The Goblin King lifted her weapon into the air and stared down at her opponent.
"It's over, little elf," she said.
...
...
...
Valor was on the forest floor, struggling to get on his feet after being humbled by the Goblin King and his mind rendered empty of what actions to take next.
Was all hope finally lost for the elves?
Valor was still writhing in pain but that was not even the strongest emotion he felt right now.
It was disappointment. Disappointment in himself.
The elf detested himself and his inability against the goblin. He was greatly dissatisfied with himself.
He could not lift the hopes of the elves that rested on his shoulders.
Tears rolled down from the corner of his eyes onto the grass and pebble-laden ground of the forest.
In a last-ditch effort to save his people and redeem himself from the self-imposed shame of defeat, Valor whispered a prayer to the ancient spirits of the forest, seeking their protection.
Jogund glared down at his defeated foe with a disgusted look.
"What are you mumbling down there, my little elf?"
Suddenly, the forest around them came alive with a vibrant energy, as if responding to his plea.
A cascade of vines and roots shot up from the ground, rising to heights taller than even the Goblin King who was six feet tall.
The vines and roots wrapped around Jogund's legs and immobilised her. Stunned, she struggled to break free, but the grip was unyielding.
"It's true indeed. You elves have better control over nature than even us goblins."
Jogund giggled with excitement at the thought of Valor pouring everything he had into the attack.
Valor mustered the last of his strength and drew upon the forest's power. His eyes glowed with an intense white light as he released a powerful energy wave.
The force generated from the energy wave threw Jogund backwards. Her glowing club flew from her grasp, landed on the ground and lost its greenish gleam afterwards, returning to the mere metal it was originally.
The roots and vines curled up around her legs, hands and torso to bind her in one place.
...
...
...
The Goblin King was defenceless, even in her horned form, against Valor's new magic.
The elf burned his life force to attain such a level of control over his mana and that of the forest surrounding.
At that moment, a sense of exhaustion washed over Valor, his body drained from the fierce battle. If he had used this arcane magic sooner, the battle may have ended in his victory, but at what cost?
It was too risky a spell to cast early in a battle with doubt clouding one's mind.
Even now, the future was looking bleak for Valor.
His heart throbbed loudly in quick succession and slowed down again. Valor collapsed to his knees, unable to stand any longer.
Jogund, now free from the restrictions of nature, retrieved her metal club, an infuriated expression crossing her face.
Her horn burned brighter and her metal club started to shimmer once more. She oozed mana that was visible and possibly, tangible too.
As she raised her club once more, a low rumbling filled the air. It was her mana crackling through the atmosphere like thunder on a rainy day.
Valor, still on his knees and doubtful, glanced at Jogund, hoping to find mercy in her eyes. But all he saw was unyielding determination.
With one swift swing of her glowing bludgeon, Jogund struck the weakened elf, sending him unconscious.
As the dust settled, Jogund stood victorious, breathing heavily but triumphant. She spared Valor one last glance as a sign of her respect for a truly worthy foe.
And so, Valor was defeated.
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...
Jogund, her green skin gleaming in the dim light, stood over the fallen elf, Valor.
He was battered and his chest heaved with ragged breaths.
Despite the circumstances, Jogund could not help but admire the elf's prowess in battle.
She laughed but her laughter masked a subtle feeling of pain that tried to break out.
"You fought well, Valor the Valiant," she rasped, her voice carrying a strange mix of admiration and sorrow.
"Your skill with the blade is... impressive."
Valor managed a weak smile, his lips stained red from the gash across his cheek.
"I may have underestimated you," he panted, his voice barely a whisper.
"You goblins... are tougher than I thought."
Jogund's eyes gleamed with an odd mixture of amusement and respect.
She nodded and smiled.
"Aye, we may be small, but we've got spirit. And a few tricks up our sleeves."
She glanced around at the aftermath of their battle — the scorched earth, the fallen trees, the echoes of magic that still shimmered in the air.
"You made quite the mess, my little elf. I'm surprised nature answered your call after this havoc you wreaked.."
Valor coughed, a weak chuckle escaping his lips.
"It seems... we both did, didn't we?"
Valor laid with his back to the ground and the Goblin King bent herself to sit by his side.
He coughed up blood and took a long breath to calm himself.
His expression softened afterwards as he regarded the Goblin King.
"You remind me... that enemies can find... common ground," he murmured.
Jogund nodded.
"Aye, my little elf. We're all bound by the threads of fate, woven into this tapestry of dispute."
She gestured toward the battlefield. "But now, your thread is reaching its end."
"It seems so," Valor breathed.
Valor's gaze shifted to the sky, the clouds above daubed in orange as the sun began to dip below the horizon.
Evening was nigh.
"It's a beautiful sunset," the elf whispered.
"Aye, it is," Jogund agreed.
The Goblin King's voice sounded surprisingly gentle, enough to arouse suspicion.
But what suspicion could it possibly arouse in a dying elf?
Jogund continued. "In its fleeting brilliance, it reminds us of the impermanence of life."
Valor's breathing grew shallower and weaker, his strength waning further.
"Tell me, Jogund... What will you... do after this?"
These two had found companionship in battle after pushing each other to the peak of their strengths.
As Jogund thought about the elf's question, she realised that she truly had no answer to it.
What would she do next?
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...
...
Jogund's eyebrows furrowed as she considered his question, looking to the sky.
"Continue fighting, I suppose. There's always another battle on the horizon, another challenge to overcome. Another town to take, another village to conquer."
She looked at Valor, her expression softening.
"But I'll remember you, my little elf. Valor, the warrior who faced death with dignity. Valor the Valiant, I will tell your tale."
A faint smile tugged at Valor's lips. "Remember... me, but don't... mourn. Death is just... another journey."
Jogund watched as Valor's eyes began to glaze over, his breaths becoming shallower and more irregular.
She reached out and gently closed his eyes, a sign of respect for a fallen foe.
"May your journey be peaceful, Valor. And may the spirit accept your valiant soul," she whispered.
"You have my deepest respect, Valor the Valiant."
Her voice carried a touch of sadness for the demise of a foe.