The underground tunnel stretched before them, dark and ominous, its walls devoid of the usual goblin markings. This absence of graffiti only hinted at a possibility—the group was exploring a territory recently claimed by these cunning creatures.
As they ventured deeper into the heart of the labyrinthine cave system, an eerie silence hung in the air, broken only by the echoing footsteps of the party. The suffocating darkness was punctuated by the faint glow of Leo's flames.
Suddenly, without warning, the stillness was shattered. A raucous, guttural voice echoed through the passages, and the unmistakable scent of unwashed bodies filled the air. Emerging from the shadows, a horde of goblins ambushed the party, their sharp-toothed grins revealing their malicious intent.
Bennet, leading the charge, raised his halberd, ready to strike down the oncoming threat. Hugo and Leo, following closely, readied their defenses, Hugo's massive shield ready to deflect any incoming attacks while Leo summoned flickering flames to illuminate the area where the impending battle would happen.
Zaira and Lucio, from the Shadow Viper Guild, swiftly took their positions, weapons drawn. Zaira's rapier gleamed in the dim light, while Lucio, moving with the grace of a shadow, prepared to strike.
The goblins, though numerous, were no match for the coordinated and battle-hardened team. As the first wave lunged forward with crude weapons and angry snarls as if they were protecting something inside.
Bennet, using his dual blades, expertly blocked the attacks of two goblins at once, his agility evident as he forced them backward. Hugo's shield absorbed the brunt of the blows aimed at him, his towering figure a formidable bulwark against the goblins' assaults. Leo's black flames leaped from his hands, scorching the goblins as they lunged forward.
Zaira and Lucio weaved through the chaos, striking swiftly and lethally, their blades finding their mark with precision. Zaira's rapier darted like a serpent, while Lucio's sword danced in the air, dispatching goblins with deadly efficiency.
ne by one, the goblins fell, their crude weapons no match for the warriors' mastery of combat. The tunnels echoed with the goblins' desperate cries as they were overwhelmed by the onslaught.
In the end, silence once again enveloped the cave, the only sounds were the labored breathing of the victorious team. As they stood amidst the fallen goblins, their weapons and bodies bloodied but unbowed.
Their adrenaline still coursed through their veins when suddenly, from the shadowed recesses of the cave, a voice pierced the stillness—a voice filled with fear and desperation.
Bennet, his dual blades at the ready, took a step forward. "Who's there?" he called out.
The voice quivered, and the response came hesitantly, "I... I'm here, but I'm afraid to show myself."
Bennet, his eyes scanning the darkness, attempted to reassure the unseen speaker. "Don't be afraid. We're here to help. Show yourself."
Slowly, from the shroud of darkness, something emerged. The group stared in astonishment at the figure that stepped hesitantly into the dim light. It was a boy, appearing to be their age, with unkempt hair and tattered clothes. But what drew their collective gasp was the color of his skin—a shade of greenish-brown, akin to the goblins they had just defeated.
The boy's eyes were wide with fear, and tears glistened in their unusual, green-hued irises. He trembled as he spoke, his voice soft and filled with apprehension. "P-please... don't hurt me. I don't want to fight."
Lucio, his eyes narrowed, suspicion clouding his features, shouted, "It's a trick! Don't trust him!" With that, he lunged forward, weapon at the ready.
The goblin boy, unable to react in time, let out a terrified cry. But before Lucio's blades could strike, Bennet stepped between them, parrying Lucio's attack with his dual blades. The clash of steel against steel resonated through the cave as Bennet defended the creature.
"Stop!" Bennet's voice was firm, commanding their attention. "He's just a boy. Look at him. He's scared and defenseless. We can't harm him."
Zaira and Hugo shared concerned glances but remained silent, their weapons lowered. Leo, too, seemed hesitant to attack. The goblin boy, still trembling, looked at Bennet with a mixture of gratitude and hope.
Lucio, though reluctant, finally lowered his daggers, his suspicion giving way to uncertainty. "What are you doing, Goblins are treacherous creatures."
The goblin boy, his tears now mingling with a glimmer of hope, cautiously walked towards them, allowing himself to be pulled into the faint light. As he stepped fully into view, the group could see the boy's features more clearly—his greenish-brown skin, pointed ears, and a set of pointy teeth that resembled those of the goblins they had encountered.
But it was his eyes that revealed a spark of humanity, a depth of emotion that transcended his appearance. He looked at them, his gaze pleading, and spoke in a voice trembling with vulnerability. "My name is Tharin. Please, spare me."
The group exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity. Zaira was the first to voice their collective astonishment. "Tharin? That's quite an unusual name for a goblin."
"I didn't choose it. My mother named me, a human name she said. She told me it meant 'courageous warrior.' I suppose she had high hopes." Tharin said.
Bennet listened attentively, intrigued by Tharin's story. "Your mother? So, you're not a full-blooded goblin?"
Tharin nodded. "That's right. My mother is human. She... she was captured and I'm the result of it."
Hugo, always one to seek answers, asked, "But why are you here among these goblins? What happened?"
Tharin took a deep breath before continuing his tale. "When I was born, I was cast out by my fellow goblins. So I lived on the outskirts of the human territories, hidden away."
"Then, about weeks ago, a group of goblins found my home," Tharin recounted, his voice trembling with the painful memories. "They saw what I looked like—human-like—and they decided to take me in, thinking I could help them infiltrate human settlements. They promised to spare me if I cooperated."
Zaira's expression softened as she listened to Tharin's harrowing story. "That's a terrible choice for anyone to have to make."
Tharin nodded, his eyes welling up with tears once more. "It was. I want to live, my mother told me that I am a memento that she once lived in this world, I want to protect that."
"How can we so easily accept someone with evil roots just like Leo? His father is a criminal," Lucio argued, his voice tinged with suspicion.
"Lucio, that's a cruel thing to say. You can't judge Leo for the actions of his father. We've all heard Tharin's story, and it's clear that prejudice and discrimination only lead to more suffering." Hugo said who was really angry.
Leo, who had been standing quietly amidst the heated exchange, felt a pang of hurt at Lucio's words. He walked over to Tharin's side, showing solidarity with the goblin boy. His voice trembled with emotion as he spoke, "I stand with Tharin because I know firsthand that the sins of the father should not be passed down to the child. We should give him a chance, just as you all have done for me."
Bennet, the voice of reason among them, stepped forward, his gaze steady as he addressed them. "Lucio, we've always believed in giving people a second chance. It's what our guild stands for. We won't be hasty in our judgment."
Lucio, still harboring doubts, reluctantly conceded, "Fine, I'll follow for now, but only because Bennet is my leader by chain of command."
They all knew that bringing Tharin to the city would likely result in dire consequences for the goblin boy. It was a death sentence, and they couldn't bear to see him suffer that fate.
Bennet took charge of the situation, his voice steady as he addressed the group, "We should keep Tharin's presence here confidential for the time being. We'll need to get an answer from the guild master before we make any decisions."
Leo, Hugo, and Zaira nodded in agreement. Turning to Tharin, Bennet spoke softly, "Tharin, for now, it's best if you stay hidden here. We'll do our best to find a way to help you."
Tharin, though anxious about the uncertainty of his situation, appreciated their support. "Thank you all. I'll stay hidden, and I hope to repay your kindness someday."
After returning to the city, the group promptly reported the successful completion of their extermination mission to the guild. However, Bennet knew that the matter concerning Tharin needed immediate attention. He made his way to the guildhouse to explain the situation to Eliador, their guild master.
As he spoke, Bennet noticed a flash of concern in Eliador's eyes, a reaction he hadn't expected. Eliador's response was more severe than he could have anticipated. The guild master's initial statement was chilling: he suggested that the goblin boy, Tharin, should be put to death, labeling him as an "abnormality" in their world.
Bennet couldn't remain silent in the face of such a grim proposal. He challenged Eliador's judgment, arguing that there must be some way to protect Tharin. He implored Eliador to find an alternative solution rather than resorting to violence.
However, Eliador's response remained resolute. He explained that as a guild master, he had a duty to report incidents accurately, and in this case, the situation had already escalated beyond their control. Eliador believed that there was nothing he could do at this point. He added that he would be obligated to report the matter to the higher government authorities the following day due to the lateness of the hour.
Yet, amidst the seemingly critical situation, Bennet discerned a clue in Eliador's words. The guild master had said, "It will be reported tomorrow," indicating that there was a window of time before the matter would be officially documented. Eliador was granting Bennet an opportunity to act before the higher government could step in and potentially seal Tharin's fate.
"I understand, nothing I can do then," Bennet said before leaving in a hurry.
He knew that time was of the essence, and he couldn't face this challenge alone. He needed the unwavering support of his friends: Hugo and Leo. At the moment, he can't expect Zaira and Lucio to extend their help given that they are from a different guild.
Returning to his comrades, Bennet conveyed the gravity of the situation. He explained the consequences that Tharin might face if they didn't act swiftly to protect him. The group shared a mutual determination to shield Tharin from harm, regardless of the obstacles they might encounter.
Their plan was straightforward. They would return to the cave where they had encountered Tharin and escort him to a safer location, far from the prying eyes of the city and the jurisdiction of the guild.
As they embarked on their journey back into the heart of the cave, each step was fraught with tension. Hours stretched, their footsteps echoing through the subterranean passages.
As they reached the cave's entrance, a wave of apprehension washed over them. What if he already run away?
Bennet led the way, the faint echoes of dripping water and distant cave sounds filled the air. When they reached the spot where they had left Tharin, they were relieved to find him patiently waiting.
"Tharin," Bennet whispered, "we're here."
Tharin turned to face them, and despite the darkness shrouding his face, his eyes betrayed a mix of fear and hope. In silence, they handed him the robe they had brought. He took it, his fingers trembling slightly as he draped it over his body.
The robe, with its deep hood, concealed his goblin-like features entirely, rendering him nearly unrecognizable. As they looked at Tharin, they realized that he was just like any other boy their age, fearful and uncertain of the world around him.
With Tharin now disguised, they ventured away from the cave. Their destination lay to the south, where their mother Martha owned a warehouse.
After a brisk walk through the city's dimly lit streets, they reached the warehouse. The large, weathered building stood like a silent sentinel against the backdrop of the night. Bennet fumbled for the keys, his hands slightly trembling from the tension of the moment. Once the door was unlocked, they ushered Tharin inside.
The room, tucked away within the warehouse's expansive interior, now, it would become Tharin's refuge. A modest bed, provisions, and essentials had been prepared in advance, ensuring that he would be able to live in peace and comfort.
Tharin stepped inside the room, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. He felt a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Bennet, Hugo, and Leo exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. Tharin's life depended on their ability to keep him hidden and safe. They knew they couldn't reveal his existence to the outside world, not until they found a more permanent solution.
"Tharin," Bennet said with determination, "you can stay here for now. We'll bring you food and supplies. You're not alone in this."
Tharin sat on the modest bed in the dimly lit room, feeling a profound sense of gratitude wash over him. For the first time in his young life, he wouldn't have to resort to stealing to survive. The room provided a sanctuary from the cruel outside world that had shunned him for his goblin-like appearance.
With a deep sigh, he removed the hooded robe that had concealed his features. His skin, a shade of green similar to that of the goblins, was a constant reminder of the difficult path he will walk. Tharin knew he was different, but he couldn't control the circumstances of his birth.
As he gazed around the room, he noticed the provisions and essentials thoughtfully laid out for him. A simple table held some food and clean water, and there was a small washbasin for his personal use. It was more than he had ever hoped for.
Tharin's thoughts turned to the three young warriors who had shown him kindness and compassion. Bennet, Hugo, and Leo had risked their own safety to offer him shelter and acceptance. He couldn't help but wonder why they had chosen to help him when the world had turned its back on him.
Tharin made a silent vow to himself. He would repay their kindness by proving that he was more than his appearance. He would seize this opportunity to grow, to learn, and to show that he could be a valuable friend to them.
In the days that followed, Tharin's life took a new direction. He dedicated himself to learning from his new friends, especially Leo, whose nature-based mystical arts intrigued him. Tharin discovered that he had a natural affinity for manipulating wind, a talent that Leo was more than willing to help him hone.
As he practiced controlling the currents and gusts, Tharin couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging he had never experienced before. With every breeze under his command, he grew more confident in his abilities and more grateful for the friends who had given him a chance.
Bennet felt the weight of responsibility settles firmly on his shoulders. It wasn't just about becoming stronger for himself or for his brother Hugo any more. Now, he had two more reasons to push his limits – Leo and Tharin, both victims of the cruel hand fate had dealt them.