Kevin and Rax slipped through the narrow doorway that the boy had disappeared into, their movements quick and silent. The heavy wooden door closed with a soft click behind them, leaving them in near darkness. The air inside was stifling, thick with the scent of mildew and damp stone. Kevin's sharp goblin eyes quickly adjusted, picking out the faint shapes of crates and barrels stacked against the walls, remnants of what appeared to be a disused storage area. He could hear the distant sound of dripping water, accompanied by the faintest echo of hurried footsteps ahead.
The boy couldn't be far.
Kevin gestured for Rax to follow and pressed forward, moving with practiced stealth. They were deep inside the city now, and the weight of the stone buildings above them pressed down like a heavy blanket. This wasn't just an infiltration; this was a test, a game of survival. Every step they took was a gamble, but Kevin thrived on the edge of danger. He had lived his whole life as an outcast, first in his world, now in this one, and he had learned how to turn every disadvantage into an advantage.
Rax moved beside him, quieter than usual, his focus sharpened by the tension in the air. Kevin could tell the big goblin was on edge—this was new territory for all of them—but there was no time for hesitation. The boy they were following held the key to something bigger, something important, and Kevin wasn't about to let that slip away.
They moved deeper into the building, passing through narrow hallways and descending a set of stone steps that spiraled into the bowels of the city. The air grew cooler and damper as they descended, the faint sound of voices and movement growing louder. Kevin slowed, signaling for Rax to stop. Ahead of them, through the dim light, they could see the flicker of torchlight and the shadows of figures moving.
Kevin crouched low, motioning for Rax to do the same. "Keep quiet," he whispered. "We need to see what we're dealing with."
They crept closer, careful not to disturb the loose stones on the ground. As they reached the edge of a large archway, Kevin peeked around the corner. His eyes widened slightly at the scene before him.
The room they had entered was a wide, open space—an old cellar, perhaps, long abandoned by the city's upper class but now teeming with life. Rough-hewn tables and benches filled the room, and dozens of figures—men, women, and even children—moved about, talking in hushed tones, eating scraps of food, and sharpening old, rusted weapons. It wasn't a city guard outpost. It was a hidden refuge, a place of refuge for the outcasts, the forgotten, the ones who lived in the shadows of the human world.
"Rats," Rax muttered under his breath. "They're everywhere."
Kevin frowned, his sharp gaze scanning the room. These people weren't soldiers, and they weren't part of the city's elite. They were the underbelly, the ones society had cast aside. But Kevin knew better than to underestimate them. Desperation bred cunning, and the people here were no doubt survivors of some kind, just like the goblins.
"Stay low," Kevin whispered. "We need to find the boy."
They slipped into the shadows, moving carefully along the perimeter of the room. Kevin's mind raced as he took in the scene. What was this place? Why had the guards been chasing the boy? There was more at play here than a simple street chase, and Kevin was determined to find out what it was.
After a few minutes, they spotted the boy again. He was sitting at one of the tables, talking in hushed tones with an older man, his face lined with the scars of many battles. Kevin's eyes narrowed. The boy's face was still pale with fear, but the older man's expression was calm, calculating. There was no doubt in Kevin's mind—the man was in charge here.
"We need to get closer," Kevin whispered to Rax.
Together, they edged their way toward the pair, ducking behind crates and barrels to remain unseen. As they got closer, Kevin strained to hear the conversation. The boy was speaking quickly, his words tumbling over each other in his excitement.
"I swear, Paxton, they almost caught me. I thought I was done for. The guards—they're getting more aggressive, more organized. They know something's up. We can't keep doing this for much longer."
Paxton, the older man, shook his head, his expression grim. "They're getting bold, but so are we. If we stop now, it'll all have been for nothing. You know the plan, Mal. We can't afford to hesitate."
"But the others," the boy—Mal—replied, his voice faltering. "They're scared. Some of them want to pull back, go deeper underground, wait until things cool off."
"There's no time for that," Paxton snapped, his voice sharp. "The city's stretched thin. The king's too busy with his wars and his nobles to worry about us. If we strike now, we can take control of the lower districts, push the guard back. This is our chance, Mal. If we don't take it, we'll never get another."
Kevin's mind raced as he processed the conversation. A rebellion. These people were planning to overthrow the local guard and seize control of part of the city. It wasn't a surprise, really. Every city had its underbelly, and every empire had its cracks. But this could be useful. If these rebels could destabilize the city, it would create opportunities for Kevin and his goblins to move in, take advantage of the chaos. He needed to know more.
He leaned forward, listening intently as Paxton continued.
"We have allies in the outer districts," Paxton said. "They're ready to move when we give the signal. The guards can't cover all their posts at once. We hit the merchant square, the granaries, and the northern gates in one night, and we'll cripple them. After that, we secure the city's supplies. The people will follow us if they see we can protect them, feed them."
Mal nodded slowly, though he still looked uncertain. "And if the king sends reinforcements? What then?"
Paxton's smile was cold. "By the time the king knows what's happening, it'll be too late. We'll be dug in, and the city will be ours. No king is going to send his army to crush a rebellion in a backwater town while he's busy fighting wars on his borders."
Kevin felt a thrill of anticipation. This rebellion was exactly the kind of chaos he needed. If Paxton's plan succeeded, the city would be thrown into turmoil, and the goblins could sweep in, take what they needed, and expand their territory. But there was still one more piece of the puzzle to figure out.
He turned to Rax and whispered, "We need to talk to Paxton. If we play this right, we can use their rebellion to our advantage."
Rax's eyes widened. "Talk to them? They'll kill us if they see we're goblins."
Kevin shook his head, a cold smile on his lips. "They won't. Not if we make it clear we're on the same side. These people are desperate. They'll take help from anyone if it means a better chance at winning."
Rax hesitated, but after a moment, he nodded. "You've got a plan?"
"I always do," Kevin replied, his eyes glinting with ruthless determination. "Follow my lead."
Kevin stood from the shadows, keeping his hands raised in a gesture of peace as he stepped toward Paxton and Mal. The room fell silent almost instantly as the other rebels noticed him, their hands moving to their weapons, eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Paxton's eyes flicked to Kevin's goblin features, his mouth tightening. "What's this, then? A goblin? You've got some nerve showing your face here."
Kevin remained calm, his posture non-threatening but confident. "I'm not your enemy, Paxton. In fact, I think we can help each other."
Paxton's eyes narrowed. "And why would I trust a goblin?"
"Because we both want the same thing," Kevin replied smoothly. "You want control of this city, and I want to see its current rulers fall. We can help each other. My people are skilled in ways yours aren't. We move unseen, we strike fast, and we take what we need. With our help, you can take this city without losing half your people in the process."
Paxton regarded him for a long moment, his eyes flicking to Rax, then back to Kevin. "And what's in it for you, goblin?"
Kevin smiled, cold and calculating. "I want what's left. You take the city, we take the chaos. There's plenty of power to go around, Paxton. We just have to be smart about how we use it."
Paxton considered this for a moment, then gave a slow nod. "All right, goblin. You've got my attention. Let's see if you're as smart as you say you are."
Kevin's grin widened, his heart pounding with the thrill of opportunity. This city would fall, and in the chaos, he would rise. The game was just beginning, and Kevin intended to win it.
As they discussed the finer details of the rebellion, Kevin couldn't help but feel that this was only the start. If he played his cards right, this city wouldn't just be a stepping stone—it would be the foundation of an empire.
And Kevin, the once lowly goblin, would be the one to rule it.