"UM, EXCUSE ME. Are you King by chance?"
Standing before them is a boy, twelve or perhaps thirteen years old.
"I am. And who might you be?"
"My name is Saitou, and I'm here to ask for your help."
"Saitou. Saitou. Hmm…" King folds his arms, closes his eyes trying to recall the name. "Oh that Saitou from five years ago. You and your family saved my life."
"That's right." Saitou replied excitedly.
"Hey King, care to fill us in?" Asked Ryo.
"Five years ago I was attacked by True Believers. I managed to kill them all, but the battle nearly did me in. When I came to, I was in a bed, with this kid staring at me with his big green eyes.
Anyways his mother and older sisters helped nurse me back to health, and when I was well enough to travel I left."
King then turns to Saitou and asks.
"How are your mother and sisters doing these days?"
Tears begin running down the boy's cheeks. "They were taken… by goblins."
Saitou goes on to explain that the shared carriage he and his family were riding in got ambushed by goblins. Try as they might, the men were killed, and the women taken.
"I escaped thanks to my mother, and managed to make it here. But with no money I can't hire anyone to help me."
"How long ago did this happen?" Asked Izumi.
"It's been four days."
"Hate to break it to you kid, but without money we have no reason to help you. We're mercenaries after all." States Angel.
"Who the hell said you're a part of our group Angel?" Demands King.
"Who says I'm not?"
"Angel. King. That's enough. I'll make the decision on who is or isn't one of us."
As Ryo steps past them he catches King sticking out his tongue at Angel, who in turn flips him the middle finger.
"Saitou, look…"
"I didn't come here asking for your guys help. I came for King's help, because of this."
Saitou digs into his pants pocket, and pulls out a black coin with a crimson moon engraved on it.
"That's…" King takes the coin from Saitou. "Alright Saitou I'll help you."
"Hold on King." Said Ryo. "Explain this coin to me."
"It's a Debt Coin."
"Debt Coin? What hell does that mean?"
"It's something Cosmo started doing way back when he formed Crimson Moon. By giving someone this coin you owe them a debt that must be paid in full no matter what. Unless of course it's something illegal. We may be mercenaries, but we do have morals. So before I left Saitou's house I gave his mother this coin."
Izumi steps up beside King and asks. "Are you sure it's your coin and not a fake?"
"It's mine. See here Iz… oh um never mind. Hey Ryo, look here. This side as you can see has the crimson moon and on the flip side is my picture."
"Um King that looks nothing like you."
"Oh come on, that's clearly my head engraved on it. Angel, Emmy, what do you think?"
"I think you're a jackass, and I don't care."
"Remind me to kick your ass later Angel."
Emmy takes the coin, studies it, then says. "If you believe it's yours then it's yours."
"Yes it's mine." King said, taking back the coin. "Sorry Ryo, I need to honor this boy's request. So I won't be going back with you right away."
"That's odd. I don't recall saying we wouldn't help you out."
King is at a loss for words.
"Alright guys, looks like we're going goblin hunting." Announces Ryo. "Saitou, can you show us where you were attacked?"
"Yes."
"Thank you, Ryo." King says with a bow and a smile.
****
"Tell me were my wife and daughters are you fucking monster!" Shouts a man.
"I. Don't. Know. How many times must I tell you ignorant fucking humans this? Protests the demi-human.
"STOP FUCKING LYING!!!" Bellows the man; the veins in his head visible, rage getting the better of him as he punches the demi-human. Two other men have to hold him back.
"If you don't know where his family is, do you know where mine is?" Asked a woman having pushed her way into the center of the circle.
The demi-human doesn't answer. Just stares daggers at them all. As more and more people shout questions that it can't answer.
"I say we have this thing drawn and quartered. If it doesn't talk before we give the order to pull then who cares. One less creature of their kind in this world." Suggests a man.
"What is wrong with you people!"
This sudden shout scares everyone into silence.
"Just because someone's a different species from you. You think it's acceptable to just kill them? I will not stand for your prejudiced bullshit."
The mob of people part as King and company make their way to the center, where the demi-human is currently on its knees, its massive reddish-brown frame chained in place.
"Who the hell are you to tell us what to do?" Demanded the man who was set on having the demi-human drawn and quartered.
"I'm the one who's gonna take your fucking head if don't mind your tone." Threatens King, drawing his kukris.
Izumi places a hand on King's back. "Calm down King."
"Fine. But he keeps his trap shut." King points one of the kukris at the man.
"Who's in charge here?" Asked Izumi.
The man that King threatened raises his hand.
"Of course you're in charge." Comments King not hiding his disgust.
"Um I'm actually not in charge. The village head is one of the missing women that this bastard's kin abducted from here."
"Can you prove it?" Asked Ryo.
"Just look at it. It's a hobgoblin. It's what they do. They steal, murder, and rape without a care beyond themselves."
"That's not what I asked you. I want you to show me the proof that this hobgoblin is responsible."
"That's what we were trying to do. We asked it to tell us where the missing people are. But it just keeps saying it doesn't know anything."
"It spoke to you. As in the language of man?"
"You seemed surprised, Angel. What's up?"
"Hang on Ryo, I want to check something."
Angel walks over to the chained up hobgoblin. "My name is Angel. What's yours?"
The hobgoblin stares at Angel. Time ticks by for what feels like forever before it answers her.
"Igz. My name is Igz."
"Why do you put up with this treatment? You could have escaped and been long gone by now."
"Can't. Not until I kill all the goblins that are here."
"In that case, join us." Offers Angel, holding out her hand.
Igz stares at the hand offered to him. "Fine. I'll join you guys."
Igz begins to stand. Straining against the chains, until one by one the weakest links begin breaking. Angel steps back watching as Igz shrugs off the remaining chains. Now fully up right Igz is only wearing a fur loincloth.
"Welcome to the team." Angel again offers her hand. Which Igz accepts.
"Angel, care to explain?" Asked Ryo.
"I'll let Igz explain it."
"As you all know, goblinoids only care about themselves. Even among their own kind they would kill one another if it benefited themselves. Goblinoids are ruled by the Chaotic Evil Alignment."
"What's the Chaotic Evil Alignment?" Asked Emmy.
"Chaotic Evil Alignment is a group that values power without control, and unrestrained selfishness. They act in accordance with their own greed, hatred, and lust. Whether out for themselves, or dedicated to a cause that spreads evil and chaos wherever they go. They're ruthless and brutal in their execution.
"There are those however who've broken free from the hold the alignment had on them albeit rarely happens."
"You broke free from them?" Asked Ryo.
"I did. And by doing so I'm always gonna be targeted. Not just by my own kind, but by anyone who's a part of the alignment. Forever hunted down until I'm killed."
"Good to know. Welcome to Crimson Moon." Now Ryo is extending his hand.
"There's one more thing you should know about me."
"What's that, Igz."
"I still on occasion will get the 'urge' to do what comes naturally to me as a hobgoblin."
"How have you controlled it so far?"
"I frequent brothels when I have the money, and if I don't have money, all my gear is enchanted to help curb my urges."
"Where's your gear at now?"
"Ask them." Igz said, pointing a finger at the mob of people.
"Your gear is at the head woman's house. Come, I'll take you there."
"What's your name? Asked King.
"It's Gram."
****
Everyone is gathered in the head woman's kitchen. Listening to Gram as he explains the current goblin situation.
"That's everything we know thus far."
"So to summarize: twenty women are missing, the number of goblins is unknown, and as far as you know they're all hold up in a cave just outside the village. Does that sound about right?"
"Yes, Izumi. It does." Replied Gram.
"Alright thanks Gram. We'll take it from here. Let's go, everyone." Said Ryo, as he stands to leave.
"It's about time. Let's go."
"You're staying here Saitou."
"What?! Like hell I am. I'm coming with you King."
"Yes you are. I'm not gonna explain to your mother that you died at the hands of goblins."
"Then promise me you'll bring them back safely."
"Sorry Saitou, I can't make that promise."
"Huh? Why not?"
"Because your mother and sisters could be dead already." Angel bluntly states.
No one says anything after Angel's comment. The minutes tick away before Saitou speaks up.
"Then bring me back something to bury. I'll be waiting in the square where we found Igz.
"We'll do what we can." King said.
With that said everyone heads out. When they're about half-way there Izumi asks a question.
"Hey Igz, what class are you?"
"I'm a C ranked Summoner."
"What kind of summons do you have?"
"You'll just have to wait and see." Igz responds with a grin.
(Character Bio.)
Name: Igz, Age: ?, Species: Hobgoblin, Gender: Male.
Job: Killing Goblins, Class: Summoner, Subclasses: Swordsman, Tamer, Rank: C.
Description: 192 cm, 91 kg, Well-defined Physique.
Appearance: Dark Grey Hair, Orange Eyes, Reddish-Brown Skin.
Gear: Black Fur Loincloth, Brown Fur Bracers, Leather Back Harness with Twin Scabbard, Black Fur Boots W/ White Fur Accents, Travel Pack.
Weapon: Short Swords.
The group finally makes it to the cave entrance.
"Let's wait to go in."
"Is the little dragon brat scared of goblins?" Taunts King.
"No kitten, I'm not scared. I'm just hungry."
"Actually I'm getting hungry myself." Said Emmy. "I think it's lunch time."
"Alright everyone let's take a break; have a light lunch, check our gear, and then we'll head in. Sound good?"
Everyone agrees with Ryo's decision. Thirty minutes later they head into the cave. They carefully pick their way through the winding path, killing the occasional goblin they come across. This goes on for an hour before the path forks.
"Now what?" Asked Igz, who was on point. Seeing how he can see in the dark.
"I'm open to ideas."
"In that case Ryo, leave it to me."
"Show me what you got, Igz."
"Heed my call and come forth: Carnivorous Hare."
When the light fades away, a brown hare with red eyes is sitting there.
"Go down the path to the right." Orders Igz.
The hare takes off down the right path.
"Sensory Link." Igz closes eyes, making it easier on himself when linked with his summons.
"See anything?" Asked Ryo.
"Nothing of significance yet. Not even a goblin… hold on I see something. Fuck… thats…"
Igz breaks the link with his summon.
"What is it? What did you see?"
"It was a woman, lying naked on her back, her legs spread, and… and I watched as a goblin baby ripped its way out of her vagina."