Garrick made his way into the ruins of Kara-dum. Constantly scouring his surroundings for activity, listening to who might be approaching or watching him. The air was doused with ashes, embers, and burnt timber and stone. There was even the faint but metallic scent of blood that had been shed. Likely because of the battle that happened here. Chaos reigned in every inch of where he looked.

There was a tall but empty building standing in front of him, the second floor was on the verge of collapse but it appeared vacant of any miscreants. He climbs up, jumping from a stash of burnt rubble below onto the second floor, putting a little mana at the soles of his feet. He climbed a ladder leading to the top of the building, intending to get a better internal view of the city.

The very first sight that greeted him was the most absurd thing he had seen in a while. A pair of goblins were riding makeshift wooden go-like carts, each with a massive box strapped to the rear, cackling like maniacs as they raced down the streets of the stronghold. A third actor appeared in another wooden contraption, attempting to speed up and catch up to the other two, he took a nasty turn, lost control, and crashed into a building. Fire erupted from said crash site, he did not know whether the goblin was alive or not.

‘what the hell did it run off? A steam engine, or was it magic? He knows he’d like to investigate later.

Behind him, echoing in the distance, he could hear large explosions going off–fireworks setting off into the sky, followed by sporadic drums of war. He didn’t know whether he walked into some game or a festival, or if what Zig-zag said was true, that the survivors had broken off into warlord’s states.

He couldn’t wrap his head around it, he saw nothing in Grubbub’s memories that would indicate that they would act this way.

Even farther beyond the improvised race track, he could see a hobgoblin sprinting away, crying out as several dozen smaller green goblins chased him down with menacing warcries.

'

Well, what could he do about it? Certain death in that path no doubt.

Something bluish reflected in Garrick, eyes and his attention veered in the opposite direction, to the ruined palace keep. Small pieces of the blade seemed to be shattered around it, a giant hollow hole filled it, and no doubt a massive explosion went off there.

That would be his main target then, retrieve what he could of that blade, maybe get someone to put it together again, become stronger. ‘Maybe’ pursue the princess. A funny thought prickled him, he couldn’t remember or name or if she had even told him about it.

Garrick instinctively veered in the opposite direction, his gaze landing on the ruined palace keep. It was his main target.

Something to be fixed in the near future.

Eager to get into the city, maybe find some refuge or get out. He embraced the few lessons he learned from Azul, focusing mana on his legs, jumping off the building, and landing awkwardly, but safely. He still tumbled a bit forward, eating dust off the ground. But it became progressively easier. He moved faster this way, lighter.

Going up a couple of stairs and into an alleyway, just passed a broken archway, he could see a massive green-skinned goblin struggling under the weight of a chain wrapped around his neck. It was someone he recognized. Wynald, being forced to pull a cart, filled with suppliers, there were smaller goblins with speers prodding him from behind. Though he could see a defiant spark in the tall fellow’s eye.

Despite there being a friendship barrier between them, he doesn’t plan on letting that stand.

He didn’t hesitate. They were a small group, and void of other bystanders, he crept behind them silently, sticking to the shadow. His crude blade gripped, which was in need of a sharpening. They were preoccupied with what was in front of them, he had a small window.

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He grabbed one from the rear, putting his hands over his mouth, slicing the throat of the muffled victim. He grabbed his spear before it could fall and drove it into the one in front of him. They spun around.

Alarmed by the sudden ambush. But before they could react. Wynald’s face shifted from resignation to a fierce fury. He let out a heavy roar and tore his chains from the cart. And lunge at the closest goblin, strangling him with the chain.

The rest fled shortly after, Garrick was ready to pursue but the giant goblin stopped him.

As the dust settled he helped, rip off the chains that bound him. The man grasped Garrick's shoulder, as he liked to do with Grubbub. “Well you're a sight for sore fucking eyes,” he said, coughing horribly.”Didn’t think I’d see you again. Grubbub.”

“It’s Garrick now.”

“Garrick huh, why the name change?” he asked surprised, sitting down on the ground to relax.

“I died in that well Wynald, but was also reborn that day.”

The man looked at him somberly as he often did, but it seemed more joyful this time.

“Well where did you learn to fight like that, much less kill.” he stared at the two goblins, Garrick had murdered.

“Ah…” he stifled a laugh. “You know when life gives you lemons you make…”

“...” Wynald didn’t know the expression.

“Lemonade–”

“Lemonade, you have some on you, I sure am thirsty.”

“Well, I know a place where you could get some,” he approached the giant and offered him a hand. “But, how did this happen to you.”

“It’s a long story, but there’s a big bastard bigger than me, an orc. Proclaimed himself king of Kara-dum, and appeared after the battle went down. He put me in these chains.”

Concerning, it appeared the vacuum had already started to fill itself. But in the wrong direction.

“So what do you plan to do about it? Sounds to me like I should jump ship.”

“No, there’s a group loyal to the royalty, residing in the ground. I’m going to return to them, I got caught when I was sent out by one of our leaders.”

Garrick didn’t like the sound of it, but if he was to listen to the princess, he was probably aligned with them.

“Well, I suppose I should get going again, do you need an escort there.”

“No, I’m fine, but you, you should come with me. There’s still a bright future left for us, we just need to fight for it.”

“Who leads this group.”

“A captain called Rhorin.”

His mind brought him back to the interrogation chamber, it was the hobgoblin that got him out.

“Yes, I’ve met him before, I'm gonna have to decline, I very much like my freedom now, I’m not serving the whims of any red devil today.”

Except for the princess of course. He kind of owed her that.

“That’s fair, but if you change your mind, there’s a tunnel near the third mine entrance, below a manhole, you should find it easily, just don’t get spotted if you find it.”

“I’ll consider it, there’s something I need to do first.” he approached the tall man giving him an inquisitive stare. “Say, what stage of mana cultivation are you.”

The goblin looked taken aback.

“I doubt you learned to do that within a week of training, I’m surprised you know about that.”

“Well you know, I get around.”

“The second stage though I’m close to the third. Captain Rhorin is a level

four. This orc lord as well.”

Garrick shivered. He had some serious catching up to do.

“So why didn’t you use your mana earlier to fight?” he said, recalling how he strangled the enemy with his bare hands. “You could have hunted those guys down, but you didn’t”

The giant goblin looked away.

“I believe everyone deserves a second chance, even if they might come back to kill me, look at all this death and destruction, for what?”

Some part of him agreed with it, but the cynic didn’t.

“Say where are you headed,” Wynald asked him.

He pointed to the ruined palace. And Wynald laughed grimly.

“Oh no no no, you can’t go there. It’s swarming with bandits.”

Garrick winced, that meant he almost came out here for no reason.

“Shit, there’s something I need up there important.”

“If you have a death wish,” the goblin stood up. “Where have you been sleeping these past 2 days?”

He hesitated. He needs to be careful about what is revealed. He doubted most people would be accepting of Azul’s presence. Cidonia might be more acceptable.

“A witch’s cabin.”

“One of the few that live in the wilderness?”

“Yep.”

“She didn’t do anything to you, did she?” he raised an eyebrow. "they're a touchy bunch."

“No,” he laughed. And joked "She did touch me though."

Wynald raised his whole forehead, wrinkles peaking.

“Hmmm, how about this? Come with me for a while, I’ll get ya a bed to sleep in, and maybe you can think about joining.”

He pondered the thought. What if the hobgoblin drew him? Kept him there, he was done being a worker for sociopaths. The last thing he wants is another form of servitude. But there was also the possibility that some mad bastard out here might tie him to a can of explosives or eat him alive.

“Fine, I’ll stick around tomorrow, there’s another place I need to be in two days.”

The giant smiled, slapping him on the back. Making him fall forward.

“Arhrhg.”

“Oops, sometimes I forget I'm stronger than most goblins.”

Garrick moaned in pain.

“Why are you so big?”