Lucas adjusted the strap of the violin case on his back, his heart pounding as he took in the buzz of activity around him. “Can you believe this? We’re actually doing it. Think about what’s out there.”
Tristen’s serious expression didn’t falter. “We need to stay grounded. We have no idea what we’re walking into. This isn’t a simulation anymore.”
Lucas opened his mouth to retort but stopped himself, sensing the weight of Tristen’s words. He rolled his shoulders and adjusted the violin case strapped to his back, the familiar weight a small comfort. The line of recruits shuffled forward, their faces a mix of anticipation and unease. The sterile white walls of the processing center seemed to hum faintly, the sound blending with the soft mechanical whirs of the machines around them.
Gabriel, standing slightly ahead of them, glanced over his shoulder. “Stay focused. We’re here now, and we’ve made our choice. No turning back.”
Lucas sighed but couldn’t stop a grin from creeping across his face. “You’re right. Let’s do this.”
Lucas entered the sterile room, the metallic clink of restraints snapping over his wrists and ankles as he sat in the chair. A calm, clinical voice filled the room, detached in tone. “Please remain calm. You are about to undergo the baseline compatibility test.”
His heart raced as robotic arms extended, injecting him with substances that made his skin feel too hot, then too cold. His body reacted to each sensation, his mind spinning as he tried to grasp what was happening. His DNA was being tested, reshuffled, examined in ways he couldn’t comprehend.
Finally, the voice returned: “Baseline compatibility confirmed.”
Relief flooded through him, though it was tinged with an unfamiliar sense of unease. He couldn’t shake the question: What had they just done to him?
The restraints unlocked with a soft hiss, and Lucas stood, his legs unsteady beneath him. Before he could collect himself, the back wall shimmered, revealing a swirling, iridescent portal.
“Lucas Hastings, please proceed through the portal. This will complete your processing and determine your final compatibility.”
His heart pounded. This was it—the moment they had been training for. Lucas took a deep breath and stepped toward the portal, the energy crackling around him, pulling him in.
Everything shifted. The world plunged into darkness, then exploded in a rush of light and sound. Lucas stepped through the portal into the new world.
Lucas blinked against the sudden brightness as he stepped into the alien landscape and into a military-like outpost sprawling before him. Drones buzzed silently overhead, their faint hums blending with the murmur of recruits milling about, faces a mixture of awe and apprehension.
As Lucas ventured further into the outpost, a drone zipped around his head, its precise movements catching his eye. It halted in midair, hovering directly in front of him, and then it happened.
The drone’s core began to glow, rhythmic pulses of multicolored light radiating outward like a heartbeat. As if conjured from its core, a holographic figure emerged. The glow from the core expanded, shaping itself into the shimmering outline of a humanoid figure. The holographic form solidified, its chest rising and falling in time with the pulsing light. Lucas blinked, momentarily caught off guard as the figure’s features sharpened—a calm face with smooth, symmetrical features shimmering with the same prismatic hues and an aura of quiet authority.
“Lucas Hastings,” it said, its voice smooth yet commanding.
Lucas tilted his head, still absorbing the surreal sight. “Yeah, that’s me,” he replied, unable to look away from the figure’s chest, which continued to glow faintly in time with its words.
The holographic figure smiled faintly, the effect both reassuring and strange. “Welcome to the planet Amaris. I am your Enhanced Combat Human Optimizer, or Echo, and I will be your guide during your orientation.”
The figure’s glow dimmed slightly, its chest still pulsing with an almost lifelike rhythm. Lucas couldn’t help but wonder if the effect was intentional—a subtle psychological trick to make Echo seem more alive.
“So, this is the new world, huh?” Lucas muttered, his mind still struggling to keep up.
“This is only a controlled sector,” Echo replied as they began walking. “We use it for orientation and training, designed to test your abilities and assess your compatibility with the environment. The planet itself is vast, with dangers and wonders yet to be discovered.”
Lucas adjusted the straps of his rucksack, shifting the weight of the violin case nestled against it. “And the rest of the planet?”
“Far larger than Earth, by a factor of approximately eight,” Echo said, its tone almost like that of a tour guide.
As they walked, Lucas noticed the structures were like living organisms. Their surfaces pulsed, and the architecture looked like nothing from Earth—organic, flowing structures that shimmered faintly with green energy veins, as if the buildings themselves were alive. Recruits moved around, some chatting nervously, others staring in awe at their surroundings.
Above them, three moons hung in the sky, their colors—red, purple, and green—clearly visible even in the daylight. They pulsed with a tangible energy, the air thick with their influence.
The sky shifted in color as the three moons seemed to pulse, their colors blending into an otherworldly hue.
“I will now assign you a personal assistant drone to monitor and sync with your spirit energy,” Echo said, gesturing to its glowing chest. From its core, a small marble-sized drone emerged, shimmering with the same prismatic hues as its creator.
The drone floated toward Lucas and circled once, its movements precise and almost playful, before settling near his shoulder. A soft beam of light emitted from the drone, scanning him in a way that felt oddly intimate, like it was mapping his very essence, and Lucas shivered as the light passed through him.
“Scan complete,” Echo announced. “Your assistant is now attuned to your body’s enhancements. It will analyze your energy flow and provide critical insight.”
Lucas watched as a holographic display suddenly appeared before him, glowing with stats and notifications. His hand instinctively reached out, but it moved with him, controlled by his thoughts. “Is this… like the simulations?” he asked, curiosity creeping into his voice.
“In some ways, yes,” Echo replied. “The interface was designed to resemble systems you are familiar with. It tracks how your spirit energy accumulates and manifests. But make no mistake—everything here is alive and real. Every decision will shape your path forward.”
Lucas’s eyes flicked over the stats, noting his surprisingly high Intelligence level. The display shifted effortlessly, responding to his thoughts. “So, this place is alive? With… what did you call it, spirit energy?”
“Yes. Amaris is saturated with it,” Echo confirmed. “It permeates everything—the air, the ground, the plants. And it manifests differently for every individual.”
Echo gestured to the violin case strapped across Lucas’s back. “Your scan reveals that your spirit energy will most likely manifest through your music. That violin you brought can act as a conduit.”
Lucas blinked, then chuckled nervously. “Music? How am I supposed to fight with that?”
“Just a hypothesis, but as you play, the spirit energy may flow into the violin, manifesting the sound as abilities.”
They paused for a moment as Echo pondered.
Lucas glanced through the crowd, not spotting either of his brothers, and decided to take the case off his back. He clicked open the clasp and pulled out the familiar instrument.
Holding the violin in his hand, it felt the same, yet different—alive with a hum of energy. “So, this is more than just an instrument now?”
“To be honest, Lucas, even I can’t say for certain how your abilities will fully manifest. We hypothesize that intent plays a significant role.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow, uncertain. “So… it’s trial and error?”
“In a way, yes,” Echo admitted. “This is what you will learn through orientation. Your abilities need to be tested and assessed in real-time. Your assistant, now synced with you, will observe how your spirit interacts with the world. It will begin to categorize and adapt algorithms based on your combat experiences. Essentially, it will help guide you, offering insight into how you are affected by the energy around you.”
Lucas adjusted the strap of his violin case, his eyes scanning the vibrant, alien structures around him. “Okay,” he began, his tone curious but light. “So, how does this work exactly? Levels? Stats? It’s not a game, but it kinda feels like one, doesn’t it?”
Echo gave a slight nod, his holographic form shimmering as it walked beside him. The glowing lines on its chest pulsed faintly, giving the impression of a heartbeat as they passed another glowing structure. Drones buzzed around it with quiet precision, their movements synchronized with the pulsing energy of the tower.
“The interface might feel familiar, but it reflects real phenomena,” Echo began. “The concept of ‘levels and stats’ are mere abstractions,” Echo explained. “You don’t have stats and are not ‘leveling up’ in a traditional gaming sense. Instead, you are accumulating spirit energy that can be used as fuel for manifested abilities and strengthens your connection to the environment. Simply by being here, your body is absorbing it.”
“Your body absorbs spirit energy naturally, drawing it from the environment. This energy is stored within your Spirit Well—a reservoir unique to you. However, the process is slow unless you actively push your limits.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Push my limits? You mean like running or lifting weights?”
“Exactly,” Echo replied. “Physical exertion, mental strain, even emotional resolve—all prime your body to draw more spirit energy. Combat, however, is the most efficient. When you defeat a creature, its released spirit energy partially returns to the world and partially merges with you. Your body instinctively absorbs some of it, increasing your reserves and enhancing your abilities.”
Lucas nodded, his enthusiasm growing. “Okay, so fighting’s the fastest way to grow? Makes sense.”
“In essence, yes,” Echo agreed. “Your assistant tracks the energy you accumulate and alerts you when significant thresholds are reached. This feedback system allows you to monitor progress and refine your strategies.”
Lucas glanced at the glowing translucent interface that hovered before him. He scrolled through more of the display, his thoughts naturally controlling the interface, the stats shifting in response. It shifted from a solid, vibrant hologram to a more translucent, user-friendly display. “So, there’s no real leveling up. Just… gathering spirit energy.”
“Precisely,” Echo confirmed. “The more spirit you gather, the stronger your abilities will become. Your music, infused with this energy, will allow you to perform increasingly powerful feats.”
Lucas glanced back toward the portal, recruits still streaming through, all being directed by drones to different parts of the base. The vibrant sky above, the colors of the three moons circling overhead, gave the entire scene an otherworldly feeling. His brothers were somewhere in this chaos, but for now, the potential of this world was staring him in the face.
Lucas looked down at his violin, weighing its potential. “So I’ll learn as I go, and the assistant will help me figure out what works and what… doesn’t?”
“Exactly. The notes you play will shape and direct your abilities, manifesting your intent in unique ways. As you gain experience and refine your skills, the connection between your music and the energy will deepen. Your assistant will provide feedback and eventually help you fully understand how to harness your unique power.”
Lucas stared at the shimmering buildings around him, their pulsing energy seemingly alive. His hand rested on the violin case as a thoughtful smile crept across his face. “You know,” he said, his voice brimming with quiet excitement, “this might just be the most incredible thing I’ve ever done. Let’s see what this world’s got in store.”
As they approached a fortified section of the outpost, Echo slowed, its tone shifting. “This is the training ground—a controlled area where you’ll face your first combat experience in this world.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Combat experience?” he echoed. “What are we fighting, exactly?”
Echo didn’t answer immediately as they approached a large metal gate. The smell hit Lucas first—an acrid stench of rot and filth. His nose wrinkled in disgust as he noticed a group of recruits standing near the gate, their faces a mixture of unease and determination. A few were practicing their abilities, summoning small bursts of energy, creating illusions, or manipulating objects around them. Lucas caught sight of one recruit conjuring a protective bubble around herself, while another was levitating several small stones, guiding them through the air with careful concentration.
The gate slowly began to open with a deep, mechanical groan. Behind it, Lucas caught sight of small, hunched forms moving in the shadows of what appeared to be a cave. Their bodies were skeletal and wiry, their skin stretched tight over angular frames that appeared too fragile to move. Their palish green, ashen flesh glistened faintly under the dim light, mottled with veins that pulsed with a sickly, dark green glow. Wild bloodshot eyes, scanned the surroundings, like a predatory beast, their gaze unsettlingly sharp. Bony claws scraped at the ground as they moved, leaving faint, jagged trails behind them. Their mouths opened to reveal jagged, uneven teeth, dripping with an oily black substance. A foul stench filled the air, a mixture of decay and damp earth, making Lucas’s stomach churn.
“Wait a minute,” Lucas said, blinking in disbelief. “Are those… goblins? Like, out of a game?” Lucas asked, his voice equal parts disbelief and fascination. “Real fucking goblins?”
Echo’s tone was as neutral as ever. “They are known as Voryn’kar. However, their appearance aligns closely with what your culture refers to as ‘goblins.’ It is likely their existence influenced myths and legends on Earth.”
Lucas stared at the creatures, their hunched frames and glowing, predatory eyes both familiar and alien. “Holy shit,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. “I was not ready for this.”
The soldier overseeing the training stepped forward, his voice gruff. “Alright, rookies, here’s the deal. These goblins are aggressive and vicious, but they’re manageable even if you haven’t manifested abilities yet. Your job is to put them down. Prove yourself, or die trying.”
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Lucas exchanged uneasy glances with the recruits nearby. He wasn’t sure whether to feel excited or terrified.
“Violin kid,” the soldier barked, his tone gruff and impatient. “You’re up first.”
As Lucas stepped toward the arena, a ripple of laughter swept through a small group of veterans leaning casually against the barricade. Their weathered faces were painted with amusement, their eyes gleaming with the kind of confidence that only came from years of survival.
One of them, a wiry man with a scar cutting across his throat, smirked and called out, “What’s the new kid gonna do? Serenade them to death?”
Another snorted, his arms crossed as he leaned against the railing. “Better hope those strings are made of steel. Maybe the goblins will be impressed by his vibrato.”
A third chimed in, his tone dripping with mock encouragement. “Hey, maybe he’ll do well! They may give him a standing ovation. Right before they rip his fucking head off, and eat his entrails.”
The group erupted into laughter, their voices echoing off the arena walls. Lucas paused, his hand tightening around the neck of his violin. The tension in his chest was matched only by the burn of humiliation creeping up his neck. He turned his head slightly, catching sight of their smirking faces.
Taking a deep breath, he forced a grin to his lips. If they wanted a show, he’d give them one.
Just as he reached the edge of the arena, he paused, casting a glance back at the smirking veterans who had been heckling him.
Lucas gave a theatrical bow toward the group, one hand sweeping wide in mock flourish. “Gentlemen,” he began, his voice loud enough to carry over the sound of their laughter, “to those about to eat their words, I dedicate this deadly performance and salute you.”
The crowd’s chuckles faltered for a moment, a few of the veterans exchanging surprised glances and the group erupted into laughter once more.
Lucas straightened, flashing them a pointed smirk. “Let’s see if these assholes appreciate a good solo,” he muttered under his breath, grip tightening on the violin, turning back to face the snarling voryn’kar in the arena.
Lucas’s heart thudded in his chest, a mix of fear and determination coursing through him. Gripping the violin tightly, as the gate creaked open, Lucas stepped into the arena. The goblins snarled and hissed, their beady eyes glinting with malice as they slinked closer.
Echo floated beside him, its calm voice cutting through the tension. “Remember what I said, Lucas. Let your instincts guide you. Channel your spirit through your music.”
The recruits behind him murmured nervously. Lucas ignored them, focusing on the violin, their words drowned out by the rising growls of the creatures.
He lifted it, positioning the bow over the strings. “Okay,” he muttered to himself, “let’s see what this thing can do.”
With a deep breath, Lucas drew the bow across the strings, The first note rang out, sharp and clear, cutting through the tense air like a blade. The goblins froze for a moment, their heads snapping toward him. Then, with a collective snarl, they charged.
Lucas’s fingers moved instinctively, drawing the bow across the strings in a frantic rhythm. The music swelled, a chaotic harmony of desperation and determination. But nothing happened—no bursts of energy, no magical defenses. Just music.
“Here we go,” Lucas muttered, playing a faster tempo, the music swelling as the goblins closed the distance. Sweat began to prickle on his skin, his fingers slipping slightly on the strings. He could feel the jeering eyes of the veterans watching from behind, their laughter rising.
Lucas’s heart hammered in his chest as the voryn’kar grew closer. Panic clawed at him as they closed in, their filthy claws reaching out. One suddenly lunged from the side, its mouth wide open, jagged teeth ready to tear into him. Lucas barely had time to react. He swung the violin up like a shield, the voryn’kar’s claws screeching against the wood..
The impact knocked him back, his feet stumbling over uneven ground as another circled in from the shadows. This one was bigger—its movements calculating, like a predator toying with its prey.
The veteran soldiers chimed in behind him, exchanging jokes about his “fancy little violin.” Lucas could feel the heat rising in his chest—anger, frustration. What if the the ECHO was wrong.
Then, his back hit the arena wall.
Do something damn it!
With nowhere to go, Lucas forced himself to play despite his worrys, his fingers trembling as the bow dragged across the strings. “I need the music to hurt them,” he muttered under his breath, the words a command more than a plea.
He played another note, then another, the melody growing more frantic with each stroke of the bow. And then, it happened. The air seemed to vibrate, and a shimmering note burst forth, vibrant and tangible. It shot forward with a sharp whistle, slamming into the nearest goblin, piercing its chest. The creature screamed, dark blood spilling onto the ground as it fell back, twitching
Lucas froze, disbelief washing over him. “Holy shit… it worked.”
He blinked, his mind racing. Excitement surged in his chest, a familiar rush he’d felt countless times before—standing on a stage, commanding attention, and thriving under pressure. This was where he always felt the most alive, where he knew he belonged. There wasn’t time for deeper reflection, not with the snarling goblins closing in. He adjusted his grip on the violin, ready to turn his stage into a battlefield.
A glowing notification blinked into view, the words sharp and clear:
New Ability Unlocked: Musical Mastery
* Effect: Channel your spirit into music, transforming notes into powerful spirit energy that manifests in physical form.
* Spirit Cost: None.
* Duration: Continuous while playing.
He barely glanced at it, excitement surging through him. I can do this.
Steadying his grip on the violin, Lucas drew another note from the strings. More ethereal blades shimmered into existence, launching themselves at the advancing goblins. The sharp notes cut through their tough hides, leaving deep, bloody gashes. But the goblins didn’t retreat; their snarls only grew more ferocious and they seemed to become enraged.
One by one, they surged forward, clawing at the sound blades, their eyes burning with madness. Lucas’s heart pounded in his chest as he played faster, the music growing frantic. The goblins seemed to close in from all sides, their movements relentless.
And then it happened—a mistake.
His hand slipped, and the bow scraped awkwardly across the strings, producing a screech so loud and jarring that it cut through the battlefield.
The goblins recoiled, clutching their ears, their growls turning into confused, pained howls. Lucas flinched at the sound himself, but as he stared at the goblins, he realized something—their movements had slowed, and his footsteps seemed lighter, as he bounced gingerly on his toes.
He barely registered another notification in the corner of his vision before swiping it away.
New Ability Unlocked: Melodic Discord (Active):
*
Buffs self or allies’ focus and stamina, debuffs enemies’ mental focus.
*
debuffs Inflicted on enemies grants equivalent buffs to Lucas or allies at the same rate.
The goblins regrouped, snarling as they charged again. One of them, larger and more vicious, lunged at Lucas, claws raised. Pain flared through his body as it tore into his side. He stumbled, clutching his wound. Blood dripped hot against his skin, but he forced himself to play.
Wincing from the pain he thought, “I need the music to heal me.”
His fingers moved slower now, more soothing, and more deliberate. The melody was deep, and pulsing with raw desperation. As he played, warmth spread through his body, dulling the pain radiating from his side.
New Ability Unlocked: Musical Leech
*
Effect: Drain energy from enemies with each note played, restoring health or spirit energy.
*
Spirit Cost: Moderate.
*
Duration: Continuous while playing.
The spirit energy flowed into the notes, mending his wounds. His strength returned in small but noticeable bursts, but the goblins kept coming.
Lucas’s heart hammered as more of the voryn’kar poured from the cave. The battle wasn’t over—not by a long shot.
Behind him, the veterans exchanged tense glances. What had started as a routine training exercise was quickly spiraling out of control. The sheer number of goblins pouring from the cave wasn’t normal, and even the veterans knew that this was beyond what a single recruit could handle, especially someone still learning their abilities.
“This isn’t right,” one of the veterans muttered, his eyes fixed on Lucas as the goblins closed in. “There’s too many of them.”
The veterans exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier amusement giving way to concern. What had started as a routine training exercise now felt like a potential massacre. They usually held back to let new recruits learn the ropes, but this… this was beyond a simple training exercise.
“A grizzled veteran swung his massive blade with calculated efficiency, dropping goblins with every strike. These creatures weren’t a challenge for seasoned warriors, but their sheer numbers made the fight a grind—less a battle, more a messy chore.”
“Alright,” he growled, turning to the recruits who were still standing on the sidelines. “You, fire girl, and you—telekinetic boy—get in there now! Help him push those damn things back!”
The recruits hesitated for only a moment before springing into action. The girl with flames swirling in her palms charged forward, hurling a blast of fire at the goblins. The searing heat engulfed several of the creatures, their shrieks of pain echoing through the arena as they writhed in the flames. The telekinetic recruit followed, lifting boulders and debris with his mind, slamming them into the goblins with brutal force.
The goblins screeched, some scattering as the recruits joined the fight, but more kept coming from the cave, their snarls growing louder, more vicious.
Lucas, still locked in the rhythm of his music, barely registered the reinforcements. His entire focus was on the ethereal notes, now weaker and less frequent as his energy waned. The goblins pressed in from all sides, overwhelming him. He couldn’t keep playing much longer—his fingers were numb, his breath ragged.
One of the veterans, a seasoned soldier, with a barrow chest, bulging arms, stepped forward, his sword drawn. “It’s getting out of hand,” he muttered, glancing at the other veterans. “Let’s give these rookies a show.”
With a nod, the veterans unleashed their powers —all sorts of weapons unsheathed— swords, energy shields, and axes—and rushed into the fray. Their movements were precise and efficient, cutting down goblins with ease. The grizzled veteran swung his massive blade, cleaving through goblins like they were nothing more than sacks of flesh. Blood splattered across the ground as the seasoned warriors cut a path through the horde.
But despite their efforts, the goblins kept coming.
“Come on, rookies!” one of the veterans shouted as he parried a goblin’s claws, sending it crashing to the ground. “Hold the line!”
The new recruits, bolstered by the presence of the veterans, fought harder, their powers lighting up the battlefield. Fire, stone, and bursts of telekinetic force slammed into the goblins, sending them reeling, but still, it wasn’t enough to stem the tide. Lucas could see the determination in their faces, but he knew they were all running out of time.
At that moment, a massive goblin—a behemoth larger than any of the others—let out a deep, guttural roar. Its claws swiped at anything in its path, even turning on its own kind. Goblins scattered, fleeing the field in terror, leaving the giant goblin to stand alone in the chaos.
Lucas staggered back, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He could barely stand, the weight of the battle pressing down on him. The giant goblin locked its eyes on Lucas, its rage focused, and in that moment, Lucas knew he needed something more. The recruits and veterans were doing everything they could, but it wasn’t enough. He wasn’t enough.
I need more… more power… more control, he thought, his fingers trembling on the violin strings. I need to create something stronger.
And then, as if driven by instinct, Lucas began to sing.
His voice was deep and powerful, cutting through the chaos of battle. He sang of the goblins’ destruction, of fire and steel, of victory. His baritone filled the air, weaving in and out of the music he played.
"Oh, give us strength, so we can stand,
Let the spirit guide my hand.
Under Armis's moons that glow so bright,
Grant us power to stand and fight."
"In verdant calm, our wounds take flight,
Through veiled whispers, our dreams gain light.
In crimson shadow, we’ll find the flame,
Through endless trials, we rise again."
"With every note, with every cry,
We rise to fight; we will not die."
The melody swelled, and with it, the energy of the battlefield shifted. The air crackled as Lucas’s song took form. His spirit surged, and as his voice climbed, so did the power within him.
An ethereal figure, appeared in front of Lucas in a burst of light, made by swirling ethereal music notes. Clad in a flowing, otherworldly tailcoat that shimmered between black and deep purple, the figure exuded an aura of grace and precision. Its shirt gleamed with an unnatural white light, the collar high and regal, while its vest shifted like liquid starlight. The trousers were sleek, blending into the air, and its polished shoes made no sound as they touched the ground and gave a deep bow to no one in particular.
Lucas laughed out loud as he realized what it was: an orchestra conductor, complete with glowing cufflinks and a baton that pulsed with energy.
The conductor raised its baton as if the battlefield became a stage.
As Lucas continued to sing and play, the battlefield surged with the spirit energy, and recruits and veterans alike felt the power coursing through them. The goblins faltered, their movements chaotic and disoriented.
New Ability Unlocked: Resonant Conductor
* Effect: Grants 360-degree awareness and enhanced combat guidance. The conductor directs the flow of battle, syncing Lucas’s music with the rhythm of combat.
* Duration: Moderate
* Cooldown: Very high.
With the conductor guiding him, Lucas’s music cut through the chaos, empowering his allies as they pressed the attack. Ethereal blades danced through the air, slicing down goblins with ease. The tide of battle had shifted.
As the fight raged on, Lucas sang again, his voice stronger this time, filled with raw determination.
“Goblins fall beneath our might,
Strike them down, banish the night.
With sword and song, we win the fight,
United we stand in darkest night!”
The massive goblin that had emerged from the cave was even rampaging other goblins, its claws swiping at the recruits. But with Lucas’s music in the air, the giant creature began to falter. It could feel the power in the notes that cut into him. The rhythm of the music guided and coordinated every attack, with all the fighters now focusing on the massive goblin. A fireball smashed into it engulfing the creature, causing other goblins to panic and run back into the cave, slowly clearing the battlefield, leaving only the massive creature and the warriors to face off.