Kael crouched near the entrance of the goblin nest, his heart pounding as he stared into the pitch-black tunnel. The stench of decay and damp earth wafted from the opening, making him grimace. Behind him, Marra stood with her bow ready, her sharp green eyes fixed on the darkness ahead. Corin sharpened his dagger silently, his face unreadable, while Thane clutched his staff tightly, the faint glow from its runes illuminating his pale face.
"This is it," Marra said quietly, her voice steady. "The heart of the nest. If we can destroy whatever's inside, the goblins will scatter."
Kael adjusted his grip on his spear, his palms damp with sweat. "Do we know what's down there?"
Marra shook her head. "No, but it's safe to assume it's worse than the chieftain. Shamans, warriors, maybe something even stronger. We have to be prepared for anything."
"Great," Corin muttered, sliding his dagger back into its sheath. "A suicidal march into the depths of hell. Just what I signed up for."
Thane shot him a nervous glance. "We have to do this. If we don't, the goblins will only get stronger."
"Kid's got a point," Kael said, trying to muster some confidence. "We've come this far. Might as well finish the job."
Marra nodded, giving the group one final look. "Stay close. Watch each other's backs. Once we're inside, there's no turning back."
***
The tunnel was narrow and claustrophobic, forcing the group to move single file. Kael led the way, his spear raised as he scanned the shadows ahead. The air grew colder the deeper they went, the faint sound of dripping water echoing through the passage. Every step felt like a gamble, each turn in the tunnel potentially leading to an ambush.
Thane's staff provided the only light, the runes casting an eerie glow on the damp walls. Kael's nerves were on edge, his grip tightening on his spear with every sound. Behind him, Marra moved silently, her bow at the ready.
"Anyone else getting the feeling we're walking into a trap?" Corin whispered, his voice barely audible.
"It's a goblin nest," Marra replied. "Of course it's a trap."
Kael frowned, his eyes narrowing as the tunnel widened into a larger chamber. The glow of faintly green torches lined the walls, casting flickering shadows across the space. At the center of the room was a crude altar, covered in blood and adorned with twisted bones. A hulking figure stood before it—a goblin warlord, its massive frame dwarfing the chieftain they had fought earlier.
Goblin Warlord - Level 10
HP: 200/200
Kael's breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight. The warlord's armor was a patchwork of scavenged metal, its jagged axe dripping with blood. Its yellow eyes glowed with malice as it turned to face them, letting out a guttural roar that echoed through the chamber.
"Spread out!" Marra shouted, nocking an arrow as the warlord charged.
Kael darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the swing of the warlord's axe. The force of the blow cracked the stone floor where he had been standing, sending shards of rock flying. He countered with a quick thrust of his spear, but the warlord's armor deflected the attack.
"This thing's a monster!" Kael shouted, circling the warlord.
"We knew it would be!" Marra called back, loosing an arrow that struck the warlord's shoulder. The creature barely flinched, turning its attention to her with a snarl.
Thane raised his staff, chanting rapidly as the runes glowed brighter. A burst of energy shot toward the warlord, striking its chest and staggering it slightly. The creature roared in anger, raising its axe to strike.
"Keep it distracted!" Marra yelled, firing another arrow.
Kael darted in, aiming for the warlord's exposed side. His spear struck true, piercing the creature's flesh and drawing dark blood. The warlord roared in pain, swinging its axe wildly in retaliation. Kael jumped back, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Goblin Warlord
HP: 180/200
"Corin, get behind it!" Marra shouted.
Corin moved like a shadow, slipping around the edges of the chamber. He struck swiftly, his dagger finding a gap in the warlord's armor. The creature howled, spinning to swing at him, but Corin was already gone.
Kael seized the opportunity, lunging forward with his spear. He aimed for the warlord's leg, driving the weapon into its thigh with all his strength. The creature staggered, its movements slowing slightly as it bled.
Goblin Warlord
HP: 160/200
"Keep it up!" Marra shouted, her arrows finding their mark with deadly precision.
Thane chanted another spell, his staff glowing brighter as a chain of energy wrapped around the warlord's arms. The creature thrashed and roared, struggling against the magical bonds.
Kael took a deep breath, his mind racing. The warlord was powerful, but they were wearing it down. If they could keep up the pressure, they might just have a chance.
"Kael, move!" Marra shouted suddenly.
Kael barely had time to react as the warlord broke free of Thane's spell, swinging its axe in a wide arc. He dove to the side, the blade narrowly missing him as it slammed into the ground. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, knocking him off balance.
The warlord turned its attention to Marra, charging toward her with a deafening roar. She fired another arrow, but the creature deflected it with its axe. Kael scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding as he watched the massive goblin close in on her.
"Not so fast," Corin muttered, appearing behind the warlord. His dagger flashed as he drove it into the creature's exposed back. The warlord roared in pain, turning to swing at him, but Corin was already gone.
Kael used the distraction to close in, his spear aimed at the warlord's chest. He drove the weapon forward with all his strength, piercing the creature's armor and striking deep. The warlord staggered, its HP dropping rapidly.
Goblin Warlord
HP: 100/200
"Thane, now!" Marra shouted.
Thane raised his staff, his voice rising as he chanted a powerful spell. A wave of energy burst forth, striking the warlord and sending it crashing to its knees. The creature roared, its axe slipping from its grasp as it struggled to rise.
Kael didn't hesitate. He charged forward, driving his spear into the warlord's chest with all his might. The creature let out a final, deafening roar before collapsing, its massive frame hitting the ground with a thunderous crash.
Victory!
You have defeated Goblin Warlord (Level 10)
+75 XP
The chamber fell silent, the echoes of the warlord's roar fading into the darkness. Kael pulled his spear free, breathing heavily as he stared at the massive corpse. Blood pooled around it, the foul stench filling the air.
"We did it," Thane said, his voice trembling with relief. "We actually did it."
"Don't celebrate yet," Marra said, her eyes scanning the chamber. "There might be more."
Kael nodded, his body tense as he listened for any signs of movement. The room remained still, the only sound the faint crackle of the torches on the walls.
"Let's check the altar," Marra said, motioning for the group to follow her.
The altar was crude and covered in blood, its surface adorned with twisted bones and strange symbols. Marra studied it with a frown, her fingers tracing the carvings.
"This isn't just a goblin nest," she said quietly. "Something else is at work here."
Kael felt a chill run down his spine. "What do you mean?"
Marra shook her head. "I'm not sure, but this… this isn't normal. Goblins don't build altars like this on their own. Something—or someone—has been guiding them."
Kael exchanged a worried glance with Thane, who looked just as unsettled. The victory against the warlord had been hard-won, but it was clear that their troubles were far from over.
"Let's get out of here," Marra said finally. "We'll regroup at the camp and figure out our next move."
Kael nodded, gripping his spear tightly as they made their way back toward the tunnel. The fight had been brutal, but the questions it left behind were even more daunting. As they climbed out of the goblin nest and into the fading light of the forest, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that they had only scratched the surface of a much larger threat.