The morning had come for Xolvion and the others, giving them an early wake-up call as the sun shone brightly. Xolvion had been the first to wake up, walking out of his tent in just his pants as he raised his arms above his head stretching profoundly.
Gwen and Owen soon came out of their tents and greeted Xolvion with a good morning. Gwen had to do a double-take as she saw Xolvion was shirtless, causing her to turn a little red. Owen noticed this and couldn't help laughing at her for getting all embarrassed.
Soon Crystal was awake too and the four of them sat outside in the sunshine as they packed away their camp and had breakfast. While eating Xolvion pulled out a map that was marked with where the goblins had been sighted last, giving him a good idea of where their hideout might be.
"We are getting close now," Xolvion said, estimating that they were only half a day's walk away from their destination.
The others nodded as the realization that they were getting closer to saving their friend washed over their face and Owen took one final sip of his tea before standing up.
"Alright then, let's not waste any more time." He said with a look of determination in his eyes.
Xolvion couldn't help smile as he saw the look in his eyes, being reminded of his own ambitions to reclaim his own land and throne.
"Very well. Let's get going." Xolvion then said as he tossed the small amount of tea from his mug onto the ground and also stood up.
Once the camp was all packed the four of them set off along the road. So far they had been heading east and had come to a canyon range. The canyon was filled with large hoodoos and tent rocks that formed natural paths and winding roads through the canyon.
The report had said that the Goblins had been coming out of the canyon to attack the nearby villages, taking stolen goods from farm animals, weapons, food and even human girls as their loot.
No one had seen exactly where the goblins had retreated too, but both Gwen and Owen had already fought them, having followed them back as far as this point.
"So this is where you last saw the Goblins?" Xolvion said as he took one last look at the map, seeing that they had arrived at the large X.
"That's right. We lost them in the dark around this point." Gwen said, remembering the night all too well.
Crystal took a good look around, feeling the hot and dry air now that they had ventured into the canyon. It was barren and dry, void of any water, something she wasn't too pleased about as her magic was kind of relying on it.
"Look up there," Xolvion said as he saw a makeshift flag made of human bones and old clothing.
It was a goblin flag warning travellers that this was their territory.
"Looks like they aren't trying to hide all too well," Xolvion said as he took another look around making sure that no enemies were lurking close by.
"Coast is clear." He said, letting the others know it was safe.
"Those little green bastards. I will make them pay for what they have done." Owen said through clenched teeth.
Xolvion could feel his anger, and couldn't help wonder if there was more to this story that had been said as Gwen placed a hand on his shoulder to calm Owen down, sharing his pain.
Xolvion had already located the goblins lair with his wolf sense ability. He could detect a large number of goblins coming from underground, thanks to his vampire senses and wolf sense combined he knew exactly how far and how strong each of them was.
"This isn't good..." He thought.
"I had no idea there was such a large number of goblins here... If my senses are right they have an army of 300 strong down there." He said to himself, wondering if it was a good idea to take the others down into their camp.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Xolvion then said, getting a shocked expression from the others.
"What is wrong master?" Crystal said, noticing the look on her master's face.
"I can feel that there are a large number of goblins down there, and I think it would be best if we retreat and report it to the guild." He said.
Of course, Xolvion knew that he would be fine, even against so many of them. However, he was unsure that he would be able to protect the others, including Crystal.
"No way... I can't do that." Owen said softly before raising his voice.
"I can't just leave when we have come so far!"
Xolvion knew how he must feel, but he also knew that he and Gwen would die if they went any further.
Suddenly an arrow flew through the air and hit Owen in the shoulder, ripping straight through his leather armour and piercing out of the front of his chest.
"ARGH!! Owen cried out as the pain set in causing him to fall to his knees.
Xolvion and the others turned to see where the arrow had come from, seeing that a sudden advance of goblins was charging towards them, having formed an ambush.
Somehow Xolvion had failed to notice the ambush and the Goblins has slipped through his senses, something he was impressed by.
"Owen!" Gwen shouted as she quickly dashed to his aid.
Crystal turned around to get a better look at the threat at hand. She could see five Goblins with spears charging towards them from the path, while another five surrounded them from above on the rocks with bows and arrows.
Xolvion had also seen the same knowing if he didnt act now, Owen or Gwen would probably die. However, he didnt want to reveal his strength to them so soon as it could blow his cover at the guild.
"Blast it all." He said under his breath as he put up a magic barrier at the last second, stopping a volley of arrows that was aimed at the group.
"Water bullet." He said as he pointed his index finger like a gun at one of the goblin archers, proceeding to fire a small bullet of water at the creature.
His water magic ripped through the air and hit the goblin, piercing right through its chest like a hot knife through butter, leaving the other goblins in shock.
"Crystal, you take the five with spears," Xolvion said, seeing this as a good opportunity for her to engage in battle by herself.
Owen was still on his hands and knees in pain while Gwen tried to help him. However, she was quick to notice the goblin footmen charging toward them with their spears raised.
"Owen get back!" She shouted as she drew her sword, taking a ready stance as she was prepared to defend her friend with her life.
"Come on then!" She shouted as she lifted her arm into the air ready to take a swipe at the first goblin, but as soon as she did a large amount of ice suddenly burst up from the ground, skewering them.
Gwen was shocked and took a moment to take it all in as she looked at the dead goblins before her.
"Are you ok Gwen?" Crystal suddenly asked as she ran over to her, checking her over for any injuries.
"Y-yeah." She said, amazed that she had killed all of the goblins with ease.
Xolvion was also impressed at Crystal's ability and decided to speed things up on his end as he finished all but one of the goblins off, letting it get away.
"Is everyone alright?" Xolvion then said as he headed over to the others, seeing that no one else was hurt other than Owen.
"We are fine, but Owen isn't looking good!" Gwen said as she knelt back down next to him, trying to help in any way she could.
"Move aside," Xolvion said as he took a look, seeing that the arrow had shot straight through his shoulder and luckily missed all of the bones in the area.
"Hold still." Xolvion then said as he gripped the head of the arrow, snapping it off and tossing it aside.
Owen flinched a little as he clenched his teeth, biting through the pain as Xolvion pulled the rest of the arrow out of his back, getting it all in one motion.
"Now heal." He then said as he placed his hand on his shoulder, using his divine healing and curing Owen in only a second.
Owen and Gwen were amazed as the wound closed as if it was never there and all of his pain simply vanished.
"What... How did you do that?" Owen asked as he looked at his chest and rolled his shoulder, amazed at what had just happened.
"It's a special skill of mine," Xolvion said, brushing it off as no big deal.
"Anyway, as I said, we should get out of here before more come. This is no longer a copper rank quest."