The Wielder of Death Magic

Chapter 93: Hobgoblin

“Hurry up, provisions for this week has arrived,” Adelana yelled. The sun out here proved to be a daily challenge to overcome. The castle which once rested atop a small hill had extended its territory. The outside camp grew in a circle around the first castle wall. It became almost like a big circle encircling the smaller circle which happened to be the castle. The hill’s slope wasn’t that bad, buildings, shops, taverns, and many others were put in place. The upper half of that circle, just behind the north-east facing fortress became the residential area. Houses of great heights and excellent craftsmen ships rose one after the other. It looked almost like any other noble district. However, what differed here was that it was commoners, otherwise referred to as Dorchesterians lived. That term got put into place by Millicent, she felt that using commoners and peasants to be belittling. Also, using Dorchesterians as the universal term made all feel unified.

Through adversity and hardship, this town managed to crawl from the depths of hell and turn into a haven for the forgotten and lost. None of this was planned to be built this early, however, a small incident forever altered how all thought. On that night, when the demons and monsters attacked, Garsley was left alone and without defenders. They invaded, from small goblins to wolves and flying creatures, all laid siege. The damage didn’t affect the stone fortress – rather, tis were the inhabitants that suffered. They rushed through the front gates and slaughtered all in their wake. The woman and children slept without trouble thanks to lady luck. The few men who stood as guards died a painless death. None suffered, none knew what happened, the assault began and ended in complete silence. Outside, all who stood were killed, however, at dawn – something peculiar stood out. Piles of gold coins, potions, and lost gears were found. No trace of a fight, no trace of blood, nothing. All was as pristine as usual, only three men went missing of which they were runaway slaves. Just as luck would have it, a small child bearing light-brown hair, freckled cheeks, and brown eyes, found an emblem; a black and grey circle. She who thought tis was but a piece of ornament hadn’t the clue that tis were a crucial piece of evidence that Adelana would come across later. Her secretive and powerful ally, the merchants of death.

Adelana spoke to their leader, she found out the whole truth about that night. Only the members of the noble council had knowledge – the Dorchesterians, if were to learn about this would panic. As proposed by Shanna, the queen of Arda, Julius accepted her conditions and sought help. Paramount was the survival of castle Garsley, the last beacon of hope for Dorchester, the first step. Thus, letting Staxius go for the sake of his fellow countrymen felt like a good choice. Sadly, before Julius could voice his and the other’s decision, Staxius left. Following that, Shanna ordered dwarfs to teach their mastery and help with the construction. She personally visited the town after the wall was built. It lasted no more than five minutes for her purpose was to cast a spell. The spell that rendered the latter impregnable to both humans and otherworldly beings – the best defense there was. And so was how castle Garsley became a thriving town and haven.

“Focus your mana even further,” a girl spoke calmly, she held a great-sword. “I c-can’t,” another feeble looking lady panted. “Fine, let’s take a break,” the first spoke, her white hair glistened with the sun. Dorchester wasn’t the only one on the move, Eira also worked twice as hard. She trained daily, and spent all her time into studies and learning how magic worked inside out. Claireville academy became her new home, though she grew popular, animosity from the other nobles grew as well. Boys envied her while girls hated her. The new ice-princess, her facial expression remained neutral. Sophie Mirabelle, though Eira didn’t know her past, had a bad feeling about her. She felt weird, almost to the point as if she were just someone’s puppet. It reminded her about the time she met that little girl back at the Pussy Palace. Not heeding those baseless accusations, Eira continued training.

It didn’t come as a surprise when she overtook her fellow students in practical as well a theoretical. Nothing fazed her, the battle training grew too simple and predictable. Seeing how gifted she was, Josiah made up his mind. He offered her an apprenticeship – she would learn under him. Joyfully, she accepted. The standards and hope he had for her were on an astronomical scale. The first day of training they held together proved to be a whole other game. Thus, the reason why she engulfed herself into the inner workings of magic. ‘I will stand by your side one day, father.’ Soon after, she reached his expectation and they worked together as if a grandfather teaching his granddaughter.

Night gave way for the day, Staxius had traveled quite a distance. The thick foliage blocked his path on many occasions. Getting lost was the least of his worries for with each step he took, the danger of an ambush grew. Almost regularly, a strange creature would charge and attack, it didn’t bother him. With each killed, he wrote down their characteristics. Not being able to use other elements apart from the shadow, fire, and the death element; he could not test their weakness thoroughly nor could he use fire openly. He respected the forest and did nothing that could prove to be harmful. Instead of walking, he chose to run with his eyes closed. He decided to use all his mana and transfer it into raw speed, just one of many types of challenges he set for himself. Navigating through the trees, while running at speeds no human could ever hope, his agility and reflex sky-rocketed. Not to mention, he did them with his eyes closed – almost possessively, the goal was to master that trait. Something unique to him, for the experience of death, had overwhelmed this false sense of security all humans had.

Days went by without worries, monsters were slain, trading remained normal. No big event had been set to happen anytime soon. The capital felt quiet and mundane, Totrya went dark. Little did the people know that adventurers weren’t the only one leveling up. Monsters did the same, the stronger the foe, the stronger they become. No one truly had the edge over the other – small goblins mutated into hobgoblins, shamans, and leaders. Hidden away, they multiplied. Not only were they immortal in the sense that they would come out of portals at regular intervals. They also bore children like any other living creature. Camps, small hideouts, and other unsightly places got built. They didn’t grow smart, instead, they adapted. This all happened under their noses, none had any clue to this development.

.....

“STOP THE BATTLE PRACTICE,” one of the instructors yelled. “GO NOTIFY THE QUEEN,” the sound of giant footsteps made the ground vibrate. The first one to experience the full terror of beasts was Arda. The thick forest, hidden caves, and unventured territory made it a breeding ground for the green devils. Inhabitants, mainly girls, were reported missing ever since. None knew the real reason; the royal guards deployed all over to no avail. “But m-master,” one of the students tried to help. “GET BACK,” he yelled, the aura emanating from this wave of monsters had a feeling of dread. Subtle and muffled, each step grew closer and closer. Said battleground was located at the foot of the tree. The monsters would come out of the forest at precise times for a full-on assault. Their weak nature proved to be good exercise but today it played against Arda.

The elves standing guard atop could not believe their eyes. Arrows were shot, the sound of tree cracking and breaking overwhelmed all. Non-combatants rushed inside; the air filled with malice. It did nothing, the arrows, it bounced off their bodies. ‘If you can’t help, don’t try helping, it will bother people who can help,’ an idea which seems cowardly in nature, taught by none other than Staxius had saved many lives before. At first, the guards didn’t like it, but slowly, it became common knowledge. The moment the arrows didn’t work, archers retreated. None wanted to get in the way, and it proved to be wise.

“We’ve got a big p-problem. We’re under attack, or soon will be, please relay this message to her majesty, we need help on the bottom floor.” A demi, bearing dog’s ears fell soon after the message delivered. He died and revealed an arrow inside his back. “Carry him to the medics, and do inform this to her majesty,” the lady who sat behind the desk remained as monotonous as ever. “As you wish,” one of the guards replied.

The message reached Shanna’s ears quickly. “I won’t say I didn’t warn you,” the sage stepped forward. “-but sending most of your army to help with common problems has now come back to haunt you,” she held a frown, the sage spoke the truth. “It’s true that the guards are away.” She stood up, “-if they can’t protect this kingdom, then I shall do the deed myself.” The first step she took forward felt weak, she stumbled. “Mind yourself,” the sage quickly caught her. “-trying to fight in your condition isn’t wise. Have you forgotten that your transformation has now reached half-way,” he took a quick pause, “-trying to fight now is madness. The immense strain on your body despite you being a fairy isn’t bearable.” The man spoke truthfully, she could barely stand let alone fight.

“But i-if I can’t p-protect them, w-who will,” she glanced over, her stare changed. The color of her eyes turned blue; she was dead serious. “I shall accompany you,” the sage conjured his staff. “If you’re fighting in your state, then tis not wrong for me to use up my remaining mana in this fruitless endeavor.” He smiled. “But you absolutely can’t, if you use magic now, death will be knocking on your door.” She fired back with a sorrowed tone. “Isn’t that selfish of you, first you try and save the kingdom by sacrificing yourself and now tell me that I can’t do the same?” their argument continued.

While they conversed, the hobgoblins tore the bottom floor apart. They rushed out of the forest; any remaining combatants fought with all their might. One after the other, sword and magic did naught to them. The massive green bodies in which their eyes remained as white as a blank scroll rushed them. Swing after swing, the foe held overwhelming strength. Their clubs changed from dark-brown to red in a matter of seconds. Poor were the ones who tried to stop the assault. Most of the royal guards were off on an expedition. The Kingdom, though powerful now remained powerless.

“Three giant green demons accompanied by countless little devils are invading the ground floor as we speak. Anyone willing to help, please make your way downstairs, this fight is for our survival,” this message reached the upper floors as well as the queen. “I haven’t the time, thus I will compromise with you. I shall send Prophecy on my behalf and you will restrain yourself from combat.” She stood before the portal, “I agree,” he replied. *Prophecy, I summon thee to fight on mine own behalf,* A blinding light materialized. It stepped through the portal and headed down.

‘I sense it, fear, hatred, death,’ Staxius had been traveling for days and had now reached the capital. ‘I sense it all, the beasts, they are strong.’ In the corner of his eyes, the bushes moved. “H-help m-me,” it mumbled. Staxius stepped forward, laid before him a young elf with a dagger inside her stomach. He knelt and stared at the weapon. Hands on his sword, he unsheathed and sliced away her clothes – revealing the wound without touching the dagger. Black marks, it spread throughout her stomach, poison, a potent one at that. *Cough, cough,* “H-help m-me,” she begged. “Listen, you’ve been stabbed by a poisoned dagger. If I remove it now, you may bleed to death, by what I see, the blood is rather powerful.” His eyes, upon the sight of blood, changed, it grew neutral. “I h-have a f-family,” she coughed blood. “We all do, but prolonging your suffering isn’t worth it,” he replied with a cavalier face. “Tell me your name,” he asked, she had reached her limits. “F-Faraine Aebalar.” He patted her forehead reassuringly, “worry not.”

*Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, from when you were born and till you die, I, the god of death, hold in my hands the strings which binds you to this world, by my authority, I order thy chains to be severed, spell, Tactus Interitus.* “Good night,” he snapped, the girl died. Out of respect, he took out the dagger, placed both her hands on her chest and covered her face with the cloth he sliced off – her face held a smile. ‘Here I come.’ A smile shone through his emotionless gaze.