The next day, Koy awoke early, excitement bubbling within him. He had a chance—a chance to not just survive, but to thrive! As he stepped out of his makeshift cave, he was greeted by the morning light filtering through the trees, and he couldn't help but feel hopeful.
"Hey, Koy!" a voice called from behind him. It was a young goblin, barely a head taller than Koy, with wide eyes and a friendly grin. "I'm Miri. Can I help you?"
"Uh, sure!" Koy replied, surprised by the goblin's enthusiasm. "I was actually thinking of training. I need to get stronger, and—"
"Training?" Miri bounced on her toes. "I'm great at training! I can show you how to use that dagger."
Koy grinned, appreciating the support. "That would be awesome! Let's do it!"
As they practiced, Miri guided Koy through the basics of fighting. She demonstrated various stances and moves, her small frame surprisingly agile. "You have to feel the rhythm, Koy! Like dancing but with a knife!" she chirped.
"Dancing? With a dagger?" Koy laughed, trying to mimic her movements. "I've never thought of it that way."
Miri giggled. "It's fun! Just imagine you're fighting a giant bug!"
Koy swung the dagger, feeling more comfortable with it as he followed her lead. "A giant bug? Why would I fight a bug?"
"Because bugs are gross!" she exclaimed, demonstrating a swift jab. "And you'll want to be fast. Goblins are quick, remember?"
As they trained, Koy felt the weight of his worries lift. Miri's enthusiasm was infectious, and he found himself laughing and joking with her. "Okay, okay! I'll pretend the next bug I see is the size of a giant boulder!"
"Exactly!" Miri beamed. "Now let's practice some moves."
After hours of training, Koy collapsed on the ground, panting. "This is harder than I thought!"
Miri plopped down beside him, her cheeks flushed. "But you did great! You're already better than most level ones!"
Koy felt a surge of pride. "Really? You think so?"
"Definitely! You just need to keep practicing. And remember, it's not just about strength; it's about strategy." She paused, glancing at him. "Why do you want to be strong, Koy?"
Koy took a deep breath, the reality of his past flashing through his mind. "I want to be free," he said slowly. "I was trapped in my old life, struggling to make ends meet. Here, I have a chance to be something more. I want to rule—not just for power, but to make sure nobody feels trapped like I did."
Miri nodded, her eyes wide. "That's a great reason! Let's make sure you succeed!"