Suleiman, Athena, and the soldiers marched forward, the scouts leading the way. The air was thick with tension, the rustling leaves whispering secrets of the unknown.
One kilometer from the cave, Suleiman raised his hand, signaling a halt. His golden eyes, glowing faintly with the power of Horus' Eye, scanned the surroundings as he waited.
His gaze shifted toward the Spartan commander and the leader of the Tiba Archers. "What are your names?"
The Spartan straightened. "I am Ariston, my lord."
"And I am Zahir, Your Highness," the Tiba Archer leader followed.
Suleiman's voice remained calm. "What do you remember about your past lives?"
Ariston and Zahir exchanged glances before answering in unison. "Only our names and our combat experience, Your Highness."
The power of Horus' Eye pulsed, revealing their honesty. Satisfied, Suleiman let the silence settle around them until the scouts returned.
Frank stepped forward, his face shadowed by urgency. "Their numbers range from 150 to 200, my lord. Fifty goblins have left the cave, led by a Level 2 Goblin. They split into five groups."
Suleiman's gaze sharpened. "Do you know their current locations?"
"We have tracked their general movements, my lord. One group is just 500 meters west."
Suleiman nodded, his eyes flickering toward the distant trees. The dim glow of the evening cast elongated shadows, dancing like silent phantoms. He did not blame Frank for being unable to track all five groups-resources were scarce.
"In which direction did the group led by the Level 2 Goblin move?"
Frank inhaled sharply. "North, my lord." His relief was evident-Suleiman had not reprimanded him.
Suleiman's gaze fell on Athena. "What do you think of goblins?"
Her face twisted in disgust. "Short, ugly creatures with the intelligence of a five-year-old. Their only strength is their insane reproductive rate. Wiping them out is nearly impossible. They do nothing but raid, steal, and abduct women to multiply their kind."
Suleiman's expression darkened, thoughts weaving together like a silent storm. "We will split into squads. Ariston, you will lead ten Spartan soldiers and five Tiba Archers. Zahir, you will command ten Tiba Archers and five Spartans.
Harry will take ten Spartans, along with three ordinary archers and three Tiba Archers. I will lead five Tiba Archers and ten Spartans with Athena. The final squad will consist of seven Tiba Archers and fifteen Spartans."
He turned to Ariston. "Choose a capable soldier to lead the last squad. If anything goes wrong, you will be held responsible."
Ariston bowed. "At once, my lord."
He vanished among the Spartans and returned with a soldier-leaner than the others but still formidable.
A low, disciplined voice echoed. "Enomotus, at your service, my lord."
The Eye of Horus pulsed. A familiar warmth of loyalty radiated from the soldier. Suleiman nodded, reassured.
"Good. I will head north with Athena and Frank. Harry and Ariston, you will take a scout and handle the eastern groups. Zahir, take the southern group. Enomotus, your squad will eliminate the closest one. Any objections?"
Silence.
Harry and Enomotus hesitated, their doubt lingering like a ghostly whisper. Yet, Ariston and Zahir spoke without hesitation.
"My lord, you are the heart of the village," Ariston said firmly. "You should not risk yourself."
Zahir followed immediately. "Your Highness, let us eliminate the weaker groups first before facing the strongest."
Before Suleiman could reply, Athena's voice sliced through the air. "His Highness understands your concerns."
Her tone hardened, her golden eyes like frozen flames. "But do not overstep your boundaries and assume His Highness is weak."
A chilling silence followed. Ariston and Zahir lowered their heads immediately.
"We apologize, Your Highness, Lady Athena. It will not happen again."
Athena's gaze lingered on them before she turned away. "I hope so."
Suleiman's voice broke through the tension. "Move out."
They vanished into the night.
Enomotus' squad was the first to strike.
The goblins stood unaware, their filthy bodies hunched over scraps of stolen food.
A silent hand signal.
Twang!
Arrows rained from the sky, slicing through the air like silent whispers of death. Goblins shrieked, their small bodies collapsing in spasms.
Enomotus charged, his blade carving through their panicked forms. The Spartans moved in perfect synchronization, their steel flashing under the moon's glow. By the time the second volley of arrows fell, there was no one left standing.
The other squads mirrored the ruthless efficiency, executing their assaults with precision. Each group, wiped out.
In the north, Frank crouched low, eyes locked on the enemy.
Suleiman finally saw them.
Short. Filthy. Disgusting.
Brownish skin, saliva dripping from jagged teeth. They wore scraps of leather and leaves, the stench of unwashed bodies poisoning the air.
Leading them was a 1.7-meter-tall goblin, wielding a crude, massive club. It walked with an air of arrogance, its eyes filled with a flicker of intelligence.
Suleiman's voice was calm. "Athena, can you kill it?"
A smirk curled on her lips. "Easier than you think."
"Then we move. Kill the small ones first. I will take the leader. If I'm in danger, you step in."
Athena nodded. "Understood, Your Highness."
Suleiman turned to his soldiers. "Archers-**pick a target. Kill or disable. I will handle the leader. Spartans-**cut down the rest."
"Understood, Your Highness!"
A rush of wind.
Twang!
Arrows pierced the air, striking true. Two goblins dropped dead instantly. Three more screamed, their bodies writhing on the ground.
The Spartans charged.
The goblin leader roared, "ROOOO! I'll kill you all!"
It lunged forward-
A blur of gold.
Suleiman leapt, summoning the Royal Spear in a flash of golden light.
CLANG!
The goblin stumbled back, rage twisting its face.
Suleiman's golden eyes narrowed.
"Majestic Gaze."
The goblin froze, terror flooding its monstrous eyes.
A blur of motion-
SHING!
The goblin's head separated from its body, blood spraying in a crimson arc.
Behind him, the battle was already over. The Spartans stood victorious, goblin corpses littering the ground.
Suleiman exhaled. "Regroup at the meeting point."
They vanished into the darkness.
They arrived second-Enomotus' squad had been closer. One by one, the others joined.
Suleiman's voice rang through the night. "Casualties?"
"No injuries, Your Highness," they answered in unison.
"Good."
His gaze turned to the cave entrance. Narrow. Guarded by ten goblins.
He met Zahir's eyes.
Zahir nodded. "Archers-ready."
A breath.
"Fire."
A rain of arrows. The goblins dropped dead, never knowing what hit them.
Without hesitation, Suleiman and his warriors stepped into the darkness of the cave.
Thirty meters in, the passage expanded into a vast chamber.
A wave of goblins rushed forward, screeching.
Ariston raised his blade. The Spartans clashed with them like a wall of steel.
Arrows tore through the air, slicing down the enemy.
Then-
A thunderous roar.
"ROOOO! Who dares kill my warriors?!"
A 1.8-meter-tall goblin emerged, muscles rippling.
Behind him-two more goblins, just like the one Suleiman had slain.