Callahan's POV
He held his babe in one hand, her tiny fingers wrapped around his, and with his other hand, he gently grasped his wife's delicate hand. They walked together through a vast wheat paddy, the golden stalks swaying in the gentle breeze. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the scene.
His wife's eyes sparkled with joy as she looked down at their daughter, a beautiful smile illuminating her face. The baby cooed and giggled, her innocence filling Callahan's heart with a profound love that he could never put into words.
As they strolled hand in hand, their steps leaving imprints on the soft earth, Callahan felt an overwhelming sense of peace and contentment. This idyllic moment, surrounded by nature's beauty and the love of his family, felt like a glimpse of heaven on earth.
The golden light enveloped them, wrapping them in its warm embrace. The wheat danced and whispered secrets, as if nature itself was rejoicing in their happiness. Callahan couldn't help but smile, his heart brimming with gratitude for this precious moment.
In that heaven-like scene, time stood still. It was just the three of them, cocooned in their own little world of love and tranquility. They walked further into the wheat paddy, the soft rustling of the stalks creating a soothing melody.
As they reached the end of the field, a breathtaking sunset painted the sky in a tapestry of vibrant colors. Shades of orange, pink, and purple mingled, creating a mesmerizing display. Callahan held his wife closer, their daughter cradled between them, as they watched the sun dip below the horizon.
However, just as the perfect life was reaching its most serene moment, a sudden disturbance shattered the tranquility. Callahan's heart skipped a beat as he saw a swirling portal materialize at the edge of the paddy field. Out of the portal emerged a horde of goblins, their grotesque features contorted into wicked grins. Cruel and funny, they were.
Before Callahan could react, the goblins lunged at him, their hands grabbing hold of his arms and legs. He fought against their grip, but their strength overwhelmed him. His wife grabbed his hands, desperate to pull him back but the goblins were stronger than her. With a feeling of helplessness, he was dragged towards the portal.
As he was being pulled through the portal, the dream dissolved into chaos.
"AAAARRRRGHHHHHH...Maaaaadddddddyyyyyyyyy..."Callahan screamed.
"Aah, bloody heavens. Can't you shut up? You're hurting my ears," a sweet, melodious sound but the words were rather crude. Callahan breathed hard and reached out to grab his heart but can't. "I can't feel my hands," he panicked again, searching for his hands. "My hands!" he screamed.
"You blabbering fool! Open your gorydamn eyes!" Again, melodious sounds but crude words.
Callahan's eyes shot open, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he took in his surroundings. He found himself tied to a stick, his limbs restrained and immobile. Panic coursed through his veins as he realized the gravity of the situation.
He shook his head, trying to free himself from the knot and he saw her next to him, a beautiful elven girl with flowing golden hair and piercing blue eyes was also tied up, her expression a mix of annoyance and irritation. Her voice had been the one that snapped him out of his panic-induced stupor.
"What... what's happening?" Callahan stammered, his voice shaky.
The elven girl let out an exasperated sigh, her delicate features twisting in frustration. "You've been screaming and thrashing about like a lunatic. We're in quite a predicament here, and your hysterics aren't helping matters."
Callahan blinked, trying to process the information. "Where are we? Who are you?"
The elven girl rolled her eyes. "My name is Lyra Hearthfield, and we've been captured by goblins. They're planning to... well, it's not something pleasant. We need to find a way to escape before it's too late."
Callahan's mind raced, his thoughts jumbled as he struggled to grasp the reality of the situation. Goblins, captivity, a dire fate looming over them... it all seemed like a twisted nightmare.
As he glanced around, his eyes fell on the flickering flames of a nearby fire pit. Opposite them sat a large and grotesque goblin, its menacing grin sending shivers down Callahan's spine. It was clear that their lives hung in the balance.
The large goblin was a hobgoblin, who ate and ate and ate until he become too obese to even stand up without help. Excessive skin fat covered his body like a protective layer, and his gut bulged outward like a round ball. His yellow eyes glittered with malicious intent as he observed the captives, a mixture of amusement on its face. Rather than green, the thing has a yellow color like the stains from a closet and Callahan can't help but remember that last part whenever he looks at it.
He took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling, inhaling and exhaling. The stick was buried in the ground and there were three knots on his body: One on the legs above the ankles, one on his upper arms, and the last one on his stomach, tying his wrists along with it. He could feel it, the knot on his wrist. He could touch it with his fingers. His lips curved upwards, thinking he can run away from him but the hobgoblin opposite to him felt he was being laughed at as Callahan was staring at him while thinking about the knot.
The large ugly beast growled, tilting his head and flawing his hands. Callahan could see the fat dangling about his arm. "Puckwudgies." He pointed at him. "Human laughing."
Though the poor officer could understand the words he didn't understand what the ugly goblin was implying but he could feel the eyes of 20 or so goblins on him and the girl's too.
He understood something was amiss as he saw one of the short goblins striding towards him. "He-hey buddy, what is it?" He stammered. "I was----bloody hell!!" He almost cried as the shorty planted his hand on the officer's stomach. His eyes shot wide open and he breathed heavily.
"Human. no. Laugh. Chief. Puckwudgies chief." He pointed at the ugly beast.
"Wh-" he breathed again. "What?"
Another fist, this time he saw it coming. The impact was less than last time but it still was an impact. "Chief. Laughing. No" The goblin pointed again.
Callahan raised his head, his tongue lolled out, and glanced at the chief. The ugly beast grinned again and this time he could see house flies around the beast. He was about to open his mouth to ask again when the elven girl interrupted him. "He's saying to not laugh at their chief Puckwudgies."