The flickering fire in the cabin cast long shadows across the walls as Chris, Kira, and Eroll sathuddled around a crude map spread over the wooden floor. Chris traced the rough lines with his finger, marking the route between the goblin camp and the village they had attacked.
"We're not ready to fight them yet." Chris's voice was low, frustration simmering beneath it. "But we have to get those villagers back. If we don't, they'll be enslaved—or worse."
Eroll leaned back on his hands, his curved sword resting beside him. "You're right. Going after the goblin king directly would be suicide." He pointed to the map. "Our best bet is to hit them where they're weakest—when they're spread out."
Kira, perched on the edge of the table, tilted her head thoughtfully. "They'll keep the prisoners heavily guarded. But if we strike fast, we might catch them off guard."
Chris stared at the map, his mind racing. "If we free the villagers, we can't just send them back to the ruins of the old village. It's too dangerous." He looked up, determination burning in his eyes. "We need to build something new. A settlement, far from here—something defensible. If we're going to stop these goblins, we need a base... and people to help us."
Eroll gave a sharp grin. "You're already thinking like a leader."
Chris ignored the flush of pride creeping up his neck. "If we build this place right, we'll have time to train, gather resources, and get strong enough to fight back."
Kira ruffled her feathers. "We can't just build a village out of thin air. We'll need supplies, food, and fighters."
"And magic," Chris added quietly, his mind drifting to the strange sensations stirring deep within him—the power he knew was there, but hadn't yet unlocked.
Eroll leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "If you're going to lead, you'll need to tap into that magic of yours. It'll take more than wings to survive what's coming."
Chris exhaled slowly. "I know. But I don't even know where to start."
Eroll crossed his arms. "Magic isn't just something that shows up. You have to reach for it—call it from the inside." He gave Chris a knowing look. "It's like embers waiting for a spark."
Kira nodded in agreement. "It's different for everyone, but usually, it starts with focus. You need to understand what the magic feels like—how it moves."
Chris leaned back, frustration bubbling to the surface. "That's the problem. I don't know what it feels like."
Eroll gave a small, mischievous grin. "Then we'll have to force it out."
Chris raised an eyebrow. "Force it out?"
Eroll stood up, cracking his knuckles. "Yeah. Magic reacts to instinct—especially in combat. If we push you hard enough, it'll surface."
Kira fluttered down from the table, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "That sounds risky."
Eroll shrugged, his grin widening. "What's life without a little risk?"
Eroll and Chris moved to a clearing just outside the village, the moonlight casting silver streaks across the forest floor. Kira perched on a low branch, watching closely.
"Alright, let's see what you've got." Eroll drew his sword with a smooth motion, the embers along its blade flickering in the night air. "No holding back. Your goal is to hit me. Use whatever instincts you've got."
Chris spread his wings, feeling the familiar weight tugging at his back. "What if the magic doesn't show up?"
Eroll's grin turned sharp. "Then you'll be eating dirt."
Without another word, Eroll lunged forward. Chris barely managed to dodge the first strike, his wings snapping open to give him a burst of speed. But Eroll was relentless, every move precise and calculated, forcing Chris to react faster than he could think.
The embers along Eroll's blade flared, heating the air around them. Chris gritted his teeth, trying to stay focused.
Then it happened—a flicker of power, deep within.
A strange, crackling sensation surged through Chris's body, like the hum of a distant storm. His wings pulsed, the air around them growing heavy. For the briefest moment, he felt something—raw energy, coiled and waiting.
He swung his arm instinctively—and a faint spark of black lightning crackled along his fingertips, vanishing just as quickly as it appeared.
Eroll leapt back, eyes wide with excitement. "There it is!"
Chris stood frozen, his heart pounding. "What... was that?"
Kira let out a delighted caw. "That's your magic, Chris! Black lightning."
Eroll sheathed his sword, his grin spreading from ear to ear. "I knew it. You've got power in you, kid. Now we just need to bring it out properly."
After the quick training session, they returned to the cabin, energized by the discovery. The fire crackled warmly as they sat back around the map.
Chris traced the path from the goblin camp to the ruins with his finger. "The prisoners are here. If we hit them hard and fast, we can free them and get out before they know what hit them."
Kira fluttered onto his shoulder. "We'll need to move carefully. If they catch us, it's over."
Eroll leaned over the map, tapping a point along the path. "We can set an ambush here—take out the guards before they even know we're coming."
Chris nodded, the pieces of the plan falling into place. "Once we have the villagers, we'll bring them to a new location. Somewhere defensible, far from the goblin king's reach."
Eroll gave a sly grin. "And that's how you start building a kingdom, huh?"
Chris smirked. "One step at a time."
Chris stared at the map, fingers tracing the crumbling edges. His eyes burned from lack of sleep, and every muscle in his body ached, but there was no time to rest. They had to figure this out.
"We're not ready to fight them head-on," Chris said, breaking the heavy silence. His jaw clenched in frustration. "If we try, we'll get slaughtered. But we can't leave the villagers either. We've gotta do something."
Kira fluttered down onto the table, her black feathers shimmering in the dim light of the cabin. "Agreed. We don't have to win a war—we just need to grab the prisoners and get out."
Eroll leaned back on his hands, the ever-present grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Fast in, fast out. Hit them before they know what's happening, and disappear before they can react." He jabbed a finger at the crude map. "We create a distraction, cause some chaos, and slip the villagers out while the goblins are scrambling."
Chris rubbed his temples, his wings shifting uncomfortably behind him. "Distraction… Yeah, but how? They've got too many guards, and they're not exactly stupid."
Eroll's grin widened. "I can take out a couple guards near the back entrance—quietly." He tapped the map again, pointing to a narrow path hidden behind the ruins. "It's not well-patrolled. That's where we'll sneak in. Once we're in position, that's when we hit them with the distraction."
Kira tilted her head. "What kind of distraction?"
Eroll glanced at Chris, the grin turning mischievous. "That's where you come in, feather boy."
Chris shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Eroll shrugged, looking way too pleased with himself. "That fancy lightning trick of yours? Yeah, that'll do just fine. Doesn't have to be perfect—just enough to scare the hell out of them."
Chris shifted uneasily. "I can't control it yet. What if it doesn't work?"
Kira gave him a reassuring nudge with her wing. "It'll work. Just think about what's at stake. The villagers need us, Chris."
Chris exhaled slowly, the weight of it all pressing down on him. "Alright. We sneak in, cause some chaos with the lightning, and use the distraction to get the prisoners out." He tapped a path on the map, the one leading toward the forest. "This is our escape route. If we move fast, we can get to the tree line before the goblins regroup."
"Perfect." Eroll slapped the hilt of his sword. "I'll handle the guards on the way in. Once you fire off that lightning, Kira and I will keep them busy while you grab the prisoners."
Chris nodded. "Once we're clear, we'll head for the forest. We'll need to move quick—if they catch us, it's over."
Kira fluffed her feathers, her eyes gleaming. "And when it's all done, we bring the villagers somewhere safe. Start fresh. Maybe even build something new."
Chris allowed himself a small smile. "Yeah. We can't leave them wandering. If we do this right, maybe we can start a new settlement. Something better."
Eroll leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Sounds like you're already thinking ahead. Good. A leader who can see the next step is one who survives."
Chris shot him a tired look. "Let's focus on surviving this step first."
The plan was set, but Chris knew better than to think it would go smoothly. Plans rarely did. Still, it was the best shot they had—and if that lightning showed up when he needed it, they might just pull this off.
He clenched his fists, feeling the spark of something dangerous lurking just beneath his skin. He'd make it work. He had to.
No more waiting. No more running. It was time to act.
The forest felt darker than usual as Chris and his allies moved silently along the narrow path, the moonlight struggling to break through the canopy above. Every step was a reminder of what was at stake—the villagers' lives, the risks they were taking, and the growing power Chris knew he wasn't ready to control.
Eroll led the way, his curved sword resting on his shoulder. He moved with the ease of someone who belonged to the shadows. Kira fluttered close to Chris, her feathers ruffling now and then as if sensing the tension.
"We're getting close," Eroll whispered, glancing back over his shoulder. "This is the last quiet stretch before we hit the ruins."
Chris gave a small nod, adjusting the strap of the pack slung over his shoulder. His wings felt heavier than usual, weighed down by nerves and doubt. The closer they got, the more his mind raced.
What if the lightning didn't come? What if it did—but he couldn't control it?
Kira seemed to catch the flicker of anxiety on his face. "Don't think too much," she whispered, hopping onto his shoulder for a moment. "Just focus on each step. We'll figure it out when the time comes."
Chris forced a small smile. "Easier said than done."
Eroll's voice broke through their quiet exchange. "You'll be fine. Nerves mean you care. That's good—it means you'll fight harder."
Chris shot him a look. "How do you always sound so calm?"
Eroll gave a shrug, the grin on his face just a little too smug. "Because it's fun messing with you."
Chris rolled his eyes but couldn't help smirking. The banter helped. A little.
The forest changed as they moved deeper—the trees thinned, and broken stones began to litter the path. Faint, crumbled remnants of old walls jutted from the ground, covered in moss and tangled roots.
Kira flew ahead, circling back with a low croak. "I see torchlight up ahead. It's the camp."
Eroll crouched low, motioning for Chris to do the same. "Alright. This is where we move slow." His eyes gleamed in the moonlight. "Follow me. No noise. If we get spotted, it's over before it even starts."
Chris's heart pounded in his chest as he crouched beside Eroll, trying to keep his wings tight against his back. Every sound—the crunch of leaves, the snap of a twig—made him tense. He could feel the weight of what they were about to do pressing down on him. There was no turning back now.
The ruins loomed just ahead, dark shapes against the night sky. Goblin patrols moved lazily between broken stone walls, their torches casting flickering light. Chris could make out the prisoners huddled in a makeshift pen, their faces pale and terrified.
"There." Kira pointed with her beak toward the edge of the camp. "That's the back entrance."
Eroll gave a sharp nod. "Alright. Here's how it goes—we get close, I'll take out the guards, and Chris... you hit them with everything you've got. Cause some confusion."
Chris swallowed, his fingers flexing nervously. He could feel the magic inside him, like a storm building just out of reach. He just had to tap into it—find that spark again.
Kira fluffed her feathers. "You've got this, Chris. Just breathe."
Chris exhaled slowly, nodding. "Let's do this."
Eroll slipped into the shadows like a ghost, his movements fluid and silent. Chris and Kira followed close behind, every step carefully placed to avoid making a sound. The air was thick with tension—one wrong move, and the whole camp would come down on them.
Ahead, two goblin guards stood near the back entrance, lazily leaning on their spears.
Eroll struck fast—his curved sword flashed in the moonlight, and the guards dropped without a sound.
He turned back, motioning for Chris and Kira to follow. "Alright. Your turn."
Chris stepped forward, his pulse pounding in his ears. He clenched his fists, trying to summon the lightning—that crackling, dangerous energy that had flickered to life before.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Come on... He gritted his teeth, focusing harder, feeling the pressure build inside him.
Then—there it was.
A spark.
It danced along his fingertips, wild and electric. The black lightning erupted, arcing through the night air.
It was chaotic—raw power, untamed and unstable—but it was enough. The bolts struck a nearby torch, sending it flying into a pile of crates. The wood caught fire instantly, spreading through the camp.
The goblins yelled in confusion, scrambling to figure out what was happening. Shadows danced wildly in the torchlight as tents ignited one by one.
Eroll's grin was sharp and wicked. "That'll do, feather boy. Let's move."
Chris stood there for a moment, the adrenaline still surging through him. He'd done it—the magic had come when he needed it. It wasn't perfect, but it worked. He could feel it now, the potential waiting to be unlocked.
Kira swooped down, her beak glowing with embers. She set more tents alight, adding to the chaos.
"Chris!" she shouted. "The prisoners!"
Chris snapped out of it, his wings snapping open as he sprinted toward the pen. Eroll was already at the gate, slicing through the lock with his sword.
"Everyone, move!" Eroll barked, waving the frightened villagers toward the escape path. "Stick together! Stay quiet!"
Chris ushered them along, his heart racing. The goblin shouts were growing louder—more patrols were closing in.
"Come on!" Chris hissed, guiding the last few villagers through the gap in the ruins.
Kira flew overhead, keeping watch. "We've got company!" she called, spotting goblins converging from the far side of the camp.
Eroll cursed under his breath. "We're almost there. Move!"
Chris's wings beat frantically, giving him a burst of speed as he herded the villagers into the forest. Behind them, the camp was in chaos—firelight flickered through the trees, and goblin voices shouted in confusion.
They reached the safety of the woods, the dense trees swallowing them up. Chris collapsed against a tree, panting hard. His wings felt like lead, and every muscle in his body screamed in protest.
Kira landed beside him, her feathers ruffled but intact. "We did it," she said, a note of disbelief in her voice.
Eroll grinned, clapping Chris on the back. "Told you it would work."
Chris managed a tired smile. The lightning had come through when they needed it. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough.
Now came the hard part.