As the warband marched deeper into the forest, the thick trees began to part, and the sounds of distant wildlife faded into the background. Finn, his steps light and quick, walked alongside Krokk, the towering red-skinned leader. He glanced up at Krokk, his heart racing slightly as he prepared to ask a question that had been gnawing at him for a while.
"How long will it take us to meet the Cobalt leader?" Finn asked, his voice steady but laced with anticipation.
Krokk's heavy footsteps faltered for just a moment, his sharp ears catching the oddity in Finn's tone. He turned his head slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. It wasn't often that someone would ask about their destination in such a direct manner, especially not a goblin as young and inexperienced as Finn.
"Why?" Krokk's deep voice rumbled, clearly taken aback by the question.
Finn didn't hesitate. He was determined to keep his focus on the goal, on his growth. "I'm eight XP away from another evolution," he replied, his gaze unwavering.
Krokk stopped in his tracks, his dark red eyes narrowing as he studied Finn. The young hobgoblin mage had evolved just two days ago, and the rate at which he was gaining strength had surprised even the seasoned warriors of the warband. It wasn't often that someone grew so quickly in their abilities, and Finn had proven his worth in the fight against the Cobalt warriors. But to be so close to another evolution?
Krokk's brow furrowed slightly, both impressed and puzzled. "Eight XP, huh?" he muttered, as if testing the weight of Finn's words. He glanced at the other goblins, who were still focused on the path ahead, unaware of the conversation. Then, with a grunt, he turned back to Finn. "Well, that's impressive, runt. But don't get ahead of yourself. Evolutions aren't something you rush into just for power. You need to be ready for what's next. You'll learn soon enough that there's more to strength than just magic and speed."
Finn felt a slight pang of frustration but kept his composure. He wasn't rushing; he was driven. He knew his abilities were growing fast, but so was the danger. The Cobalt Chief was their target, and the warband would need every ounce of strength they could muster to defeat him. Finn could feel the weight of that responsibility. He wanted to be ready when the time came.
"We'll move at a steady pace," Krokk continued, his voice less tense now, but still filled with that commanding tone. "The Cobalt Clan's territory is ahead. We don't know what we'll face before we get to the Chief, and I don't plan to take chances. If you want your XP, you'll earn it out here. And it won't be handed to you."
Finn nodded, the words sinking in. Krokk was right—rushing into the next evolution wasn't going to help him if he wasn't ready for the battles ahead. Still, the thought of reaching that next milestone, of becoming even stronger, drove him forward. He was only eight XP away from his next evolution, and that was tantalizingly close.
"I'll be ready," Finn said with conviction, meeting Krokk's gaze. "Just point me in the right direction, and I'll earn it."
Krokk gave him a quick glance, a small grunt of approval escaping his lips. "Good. Keep your wits sharp. It's not just strength you need—it's cunning. The Cobalt Clan will try to trick us, and their Chief is no fool. Stay close and stay focused. We'll meet him soon enough."
As they resumed walking, Finn's mind buzzed with thoughts of the evolution that awaited him. He had grown so much in such a short time, and yet, he knew that the real test was still ahead. The Cobalt Clan was ruthless, and their leader, the Chief, would be the ultimate challenge. But Finn was determined—he wasn't just a runt anymore. He wasn't just some mage. He was a Hobgoblin Mage, and he was ready to prove it.
The journey ahead would be long and dangerous, but Finn was prepared to face whatever came next. And when the time came for him to evolve once again, he would be ready—not just for the power, but for the responsibility that came with it.
He had made it this far. He wasn't going to stop now.
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The warband pressed deeper into the forest, the towering trees beginning to grow closer together as the landscape became denser. The air felt thick with the anticipation of an impending confrontation. As the group moved forward, the quiet sounds of the forest started to shift. The rustling of leaves seemed to grow louder, the distant calls of creatures more frequent, almost too deliberate. Finn's senses heightened, his eyes scanning the shadows between the trees. Something was off.
Suddenly, a low, guttural growl echoed from the underbrush, and a figure darted through the shadows, followed by another, then another. Cobalt warriors, their cobalt blue skin barely visible against the dark backdrop of the forest, appeared from all directions. The Cobalt race, humanoid and dog-like, with sharp, canine features and heightened senses, moved with an animalistic precision. Their weapons were drawn, their postures tense. It wasn't an ambush, but it wasn't a friendly meeting either.
The Cobalt warrior who had joined their group slowed his pace, his sharp eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. The group of Cobalt warriors moved into position, forming a loose semicircle around the warband. They didn't look hostile, but neither did they appear fully trusting of Krokk or his goblins. The leader of this group, a tall and weathered Cobalt, stepped forward, his eyes scanning the warband with suspicion.
"Who leads this band?" the Cobalt leader demanded, his voice gruff. His cobalt blue skin stood out against the dark backdrop, his canine-like features sharp and alert.
"I do," Krokk replied without hesitation, his voice as commanding as ever. His presence seemed to dominate the clearing, the other goblins instinctively shifting back in respect.
The Cobalt leader took a slow step forward, his expression unreadable. "We have heard of your strength, Krokk," he said, a grudging respect lacing his words. "But you walk a dangerous path. The Cobalt Chief grows stronger every day. His dark magic is not something to underestimate." He glanced back at the warriors behind him, some nodding in agreement.
The tension in the air was thick, and Finn could feel his heart racing in his chest. He instinctively stepped closer to Krokk, his gaze flicking from one Cobalt to the next, waiting for any sign of hostility. But Krokk remained calm, his stance solid and unwavering.
"Your Chief's dark magic isn't my concern," Krokk replied coldly, his eyes narrowing. "What concerns me is what your clan did to my camp. Assassins, traitors... that's what I'll deal with first. You want me to help you defeat the Cobalt Chief? Fine. But you'll have to prove your loyalty."
The Cobalt leader grunted, the words hitting their mark. "We were once loyal to him," he muttered, his gaze faltering for a brief moment. "But he has changed. We see now what he has become. We came to you for help because there's no other choice. He is consuming the forest with his power. If he is not stopped, the forest—and all of us—will be lost."
Krokk's eyes glinted with a cold, calculating edge. "And you expect me to just help you because you've decided your Chief is a problem now?" he growled. "I don't trust you, and I don't trust your Chief. Prove your worth to me. Show me you're not just a bunch of deserters running from the mess you've made."
For a tense moment, the two groups stood in silence, the air crackling with unspoken words. Then, one of the younger Cobalt warriors, his anxious eyes darting from one face to another, spoke up. "We can show you," he said quickly. "We have information. We know the way to the Chief's village. We can guide you there."
The Cobalt leader shot him a sharp look, but then his expression softened. He nodded slowly. "We will help you get to the Chief. But you must promise us that when it's over, we are spared. Our lives are in your hands now."
Krokk considered the offer, his gaze flicking to Finn for a brief moment before he looked back at the Cobalt leader. "You'll have your chance," he said. "But remember—if you betray us, you won't live to see the end of it."
With the agreement made, the two groups joined forces, the Cobalt warriors now walking alongside Krokk's warband. The air remained tense, but the alliance was forged, for the time being. Finn couldn't shake the feeling that things were far from settled, but there was no turning back now.
As the day stretched on, the warband and the Cobalt deserters traveled deeper into the forest. The path became more treacherous, and Finn's senses remained sharp. He could feel the weight of the situation growing heavier with each step. The Cobalt Chief's village was near—closer than he had ever imagined.
They eventually arrived at the outskirts of a clearing, the trees parting to reveal a cluster of crude huts and makeshift structures. A sense of dread hung in the air, the atmosphere thick with an unnatural energy. This was it—the Cobalt Chief's village.
Krokk motioned for the warband to stay close as they entered the village's perimeter. The Cobalt warriors around him moved with the same careful precision, their eyes constantly scanning for danger. Finn's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing with possibilities.
The Cobalt Chief awaited them.
And Finn would have to face whatever dark magic the Chief wielded. It was no longer just about survival—it was about proving himself and surviving the challenge of a lifetime. The true battle had only just begun.