The city still smoldered in the early morning light. Thin wisps of smoke curled into the sky, lingering like ghosts over the ruins of the once-mighty guard tower. Kevin stood at the edge of the wreckage, his eyes scanning the destruction he had wrought. The night's raid had been a complete success—the heart of the city's defense was broken, and now, it was vulnerable. But victory was only the beginning of his plans.
Kevin's mind buzzed with the weight of the choices ahead. He could feel his power growing, the energy from last night's battle still coursing through him like a river of raw force. His goblin instincts craved more conquest, more bloodshed, but the human part of him—sharp, strategic—reminded him that controlling a city was far more complicated than simply crushing its defenders. He needed to consolidate his power, establish order, and find a way to bend the city to his will.
Grom approached from behind, his heavy steps crunching over the charred remains of a wooden beam. "We did it, Kevin. The guards are in disarray, and the people—well, they're hiding behind locked doors. This city's ours for the taking."
Kevin glanced at Grom, his second-in-command, the hulking goblin who had once been nothing more than a brutish follower. Now, he was an invaluable asset—loyal, strong, and increasingly competent. But Kevin knew that strength alone wouldn't keep the city in their hands. Goblins were notoriously fickle, prone to infighting and chaos when left to their own devices.
"We've taken the city," Kevin said slowly, his voice steady. "But now we have to keep it. The humans will rally if we give them a chance. We need to act quickly, secure the key locations, and show them that we're not just here to raid—we're here to rule."
Grom grunted in agreement. "What do you need us to do?"
Kevin pointed to the horizon, where the outlines of the city's key districts were beginning to take shape in the dawn's light. "We split our forces. I'll lead a group to the merchant quarter. That's where we'll get the supplies we need to keep our army fed and armed. You take a contingent to the residential areas. We need to control the civilians. Tell them that as long as they cooperate, they'll be safe."
Grom nodded, already shifting into action mode. "And the ones who don't cooperate?"
Kevin's eyes hardened. "Make an example of them."
Without another word, Grom turned and began organizing the goblin forces, barking orders to the raiders who had gathered in the streets. Kevin watched for a moment, his mind spinning with the complexity of what lay ahead. In the chaos of battle, everything had been simple—kill, destroy, survive. But now he was a ruler, and ruling came with a different set of challenges.
He turned to Rax, who had appeared at his side, his ever-present grin plastered across his face. Rax had proven to be one of the more cunning goblins in Kevin's ranks—a useful combination of stealth, intelligence, and ruthlessness.
"Rax," Kevin said, lowering his voice. "I have a special task for you."
Rax's grin widened. "You know I'm always ready for something special."
Kevin nodded, glancing toward the noble district, where the city's wealthiest and most influential citizens resided. "We need leverage. Go to the noble houses. Take hostages. Anyone important—lords, merchants, council members. Bring them to me."
Rax's eyes gleamed with understanding. "And if they resist?"
Kevin's smile was cold. "Then make sure their families are very, very compliant."
The merchant quarter was eerily silent when Kevin and his squad of elite goblins arrived. The streets, usually bustling with traders, were now deserted. The shops were shuttered, and only the occasional flicker of movement from behind a curtain indicated that people were still inside, hiding. Kevin could feel their fear—it hung in the air like the last breath before a storm.
Good. Fear was useful.
"Fan out," Kevin ordered. "Take anything of value—food, weapons, supplies. Leave nothing untouched."
The goblins scattered, eager to pillage. Kevin moved with purpose, his sharp eyes scanning the streets for any sign of resistance. He knew the merchants wouldn't go down easily. They had the resources to fight back if they chose to, and while most might be cowering now, it wouldn't take much for them to gather the will to resist.
As Kevin approached one of the larger warehouses, he noticed movement from inside. He raised a hand, signaling his team to halt. Slowly, cautiously, he approached the door and pushed it open.
Inside, a group of men—merchants, by the look of their fine clothes—were gathered in a huddle. Their faces were pale, and they looked up in shock as Kevin entered, flanked by his goblins.
"You're the leaders of this quarter, I assume," Kevin said, his voice calm but edged with authority.
One of the men, a middle-aged merchant with a thick beard and a jeweled ring on his finger, stepped forward. His face was grim, but there was defiance in his eyes. "You'll never hold this city. The people won't stand for it."
Kevin stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "The people don't have a choice. Your guards are scattered, your leaders are dead or captured. And unless you want to join them, you'll do exactly as I say."
The merchant swallowed hard, but he didn't back down. "We can offer you gold. Trade. Just leave us in peace."
Kevin's smile was thin. "Gold won't save you. But it can buy you time. You're going to help me keep this city in line. You know the people, you know the trade routes. You'll work for me, or I'll burn every last one of your warehouses to the ground."
The merchant's defiance wavered, and Kevin could see the fear creeping into his eyes. He knew the man wasn't a fighter. He was a businessman, and businessmen always sought the path of least resistance.
Finally, the merchant nodded, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Fine. We'll do what you ask."
Kevin leaned in, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "If I find out you've been working against me, or if you try to rally the people behind my back, I'll make sure you're the first to suffer. Do you understand?"
The merchant nodded again, his face pale.
Satisfied, Kevin turned and signaled for his goblins to continue their work. The merchants would fall in line, and once they did, the rest of the city would follow. Fear was a powerful motivator, but control was an art. He couldn't afford to let chaos reign—at least, not yet.
Back in the center of the city, Kevin regrouped with Grom and Rax, both of whom had completed their tasks with brutal efficiency.
"We've secured most of the residential areas," Grom reported. "The civilians are scared. A few tried to resist, but... well, they're not a problem anymore."
Rax grinned, clearly pleased with himself. "Got ourselves a nice collection of nobles. They'll make excellent bargaining chips."
Kevin nodded, his mind racing through the next steps. "Good. Now we need to send a message. Gather the civilians in the marketplace. I want them to see what happens to those who defy us."
It didn't take long for the goblins to round up the people of the city. They were herded into the marketplace, fear and confusion etched on their faces. Some clutched their children close, others stared blankly at the ground, too shocked to react.
Kevin stood at the center of the square, his eyes scanning the crowd. He could feel their terror, their helplessness. This was the moment where he would cement his rule.
"People of the city," Kevin called out, his voice echoing through the square. "Your city has fallen. Your guards have failed you. But I am not here to destroy what remains—I am here to rule it. Those who cooperate will live. Those who resist will face consequences."
He motioned to Grom, who dragged forward a man from the crowd. The man's hands were bound, and his face was bloodied from the fight he had put up earlier.
"This is what happens to those who think they can stand against me," Kevin said coldly.
Without hesitation, Grom raised his axe and brought it down on the man's neck, severing his head in a single blow. The crowd gasped, some of them screaming, others recoiling in horror. Kevin didn't flinch. This was necessary.
"Remember," Kevin said, his voice cutting through the noise, "I am your new ruler. Serve me well, and you'll live to see another day. Defy me, and you'll share his fate."
The crowd was silent now, cowed into submission.
Kevin turned and walked away, his heart pounding with the weight of his own words. He had won the city, but the real battle was only just beginning.
Ruling through fear was easy, but true power—lasting power—would require something more. He would need to evolve yet again, to rise above the limitations of his goblin form, to become something greater. Something that no one could ever challenge.
And Kevin was ready for that next step.