As the first light of dawn began to break through the trees, casting pale streaks across the forest floor, the warband moved with a quiet urgency. Finn could feel the tension in the air, the weight of what was to come pressing down on him. Every snap of a twig underfoot seemed amplified, every rustle in the bushes an ominous sign. The goblins moved swiftly, their small frames blending into the underbrush, but Finn could sense that the usual rhythm of their movements had changed. They were on edge, their senses heightened, alert for the next threat.
Krokk led them at the front, his towering figure unshaken despite the ambush from the night before. His eyes were narrowed, scanning the path ahead with the sharpness of a predator. Finn couldn't help but admire the leader's focus, the way he exuded an almost palpable aura of power, like the calm before a storm. It was a reminder of the kind of strength Finn had yet to fully understand—strength not just from magic or physical prowess, but from confidence, from a deep-rooted understanding of the world around him.
As they trudged deeper into the forest, Finn's mind raced. His thoughts were a whirlwind of questions. What had driven the Cobalt Clan to attack so brazenly? Why target Krokk now, of all times? Was there something more behind the ambush than just a desire for power? The mystery gnawed at him, but he knew better than to voice his concerns too openly. Questions could wait. Survival was paramount.
His gaze flicked toward the other goblins, noticing their tense expressions. Some of them whispered among themselves, casting furtive glances into the woods as though expecting another attack at any moment. Others were silent, their eyes fixed forward, as if determined to ignore the fear that crept into their bones.
Then there was Krokk. Despite the danger, despite the uncertainty, the leader's calm was absolute. He moved with purpose, his steps sure and deliberate, like he already knew exactly where they were headed. The rest of the warband followed, trusting in his lead without question.
Finn's hand rested on the hilt of his knife as he walked, feeling the cool stone against his skin. His fire magic still hummed within him, a constant, comforting presence. Yet, despite the power he wielded, he knew it was not enough. Not yet. There was still so much for him to learn, so much more to become.
In the distance, Krokk suddenly raised a hand, signaling for the group to halt. The silence that followed was absolute. The birds, the insects—everything had stopped. Finn's pulse quickened, his senses on high alert. It was as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
"We're not alone," Krokk's voice was a low growl, his gaze flicking to the trees around them. The goblins tightened their grips on their weapons, eyes scanning every shadow, every movement. Finn's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing to process the situation. Was it another ambush?
Krokk didn't wait for an answer. With a sharp motion, he gestured for the warband to spread out, forming a loose perimeter. Finn obeyed without hesitation, his senses sharpening as he moved to the edge of the group. His eyes darted between the trees, searching for any sign of movement.
And then he saw it.
A figure, barely visible in the underbrush, moving with uncanny stealth. The creature's silhouette was indistinct, but the feeling of malice was unmistakable. Finn's instincts screamed at him to act, but before he could even draw his knife, Krokk's voice rang out again.
"Wait."
The figure paused, as if sensing the command in Krokk's voice. For a long moment, the forest stood still. The air felt thick with tension, as if the entire world was waiting for something to happen.
Then, the figure stepped forward into the clearing.
It was another Cobalt warrior, but this one was different. It was taller, more heavily armored than the others Finn had encountered. Its skin was a dark, mottled green, and its eyes gleamed with a cold intelligence. In its hand, it held a weapon unlike any Finn had seen before—a long, wickedly curved blade, gleaming with an unnatural light.
The goblins instinctively tightened their grips on their weapons, ready for a fight. But Krokk held up a hand, signaling for them to remain still.
The Cobalt warrior studied them for a long moment, its eyes meeting Krokk's with an almost calculating intensity. Then, without a word, it lowered its weapon slightly and stepped closer.
Finn's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the interaction unfold. There was something strange about this warrior. It wasn't acting like the others—it wasn't charging into battle or making any sudden moves. It seemed… deliberate.
Finally, the silence was broken by Krokk's deep voice. "What is it you want?" he asked, his tone sharp and commanding.
The Cobalt warrior's lips curled into a small, almost imperceptible smile. "We come to parley," it said, its voice low but clear.
A ripple of surprise passed through the warband. Parley? Was this some kind of trap?
Krokk studied the warrior for a long time, his eyes narrowing as if weighing the options. "Parley?" he repeated. "With the Cobalt Clan? You expect us to trust you?"
The warrior's smile faded, but it did not falter. "You misunderstand. We come not as enemies, but as allies. The Cobalt Clan is no longer what it was."
The words hung in the air, heavy with implications. Finn exchanged uneasy glances with the other goblins, but none of them moved. No one spoke.
"We have been betrayed," the Cobalt warrior continued, its voice softening just slightly. "By our leaders. We seek to join you, Krokk. To fight against the true enemy."
Krokk's expression remained unreadable, but his eyes were sharp, calculating. "And what enemy would that be?"
The warrior hesitated before speaking again, its words slow and deliberate. "The true enemy... is not the warbands, nor the goblins. The true enemy is something older. Something far more dangerous."
The air seemed to grow even heavier as the words sank in. The forest was still, waiting. Finn felt his pulse race again. What could this Cobalt warrior be referring to? And what did it mean for him, for Krokk, and for the warband?