Goblin Threat - Part 2

The oppressive darkness of the cave seemed to close in around us as the goblins crept forward, their grotesque forms illuminated by the flickering light of our torches. Their eyes glowed with a malevolent gleam, and their twisted faces were contorted into sneers of hatred and hunger. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the sound of their raspy breathing filled the chamber, echoing off the cold stone walls.

At the front of our group, Orish tightened his stance. I could see his eyes, sharp and calculating, as he surveyed the approaching goblins. He was always the first to spot danger, and this time was no different. His gaze locked onto something hidden in the shadows—crude but effective devices designed to ensnare and maim. He raised a paw, signalling the rest of us to halt.

"Watch your step," Orish whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. "They've set traps. We need to be careful."

My heart pounded in my chest as I nodded, the tension thick in the air. Every sense was on high alert, knowing that one wrong move could spell disaster. I activated my Eyeglass skill, hoping for any insight that might give us an edge.

[Activating skill: Eyeglass]

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Species: Goblin

Type: Goblin Group

Threat Level: High

Common Tactics: Ambush, Swarm Attacks, Poison, Traps

Weaknesses: Fire, Light, Advanced Tactics

Special Traits: Cunning, Vicious, Cowardly when outnumbered

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The information confirmed what I already knew—these creatures were dangerous, and they had the advantage of numbers and home terrain. But we had come prepared, and we would need to outsmart the goblins if we hoped to survive this encounter.

"They can be dangerous in a group... We need to divide their forces," I whispered, my mind racing. "If they swarm us all at once, we'll be overwhelmed. Zephyr, can you draw some of them away? Create a distraction?"

Zephyr, always quick to understand the situation, nodded. We were lucky this cave room was enormous and he could easily fly up. His sharp eyes caught the flickering torchlight as he turned toward the goblins.

"I'll lead them toward the back of the chamber. Keep your eyes open, and be ready to strike."

With a powerful beat of his wings, Zephyr took to the air, the gust of wind from his ascent blowing out several of the torches. The sudden darkness added to the chaos, and the goblins, startled by the movement, turned their attention toward the griffin as he swooped low over their heads.

"Now!" I hissed, seizing the opportunity as the goblins' attention was momentarily diverted. We split up, moving swiftly and silently into position.

Orish, led Lorelin and Orsus to the left side of the chamber, where they could flank the goblins and cut off their escape routes. I moved to the right, my heart pounding in my chest as I scanned the chamber for any sign of a leader among the goblins.

[Accessing the database]

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Goblin Leader - appears in Goblin Groups. Killing a Goblin Leader makes all the goblins panic and loose coordination. They become chaotic and lose the ability to work together. Groups that are close to levelling into a Goblin Community, may have more than one Goblin Leader.

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Now I knew that without leadership, the goblins would descend into chaos, making them easier to defeat.

Zephyr's plan worked. A dozen goblins broke away from the main group, chasing the griffin as he led them deeper into the cave, dodging the stalactites hanging from the stone ceiling. The monsters' shrill cries echoed through the tunnels, but Zephyr was too quick, his agile movements keeping him just out of their reach. The remaining goblins, now fewer in number, hesitated, uncertain without the full strength of their swarm.

"Orish, now!" I called, my voice cutting through the tension.

Orish didn't hesitate. With a fierce snarl, he led the charge, Lorelin and Orsus right behind him. They moved as one, a blur of fur and teeth as they struck with precision. Orish, the smallest but the fastest, darted between the goblins, his sharp teeth tearing through their ranks. Lorelin's healing presence bolstered her brothers, while her own swift strikes kept the goblins at bay. Orsus, the powerhouse, used his bulk and strength to overpower any goblin foolish enough to challenge him directly.

I focused on taking out the goblin leaders. I spotted them at the back of the chamber, their larger, more heavily armed figures barking orders at the others. These were the ones keeping the goblins organized, and without them, the swarm would falter.

Moving with purpose, I slipped through the shadows, my stealth skills allowing me to remain unnoticed. The goblin leader closest to me was tall for a goblin, its skin a sickly greenish hue, adorned with crude armour made of bone and metal scraps. It carried a jagged blade, dripping with poison, its eyes scanning the battlefield with cold calculation.

My heart pounded in my chest as I crept closer, my muscles tensed in preparation for the strike. I knew I had to be swift—one wrong move and the goblin would call for reinforcements.

Just as the goblin leader turned its back, I sprang into action. With a powerful leap, I closed the distance, my claws extended. The goblin barely had time to react before I was upon it, my teeth sinking into its neck with a ferocity born of desperation to survive. The goblin let out a strangled cry, its blade clattering to the ground as it crumpled beneath my weight.

[Skill Acquired: Ambush Mastery]

But there was no time to revel in victory. The second leader had noticed the commotion and was already charging at me, its weapon raised. I spun around, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. The goblin was faster than I had anticipated, and it pressed its advantage, forcing me to backpedal.

"Orphe!" Zephyr's voice echoed through the chamber as he swooped down, his talons raking across the goblin leader's face. The creature screamed in agony, momentarily blinded by the attack.

Seizing the opportunity, I lunged forward, my claws slashing across the goblin's chest. The leader staggered, blood pouring from the deep wounds, but it refused to go down easily. With a final, desperate roar, the goblin swung its blade wildly, aiming for my head.

Time seemed to slow as I ducked under the swing, my Enhanced Senses guiding my movements with precision. I could feel the rush of air as the blade passed inches from my head, but I didn't falter. With one last powerful strike, I brought the goblin leader down, its body hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

The chamber fell into a tense silence, the remaining goblins frozen in shock at the loss of their leaders. Panting heavily, I raised my head, feeling a fierce determination surging within me.

"Finish them!" I commanded, my voice carrying a weight of authority that left no room for hesitation.

My siblings and Zephyr responded without a second thought. The goblins, now leaderless and demoralized, were no match for our combined strength. One by one, they fell, their cries of terror echoing through the chamber as we cut them down, seeing in their eyes as life left them. They were fighting to survive but so did we... for survival and for the Forest.

When the last goblin lay dead at our feet, I allowed myself a moment to catch my breath. My body ached from the exertion, my fur and scales matted with sweat and blood, but the relief that washed over me was palpable.

"We did it," Lorelin said softly, her voice filled with a mixture of exhaustion and triumph. She moved to my side, her golden eyes reflecting the faint glow of our torches. "The goblins are defeated."

Orsus grunted in agreement, his powerful frame still bristling with adrenaline. "But we need to be sure. There could be more deeper in the caves."

I nodded, my mind already shifting to the next step. "We'll need to explore the rest of the tunnels and make sure we've cleared them all out. We can't leave any survivors—they'll just regroup and come back stronger."

Zephyr landed beside us, his wings folding neatly against his sides. "I'll scout ahead, make sure there are no more surprises waiting for us."

As we prepared to venture deeper into the caves, I couldn't shake the feeling that this battle was far from over. The goblins had been numerous and cunning, but they had underestimated our strength and unity. Still, the threat of more lurking in the shadows kept us on edge.

We had won the first round, but my gut was telling me that the real challenge was yet to come.

[Skill Acquired: Foresight]

[User Level Up: 14 -> 15]

[PIA system Level Up: 3 -> 4]

It meant new possibilities but unfortunately, I had to wait to see what this new level could mean.