The huge goblin frowned and dashed at me. Even with his humongous body, the goblin was swift. He swung the huge axe at me, with intention to cut me in half with just one strike. However, I saw through his move and ducked at the right time. But the goblin did not stop. He kept coming at me, each blow had immense power. The axe slashing through the air. I remained defensive, and evaded each of his attacks, waiting for the right time to strike. Finally I found an opening and took it. The goblin started to get sloppy. I made him follow me and as he slashed his axe at me again, he hit a wall. The impact destroyed the whole house. The goblin's torso was exposed. I slashed his torso hard, yellow liquid gushed out of his right side. I then spinned and back kick the goblin in his kidney. The goblin fell, face burst on the ground. However he was on his feet in seconds.
The goblin frowned at me in rage. His red eyes staring into me. He charged again, however this time he was more ferocious. It became a bit challenging for me, to keep up with his attacks. However I remained focused. The goblin lifted the axe in the air and vertically brought it down with immense speed and power. I managed to dodge it. The axe buried in the ground, suddenly the goblin let go and back handed me. I brought my sword close to my chest, willing to block it but the force was too much. I was lifted in the air and I went through a small house, the rumble fell right on me. I dragged myself out and found myself surrounded by other goblins. Suddenly a goblin got hit in the face with a big boulder. It was Jade. He used his magic against them. The goblins shifted their attention at Jade. Meanwhile, one of them attacked me. I rolled out and shot the goblin in the eye, using my crossbow. He fell on the ground. Then from behind the leader emerged.
The yellow liquid was still gushing out of his right side. But he was unfazed. I shot at him, but he caught the arrow in mid air. He snapped the arrow in half like a twig and threw it away. Dragging his axe the goblin walked towards me. I held my sword tight and advanced towards him. He came at me as well. As we came close, the goblin grabbed in both of his hands and swung the axe at me. His timing was perfect and if I was careless, the goblin would have chopped me in half. However, I managed to counter him. I held my sword tight and weaved to my right barely escaping the axe's tip. I did not stop and slashed the goblin's huge left thigh.
He fell on his left knee without wasting a second, I went for the goblins neck. However he was ready, he ducked his head and swund his left elbow at me. I used my leg and hit the goblins elbow. He fell forward but immediately he spun, holding the axe in his right hand he slashed it at me. I saw his movement and cut through his huge harm. I severed the arm from his body. The goblin screamed in pain. The arm was flat on the ground, the axe held tight. Yellow liquid gushed from the arm.
I advanced forward and drove my sword in to the goblin's left temple. The goblin was motionless. I took out my sword and the lifeless body fell on the floor. I turned around and saw a pile of dead goblins lying on the floor around Jade. I slashed my sword in the air, spilling the yellow liquid on the ground and returned it back to it's scabbard. The man and the villagers thanked both me and Jade. Later on, we were on our way.
We reached Carseville the following day. Jeffery was desperately waiting for us. Jade got to work as soon as he entered the mansion. Cassandra looked even worse since I left. Jade examined her and told us.
"This is no ordinary dark spell. A kayser did this. Filthy ghouls."
Kaysers are one of many types of ghouls. They are dangerous creatures who curse the living with their dark spells and feed on their life force. The are hollow creatures tht easily disppear and very difficult to track.
"Can you help her?" Jeffer asked.
"I will try my best. Please leave the room. No matter what happens do not come in." Jade said.
Jeffery and I left the room and Jade locked it from inside. Jeffery led me to the dinning hall and offered me hot food after my tiresome journey. While we ate, I discussed the matter in hand further with Jeffery.
"I need to know more about this warlock. Unless I don't have any genuine information, I cannot proceed further." I said to Jeffery.
"I am sorry but Cassandra is the only person who can tell you more." Jeffery answered.
"Could you ask your informants to gather more information?" I asked.
"I doubt that they will help. What they told me were also rumors. They heard from other people. However a name did come up." Jeffery said.
"What name?" I asked.
"Keiran Garginoff. That is what they called that warlock." Jeffer said.
I widened my eyes in shock. I could not believe what Jeffery was telling me.
"That is impossible. You must be mistaken." I said.
"No of coure not. That was his name Keiran." Jeffery said. "Why do you seem so shocked to hear that?"
"When you hear that a notorious dead warlock came back to life, you would be shocked too if you were in my place." I answered.
"Came back to life? What do you mean?" Jeffery asked.
"It mean that Keiran Garginoff was killed fifty years ago. By a hunter named Hugh Dexter. There is no way he is alive." I said.
"But the information is not false. It can't be." Jeffery said.
"Then I would like to meet one of your informants." I said.
"Very well. I shall send a letter." Jeffery said.
I nodded in agreement and for the night, I just slept and hoped that Jade is able to heal Cassandra.
Next morning Jade gave us the good news. He was able to lift the dark spell over Cassandra. She was alright but still too weak. She needed some rest to regain her strength. Meanwhile, Jeffery sent a letter to one of his informants and asked him to visit Carseville. A day later, the informant arrived and I interrogated him in the presence of Jade and Jeffery to get more information regarding the matter in hand.
The informant told us that whether the warlock was Keiran Garginof, he was not sure. He only heard rumors and did not see the guy himself. However, he told us that the warlock killed the head priest and is headed North.
But for what reason, he does not know. With that much information, I still could not figure out the warlock's motive behind tormenting the people of Bolville. However, we found out the next day when Cassandra told us. Cassandra looked better. She was drinking hot pea soup when I entered with Jade. Although Jeffery protested against us, since he wanted her to rest but Cassandra convinced him that she was fine and that she can enlighten us with the situation.
"Thank you for doing this." Cassandra said.
"No need to say that. I am getting paid." I answered.
Cassandra warm smile vanished. She closed her eyes and sighed.
"What do you wish to know? I believe Jeffery must have told you the situation already. Isn't it enough to proceed?" She spoke.
"I wish to know more about this warlock. Rumors say that he is the notorious soul devourer Keiran Gorginoff. I want to know if that is true." I asked.
"He is not Keiran Gorginoff. The person behind all this is Anthont Markinson. He came to my grand father a few years ago. He was studying under him, to become a priest. But little did we knew of his motives. Anthony's mother was a witch and Anthony was following her footsteps. Somehow, he came to know that my grand father was guarding the infamous book of dark spells called the Greystone. Anthony wanted that book but for what reason we did not know. My grand father caught him with the material he used for black magic and banished him.
"Few days ago he came to our city with powers unimaginable. He was a full fledge warlock, he destroyed the city and took my grand father captive. However, I managed to escape. Anthony sent ghouls against me. I managed to destroy them using the crucifix that my grand father gave me. But I still got cursed." Cassandra finished.
"Do you know where the book is?" I asked.
"Yes I do." Cassandra answered.
"Who else knew?"
"Only my grand father and an old friend of his. But he would rather die then give it's location." Cassandra said.
"Unfortunately that is what Anthony did. He killed your grand father and is headed North." I said.
Cassandra's eyes widened. She lowered her head and started to sob. Jeffery comforted her.
"Why does he want that book?" Jeffery asked.
"The Greystone is just not a book." Jade said. " It consists of many forbidden spells, that can bring chaos in this world. But most of all the Greystone has the infamous spell of immortality. Many warlocks have searched for it. But could never find it. I think that is what Anthony is looking for."
"You must tell us the location of the book." I asked Casandra.
"If I tell you will you swear to kill that fowl beast? Will you avenge my people and my grand father?"
Cassandra asked me with immense hatred in her eyes.
"I promise. I will make him suffer the same way he made those innocent people suffer." I answered.