The Moonlight Swordsman

When the hunters and mages awoke the next morning, they began preparing for the impending battle with the goblins in Lockwood town. They quickly packed their belongings, dismissed the fire, and began their journey. Aizel had already returned late at night, as he was with his group.

As they walked through the forest, the hunters and mages were aware that danger lurked around every corner. They kept their weapons ready and remained vigilant, looking for any signs of goblin activity.

Aizel was yawning slightly as they rode in the carriage.

"Did you not get enough sleep last night, and were you also scared?" Alisme inquired; she was still concerned about the upcoming raid.

"Just didn't get a good sleep in the tent," Aizel replied.

"I slept well knowing that Aizel is going to be there with us when we fight against those goblins," Harry said with a grin on his face, while Aizel rolled his eyes away.

"Is he strong?" Alisme asked in a hushed tone, while Harry did the same and replied, "Very strong."

The atmosphere was tense as they rode in the carriage toward Lockwood Town. The hunters and mages were each preoccupied with their own thoughts and preparations for the task at hand.

Finally, they arrived on the outskirts of town. But what they saw made them question themselves about the raid.

There were many skeletons of animals and humans lying on the ground, while others were hanging by the town walls. There were also some alive people hanging by the rope on the town walls naked, while others were dead.

Nobody knows if they were screaming or pleading for help because they all appeared to have lost hope.

The hunters and mages were astounded by what they saw on the walls of the town. The sight of animal and human skeletons on the ground, as well as those hanging from the walls, made their stomachs turn. The sight of people hanging by ropes from the town walls, some naked and some even dead, made them sick to their stomachs.

"What kind of monsters could do something like this?" Alisme spoke in hushed tones, her voice trembling with fear and rage.

"That's what goblins are: hungry and lustful beasts," Nathan replied while putting her hand on her shoulder to give her some comfort.

Alisha cast a quick glance at Aizel, remembering how the last time he saw something like this, he turned into a monster on his own, but nothing happened, much to her surprise.

In fact, Aizel didn't show any emotion on his face. He had the same blank expression on his face.

"I must remain calm and vigilant at all times. There is a bigger picture here, and this raid will not be easy." Meanwhile, Aizel thought.

He knew they were monsters; something like this he would eventually face, but still, he didn't expect this level.

"Goblins are really cruel," Harry spoke while he was fuming with rage.

"All right, hunters, gather yourselves." David suddenly yelled, drawing everyone's attention.

"You guys will band together and charge straight for the town gate, with mages supporting you from behind." David while getting some mixed reactions from the group.

"Is this guy an idiot, charging the occupied town like that?" Aizel predicted that dealing with this guy would be a pain in the ass.

"Don't worry, guys; they are just goblins. We have no need to fear them; we are going to hunt every single one of them today." David said while trying to raise the morale of the group.

Suddenly, the skinny mage Thomas approached David, whispering something in his ears.

"*cough*.. Let's send a small team ahead to scout first. I'm looking for brave hunters who are quick and agile." David said it again while the Hunters began discussing among themselves who should go first.

"I will go," Aizel said while raising his hand.

Everyone was staring at him, and his own group was stunned. This was not part of the plan.

"I have a group of five people; I think it will be enough for scouting," he said again.

"Good. I admire your bravery, young man. It has been decided that you and your group will scout the area and return in the next two hours. If you do not return by that time, we will consider you dead." David said this while acting like a general.

"This guy is really a piece of art." Aizel thought as his eyebrows twitched a little after listening to this stupid asshole.

Aizel gathers up his group while they stare at him with shocked eyes.

"You..you what did you do? You should have asked us first." Nathan said he was dissatisfied with it.

"It's fine if Aizel has decided something; then there might be a reason behind it," Alisha said while trying to calm things down.

"If you don't want to come with us, you can leave; I will find others."

"Wait, we will go with you." Alisme quickly said as Aizel nodded, and the group headed towards the town gate.

Hunters and mages stared at them from behind as they made their way to the gate. Alisha walked alongside Aizel as she inquired further.

"Why did you apply yourself for the scout?"

"I wanted to see with my own eyes first what we were going to face inside the town, as goblins are not the only thing we have to look out for," he replied, while Alisha looked a little confused.

"Are you talking about the Grade II monster?" She asked.

While Aizel just smiled in response as they got closer to the town's gate.

*****

Note: 50 chapters done. Kinda proud of myself.....hehe...There are many more to come, as the story is just getting started. I will make sure to keep updating daily with quality chapters. I can proudly say that the story that I come up with is going to be filled with excitement, action, etc etc, but it will also shock every reader to their bones. I have also been contracted, so you guys will also be able to support my work. My ambition is to place my in the top three on Web. I know it has potential in further chapters, and I am going to work my ass off to deliver. Peace out!