The air was thick with tension as Alypos and Marina made their way through the rocky outcrop leading into the depths of the goblin elder's domain. They navigated carefully, the towering cliffs and the vast, churning sea below seeming to swallow up all other sounds. With every step, Alypos could feel an inexplicable weight pressing down on him, as if the rocks themselves were watching.
A few steps ahead, Marina cast a wary glance over her shoulder. "You seem... familiar with this place," she murmured, her voice barely rising above a whisper.
Alypos didn't respond immediately. His gaze scanned the ancient structure up ahead—a massive gate covered in faded glyphs and carvings. He recalled the oppressive pressure he'd sensed on his first encounter here, a force so intense it rivaled the Alpha's overwhelming aura.
Marina continued, her voice a mix of suspicion and curiosity. "If you know this place so well, why haven't you explored further? What's behind that gate?"
His gaze remained fixed on the entrance. "It's not a matter of knowledge, but of caution. When I encountered this gate before, the pressure alone nearly broke my resolve. Sometimes retreat is wiser than advancing blind."
Marina snorted softly, almost as if she doubted his answer. "Yet you keep coming back." Her eyes assessed him, trying to piece together his motives. "You're either brave, reckless, or... something else."
Alypos ignored her probing and refocused on the gate. He could feel Marina's suspicions bubbling beneath the surface; she didn't know the truth about his abilities or his real power. As far as she knew, he must be using something akin to her own system—the Akashic Records—to evaluate strength and rank. She assumed he, too, relied on it to measure his enemies and determine strategies. She was wrong, of course; his Karmic Records were something else entirely. It was best that she never found out.
Inside his mind, Alypos mulled over the distinctions between the two systems. The Akashic Records seemed to use a straightforward metric, measuring power on a limited scale—by the common ranks and levels known in this world. His Karmic Records, however, hinted at something far grander, more intrinsic, tied to a universal scale that perhaps no one here could fully grasp. For instance, he was classified as F-minus by his system, which on the surface seemed laughable. But the Karmic Records might be measuring his growth against something far beyond this world's understanding.
The gate loomed larger as they drew nearer, and Alypos felt that same powerful pressure creeping back, filling the air with a stifling weight. His thoughts returned to the Alpha, the powerful wolf he had encountered before, and the intricate balance he'd need to tip if he wanted any chance at victory.
Marina was watching him again. "If you're set on taking down the Alpha, you should know that, according to the Akashic Records, it's ranked at S—far beyond what we can handle. We're barely A-minus, as it is. You do understand what we're up against, don't you?"
Alypos met her gaze calmly. "More than you think."
She blinked, a momentary crack in her guarded composure. "I suppose you have a plan, then?"
He nodded, his mind working through the intricate details. "We need to be cunning. This isn't a fight we win by brute force. We're up against a Goblin King as well—a creature with its own ambition. If we play this right, we can use the King's greed against him."
Marina raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "The Goblin King?"
Alypos nodded, his voice steady. "The Goblin King will seek to devour the Alpha. If it manages that, it could gain unimaginable power, ranking up and solidifying its rule. We need to play into that hunger. Let the King believe that we're potential allies in its conquest, but keep our true intent hidden."
"Are you proposing a three-way standoff?" Marina's voice held a hint of horror as she pieced together the implications. "And then what? Hope they destroy each other?"
"Not quite," Alypos said. "We strike carefully, inflicting as much damage as possible on the Alpha while it's distracted by the Goblin King. The King won't trust us fully but will hold off attacking us until he thinks he's in control. By that time, we'll have gained enough advantage to escape, or to strike when both are too weak to retaliate."
Marina regarded him, her eyes narrowed. "It's a suicide plan if anything goes wrong."
He held her gaze, unwavering. "It's survival. We're outmatched, Marina, but we have one edge—our knowledge of what drives them. I know it's risky, but if you trust me, we'll come out of this alive."
Her mouth tightened into a thin line. "Trust. That's a big word coming from you."
He smirked, his eyes glinting with cold confidence. "Then trust that I won't die trying."
They moved toward the gate, their footsteps quiet and measured. Beyond the threshold, the stone walls stretched high, casting ominous shadows across the ground. Torches flickered, their flames creating jagged shapes on the walls, illuminating the way forward.
They entered a massive chamber with cliffs stretching out over the dark, endless sea below. There, atop a makeshift throne fashioned from jagged rocks and adorned with bones, sat the Goblin King. A crown of dark metal rested on its brow, and a dangerous intelligence gleamed in its yellow eyes. It was flanked by a handful of goblin elders, their forms tense and poised, their eyes focused on the approaching figures.
And then, the Alpha entered.
Its eyes blazed with fury, and the Goblin King rose, its gaze fixated on the creature with something approaching longing—a predator recognizing a meal that could elevate it to the pinnacle of its kind. The Alpha's mate trailed close behind, its eyes darting warily around the chamber. Alypos caught a glimpse of raw hunger in the Goblin King's expression, an instinctive ambition to consume and dominate.
Before he could signal Marina, the Goblin King let out a guttural roar, summoning the remaining goblin warriors to its side, and a goblin elder. Though few in number, the goblins rallied behind their leader, eager to fight. The King looked at the Alpha, a menacing snarl contorting its face. It raised its arm, motioning to its followers to attack.
The Alpha's response was immediate—a piercing howl that echoed through the chamber, shaking the walls and sending shivers down their spines. The Alpha's mate joined in, its fangs bared, ready to defend its pack.
In that instant, Alypos grabbed Marina's arm and pulled her behind a cluster of massive stones. "Stay hidden," he whispered. "Remember, your job is to keep the Alpha's mate occupied."
She gave him a hard look. "You owe me for this."
He smirked. "If we live, I'll consider it."
With that, Marina slipped off into the shadows, positioning herself near the Alpha's mate, her movements cautious but steady.
The battle erupted with brutal ferocity as the goblins clashed against the wolves. Alypos watched, his eyes scanning every movement, every twitch of the Goblin King's muscles as it lunged at the Alpha, claws flashing. The Alpha met the attack head-on, its massive jaws snapping just shy of the Goblin King's neck. The clash of their auras filled the air, an almost tangible force that Alypos could feel pressing down on him.
The Alpha's mate lunged at Marina, who sidestepped and drew the creature's attention away from the primary conflict. Her blade flashed as she struck out, aiming for the creature's legs, trying to slow it down. Alypos could see her struggle; even without her knowledge, she was pitted against a beast of raw power, and every strike she landed was a testament to her skill and resolve.
Alypos took a deep breath, stepping forward into the chaos. The Goblin King and the Alpha were fully engaged now, each creature focused entirely on the other. He advanced quickly, targeting the Alpha's hindquarters with precise, calculated strikes. Each blow he delivered weakened the creature, forcing it to divide its attention between him and the relentless attacks of the Goblin King.
The Alpha turned, its eyes locking onto him, a murderous glint in its gaze. It lunged at him, and Alypos barely had time to throw up a water barrier. The force of the attack shattered it, sending him sprawling backward. He rolled to his feet, his mind racing as he summoned another torrent of water to entangle the Alpha's legs. It gave him enough time to slip back into the shadows.
Nearby, Marina continued her struggle, evading the Alpha's mate with swift, precise movements. The creature lunged, its fangs flashing, but she spun away, keeping it at bay just long enough for Alypos to regroup. She caught his eye briefly, a flash of determination in her gaze as she drove the creature back, her own desperation fueling each move and then the Goblin elder came into fray and joined both of them.
Finally, as the Alpha grew weary from the onslaught of attacks from both Alypos and the Goblin King, Alypos saw his opening. He signaled to Marina, and together they withdrew silently into the shadows, slipping away from the chaos as the two beasts continued to clash.
The roars and snarls faded as they moved deeper into the darkness, leaving the warring creatures behind. Alypos glanced back, catching the last flickers of movement at the edges of his vision—a deadly promise of future encounters. He looked over at Marina, who was breathing heavily, exhaustion etched across her face. "Everything is going according to plan," thought Alypos.