewhere at the right side, Pole was against Fenrir’s squad. The first squad leader dominated Fenrir’s side quickly, and charged towards Lt. Brax. Pole knew he had to finish the fight against Fenrir as quickly as possible before he snapped into his frenzy mode.

Pole just lost two of his members and headed towards the lieutenant.

At the midst of the central battle, Lt. Brax was being held down by Milo. At first, it seemed they were on equal terms. Milo trading blows after blows at the lieutenant. However, I knew Lt. Brax had the upper hand.

Lt. Brax’s experience started to show, and his strength was superior to Milo. On the other hand, Bifor was being pushed back by Remus as well. If Remus defeated Bifor well before Lt. Brax could defeat Milo, or if Rain and Pole’s squad arrived first, then Lt. Brax had no more chance to win.

At the midst of the heated battle, a sharp sensation entered my body. It was a killing intent, a powerful one, directed at us. I fought the urged to draw my sword, however, seeing no actual danger, I satisfied myself in touching the pommel of my cane sword.

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Musk

Spiel had helped his friend to get up. Their entire squad was annihilated. However, Musk knew it was not a complete defeat. Thanks to Spiel quick thinking, Spiel had managed to oust three people of the second squad.

Spiel sensing defeat, turned all his attention towards the other members, while the rest of his members focused on Rain.

In the end, the second squad leader only managed to pass through their squad with only two people. It wasn’t a victory, but more like a lesson. Spiel was always like that. Now everyone at the second squad knew that if they messed with us, they won’t escape unscathed.

Musk stood up, wiped the sands in his armor, and then turned to look at the ongoing battle between Lt. Brax and Milo.

“Lt. Brax is so screwed. Even Fenrir lost.” Musk said.

Musk was used to his friend having smart comments about everything. But when his friend didn’t say something, he turned to look. He saw Spiel’s troubled face. Only few people had actually witnessed Spiel’s troubled face, because Spiel always did his best to act composed, calm and collected at all times.

However, this time was different.

“What’s wrong?” Musk asked.

As if being woken from a trance, Spiel said. “We may have to leave.”

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Rain

The assassin felt it too. An overwhelming killing intent coming from the sea. She stopped her charged towards the Lieutenant and examined the sea.

But before she stopped, she saw the prince’s gloomy eyes directed at the sea, his hands was on the hooded man, wearing a giant scythe shaped pommel. The scythe formed the L-shaped of the pommel and served as the handle of the prince’s cane sword.

He felt it too, huh. The assassin said to herself.

On the central battle, the assassin saw the Lt. Brax stopped his barrage of attacks towards Milo, and turned to face the sea. Lt. Brax's action had granted the other team a victory, but she knew the lieutenant didn’t care anymore.

Especially now that a powerful individual coming from the sea was intent on killing them all.

Everyone on Remus’s side cheered. They had captured the flag, though they didn’t why the Lieutenant stopped attacking. The assassin observed at Milo who was somewhat pissed that the fight was halted in the second. But soon the assassin witnessed a changed in color in the face of the young warrior.

He probably had felt it just now, the assassin thought. Then Milo along with Lt. Brax rushed towards the prince.

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Hey guys, I have a day-off today, so I decided to finish Chapter 7 that I have started writing since Monday. Anyways, enjoy.

Next chapter would be a battle against Ok’tar.

If you guys have time, please don’t forget to comment, rate or review. Thank you.