— ✦ —
— ✦ —
In the nearby forest, a dim light flickered. Hiroshi and his companions sat around an object on the floor. It was the goblin camp recreated using sticks, stones, and other pieces of nearby foliage.
Tiny sticks laid out on the ground designated the walls, with other sticks planted upright as watch posts. Small pebbles represented the smaller goblins, and larger ones represented the bigger goblins. A large stone at the top represented what they assumed to be the camp leader's hut. Small pieces of foliage showed where various caged goblins were.
Hiroshi pointed at the different sticks in the ground.
“Here, here and here. These are entry points guarded by bigger goblins.” He stated.
“There is a path leading up to the big hut on the hill.”
“Yes. Green. Goblin. General.” Gobu’s brow furrowed.
That’s where the final fight will be, huh...
Hiroshi tapped at one of the corners of the camp.
“There is a blind spot there. I’ll sneak in through it.”
Gobu shook his head.
Huh?
“Trap. Intentionally. Left.”
“I see. Thank you, Gobu.”
Damn it… I’ll need another way in then.
Gobu pointed at the makeshift towers on the ground.
“Nighttime. Goblin. Lazy.” He paused.
“Sleep. Easy. Sneak.”
Hiroshi cracked a smile.
They’re lazy at night, huh?
“But. Need. Careful. Lots. Of. Traps.”
“Traps?”
“Yes. And. Alert. Bells.”
I see, so they have a system in place to alert should anyone try to escape. I’ll need to get closer to find out more.
Hiroshi stared at the makeshift map and then sighed, sitting down. His stomach grumbled.
“I’ll scout the place later, let’s eat first.”
Gobu nodded, his expression seeming less lively than before.
Hiroshi took a glance at Gobu.
I guess he’s still mad with me for raising his kind…
Figures…
Gobu rotated a skinned rabbit on a stick, the fire barely going.
Hiroshi opened his mouth for a moment but no words came out. His mouth closed again as he watched Gobu carefully tending to the meat on the stick.
Gobu…
A while later, Hiroshi hopped down from a tree, landing smoothly. He turned to Gobu.
“Stay here, I’ll go scout ahead. Do not move from here and stay hidden.” He stated coldly.
Gobu stayed silent, gently stroking Feodra’s fur as she snoozed. Embers flickered through the air nearby.
Seriously… what’s gotten into him.
I’ll try to make this quick.
He turned forward and disappeared into the shadows.
Ducking down, Hiroshi took a few quick steps forward and lay down, then crawled forward, flat against the ground.
The camp was much closer now.
He peeked over the edge of the hill.
Torches illuminated the entire place; a wooden stake wall was before him. A small dirt path was forming near it, presumably from the patrols.
I should peek inside the camp.
Just as he was about to move, sounds of footsteps reached his ears.
Something’s coming.
He stayed low, just enough to see what was coming.
Two goblins with torches walked side by side, grunting at each other, almost as if speaking. They snickered as they walked and came to a stop ahead of Hiroshi.
What are these two doing...?
It seemed like they had a disagreement about something.
Suddenly one shoved the other. It stumbled back a few steps and stopped just in front of Hiroshi.
It got up and picked up its torch, waving it behind the hill where Hiroshi was. Nothing.
They turned and left, snickering together once more.
Hiroshi, who was only a pace away in the grass, let out a sigh.
If I hadn’t moved then, I would’ve been spotted.
Time to move.
He moved onwards, silently threading through the grass, keeping the walls in view.
Eventually, one of the gates he had spotted from afar came into view.
Two much taller green goblins stood on either side of the open gate. They were bulkier, with their bellies stuck out. One of them scratched it.
A giant club rested on one goblin’s shoulder, while the other leaned against the wall.
The torch on a stick in front of them cast a shadow into the camp, past the walls.
I need more information. I should try my luck inside the camp. Positions, their equipment, anything will help.
Lesser Sneak.
His body pulsed with color for a second.
Shadowstep.
He appeared beside the wall of a hut, in the shadow of the tall, fat goblin.
I’m inside. I need to look for more cages.
He quietly turned and began to take a step when he stopped. For a split second, a shine revealed itself next to his foot.
Huh? What’s this?
Hiroshi leaned down closer to it. A thin wire connected the hut to the stake wall, which upon closer inspection led along the wall, connected to a bell.
Aren’t these green goblins meant to be stupid? Maybe I had the wrong idea about them.
He carefully stepped over the trip wire and sneaked deeper into the camp.
Cages became more frequent, full of crimson goblins, some looked younger, while others looked older.
Hiroshi’s eye grazed each cage and came to a stop on one. It was isolated, away from other cages.
He peeked further from the corner of a hut.
The goblins inside were much older. Huddled up together, one of them had some white hair, and much wrinklier skin.
They’re the oldest goblins I’ve seen. They must be the leaders of their tribe...
He looked closer, some strange black markings were on their foreheads.
None of the other goblins had that mark. If they are the leaders, then that changes everything.
That’s a high priority. I’ll need to make sure they’re safe before anyone else. If they don’t make it out, Gobu might hate me forever…
I’ll get them out… no matter what.
Hiroshi caught the sound of more footsteps.
Damn it… It’s coming towards me.
Without a moment to think, Hiroshi ducked through the opening of one of the huts. It had almost nothing inside, just a single shelf with some odd-looking rocks.
There’s nowhere to hide… In that case…
Wall Skulk!
Hiroshi jumped up and stuck to the wall.
This is pretty… interesting…
He crawled to the ceiling as a goblin stepped inside, his torch roaring through the air.
It looked around and walked to the shelf, picking up one of the rocks.
A bead of Hiroshi’s sweat dropped and landed atop the goblin’s head, just as it was about to leave. It stopped.
It looked up and saw a person stuck to the ceiling on all fours. It opened its mouth to shout. Nothing came out.
The vision shifted sideways until it began to spin, his head dropping to the floor.
Moments later, Hiroshi peeked out of the hut. It was clear.
Alright, now that this little incident is taken care of…
I should report my findings to Gobu and ask him who the old guys are.
Out of the corner of his eye, something moved. As his eyes flicked to the movement, there was nothing.
What was that?
Did I just see someone?
Keeping his head down, he quickly snuck over to another hut and peeked from the corner.
For a split second, a piece of cloth, dark in color, was visible, before being tucked behind another hut. There were ten small goblins dancing around a fire down there.
I knew I saw something… but there are more goblins over there. I need to get back to camp…
He started to turn back when the bells began to ring.
WHAT!?
The goblins all around began to make noise, scattering to their weapons.
Hiroshi stepped out from the corner of the hut.
Did one of them try to escape and trigger it? Was it a goblin brawl? The figure? There are too many unknowns right now...
He scratched his head quickly.
Think... The assault was supposed to be tomorrow when we had a solid plan… but if they start executing the goblins, there will be no one to rescue…
Change of plans. We’re doing this now.
This is a chance to make an even bigger commotion.
Hiroshi took a torch off the wall and leaped atop of a hut. He threw it into the air and, with a swift kick, sent it roaring into the sky.
Gobu watched from the treeline; the bells began to ring. His face twitched with worry. Moments later a light flew up into the sky.
Gobu stood up and pointed at the distant gate.
“Feodra! Now!”
Hiroshi watched a massive arc of lightning shoot out from the tree line, a thundering boom followed a second later. The gate that had been hit erupted with smoke and dust, accompanied by another loud boom.
Gobu hopped in excitement near Feodra then pointed upwards, above the camp.
“Good. Good! Fire! Now!” He ordered.
Feodra postured straight, groaning as three small balls of fire popped into existence above her head, then launched in a staggered arc into the camp.
Hiroshi stared at three lights in the distance rise suddenly and arc towards the camp.
Alright. It’s time to free everyone.
He hopped down and burst into a sprint.
I need to be out before they realize what hit them.
Four goblins ran out into the open before Hiroshi. A cage was right behind them.
Out of my way!
Four step blink!
Hiroshi’s form vanished and appeared before the first one, whose vision was spinning before it knew what hit it. He appeared before the second, driving his hand deep into its chest. The third’s neck cracked as it was twisted. The fourth took a few steps back, seeing some figure appear and disappear. A squelching sound escaped his chest.
It looked down, a woman’s hand was coming out of its chest, sharp crimson nails pointing outward.
It fell to the ground lifeless.
Three explosions erupted throughout the camp, setting nearby huts on fire. Thick plumes of smoke rose into the air as fires roared in different parts of the camp.
“Lesser Goblin, defeated.” The system announced four times.
Without wasting time, Hiroshi turned to face the cage.
Raise Skeleton Knight!
The hulking skeleton crawled out of the ground with its rusted armour, pulling its greatsword from the ground. Hiroshi pointed at the wall.
“Make an opening!” He shouted out, striking the cage’s lock with his nails, cracking it open.
The crimson goblins pushed back to the edges of the cage, trembling.
Loud crashes emanated from each of the skeleton’s steps as it ran through the wall, busting it open.
“No time to explain, escape through the hole and make your way to the treeline. Gobu is there!” He ordered.
The crimson goblins looked at each other, unsure of what to do. One of them whispered to another. “Gobu?”
“GO!” He roared out once more.
The goblins began to hurry out of the cage. Running towards the opening in the stake wall.
We’ve got more work to do, Skeleton Knight. Let’s go.
The skeleton knight moved back through the opening and stood next to Hiroshi.
A roar met Hiroshi’s ears, forcing him to turn around. A greater goblin stood there, his massive club hovering just above the ground.
Hiroshi grinned and leaped forward.