Marktavious Nicholson
"You are overextending yourself, Mikangleo! Close quarters only. It'd be a waste to use your skills against such small fry."
As my words hit his ear, Mikangleo halted his previous actions. The goblins' numbers were far superior to ours, and I believe even more began pouring out of the forest. This situation is untenable and we will quickly become overran. While they aren't powerful, it seems that we are in a classic problem.
"I was once asked by Q how many 8-year-olds would it take to defeat me. I said 25, and that was a high ball." I remarked, blocking a goblin's strike with my spear.
I twirled the shaft, slamming the goblin in its chest before snapping around to block another goblin's attack on Claire's blindside. She jumped as my action startled her, but my words seemed to confuse her.
"How is this relevant to the situation?" She asked as she kicked her opponent away.
I will give Claire credit as she is more competent with that sword than I anticipated. I expected her to be hesitant to slay these goblins, but she's been cleaving through them like a thousand-degree knife through butter. She moved with elegance and determination with each of her moves adhering to my suggestion from early. No matter what she did, Claire always returned to my side and for that, she's been blessed by my assistance.
Mikangleo on the other hand was struggling. He was a long-range fighter after all dealing with overwhelming numbers. At first, he was throwing his knives, but he soon realized the futility of that action. There were too many of them, and he seemed only keen on throwing his knives whenever he could bounce them off of something. Other than that, he avoided the strikes of the goblins like they were the plague.
He deserves some props considering how nimble Mikangleo turned out to be. He flipped and dashed slashing many of the goblins with his knives as he passed them. His movements were less refined and mostly used his speed to overwhelm small patches of the goblins. However, his momentum was quickly stifled by the sheer quantity of the goblin fighters.
Once he realized Claire was sticking to my side, Mikangleo was more than ready to join her. Ever since then, I have done most of the work.
"We have more pressing matters than reminiscing about the past," Mikangelo responded, his eyes sharpening at the encircling creatures.
I ignored their dismissive remarks and continued my story.
"I said 25 since a single 8-years-old child couldn't possibly take me down, and even if they teamed up with another, I couldn't possibly lose. Then I thought about it... ten children would be formidable. They aren't stronger than me, and less athletic, however, my stamina becomes an issue. Double their forces, and I begin to take damage more often and soon, my stamina will be drained, and I will be defeated. Defeated by mere children."
"So these goblins are mere children to you?" Claire inquired as she looked at me.
"Then shouldn't we hurry and retreat if you fear that your stamina would be depleted?"
"That should be obvious, but here he is, remaining on the frontlines. Your wasting motion with all of those twirls with your spear." Mikangleo scolded.
"You're both not getting it. That story no longer applies to me, but it does apply to both of you." I responded.
From the looks of things, both Claire and Mikangleo would soon be drained of their stamina. All of their evading, dashing, and slashing in a futile attempt to break through the encirclement had them bleeding energy. Now in, Mikangleo's case, he had begun to accrue damage from the weaker goblins. No single goblin in front of us could defeat us alone, but that is why they roll deep.
"You're pointing out the obvious, and you're wasting time by doing it! You said you could get us out of this situation, yet more of these goblins have surrounded us. I did not envision my end to be this way!" Mikangleo snapped.
Mikangleo had strayed the furthest at one point and had ignored my suggestion to stay close. Whether out of pride or whatever reason, either way, he had been cut a few times by the goblins. His desperation would be notable as his eyes darted around like a cornered animal. I would imagine doubt would begin to cloud Claire's mind as well, but she didn't voice it. Once she realized her mistake, she was quick to correct it and we were fighting together.
"Calm down, and actually open your eyes. Pay attention to their movements, and you can tell that these goblins are not your usual brand." I said.
"I thought I was mistaken," Claire said, which earned our attention.
"What do you mean?" Mikangleo asked.
"These goblins seem more skilled than usual. They are employing tactics albeit simple ones, but they are proving to be more cunning. Look around us, and you will notice that there are openings for us to exploit, which you and I attempted. I found it odd that Mark didn't do so, but you've known from the beginning haven't you?"
The woman's gaze hardened as she swung her and slashed through two approaching goblins. I followed her lead, bashing two more with the shaft of my spear and forcing them into the crowd. Mikangleo hesitated for a moment, which allowed a goblin to leap toward him, but he was fortunate to be rescued. The decorative head of Catalyst reached out and parried the creature's blow before catching it into its side.
Upon being knocked out of the air, the goblin slammed onto the ground into a roll. He grabbed its side and let out a howl of pain. Many of its allies stepped forward and protected it with their blades and bodies.
"These lot have been properly trained. They move as an army and not a mob like you two may be used to. It may appear obvious who is in command, but I guarantee you that the hobgoblin is a stand-in. The real commander is not present on the field! At least...not currently"
Mikangleo flinched at my words, and Claire's eyes flickered with understanding. The two allies remained vigilant as the goblins began slowly dropping back.
"What's this? Are they backing down?" Mikangleo asked.
As I opened my mouth to respond, the sound of Fawk's voice blasted in my head with urgency, "Old man! Head's up!"
My eyes widened as a rush of pain blasted through my head. My fingertips began to spark a green aura, and I felt my left eye began to burn. It pulsated with power as Fawkes frantically called me by my name.
'The hell is...happening!'
Claire detected my distress and quickly caught me when I began to collapse to my knee.
"What's wrong? Are you-"
She didn't get an answer. My senses kicked into overdrive as the hairs on my tail shot on end. Everything was so overwhelming, and the shouting fox in my head didn't help in the slightest. As I grappled with the feeling of recovery, I located the source of my distress. I wrapped my arm around Claire's waist, and my tail quickly latched to Mikanleo's waist. The two individuals let out sounds of shock as I stepped forward and leaped to the canopies. As soon as we were airborne, a wave of fire eradicated the position that were in. We must have been in the air for what seemed like several minutes.
Destruction was left in its wake, and once I landed on the treetops, I found its origin. Further down the road were two members of the Silver Stars. That pompous, deal-making Svett and his blonde companion Wakley. Around them was a circle of freshly burned corpses of the goblins.
'Shut up, damn it!'
My voice boomed through our shared connection, snapping the young fox's mouth closed instantly. I wish I could see the bastard right now! I'll put his ass straight to Jumpiter for all of the yelling he's done in my head!
"Flame Horizon." Claire declared as my mind settled. "Also, you can let me go now..."
I looked at the woman and noticed that our bodies were pressed too tightly for professional allies. However, I haven't released her or Mikangleo yet. We were standing atop a tree. My boots thumped as I landed back on the road. It was odd, considering that I just realized how far from the wagon we managed to get. I could have sworn that we stayed close to it, yet...here it is.
Once we were safely on the ground, I released Claire, who seemed straight-faced more than usual. Mikangleo seemed more shocked than anything as he glanced around at the mass of burned goblins. Surprised to see us, Svett stared in bewilderment as we essentially fell for the heavens to be where we were.
"Ah! You three managed to make it!" Svett declared as he helped Wakley stand.
"We did, and I'm glad that the two of you managed to hold out," Claire said. Her gaze shifted around us out of caution while she sheathed her sword.
"Things were tough, but it looks like we finally forced the slimy bastards to retreat. Now we must regroup with the others, and find their settlement." Svett said.
It was clear to me that this fire attack that leveled the field was the blonde mage's doing rather than his leader's. Wakley was pale, and sweat raced down his temples. Whatever attack he unleashed that devesated the goblins took a lot out of the man. Rightfully, so if you were to ask me. As I glanced around the area, the stench of burning timber filled my nostrils.
My mind raced as I began to process just what transpired in this situation. That is when it donned on me. I looked at Wakley, and then to Svett. I noticed that the wagon we rode in on was untouched by the maw of the flames.
"About that. Those flames were reckless and I can understand the desperation, but we nearly were caught in them." I said, which caused the smirk on Svett's face to dissipate. "That makes me wonder whether it was a tactical blunder or a purposeful attack on us."
Claire perked up when I said that and her mind raced with her thoughts. She turned to me, and then to the Silver Stars. That was when I knew she was on the same wavelength as I was. I was cautious about the Silver Stars since our first meeting, and once I learned that Talio was connected with the group, then my suspicions intensified.
"What? Are you suggesting that we were trying to kill you? No- That wasn't the case at all!" Wakely declared.
However, while Wakley vehemently denied the accusation, Svett narrowed his eyes before puffing out his chest. He was drenched with bravado as if my accusation were nothing to concern him.
"We had our backs against the wall. These goblins were more formidable than we anticipated. Our allies are separated from us, and yet, you blame us for attempting to assist all of us? It was Wakley's magic that forced them to retreat, meanwhile, the three of you barely contributed!" Svett yelled. Wakley was stunned to hear Svett's tone. It was aggressive and unlike his usual arrogant one.
"Barely contributed? We managed to neutralize several goblins despite our disadvantageous position! Should I remind you that it was your decision to make camp here? It wasn't ours," Claire retorted.
Her aggressive tone caught me off guard, and her eyes were like daggers aimed at the Silver Stars.
"Your pet's decision to challenge our command allowed the goblins to initiate their ambush!" Svett declared, swiping his arm toward us.
His movement caused Wakley to stumble slightly, but they were quick to assist each other. Seeing the two men stumbled caused me to chuckle at their misfortune. My reaction frustrated them, but I had no interest in preserving their feelings. I also wasn't keen on being deemed Clarice's pet, but it wasn't an insult heavy enough to drag a volatile reaction out of me.
"Of course, I would, and your decision to incinerate us alongside the goblins only proved my doubts. If not for me, you would have killed Mikangleo and Clarice, but I think you were hoping for that, Svett."
Svett's normal confident expression hardened, and the leader of the Silver Stars looked to his teammate. His silence was not a denial, but he didn't strike me as the type to care for denying. He seemed more of the self-assured sort, a sort that believed that he was in the right no matter the situation. While Svett was stuck in his ways, Wakley seemed more apologetic than his leader.
A pained expression warped his pale features as he spoke, "You seem more arrogant than necessary, and while I don't blame you for assuming that our actions were intentional, I assure you that I only did that to ensure our survival. My spell was aimed solely at the goblins and was not meant to attack my fellow adventurer. I am elated that the three of you could avoid it, but I must remind you that we are not your enemy. More goblins attacked us than we anticipated, so I remind you that we do not have the luxury of bumping heads."
His words were believable, I can admit that. However, that does not mean I should take the man at his word. I know for a fact that Talio and Svett made a deal, and while Wakley may have wiped them out with his flames, it could have easily been us lying with the goblins' charred remains. That alone is enough to warrant skepticism about his behavior. As Clarice and the Silver Stars engaged in a back and forth in conversation something else drew my attention.
My ears flickered around and unease created a pit in my stomach. There was something amiss, and I wished I realized it sooner.