The full moon was low in the sky, casting moving shadows over the town of people, which had been calm just moments before. Through the cold night air, you could hear screams that would make your blood boil. Also, fierce flames jumped from one wooden roof to the next, lighting up the chaos below. They came to the town like a never-ending swarm of locusts because they were all hungry. Their wild eyes shone with desire for blood in the light of the fire. As scared women and children ran in all directions, they desperately looked for safety in the few houses that weren't already on fire.
"Go get them!" Skreth, the leader of the goblins, yelled, "Don't let anyone live!" His voice was scary and high. He told his cruel men to do what he said, and they did. As they chased their helpless prey through the dark, their dull blades cut through the air. Soon, blood started to pool on the dusty ground, making the tracks in the dirt a deep red color as the goblins were proud of their brutal win.
Behind a crooked oak tree on the dark edge of the town, young Wyrtt stood. As he watched his wild siblings hurt the weak humans, the young goblin's heart was beating very fast. As a member of his group, he had to help kill the man, even though he was sick to his stomach and couldn't move. It was getting harder for Wyrtt to stay strong with each scream of pain and beg for forgiveness.
Wyrtt got up the courage to look into a body of water. He was startled to see himself in the water. The green glow from his goggles made his eyes look like they were from another world and were cats. When he tried to smile, his tight face turned into a mean frown. He showed off his strong teeth. It made him look scared when he saw the monster looking back at him from the moving water.
Grogk, a skilled goblin fighter, yelled, "Oi, Wyrtt!" when he saw Wyrtt's hesitation from the town that was on fire. "Why do you hide behind that like a child who is upset?" "Get in there and fight, you worm!"
Wyrtt took a deep breath and clenched his hands together to try to block out the loud fight going on inside him. He looked around at the terrible destruction going on: the roaring flames and rising smoke, the stupid chaos, and the frightened faces of the peasants who were running away.
"Okay, Grogk! "I am going to!" In the end, he stuttered and slowly came out from behind the shadows. "I'll...I'll join in the fight."
"Thatta boy!" The moving light from the fire made Grogk grunt with pleasure and smile in a scary way to show off his sharp teeth. "Get in there and show 'em what you're made of!"
Wyrtt watched the fight from the edge of the battlefield with a nervous look on his face. It felt like the fight inside him was building up like a volcano about to erupt. It broke his heart to hear the sharp screams and desperate wails. He knew that following his tribe's violent ways was what they expected of him.
"Is mindless violence truly the life I want?" Though Wyrtt loved his group, he was torn inside because he wanted something much bigger. He didn't have time to think about that, though, because the whole village was on fire. At first, Wyrtt didn't want to pull out his gun and join the fight, but his hands were shaking.
Wyrtt's nose hurt from the smell of meat and wood on fire. He tried to stay away from all the trouble. Around him, steel was crashing into steel everywhere, and the smokey air was filled with screams and roars of pure despair. It used to be nice to be in a human town, but now it was a nightmare of death and damage that could not be stopped. When Wyrtt swung his sword, it was more out of habit than desire, but the weight of what he had done hit him like a wave of sadness.
"What's wrong with you, Wyrtt?" Are you fighting over there, or are you just daydreaming?" Grogk growled as he hit a farmer in the head with his battleaxe while he was trying to run away.
"I'm fighting!" When Wyrtt was trying to defend himself, he couldn't help but look at a young human girl who was crying horribly while cuddling up against the burned-out remains of her home. Wyrtt's heart was pounding hard and fast in his chest.
"Then start acting like it, you worthless maggot!" Grogk let out a mean growl and then ran off to find someone else to kill.
"Is this savage existence truly all I am meant for?" Wyrtt felt bad inside as the damage got worse. He deeply felt that this kind of violence was upsetting and had no reason to happen. He felt like his whole body was telling him not to, but he knew that his search for meaning and purpose went far beyond the abuse that was his life.
Even with all the fire and chaos going on around him, Wyrtt kept looking to the faraway human towns with their bright lights. I was always amazed by how smart their technology was and how difficult their society was. Also, they learned new things and got along with others. He really wanted to know what it was like to live without always being afraid of war and death.
"Oi, Wyrtt!" was a joke that another goblin named Krazz made fun of Wyrtt. It was clear that he wasn't paying attention to the fight. "You look like you'd rather be with those people over there!" "Traitor, you might want to join them!"
"Quiet yourself, Krazz!" Wyrtt hissed under his breath. His cheeks turned red from the shame and anger that were running through him. He was sure that the other goblins would never understand his goals and dreams or how much he cared about the people who were hurt by their violence. They thought choosing peace over war was the most dishonest thing you could think of.
But Wyrtt's inner battle got worse as he swung his sword. He wanted to escape the never-ending cycle of violence that had made him a slave more and more with each new life he took. He dreamed of a different life, one that was peaceful, had meaning, and linked him to real people. It burned inside him like a flashlight, pulling him in a different direction.
"Watch your back, you useless whelp!" When Grogk yelled out of the blue, Wyrtt woke up just in time to avoid a farmer who was badly hurt trying to fight back.
"Thanks, Grogk!" he yelled with happiness when it was almost over. He killed the man quickly and felt bad about it. But even as he did that, the fight inside him kept going and hurt him deeply.
As the chaos went on around him, Wyrtt wondered to himself if he would ever have the courage to stand up and change his fate. He had worry and just a little hope when he had to make that choice.
The goblin war camp turned into a scary, blood-red dusk as the sun went down behind the rocks. On the edge of the circle, Wyrtt stood alone and thought. He looked with sad eyes at the dim lights of the human town far away. Its warm, friendly light was very different from the cold, dark darkness that was all around him. He rubbed his cold hands together to get ready for the big decision he was about to make.
A rough voice barked from behind and broke the heavy silence: "Wyrtt!" He turned around just as the light went out and saw Grog's big shape coming toward him. It made a long, twisted shade on the rough ground. "What in blazes are you doing out here all alone?"
"Just...thinking," Wyrtt said, turning his attention from the quiet town lights to the goblins' campfires in front of them. As they sat around the fire, laughing, his family ate the food they had caught on their most recent raid. At the same time, seeing something familiar made him miss home and feel sick.
"Thinkin' about what?" It was clear from Grogk's rough face that he was worried about his friend.
Wyrtt wasn't sure. "About...our people. He finally said, "Our lives," but it hurt his throat so much that he had to chew very hard. "When people fight and kill, Grogk. "I can't take it any longer."
Grogk looked at Wyrtt and didn't say anything for a long time. It seemed like he wasn't certain what he was saying. "Please come again?" Wyrtt, I don't believe you. This is how we've always been! It's what keeps us going!"
Slowly shaking his head, Wyrtt said something that was hard to hear. "But does it have to be?"
Grogk scowled in surprise. "Are you crazy?" Of course it is! We don't know anything else!"
As he spoke, Wyrtt said, "Maybe there's more out there for us if we dare to look for it." He turned around and looked back at the town of people. He gave it some thought before moving on. "Oh no, I can't stay here any longer." Tomorrow, I'll ask my family to set me free from the clan.
Grogk's rough face was twisted in a way that showed he didn't believe what he was seeing and didn't respect it. "You stupid bug! What do you mean when you say that? They won't let you in! "Everyone will hate you!"
Wyrtt sighed deeply. He felt like his choice was a stone in his heart. "Yes, buddy. Still, I have to try. I can't live the way we do now."
Grogk was mad and didn't say anything for a long time. He finally spat, "Then go," and his face showed that he was very angry. "Lie to people like you." We won't welcome you back with open arms if you ever try to crawl back here.
When his friend scolded him so badly, Wyrtt felt bad inside. He didn't say anything as he watched Grogk run off into the night, casting dark shadows around him. It was stronger than any blade when their tie broke.
Once Wyrtt calmed down, he slowly turned to face the fire that was killing his family. After taking a big breath, he took a step toward them. He knew that the fight that was about to happen would make his whole life different. He was stuck on the dangerous but freeing road he had chosen.
As Wyrtt slowly walked up, the light laughter stopped right away. As he walked in, everyone carefully turned to meet him. They could feel the weight of his presence. It seemed like a long time ago that he said the words that would change his life and take him on a new, uncertain, but positive path.
"Mother, Father, we need to talk."