It's a bright, sunny day. I'm out in the forest walking with my father and Touma.
"We're going a lot further than usual aren't we?" I ask sheepishly.
"Yes, we are, Isamu." Father responds.
"Yaawwwn, this sure beats sitting in a classroom." Touma says casually.
Father laughs heartily "I bet it does, but be sure to stay on guard, Touma."
"Yes sir... You said this isn't just the usual patrol right, father?"
"Correct. A friend of mine, who lives outside the city walls, informed me of some goblin tracks he spotted in the forest near his land."
"I see." Touma responds.
"He didn't want them killing his livestock, but he didn't have enough silver coins to fill out an official request at the guild, so I offered to take care of the problem for him."
"Goblins aren't usually in this area; are they running low on food?" Touma asks.
"It's definitely a possibility. If so, those footprints belong to the goblin tribe's scouts." Father suggests.
"So we just have to find them and kill them before they attempt to kill any livestock?"
"Yes."
"You must have a lot of faith in us."
"Of course I do, I wouldn't have brought you if I didn't."
...
They both have such serious expressions and completely believe in themselves...
I just hope there aren't too many of them.
...
3 hours later.
We started patrolling in the morning. The sun was now high in the sky, and we haven't come across a single goblin.
"We've been walking back and forth searching for quite a while now, father." Touma droned.
"I am aware, Touma." Father responds.
"If yesterday's storm didn't wash away their tracks we could've located and killed them already." Father starts thinking out loud.
"We could just go walking into the forest but we won't know where exactly they could be, we could wait til dusk when they decide to attack, but we'll be at a disadvantage in the dark."
(We've been searching for hours. Since we haven't seen any trace of goblins, we'll probably go back.) I let out a sigh of relief.
After muttering to himself, father spoke "Alright, from here we will split up!"
"What?!" I burst out.
"Oh, that sounds interesting." Touma chimes in.
"Isamu, you will remain here." "Wait-"
"Touma, you will go down approximately 2 miles North" "Alright."
"And because I can cover a larger area, I will go 4 miles South. Then we will travel East through the forest."
"Wait!" I yell to get his attention.
They both look at me with confusion.
"Are you sure this is wise?" I ask.
"We can cover the majority of the entire forest like this." Father explains.
"And what if we run into them?"
"Don't worry." He reaches into his pouch "Take these." He hands me and Touma a magic crystal.
"What are these for?" I ask.
"Just wait. Touma, do me a favor and pour some magic into the crystal."
"Okay."
When Touma pours his magic into the crystal all three crystals illuminate a bright Red light.
"Now Isamu pour some into yours."
I pour my magic into it and they all emit a Blue light.
"These crystals are linked and they have a homing signal so we will be led to whoever lights their crystal. We will use these to announce when one of us finds the goblins."
Father continues, "If you come across them, stay at a distance, and we will regroup."
"Got it." Touma says.
How can Touma be gungho for an idea like this?
Father noticed the troubled look on my face. "What's wrong, Isamu?"
"Well, I'm not too sure about this, that's all. Touma and I are only kids and you're suggesting we split up?"
"Relax, Isamu. Goblins are only C-rank monsters, and I'm not asking you to fight them alone. Remember what I said; If you see them get back and activate the crystal. Touma and I will be there."
I stood looking at the crystal in my hand for a few seconds, still unsure about this plan.
"You know what..." He reaches into his pouch once more. "Take this crystal."
"And what's this crystal for?"
"This will create a barrier once activated by your mana."
"I see."
"Do you want one, Touma?"
"No, I'm fine."
I clench the crystal in my hand.
"Ok, father. I'll trust you."
Father smiles with confidence.
"Ok then, Let's head out, Touma."
"Right."
They simultaneously take off in opposite directions, leaving me here.
"I'm still feeling nervous, but let's go."
I stuff the crystals into my pack and start walking.
...
Half an hour later.
"The forest feels so much quieter without anyone else."
Once I started getting deeper into the forest I held out my sword to have a sense of security.
This is my first time hunting for goblins, and it's the same for Touma. We've only ever hunted the monsters that only focused on killing livestock and smaller animals, but goblins are vicious monsters that kill whatever moves.
I wasn't planning on tagging along for this hunt, because those types of monsters scare me.
But after Touma said he would be joining father, I didn't want to be left out... And I figured since I would be hunting with Father, it would be fine.
But now here I am... Alone.
I let out a depressing sigh.
The sound of bushes rustling quickly captured my attention.
"What's that?"
Just a few feet from me a bush was moving; with my sword shakily drawn, I moved in to investigate.
"Is it... a..."
The bush began rustling just slightly more intensely.
I prepared myself to swing my sword.
Until a small creature leaped out and startled me, causing me to fall over.
A cute little rodent with big ears started jumping around in circles.
"What the??"
It tilts its head and squeaks at me.
"Oh, it's just a Lapin."
It was curious and stuck around to investigate me.
Still feeling a little petrified, I sat in the dirt trying to catch my breath.
"Damn it... Why am I so lame!?" I punch the ground in frustration.
The sudden outburst startled the Lapin, causing it to scurry back into the bushes.
...
"Sorry little guy."
I stand up, pick up my sword and start walking again.
"I wish I wasn't such a coward. Touma is younger than me, but he's still braver than I am and he's already beginning to pass me."
Frustration and anger built up as I clenched my sword. "I can't stay like this... But..."
My grip loosens "It just feels like no matter what I do, I can't seem to keep up with my brothers."
"They keep moving forward, while I am stuck where I am."
"I don't want to give up my dream of becoming someone strong... but maybe, it's time that I-"
I'm cut off by the low-sounding growl in the distance. I quickly dropped to a low crouch.
"What's that?" I say in a low whisper.
I slowly make my way to the noise.
"Is it the goblins?" I move in closer with my sword drawn and I reach into my pack with my free hand "I better get my crystal ready."
The growls got louder as I got closer, and a disgusting smell began to fill the air.
Jeez! Did the goblins already kill something... I need to confirm if it's the goblins. They must be right behind these bushes.
...
My blood ran cold at the scene that lay before my eyes.
This is...
A troop of dead mutilated goblins lay on the ground lifeless in the forest opening. Among the corpses, a single black tiger-looking beast the size of a horse stood eating the goblins.
That's- there's no way. W- What's a beast doing this close to Aria??
The beast continued to tear the body apart like paper, creating a sound disgusting enough to make you gag.
The sight and the sound made my stomach queasy and I held my mouth shut to keep myself from throwing up.
Panic started setting in and sweat began pouring down my face.
"I- I have to get out of here," I whisper.
I'll activate the crystal, then- "Gasp!"
As soon as I turned around, a lifeless goblin corpse that I missed before, sat in front of me.
Startled by the sight, I fell back and grazed the bushes with my back.
Nearly about to throw up I let out a gag that I wasn't ready to cover.
I was frozen solid trying not to puke or make a sound.
The beast started slowly walking this way and snarling.
The sounds of the bones on the ground snapping sent chills down my spine.
Until Its shadow slowly loomed above the bushes over me.
Looking up, I only see the silhouette of the beast.
...
"Water cannon!"
Without thinking too much I cast a water spell directly into its face and darted back into the forest.
The beast shook the water off and let out a blood-curdling roar, quickly following behind me.
I sprinted as fast as I can through the forest, while the distant sound of running got closer.
I was fast, but the beast quickly closed the distance.
I need to signal father and Touma.
I looked at my hand that was holding the crystal.
Empty...
Where...
I realized that I had dropped it when I was startled by the dead goblin.
"Damn it!"
With nothing else to do, I kept running as the beast tore down a path through the bushes toward me.
What do I do??
I kept running and turning around to cast another spell to keep the beast at a distance.
...
After continuous barrages of water spells, I couldn't see the beast anymore.
Did I lose-
"Gah!"
Getting tripped up by an aerial tree root, I quickly went to get back up but fell back to the ground in pain.
I cradled my foot for a brief moment "Damn it, I think I sprained my ankle!"
Not wanting to die, I desperately limped until I fell and dragged myself along the ground, Until...
The low growling sound became known once more and vibrated through the forest.
I stopped in my tracks and looked up. The menacing beast slowly walked out from the shade.
I reached into my pack and grabbed the other crystal.
Now up close and in the light, I can see this beast clearly.
blood dripped from its sharp fangs as it started licking its chops.
Fierce red eyes that made my heart drop just from looking at them.
Black fur that was soaked in blood and small gashes that were inflicted by the goblins.
...
My mind was overcome with fear at the sight of this monster.
My heart beat faster with every step it took, and my breathing became more frantic.
I was completely frozen, unable to make any kind of movement.
Now face to face with this monster, I could feel it breathing on me.
It let out another bone-chilling snarl directly into my face.
The barrier crystal was in my hand but I couldn't think straight and use my mana properly to activate it.
I tried to lift my sword to swing but I could barely lift it off the ground, my strength was completely gone...
But it was still enough to give the beast a small scare.
Just feeling a bit startled and with a single swing, the beast sent me tumbling along the ground into a tree with blood spurting out of my mouth from the impact.
I wanted to stand back up, but I couldn't move my body anymore.
My arm... I can't feel it.
I looked down, and deep gashes from its claws were found on my chest.
I sat against the tree; broken, without a sword, barrier crystal, or help; and now bleeding out from my head and the rest of my body.
I slowly lift my head to look back at the beast
It stood a few yards away and stared at me.
Snarl!
"Please..."
Tears were starting to pour down my face.
"I don't want to die."
The beast started slowly walking toward me.
"Not like this."
I was slowly beginning to lose consciousness.
"I want to go home..."
The beast began walking toward me again.
With every step closer, my senses continued to fade.
"Please..."
My vision was becoming blurry.
The sound of the footsteps and the snarling were becoming faint.
"Mother..."
My eyelids were getting heavier.
"Father..."
I can feel the dreadful breathing on my face.
"Touma..."
Save me...
...
With only the sound of heavy breathing, the sharp sound of a sword cuts through the air, and the beast lets out a loud roar.
My hearing is now almost completely gone, but the faint sounds kept me awake.
...
I open my eyes once more with the little strength I have.
Its eye... It's bleeding
My vision was still a little blurry but I could tell the beast was frantically looking around for whatever attacked it.
...
Is someone... Here?
Just then, flying through the air, the silhouette of a kid flies into view toward the beast.
...
He flies over it, attacking it again and landing with a strong thud.
...
"...Tou...ma..."
...
"Good, you're alive. Stay still and keep your breathing steady, Isamu." He says as he tosses a glowing red crystal toward me.
"Father will be here shortly."
...
"Thank you... Touma..."
...
My eyes were starting to get heavy again.
"...Thank... You..."
It's getting so dark...
The pain is disappearing...
Am I...
...