I began guiding us back through the throng of people and to the tunnels. It took some bobbing and weaving, but before long, we were in the damp, echoing tunnels that led back to town. Luckily, the path back wasn't complicated, just long. After a half-hour of winding tunnels, we reached the first crossroads. I turned and took a single step, but, in the soft light of the glowstones ahead, I could see two figures in the dark.

One was tall in a long cloak. The other was short. And familiar.

I froze.

My boot kicked a loose stone on the ground. Both of the sillouettes turned their heads. I ducked back behind the wall and held my arm out, stopping Tristan.

"What is—"

I put my finger over my lips.

He nodded.

Peaking my head around the stone, I saw the taller of the two take something from the other, then walk toward the surface. A minute later, the grinding of the metal grate filled the tunnel, and he disappeared into the night beyond.

The small figure began making its way up the tunnel. At first, I thought we hadn't been noticed, but the figure's glowing red eyes locked onto mine, and its mouth opened in a broad smile.

"What are the chances I'd run into you down here, kid?" A familiar woman's voice echoed down the tunnel as she took step after measured step.

Knowing there was no point in hiding any longer, I stepped out to greet her.

"Hey!" I said was a smile. "Fancy meeting you here, Vral."

Her grin broadened. "Not even trying to run. Good boy. How's the arm holding up?"

"Good as new and ready for round two."

A low chuckle escaped her lips. She stopped a few yards away. Reaching into her pouch, she drew her gauntlets again. Their glowing runes illuminated the walls of the tunnel as she put them on. "Feisty." The runes flared as she pulled both gauntlets on. "You're not gonna make it out this time. I got some major shit for leaving you alive last time." She slipped her blades from their scabbards. She took a step toward me. I heard Tristan shuffle behind me. I shook my head, and he paused.

"You sure you don't want to let me go? It would be our little secret." My heart hammered as I donned my shield. My fingers brushed against my sword's hilt, but I forced my hand to the potions on my belt. Withdrawing one, I bit the cork and pulled it free. The acrid smell of whatever the potion was hit my nose. I spit the cork at her and waited.

"Damn. Smells terrible." Vral stepped forward another step. "Sorry, kid. I never make the same mistake twice." She flashed her pearly fangs and laughed. As she did, she took another step forward, but her head cocked to the side. She sniffed, and her smile faded. "Who's your friend?"

I heard Tristan shuffle. A moment later, he stepped out behind me, mace out. "Tristan."

The goblin sniffed the air again. "You didn't tell me you were seeing another girl, Alex. And here I thought we had something special. Shame on you." She grinned and took another step forward.

Why did everyone think that? "Tristan's my buddy, not my girlfriend."

Tristan coughed.

"Whatever you say." Another step.

"You're outnumbered. Let us pass." I said, bringing my shield to bear. With a deep breath, I drank the potion down. The moment it passed down my throat, fire erupted inside me. My blood burned, and my muscles seized. I nearly fell to a knee as my muscles spasmed. Remembering what Farvad said, I took a deep breath, and my vision stopped swimming.

"Interesting." Vral stopped her advance. "But no."

She exploded forward, a barely visible green shadow in the dark tunnel.

However, this time, I could see her coming.

Barely.

Her blades slammed into my shield. The blows threw me back a few steps, and before I could catch my feet, Vral launched herself at me again. I caught one of her swords with my shield but missed the other. An instant before she'd have gutted me, Tristan's mace caught her blade, deflecting it toward the wall. She worked her blade around the mace's shaft, but before she could strike again, I parried it with my sword.

With our weapons occupied, I did the first thing that came to mind.

I punted her.

The wind erupted from her lungs as my boot caught her square in the stomach. One of her swords clattered away as she flew backward. She hit the ground with a thump. I moved to intercept, but she jumped back to her feet and leveled her remaining blade at me.

"Nice one." Vral coughed and rubbed her stomach

"You haven't seen anything yet," I said, charging. I swung at her head, but she dodged to my side at the last second. However, before she could take my side, Tristan launched his mace at her. It caught her in the temple. She stumbled backward into the wall. Blood seeped into her fiery red hair, but she remained standing, her weapon still gripped in one hand.

I bached at her face with my shield, but her gauntlet came up. When my shield struck, it felt like all my momentum was doubled back onto me. It was like I got hit by a truck. I was thrown back into the wall and nearly blacked out as I slumped to the ground. She stabbed at my stomach again, but again Tristan deflected it.

The woman cursed, then turned on my friend. "I guess you'll die first then, bitch."

The goblin rolled around me, snatching her other sword off the ground as she did, and leaped at Tristan. He blocked once, twice, then twisted wrong, and one of her swords cut into his leg. He backpedaled until his back struck the tunnel wall. A flurry of blows followed, which he barely kept up with. Vral slashed Tristan's thigh, then caught his wrist. His mace fell to the ground, and his eyes turned into saucers as he limped away from the seasoned fighter. But, another slash to his thigh and he fell onto his back.

I struggled to stand again.

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"Thought you had a chance, did you?" she taunted, leveling her sword at his throat.

I pushed off the wall and stood, but before I could reach her, she drew back the weapon.

"No!"

I launched myself at her. She jumped away, and I landed in a heap on the ground. Pain surged through my body as I ate shit.

A quick glance revealed Tristan bleeding on the ground next to me. I tried to stand again, but before I could, she pressed her sword against my neck.

"Sorry, kid. This is it." Her voice was dark.

I was going to die. I knew it. I looked up into Tristan's eyes, expecting fear. Instead, they were filled with resolve and... glowing? He lifted his palm and said two words:

[Holy Light]

White energy erupted from his hand. The light brushed past my cheek, striking Vral straight in the chest. I heard her stumbling backward. Her armor burned with a hiss.

"Goddess's tits!" she yelled. I turned to see her swatting at her burning armor.

I didn't hesitate. Grabbing the other potion in my belt, I threw it back.

Uncontrollable rage exploded inside of me. Every single fiber of my being cried out for vengeance.

With a bellow, I stood and dashed forward, shield raised. She turned just as I struck her back with my shield. She landed on her back, and both of her blades clattered away.

Leaping onto her, I pinned her shoulders to the stone and raised my shield. With all of my strength, I drove it down. She moved her head at the last instant. A loud cracking sound echoed down the tunnel as my shield's metal edge buried several inches into the stone. The rest of the shield splintered. I shook the remnants free and raised my sword. Her eyes widened as I slashed downward, but her gauntlet caught it just in time. My arm was thrown back twice as hard as I'd swung. I felt the sword slip out of my fingers and heard it skitter away down the tunnel.

Vral struggled underneath me. "Get off!" The claws on her gauntlets scraped against my armor as she punched and writhed under me, but I ignored it. I leaned forward, wrapped my hands around her throat, and squeezed.

"Don't. Fuck. With. Us." I said, punctuating each word by slamming her head into the ground. Her head bounced on the cold stone as my grip tightened. Her clawed hands thrashed at my forearms as I squeezed. I smiled down at her, savoring the power coursing through me.

Power over my enemy.

Power over this world.

It felt good.

Gazing into her red pupils, I watched them dilate with pain and fear. She grew weaker and weaker as she struggled to break free.

I heard something behind me, but I didn't care. All I cared about was ending this threat. This danger to me and Tristan. I tightened my grip. The goblin gurgled, her arms growing weak.

"Alex..." It was Tristan's voice. "Stop."

I turned to find him sitting against the wall. He was holding his leg, and his eyes were locked on me. He shook his head.

"She tried to kill us. Both of us!" I screamed. "If we leave her alive, she'll do it again." Of course, she would. "She's a murderer!' I shouted, looking back down at the suffocating woman.

"You're not."

His words sank into my potion-addled brain. He was right. I wasn't a murderer.

I released my hands, and Vral coughed and gagged as air filled her lungs.

"Damn..." the goblin gasped. "You got me good..." She coughed, then lay flat on the ground, defeated.

"Yeah, well if it weren't for him, you'd be dead. Be grateful."

She laughed, and a large smile plastered itself on her face.

As my breathing stabilized, my vision began to swim. Words appeared in my mind

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For protecting your ally against certain death and sparing the life of an enemy, you have proven your worth as a shield to the vulnerable and a defender of the living.

You have unlocked the [Guardian] class.

You reach Level 1

Strength +2

Resilience + 3

Agility + 1

Wisdom +2

Luck + 1

You gain the [Shield of Resolve] passive ability.

[Shield of Resolve] (Passive): Your body becomes a living barrier, able to absorb more damage when protecting others. You gain +1 HP per level.

You gain the [Provoke] active ability.

[Provoke] (Active, 2 MP): You taunt a target, forcing them to focus their aggression on you.

You gain the [Boundless Potential] passive racial ability.

[Boundless Potential] (Passive): Humans are known for their remarkable adaptability and untapped reserves of strength in the face of adversity. This racial trait allows humans to exceed expectations, unlocking opportunities for growth and achievement that others might never attain.

----------------------------------------

I felt something wash over me. It felt warm, soothing. And along with those sensations came feelings. Relief. Confidence. Power. For the first time since landing in this world, I felt like things were finally happening.

I let out a victorious roar.

[Healing Light]

White light washed over me. Within seconds, my injuries were healed. Well, most of them. I watched as the light seeped into my skin, causing the nicks and cuts littering my arms to mend. Looking back at the light source, I saw Tristan sitting with his legs folded underneath him. His palms were facing upwards toward the sky, with white energy gently seeping from them. The energy filled the space, shimmering as it danced in the air.

After a time, the light faded. When it did, he collapsed. "Gods, I'm tired." He rubbed his temples.

"Mind getting off of me?" Vral's voice was strained. I forgot I was still on top of her.

"You gonna be good? If not, I can sit here all day."

She nodded. "Yeah. You won. I'll be good."

When I hesitated, she held out her fists and motioned for me to remove her gauntlets. I did, taking them in hand. They were finely crafted, made of some white metal with glowing runes adorning each finger.

"See? I'm spent anyway." She rubbed her neck.

I got off of her. The goblin took a deep breath, then slid backward and propped herself against the far wall of the tunnel. Once she settled, she sighed. "I know this game. You're gonna get all chummy with me, get some information, then knock me off. If you're gonna kill me anyway, don't bother. I don't want to be led on. Just get it over with."

I looked at Tristan, who shook his head again.

I turned back and met her eyes. "I don't feel like it." I took a seat against the opposite wall of the tunnel.

She sighed again. "Damn..." Her eyes lowered, revealing the first bit of vulnerability I'd seen from the woman. "It'd be better to die here. My employers don't take failure kindly. Guess they'll want me dead now."

"Who is they? Jorgan?"

She laughed. "That loser? Nah. I just take jobs from him from time to time."

"Then who?"

She shook her head. "Doesn't matter." She tried and failed to stand.

"We need to get Farvad's stuff back from you."

"It's all gone." She muttered. "Sorry."

My brow furrowed. "Where is it?"

"Gone. Sold, probably." She huffed. "And you best be gone too before my employer's men catch wind that you're who was down here tonight."

Tristan struggled to stand. I stood up and walked over, offering my hand. I half helped, half picked him up. Once he was standing, I turned and walked to her.

"How about a deal?" I asked.

"A deal?" She chuckled. "What is it?"

"Why don't you join up with us? You're good in a fight, and we could use the help. Maybe the three of us can even fight back against whoever this employer of yours is?" I offered my hand to her. "What do you say?"

She stared at my hand, then glanced at Tristan. "Would she be okay with it? I was about to murder her ass."

"His ass." I laughed and shook my head, but the goblin just gave me a funny look.

I looked back at Tristan, who looked away.

Huh?

She chuckled again. "Sounds like you two need to have a heart-to-heart." She slapped my hand away, stood up, and retrieved her swords. "I'll pass." She held her hands out and gestured to the gauntlets. "But thanks."

"You gonna be good?"

She rolled her eyes. "Probably not. Now give 'em. I'm gonna need 'em."

I handed them over. She nodded and put them in her pouch. Turning, she took a couple of steps down the tunnel, then looked over her shoulder. "I'm resourceful. Don't worry about me." She smiled. Reaching into her pouch, she pulled out a vial of red liquid. She uncorked it and drank heartily. "Luckily, they probably don't know who you are yet, so you might make it a little longer in this town. Or not, who knows? Either way, I'm done."

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

"I said no, okay! Get over it." Before I could reply, she bolted down the tunnel, turned left at the crossroads, and disappeared.

"Crazy ass goblin." I looked back at Tristan, who was wobbling on his feet. I took a step closer to him. When I did, he started to fall. I reached out and grabbed him before he hit the dirt.

"Thanks."

"No problem." I helped him stand up straight. "Let's get you back to the inn."

He coughed, nodded, and let me guide him down the tunnel toward the surface.