Rukhar stood frozen, his eyes fixed on the human figure. His breath came in short gasps, but something in his chest refused to make him retreat. This was more than courage; it was a call of destiny he had felt for as long as he could remember.
The human stopped a few steps away from him, the sound of snapping twigs under his boots ringing clearly through the thick mist. His sword remained at his side, but his gaze, hidden behind the black helmet, seemed to measure every tiny movement of the goblin.
Rukhar steadied his breathing, trying to calm his racing heart. "I… I'm Rukhar," he said, voice trembling. "I'm not just a fool… I want to prove myself."
The figure remained silent, then a deep voice echoed from behind the helmet: "Many have said that… before they fell."
Rukhar's heart pounded. Those words were no empty threat—there was experience, power, and secrets hidden behind that voice.
Yet something inside him refused to step back. He knew if he let fear control him now, this chance would be lost forever.
With a cautious step forward, Rukhar clenched his fists, readying himself. The mist swirled around them, covering the ground and the tree roots. The normally silent forest now felt alive with menace.
"Show me," the voice said again, "what makes you different from all the weak goblins I've ever seen."
Rukhar took a deep breath and moved his hand swiftly, activating one of the tricks he had always saved for critical moments: a small stone lifted from the ground, spinning in the air like a dance controlled by his mind.
The human stared intently, then slowly nodded. "Interesting… very interesting. Perhaps you are more than a fool, Rukhar."
In that moment, Rukhar felt something shift within him. Fear was still there, but his courage and determination burned stronger than ever. He knew this journey had only just begun—a path filled with danger, mystery, and possibilities he could not yet imagine.
From the shadows of the mist, other footsteps echoed—more than before. Rukhar's eyes widened. Eldran Forest held more secrets than he had ever guessed… and the adventure ahead would test every skill, every nerve, and every dream he had.