"HAAAHHH!!"
"Way to go, master!"
"Haah...haah...thanks! I...I think I'm getting used to this fighting thing..."
"Don't forget your magic. You'll need it if you want to survive being an adventurer here."
"I know, Azure." Christopher and Azure were inside one of the many caves surrounding the kingdom of Aznos. With Azure's guidence, Christopher is slowly gaining control of his mana. Sheathing his sword, he looked over to Azure.
"Thanks for all your help." Azure giggled playfully at her master's remark.
"Heehee, you're welcome, master. Now, let's keep going."
"Yeah."
The cave they were in wasn't very big. Around them was pitch black, only illuminated by Azure's fire element. The ground was damp, and somewhat smooth, mossy, as well as greyish-black in colour. And the surroundings told them it was an old cavern. Moss and vines covered the walls of the cavern, and water dripped from the low ceiling. It was Christopher's first time there, so naturally, he was hesitant to continue. Though his curiosity got the better of him.
Further into the cave, they stumbled across what looked like a small carriage. It was wooden, and there seemed to be no driver.
"Huh? What's a carriage doing here?" Christopher questioned. He leaned in close, and inspected it. To his surprise and disappointment, it was empty. "Awe...it's empty to...bummer."
"Wait! Master, shhh!"
"Huh? A-Azure?" Azure covered his mouth with her hand, and pointed to just in front of them. Looking over, Christopher's eyes shot open.
"G-G-Goblins?!" He quietly exclaimed.
"Yes!!" Azure replied. "But what are goblins doing near Aznos?" She was baffled, Christopher couldn't see the reason why, but it dawned on him that he had only been in the world for just over two days. Christopher and Azure hid behind the carriage, and spyed on the goblins.
There were two of them, both were about four feet in height, and their skin was a dark green. In hand, they held two bloodied wooden clubs, one each. They both seemed to be chatting.
"Hmph. Bwhaha! Those humans were a piece of cake! Waste of my time! Bah!"
"Now, now, they were only newbie adventures, of course it'd be easy. But we should never underestimate the humans, Gob."
"Don't tell me what to go, Grald. Don't you know, I used to be the Goblin Lord's right hand man!"
"You mean the former Goblin Lord?"
"HUH?!" The goblins seemed to be just wandering. They didn't look tough to Christopher.
Azure and Christopher remained silent as they watched the conversation take place. The one Christopher figured must've been Gob, continued speaking.
"Whaddya mean former?! I haven't heard NOTHING bout him dying!"
"But he did." Grald looked at Gob in the eyes. His expression was serious. "He was killed days ago by a girl and her familiar. Eye witnesses say the girl looked like a fox-demi-human, but moved like lightening. And her physical capacity was like that of an arch-demon. Truly frightening, don't you think?"
"...!" What Gerld said perked Christopher's interest. Looking toward his familiar, he spoke to her.
"Azure, did he just say fox-human?"
"Yes, master." Azure replied immediately. "By the descriptions he gave, the girl whom he said killed the Goblin Lord was in fact, your younger sister, Roselina."
"R-Roselina?!" Christopher wasn't able to contain his excitement as he jumped up, and yelled at the top of his lungs, "Finally!! We have a lead on where Roselina is!! Yes!! Don't worry little sis! Your elder brother's coming for you!!!"
"M-Master!!"
"Eh..?" Christopher knew he was in trouble after realising what he did. Azure found the whole thing amusing, whereas the goblins instantly prepared their clubs.
"Hey!! What're you doing here?! Intruders!!" The one known as Gob stopped speaking, and raced toward the two.
"Wait, Gob! It is not wise to rush into battle like that!!"Gerld tried to stop him, but it was futile.
Gob swung at Christopher with all his might, however, the speed was too slow for the young fox-human as he easily, and swiftly dodged.
"Too slow!" Christopher yelled. He drew his blade, and cut the goblin's right arm completely off. It fell to the ground like a pile of bricks.
"Easy peasy! I could get used to this."
"AAAAHAHHHHHHHHH----ARRRRRRGGHHH-OH GOD-! AAAAAARRRRAAAHHHHHHH-!" The goblin immediately held onto his wound, trying his best to stop the blood flow. Though without even giving a second thought, Christopher darted behind him, and aimed his knife at Gob's throat.
"...!" Gob quivered in fear at the action. Sweat poured down his face like a river as the final words he heard were spoken to him.
"Now then...let me put you out of your misery, Gob."
"No...no please...I...I don't want to die...please..." Gob pleaded with Christopher, but that didn't do anything. Christopher laughed at him, then blurted out,
"Well! You should've thought that BEFORE you attacked me!"
"No..NNO...NOOOOOOO-AHH-!" Christopher plunged his blade into Gob's throat, and immediately, Gob's life was extinguished.
"NOO!" Gerld, who watched his friend die right before his eyes, collapsed to the ground, dropping his club flat onto the ground.
"G-Gob!! I...I told you...to not underestimate..." Azure hovered to Christopher's side confidently as the boy approached the remaining one.
"Now..." He said to him. Drawing his weapon against Gerld, he gave him a cold, merciless stare. "...Tell me what you know about the girl and familiar who killed your Goblin Lord, Gerld. And I'll let you live."
"Y-Yes! I- I will!" Gerld agreed almost instantly. Obviously, he cared for his life. But was Christopher really going to let him go? "J-Just please, don't kill me...I'll do anything, anything at all!"
"Did I say I would?" Christopher asked him, snickering evilly. "Now..." Christopher grinned at the goblin, then pressed the tip of his blade partially into it's neck, the goblin flinched. Tears formed into his eyes as he surrendered completely to him. "...Come on, spit it out."
"You devil..." The goblin muttered, "...Th-The girl who killed the Goblin Lord was with a familiar, a high class one by the looks of it. Th-The rumours say she was a fox-demi-human b-b-but her movements were those of an arch-demon!! Th-That's all I-I know, I-I-I swear!!" Gerld fell silent. He hoped with all his might that his confession was enough for him. And lluckily, Christopher let down his blade.
"Mmm, okay. Well, if that's really all you know...then thanks." The young boy sheathed his blade. And as soon as he did, Gerld heaved a sigh of relief.
However, it was all taken away when Christopher signaled his familiar.
"Azure." He stated.
"Yes master?"
"Kill him."
"W-What?!" The goblin stared at Christopher, his face showing crystal clearly. He should've known that the boy wouldn't give any mercy-he's a goblin, one of the many enemies of humankind. "N-No!" Gerld shouted out, "B-But you said you'd let me go if I told you about th-AAH-!"
"Shut up, goblin. You're annoying." Christopher was about to draw his blade again when the monster finally shut it's mouth. Azure, peering at Christopher, tilted her head. She wasn't disturbed by her master's behaviour in the slightest.
"You're one of the lowest forms of life on this planet. Why should I ever let you live if all your species does when they see a human or demi-human is attack them?" Christopher questioned. He was certain-he was going to kill him.
Gerld pleaded for his life, but it was all for naught. In a blink of an eye after Christopher gave Azure the signal for destruction, he was engulfed in flames. Not a single trace of him was left after the incineration.
After, Christopher heaved a sigh. "Haah...glad that's over...Azure."
"Yes master?" Azure hovered in front of Christopher.
"Think I went a little too hard on them?"
"Nope, not at all, master!! I think you were super cool!!" Azure's cheery demeanour clearly showed her excitement at the boy for how he was. She was certain that he'd become a strong warrior with the progress he was making. "Don't worry about being mean or anything when you're against monsters!" She exclaimed to him.
"Thanks Azure." Christopher replied. He placed a hand on his familiar's head, and played with her hair a little. Azure's face turned a little red by the touch. "Anyway, we've finally found a lead on where my sister might be. Do you know where the Goblin Lord resides?"
"Yes master." Azure suddenly stood straight. Her eyes were focused, and her expression was strict. "The Goblin Lord's castle is in the Underworld, the second half of the world Elder God Amaterasu sent you to after your death. It is currenly...after we leave the cavern...about twenty five miles to the west. In total if we go by carriage, it should take us about three to four days of travelling to get there." She stated.
Three to four days...that's a long ride...but it's something I'll be more than happy to do if there's a chance I'd find my sister. Christopher thought to himself. Once he heard what Azure said, despite the lengthy travel, he knew he had to do this. If it'd mean finding Roselina, Christopher was more than ready. Now, with a renewed hope, once they were finished in the cave, the duo set out on their journey.