Bennet couldn't believe how many goblins they have already fought against. They had been on the road for only an hour but they had already encountered the goblins four times. Each time, the caravan's defenders had skillfully held their positions, ensuring that no goblin could get anywhere near the cargo that they were protecting.
As they continued on their way, another wave of goblin attacks swept over them. Just like before, no one among them was hurt. They had grown confident, thinking that the goblins were no more than children wielding weapons, easily repelled by their team.
However, things took an unexpected turn as another wave of goblins descended upon them. This time, something was different. These goblins were much stronger and faster compared to the previous ones. Their movements were coordinated, their attacks more calculated, and their crude weapons wielded with surprising skill.
They quickly realized they were facing a different breed of goblin, one that posed a real threat. The battle that ensued was fiercer and more challenging than any of their previous encounters. The goblins fought relentlessly, showing no signs of backing down. It became evident that they were determined to break through the defenses and reach the cargo being safeguarded by the team.
Bennet, Hugo, and the other young members of the group found themselves thrust into the heart of the chaos. They did their best to follow the lead of the experienced warriors, but the situation grew increasingly dire. The goblins seemed bent on breaking their ranks and reaching the cargo.
Bennet observed as the seasoned warriors employed a range of tactics to fend off the goblin onslaught. Two engaged the goblins head-on, clashing swords and axes in close combat. The other two provided ranged support, their arrows finding their marks with deadly accuracy.
The caravan's leader, Captain Igor, exhibited tremendous leadership during the ordeal. He barked orders and ensured the group maintained a cohesive front, preventing the goblins from exploiting any weaknesses in their formation.
Hugo wielded his weapon with surprising dexterity, his youthful strength and determination driving him to hold his own against the goblin attackers. Meanwhile, Bennet focused on defending his position, carefully timing his strikes to avoid leaving himself vulnerable to counterattacks.
The goblins showed no signs of retreat, despite the casualties they suffered. It became apparent that these goblins were not simply common raiders but a more organized and dangerous force.
As Bennet parried a goblin's strike, he couldn't help but wonder where these formidable foes had come from. Were they a new breed of goblin? Had something changed in the goblin territory that had emboldened them and made them stronger?
The battle had reached a critical point when, in the midst of the chaos, the goblins launched a coordinated assault on the left flank. Bennet and Hugo found themselves fighting side by side, they'll watch each other's back no matter what.
Captain Igor shouted orders to reinforce the left flank and prevent it from collapsing. The defenders responded swiftly, tightening their formation and pushing back against the goblin onslaught.
Hugo swung his weapon with remarkable force, delivering powerful blows to the goblins who dared to approach him. Bennet focused on defense, using his skills to deflect incoming attacks and provide cover for his fellow warriors.
During the intense battle, a group of orc-like creatures emerged from the forest's edge. With astonishing precision, they threw their crude lassos, capturing two young warriors who were left at the right flank as everyone else was at the left flank.
The two captured warriors struggled helplessly as they were dragged toward the scary-looking creatures.
Captain Igor, who had displayed unwavering composure throughout the battle, suddenly found himself overwhelmed by panic. He leaped from his horse and rushed toward the captured warriors, his voice filled with desperation as he followed them into the deep forest.
"Their objective is not the caravan, they were aiming to kidnap humans!" Bennet shouted to Hugo.
This realization hit him like a thunderbolt. Without hesitation, he sprinted after Captain Igor determined to aid in the rescue effort.
Hugo, seeing his brother's swift response, didn't need any further prompting. He followed closely behind Bennet.
The seven other warriors, unaware of what had happened remained busy fighting, they had no idea that their captain and four others were not with them.
Bennet and Hugo had ventured deep into the forest, their steps guided only by the faint noises they had been hearing. The dense trees and underbrush had swallowed them, making it hard to discern their direction. Minutes turned into anxious uncertainty as they pressed on, navigating the wilderness without a clear sense of where they were headed.
Just as their frustration began to mount, they heard the distant sounds grow louder, spurring them onward. They exchanged determined glances and pressed forward, determined to uncover the source of the noise.
Emerging from a thick underbrush, they found themselves on the edge of a small clearing and they were about to exit but it was then that they felt something suddenly grab them from behind. Startled, they barely had time to react before their mouths were covered.
Turning their heads, they saw the familiar face of Captain Igor. His eyes were wide with urgency, and his fingers pressed firmly against their lips to silence them. He pointed cautiously toward the thick bush, his voice a mere whisper as he explained their startling discovery—the goblin base.
The two kidnapped warriors were bound and surrounded by the creatures, who hissed and gnashed their teeth. It was a gruesome sight.
They observed the goblin base from their concealed vantage point, they couldn't help but notice that the orc-looking creatures were not true orcs as they had initially thought. Instead, they appeared to be an unusual breed of giant goblins. These towering goblins stood nearly as tall as average humans, a new discovery.
"Here's the plan, I will move to the other side and then I'll attack them head-on" Captain Igor said.
He intended to lure the giant goblins away by drawing their attention to the opposite side of the forest. It relied on the creatures' simplistic nature, and their predictable behavior.
"That's dangerous, captain. How can you handle them alone?" Bennet asked, his worry evident.
"Don't worry, I can manage. I'm a captain for a reason," Captain Igor replied, his tone carrying the weight of his experience and leadership.
The plan went ahead and as soon as they saw the goblins running to the other side where the Captain was, Bennet and Hugo moved silently through the dense forest. Each step was calculated, each strike precise as they eliminated the goblins they encountered along the way. Bennet, in particular, demonstrated remarkable skill in dispatching their enemies without a sound thanks to his ability, "haste".
They reached the bound warriors, who had been cruelly bound to a tree. Swiftly, Hugo's blade cut through the ropes, setting them free. The two warriors expressed their gratitude, their faces filled with a mixture of relief and gratitude.
Their focus was so concentrated on freeing their comrades that they didn't notice the looming threat behind them—a massive goblin, towering like a mountain, poised to strike. The giant goblin's stone-like club struck Bennet, he flew at least eight feet from where he was originally standing.
Seeing his brother under attack, Hugo's emotions ignited into a berserk. With a lion-like roar, he unleashed a fury of attack upon the giant goblin, with the noise that Hugo made, other giant goblins went towards them but they were cut like paper by the raging Hugo.
"Hugo, I'm okay!" Bennet shouted, his quick reflexes saved him from a deadly blow.
He shouted his newfound skill "enhance" which enveloped him in an aura of protective armor, deflecting the powerful attack but without it, he could have been severely injured if not killed.
The goblins who saw what happened to the giant goblins started running away so the four young warriors decided to join Captain Igor's position and assisted him in repelling the goblin attackers.
As the goblins realized that their attacks were futile, panic spread through their ranks like wildfire. Some attempted to flee, but their retreat was met with swift justice from the warriors. With each swing of their weapons, the goblins were driven back further and further into the forest.
The creatures, guided only by their primitive instincts, ultimately decided that it was in their best interest to retreat. They scattered into the thick underbrush, vanishing into the shadows of the forest. The goblins knew they were no match for the coordinated might of these warriors.
Captain Igor lowered his sword, his chest heaving with exertion. Bennet and Hugo exchanged a triumphant look, and the two rescued warriors, although weary from the ordeal, wore grateful smiles on their faces.
"We defended our comrades and protected the caravan. Well done, everyone." smiled Captain Igor.
Bennet was glad that their captain was a capable guy, he genuinely cared for his comrades.
The group took a moment to catch their breath, their hearts still pounding from the intense battle. They knew that while this skirmish had ended in their favor, they would need to remain vigilant throughout the remainder of their journey. The goblins might return, or other threats could emerge in the wilds of the forest.
The five warriors exited the thick forest and went back to the road but the caravan was no longer there. They decided to travel on foot in hopes that the others safely travel to the border where the veteran warriors were stationed.