As the goblins marched through the forest, the air grew thick with tension. The sounds of the forest faded into the background, replaced by the rhythmic crunch of footsteps on the damp earth. Finn's senses were heightened, the power of his transformation lending him an almost eerie awareness of every sound, every movement around him. His mind whirred with anticipation. The Cobalt Clan was a dangerous place, and if he was going to prove himself, this was where he would do it.
The red-skinned leader led the way, his towering figure cutting through the forest with ease. Finn kept pace, his new body moving with a fluid grace that came naturally, but his thoughts were focused on the task ahead. He could feel the other goblins' eyes on him, a mixture of curiosity and suspicion lingering in their gazes.
"Stay sharp," the red-skinned leader called over his shoulder. "The Cobalt Clan won't hesitate to strike first. They're known for their ambushes."
Finn's grip tightened around his knife, the blade no longer feeling so inadequate in his hand. He didn't know exactly what to expect, but he was ready for whatever came his way. He had survived the wolf, earned the respect of the leader, and unlocked new powers. There was no turning back now.
Hours passed as they ventured deeper into the forest, the terrain growing increasingly treacherous. The dense undergrowth gave way to rocky outcroppings, and the air grew colder. Finn's breath misted in the early morning chill, but he pushed forward, his mind focused on the upcoming confrontation.
Finally, the group came to a clearing—a wide, open space surrounded by dense trees. The red-skinned leader signaled for them to stop, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The silence was oppressive, the tension so thick that Finn could feel it in his bones.
The leader turned to face the group. "This is it. Stay in formation and keep your wits about you. The Cobalt Clan is always watching."
Finn's heart raced. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The next few moments would shape his future—either he would rise to the challenge or be left behind.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed from the trees.
The goblins froze, their eyes darting around. Finn's pulse quickened. The growl came again, this time closer. He could hear the rustling of leaves, the snapping of twigs. His magic thrummed beneath his skin, waiting to be unleashed.
A shadow moved in the corner of his vision, and then, in a blur of motion, the first Cobalt Clan warrior lunged from the trees, a massive sword raised high. It was fast, its movements a blur of deadly precision.
Finn's instincts kicked in. He quickly raised his hand, summoning a Barrier just in time to block the sword's brutal strike. The impact sent a shockwave through him, rattling his bones, but the shield held firm.
The Cobalt warrior snarled in frustration, retreating for a moment to assess Finn. Its eyes glowed a fierce blue, and its muscular frame radiated a terrifying strength. Finn didn't hesitate. He knew his next move.
With a fierce cry, he summoned Arcane Blast, launching a concentrated burst of magic at the warrior. The explosion hit the creature square in the chest, sending it tumbling backward, but it quickly regained its footing, shaking off the blow as if it were nothing.
"More coming!" the red-skinned leader shouted, his voice cutting through the air.
Finn's heart pounded as he prepared for more enemies. He had just seen how strong the Cobalt Clan could be, but he wasn't backing down. He was a Hobgoblin Mage now, and this was his test.
Another Cobalt warrior emerged from the shadows, wielding a spear. This one moved faster, almost too fast for Finn to react. It jabbed at him, the spearhead flashing with deadly intent. Finn barely managed to dodge, feeling the rush of air as the spear grazed his arm. The wound stung, but he didn't falter.
As the spear-wielding Cobalt lunged again, Finn focused, pulling on his magic. This time, he didn't just dodge—he Leaped into the air, flipping over the warrior's spear and landing behind it. He drew his knife in one swift motion and slashed at the creature's back, the blade sinking deep into its flesh. The warrior screamed in pain and collapsed, the fight draining out of it.
[You have killed a colbolt, +8 XP]
Finn's breath came in ragged gasps as he took a step back, surveying the battlefield. The red-skinned leader had already dispatched two other Cobalt warriors, his massive weapon cutting through them with terrifying ease. But there were more—he could feel their presence, the tension in the air growing thicker.
"Stay close," the red-skinned leader ordered. "This isn't over yet."
As if on cue, more Cobalt Clan warriors emerged from the trees—at least five more, all heavily armed and ready for battle. Their eyes glowed with malice, and the air seemed to crackle with the promise of violence.
Finn clenched his fists, his mind racing. This was the real test. He had to prove that he was more than just a mage. He had to show them that he had the strength to survive, to fight with the best of them.
The leader gave Finn a quick glance, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "Keep your head, runt," he said. "This is where you show your worth."
Finn nodded, his magic swirling around him. The time for hesitation had passed. He would fight, and he would win.
With a yell, Finn charged forward, his magic ready to unleash. The battle had only just begun.