The moment Kael shouted his command, chaos erupted.
Rael surged forward beside him, his lightning-coated blade crackling as it struck through the goblin front line. Arven's arrows zipped through the air like embers on the wind, landing with fiery thuds into exposed limbs and throats. Every movement was tight, coordinated reflexes honed by countless battles.
But for every goblin that fell, two more surged forward. These weren't the mindless, ragged beasts they'd fought before. These ones had discipline shields locked tight, armor that turned shallow cuts into glancing blows.
Kael swung again, flames bursting from his blade and staggering a cluster of enemies. "We can't hold them like this!"
Rael grunted, parrying a blow and kicking a goblin back. "No kidding! These bastards are organized!"
Arven, keeping a steady rhythm with her arrows, called out, "Fall back! Pull them into the narrowing corridor bottleneck their numbers!"
Kael nodded and shouted, "Move! Back! Don't let them flank us!"
Together, they shifted formation, falling into a retreating defense while still lashing out with deadly counterattacks. The corridor behind them would limit how many goblins could engage at once. Still, their arms ached, breath shortened. And the goblins kept coming.
Mira crouched low, her body pressed against the stone as she peeked into the chamber at the end of the right tunnel. Elric and Rika knelt beside her, eyes wide.
Cages—roughly built from sharpened wooden stakes—lined the far wall. Inside, huddled villagers looked gaunt, terrified, their hope nearly extinguished. Three goblins stood guard, their crude blades tapping against their thighs as they paced.
"I'll take care of them," Mira whispered.
She vanished forward, blade in hand. The goblins barely had time to react before she was among them. A slash across the throat, a stab through the spine, another blade driven into the eye. Three thuds. Silence.
Elric rushed forward to the cages, inspecting the crude locks. "These won't hold."
He raised his sword and brought it down hard, splintering the wooden latch.
one goblin managed to get through mira. "Elric, behind you!" Rika shouted.
Without thinking, she raised her staff. "Water Burst!"
A ball of compressed water struck the goblin's side, launching it across the room into the wall with a crack.
"Nice shot rika!" Mira looked back fondly at Rika's readiness.
Elric turned, stunned. "Thanks."
Rika swallowed hard and nodded. "Let's keep moving."
They went cage by cage, freeing as many as they could, guiding frightened villagers back through the tunnel they came from.
"Take them and go," Mira told Elric and Rika. "You've done enough."
But Elric shook his head. "No. We're not leaving you to fight alone."
"Same," Rika added, voice trembling but firm.
Mira hesitated, then gave a single nod.
"Then stay close. And follow my lead."
They moved swiftly through the side passage that connected to the larger cavern. Screams and clashes echoed louder now. They emerged into the massive chamber, sticking to the shadows.
Kael and Rael were struggling. Blood smeared Kael's cheek. Rael's coat was torn. Goblins pressed in relentlessly, forcing them further into the narrow arc of retreat.
Mira raised her hand, muttered a brief incantation, and suddenly a pulse of magical sound exploded across the space. A low, dissonant rumble that vibrated the walls and snapped the goblins' attention.
Half the horde turned toward the noise.
"Now!" Kael roared.
He dashed forward with renewed force, Rael beside him, both carving into the stunned goblins.
Arven's arrows flew once more, striking the exposed gaps in armor.
In that moment, the tide felt like it might turn. But the real battle hadn't even begun. A deep, guttural growl rolled across the chamber.
The Goblin King stood slowly from his throne, towering over even his largest kin. The firelight cast a wicked glow across his scar-riddled body. His breath was heavy, hot mist exhaling from his nostrils. All goblin noise ceased. The entire chamber fell into absolute stillness.
He opened his mouth—And screamed.
A thunderous, ear-splitting roar surged through the cave, a primal, unnatural sound laced with mana and murderous will. It wasn't just a sound it was pressure. It slammed into every living thing in the chamber.
The villagers collapsed, sobbing, clutching their heads. Rika screamed and fell to her knees, her staff slipping from her grip. Elric staggered against the wall, gasping. Even Mira flinched, clutching her ears.
Kael gritted his teeth, knees buckling but refusing to fall.
Rael's knuckles turned white around his hilt. "T-this pressure—he's not a regular monster!"
Arven struggled to lift her bow, her hands trembling.
Still, the party of Kael held their ground.
Then the Goblin King moved.
He charged—not lumbered, not stomped. He sprinted like a beast unleashed.
Rael turned to meet him, eyes wide. "Come on then—!"
The massive club came down in a blur.
CRACK!
The blow lifted Rael from the ground and hurled him like a ragdoll into the cavern wall.
"Ka—GHH—!"
Rael hit stone, slumped, and didn't get up.
Kael shouted his name, his voice raw, but the Goblin King had already turned toward him.
Kael raised his sword.
"FIRE WA—!"
Before he could finish, a flaming arrow slammed into the Goblin King's side.
Arven.
"Over here, ugly!" she shouted, nocking another.
The Goblin King paused. Then charged.
Arven bolted, leading him through fallen debris and ruined stone, leaping over corpses, her breath ragged. Behind her, the massive form of the king gave chase, his club tearing into anything in his path.
Then—he stopped.
His gaze shifted.
To Mira.
To Elric.
To Rika.
He turned.
"Mira, MOVE!" Arven screamed, firing another arrow that struck the king's shoulder. It burned but did not slow him.
Mira stepped forward and raised her hand. Another shockwave of sound blasted out, shaking the air—but this time the king barely flinched. He brought down his club.
Mira raised both daggers, crossed them—
THOOM!
She was flung backwards, tumbling across the stone floor.
Kael tried to break through the goblins, but they blocked him. "elric!! rika!! get out of there."
Elric stood on shaking legs, sword raised. "I… won't… let you…"
He charged. The blade struck the Goblin King's arm.
It didn't even cut.
With a snort, the king flicked his wrist.
CRACK!
Elric flew backwards, his scream cut short.
Rika was alone.
She gritted her teeth and launched another Water Burst. Then another. And another. The small spheres of compressed water splashed uselessly against the Goblin King's hide, evaporating into mist.
Her breathing turned ragged. Her knees trembled beneath her. One more spell, and her legs gave out completely. She collapsed to her hands and knees, panting, sweat clinging to her forehead.
Still crawling backward, Rika sobbed softly, dragging herself away from the towering monster with every ounce of fear and desperation fueling her.
Her back hit the stone wall. Cold, damp, and immovable.
No more room.
Her staff lay at her side, but her hands refused to lift it again. She looked up, heart pounding against her ribs like it wanted to flee first.
The Goblin King stood before her.
He chuckled—low at first, then louder. A satisfied, cruel amusement.
He raised his massive club overhead, savoring the kill.
Mira, Arven, and Kael all struggled to reach her—but goblins swarmed between them. None could break through in time.
Rika closed her eyes, tears streaking down her cheeks. "Please... someone... anyone... help...!" And then, with a wet slap, something struck the Goblin King's face.
It was a half-eaten apple, which bounced off his temple and rolled across the ground. The goblin froze, a look of utter confusion painting his ugly face. Then, from the darkness, came the sound of footsteps.
Measured. Calm. Heavy.
From the corridor bathed in flickering torchlight, a figure emerged.
A shadow at first.
Then clearer.
A teenage boy with a middle part hairstyle that looked messy, wearing a white shirt that is stained with dirt. An earing on his left ear and katana hung at his side.
He walked slowly, with no fear—just an eerie calm.
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but his eyes... they were sharp, alive, and burning.
He stopped just far enough for all to see him clearly.
The Goblin King turned fully to face this newcomer.
The boy drew his katana with a single motion, the blade whispering against its sheath.
His voice was low, almost amused.
"So... this is where you've all been hiding."
His smirk widened, turning sharper.
"you goblin sons of the most ugliest unsightly grotesque unbearable to look at goblin bitches."