The forest clearing lay deathly still, the quiet broken only by Kieth's steady breaths and the low growls of his enemies. Standing a few yards away were the Goblin King and his companion, the Windcaller Mage. The King, a hulking creature nearly twice Kieth's height, clutched a massive club in one hand, while the Mage's grip tightened around a twisted staff that seemed to pulse with energy. The staff itself appeared to breathe, wisps of wind coiling around it, and Kieth could sense the power contained within.
He studied them both. The King's physical strength was evident in his every movement, each step of his heavy, clawed feet cracking the earth below. His face was a mask of rage, tusks protruding from his wide, snarling mouth. The Mage, on the other hand, was smaller and wiry, his frame cloaked in tattered, dark robes that hinted at his role as both a spellcaster and a schemer. His eyes were sharp, almost calculating, contrasting with the King's brutish intensity. He looked more focused, his attention fixed on Kieth with an expression that betrayed a keen intellect.
As Kieth took stock of his surroundings, the Goblin Mage raised the Windcaller Staff, and with a low, guttural chant, a rush of wind filled the clearing, whipping the leaves into a frenzy. Kieth felt the air pressure shift, the breeze swirling around him with increasing force. He steadied himself, crouching low, gripping the dagger at his side.
The Mage moved first, casting a hand forward and launching a blade of air toward him. Kieth barely had time to react, instinctively ducking as the wind blade shot over his head, slicing cleanly through a branch behind him. He straightened, eyes narrowed, realizing the precision of the Mage's attack.
"Alright, let's see what you're made of," Kieth muttered under his breath, his mind already working through possible strategies. He knew he'd have to rely on his speed and resourcefulness if he wanted to get out of this alive.
Without hesitation, Kieth grabbed a rock from the ground and hurled it at the Mage, hoping to break his concentration. As expected, the Mage sidestepped, his attention momentarily diverted. Kieth took the opportunity to rush forward, using his agility to close the distance between them.
Before he could reach the Mage, however, the Goblin King charged. Kieth barely dodged in time as the King swung his club down with a thunderous crash. The ground trembled beneath the force of the blow, and Kieth felt the shock wave through his bones.
He rolled to the side, coming up on one knee, his gaze darting between his two foes. He noted the King's lumbering movements; powerful but slow. That would be his advantage. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small wooden spike he'd carved earlier, burying it halfway into the earth, camouflaged among the fallen leaves.
The Goblin King, oblivious to the trap, let out a bellowing roar and charged again. Kieth waited, timing it perfectly, and then jumped aside just as the King's foot landed on the spike. There was a sickening crunch, and the King howled in pain, staggering back as blood seeped from his injured foot. Kieth wasted no time, lunging forward and slicing his dagger across the King's thigh, leaving a deep, jagged wound.
The King's roar of pain echoed through the clearing, and for a moment, Kieth felt a glimmer of satisfaction. But it was short-lived. The Mage, seeing his ally wounded, gripped the Windcaller Staff tighter, his eyes flashing with fury. He began a chant, the words foreign and guttural, and Kieth felt the wind shift again, sharper and more focused.
Suddenly, a vortex of wind swirled around the Mage, sending tendrils of air toward Kieth. He struggled to stay on his feet, the gusts pulling at him, threatening to unbalance him. Thinking quickly, he dropped to a crouch, one hand pressed against the ground, using his weight to anchor himself.
But the Mage wasn't done. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a barrage of wind blades flying toward Kieth. He dodged left and right, his reflexes honed, but one of the blades caught him on the arm, slicing through his sleeve and leaving a thin line of red.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Kieth repositioned himself, using a nearby tree as cover. The wind blades tore into the tree, splintering bark and wood. He peered around the trunk, planning his next move. The Mage was formidable, his control over the wind both precise and deadly. But Kieth had already noticed that the Mage's attacks took a moment to charge, and in that brief pause, he saw his opening.
Kieth reached into his sling bag, his hand brushing against a small stone he had sharpened earlier. He hurled it at the Mage, aiming for the staff. The stone struck true, hitting the base of the Windcaller Staff and causing the Mage to stumble. The swirling winds around him faltered, giving Kieth the chance he needed.
He sprinted forward, closing the distance between them, but the Goblin King, enraged and bleeding, was already upon him. The King swung his club wildly, the sheer force of the attack sending shockwaves through the ground. Kieth dodged the swings, weaving in and out, until he was close enough to the King to land another strike.
He slashed at the King's arm, drawing blood, but the King seemed almost unfazed, his eyes now glowing with a red, feral light. Kieth realized with a jolt that the King was entering a berserk stage, his movements growing faster and more erratic.
"Damn," Kieth muttered, retreating as the King advanced, his club smashing into the ground with a force that left small craters. Kieth knew he had to be careful; a single hit from that club could end him.
The Goblin Mage, recovering from the stone's impact, began to chant again, this time channeling even more power into the Windcaller Staff. Kieth felt the air grow heavy, and a sudden gale swept through the clearing, threatening to lift him off his feet.
With the King in a berserk rage and the Mage growing stronger, Kieth knew he was running out of options. He needed to separate them somehow, to deal with each one individually. As the Mage unleashed another wind blade, Kieth dodged, angling himself so that the attack hit the Goblin King instead. The King roared in surprise as the blade tore across his side, momentarily breaking his focus.
Seizing the opportunity, Kieth darted toward the Mage, his remaining dagger flashing in his hand. The Mage raised the staff defensively, but Kieth struck low, aiming for the Mage's leg. The blade sliced through, and the Mage cried out, his concentration shattered. The winds died down, leaving the clearing eerily silent.
But the King, in his berserk fury, charged again, his club raised high. Kieth barely managed to dodge, the club slamming into the ground where he'd been standing a moment before. He scrambled back, his mind racing.
Kieth could feel the fatigue setting in, his movements slower, his breaths labored. He knew he couldn't keep this up much longer. The Goblin King, bleeding but undeterred, advanced with murderous intent, while the Goblin Mage, though wounded, clutched the staff with renewed determination.
As the two foes closed in on him, Kieth realized that he would need every ounce of his cunning and skill to survive this battle. He readied himself, gripping his dagger tightly, knowing that this fight was far from over
Kieth found himself in a precarious position. The Goblin King, now back on his feet, bared his teeth in a fierce snarl. The Goblin Mage, still clutching the Windcaller Staff, was attempting to gather his wind-based magic once more. Kieth had no time to lose; he needed a strategy, and fast.
Taking a step back to reassess, Kieth glanced at the surroundings. The clearing was littered with debris, and the remnants of their battle had created a chaotic landscape that could work to his advantage. He recalled his training and the importance of using the environment. "If I can divide their focus, I have a chance," he thought.
"Let's see how tough you really are!"Kieth shouted, trying to provoke the King. He took a calculated step closer, gripping his daggers tightly. The Goblin King charged forward, driven by rage, while the Mage began chanting again, gathering the winds.
Kieth's heart raced. He knew the wind was a powerful ally for the Mage, but it could also be a disadvantage if he could disrupt it. As the King barreled toward him, Kieth sidestepped, using the momentum against him. The King stumbled, allowing Kieth a brief moment to assess his next move.
"Now!"Kieth thought, throwing one of his daggers at the Goblin Mage. The dagger sliced through the air, narrowly missing the Mage but causing him to flinch. The distraction broke his concentration, and the swirling winds around him sputtered out.
"What?! You'll pay for that!" the Mage screeched, turning his attention to Kieth, who was now focused on the King.
Kieth took advantage of the King's momentary distraction. With a swift motion, he lunged forward, aiming for the King's exposed side. The wooden spike in his hand was raised, and Kieth thrust it toward the King.
The spike connected with a dull thud, knocking the wind out of the King. He staggered back, glaring at Kieth with newfound fury. "You'll regret this!" he bellowed, shaking off the attack.
Kieth knew he had to act fast. As the King reeled, he could sense the shift in the air—a dark energy gathering around the King. "No… this can't be good."
With the King's injuries, a primal instinct had kicked in. The Goblin King was entering his berserk stage, his eyes glowing with fury as he became more ferocious. Kieth could feel the change in the atmosphere as the King's roar echoed through the clearing.
"Stay focused!" Kieth shouted at himself, adjusting his stance. "Use speed and agility!"
As the King lunged again, this time with greater speed and power, Kieth sidestepped and rolled to the side. He narrowly avoided the King's massive fist, feeling the wind from the blow rush past him.
"That won't work forever!" the King roared, sweat glistening on his brow. He was stronger now, his movements more chaotic yet powerful.
Kieth took a moment to breathe, assessing his options. He needed to use the terrain again. "If I can draw him into the brush, maybe I can use it to my advantage."
With determination, Kieth turned and sprinted towards the edge of the clearing, leading the King away from the Mage. The King, blinded by rage, followed with reckless abandon. Kieth ducked and weaved through the underbrush, narrowly avoiding the King's powerful swings.
The Goblin Mage, realizing the King was getting distracted, attempted to regain control over the winds. He raised the Windcaller Staff again, chanting an incantation that sent gusts swirling toward Kieth.
"No, you don't!" Kieth yelled, throwing another dagger towards the Mage. This time, it struck the staff, causing a violent tremor of magic to ripple through the air. The Mage stumbled, momentarily thrown off balance.
"Focus on the King!"Kieth reminded himself as he turned back toward the berserk Goblin King, who was charging through the brush.
Kieth darted behind a large tree, using it as cover. The King, seeing his target hidden, came to a stop, panting heavily. Kieth took a moment to catch his breath, listening to the heavy thuds of the King's heart and the sounds of the wind swirling around them.
"I need to outsmart him," Kieth thought, waiting for the right moment. As the King drew closer, Kieth peered around the tree, his mind racing. "If I can get him to tire out, maybe I can end this"
Kieth decided to taunt the King once more. "Is this all you've got, King? You're weaker than I thought!"His voice echoed in the clearing, drawing the King's attention.
The Goblin King, enraged, charged again, but this time Kieth was ready. He stepped to the side at the last moment, causing the King to crash into the tree, the impact shaking the ground beneath them.
"Now!"Kieth shouted, sprinting in and striking at the King's exposed flank. He thrust the wooden spike into the King's side again, pushing with all his might.
The King roared in pain, his berserk state faltering for just a moment. Kieth pressed the attack, using his other dagger to slice at the King's arms, trying to wear him down.
Fight it! You can't give in to the rage!"Kieth shouted, hoping to reach the Goblin's sanity hidden beneath the fury.
"You'll never defeat me!"the King bellowed, swinging wildly, but Kieth had the upper hand. With every strike, the King's movements became more erratic, and Kieth saw his chance.
With a final surge of energy, Kieth lunged forward, thrusting the wooden spike deep into the King's shoulder, forcing him to the ground. The King fell to his knees, the fight leaving his body.
"Yield!" Kieth shouted, standing over the fallen Goblin King, breathing heavily, his heart racing with adrenaline.
The Goblin King panted, fury fading into defeat as he realized the weight of his injuries. "I… I yield,"he gasped, the fire in his eyes dimming.
Kieth stepped back, unsure of what to do next. The Goblin Mage was watching intently, ready to see how this confrontation would end.
"And you, Mage?" Kieth turned, his eyes narrowing. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
The Goblin Mage, sensing the shift in power, took a step back. **"I… I can help you. If you spare us, we can aid you in your journey."**
Kieth considered this carefully, still wary but aware that the fight had taken its toll on both sides. "You both have a chance to prove yourselves. But cross me again, and I won't hesitate to end this."