Goblin Threat - Part 4

With the goblin leader defeated and the remaining goblins in full retreat, a sense of grim determination settled over us. The victory was hard-won, but I knew our task wasn't complete. We couldn't allow any stragglers to regroup and pose a future threat to the forest. Despite the searing pain in my side, I was the first to rise, my eyes burning with resolve.

"We need to clear out the rest of the caves," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the weariness tugging at me. "No goblin can be left behind."

Zephyr, his feathers ruffled and streaked with dirt, nodded in agreement. "We need to be thorough. They've caused too much damage to let even one escape."

Lorelin, still elegant despite the battle's toll, approached me with concern in her golden eyes.

If we were all humans she would probably still have her make-up on... I don't know how females do it. We're all dirty and she looks like she's freshly out of cleaning or something...

"You're hurt, Orphe. Let me help you before we move on."

I glanced at the wound on my side, blood slowly seeping through my scales. I knew it was deep, but there was no time to waste.

"I'll be fine," I insisted, though I allowed Lorelin to press her soothing, green-tinted paw against the injury. Her Healing Howl, though very quiet this time, began to work its magic, dulling the pain and knitting the edges of the wound together.

Orsus and Orish stood guard, their eyes scanning the darkened tunnels for any sign of movement. Orsus, ever the protective one, kept a close watch on me while Orish's sharp mind assessed the best route forward.

"We should split up," Orish suggested, his blue eyes gleaming. "We'll cover more ground that way and can flush out any goblins hiding in the shadows."

I considered the idea, weighing the risks against the benefits. It was dangerous, but Orish was right—we needed to ensure that every last goblin was dealt with.

"Agreed," I said. "Orsus and Zephyr, take the left tunnel. Lorelin and Orish, take the right. I'll head straight down the main path. We'll meet back here once the tunnels are clear."

I saw they didn't enjoy the idea of me going by myself. But it was the only reasonable choice. I had more skills and experience than them. Orsus could act like a tank, while Zephyr attacked and Orish was great at attacking and dodging. He wasn't tough but with Lorelin's support, they would manage. It meant I had to go solo.

They all nodded, understanding the plan. With a final glance at each other, we split off into the dark, our footsteps echoing faintly in the silence.

I ventured down the main path alone, my senses on high alert. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blood, and every creak of the cave made my heart race. But I pressed on, determined to see this through.

I tried not to let my thoughts haunt me. How I wished I could turn around and run... run to that meeting spot where I would find Alexius in the flesh... happy to see me. I would run into his embrace and cry my heart out. How difficult it was to try and be perfect, to be a prince... to be a good son and sibling. To be a protector... to be brave. To cry to him about how scary it was when I felt the blade sink into my body or when I saw the life escape those creatures. They might be monsters but still... I was taking lives. I'm not sure when... but I started to put on a mask... and it was getting more and more difficult to go on like that.

As I moved deeper into the tunnel, I encountered the remnants of the goblin nest—discarded bones, crude weapons, and the occasional whimper from a wounded goblin too weak to flee. I showed no mercy, dispatching the fallen creatures with a swift, clean strike. Mercy, Dad had taught me, was for those who deserved it, and these goblins had caused too much pain and destruction to be spared.

At the end of the tunnel, I found a small chamber, barely lit by the embers of a dying fire. Huddled in the corner was a lone goblin, its eyes wide with fear. It was smaller than the others, perhaps a youngling, and it trembled as I approached.

For a moment, I hesitated, my thoughts stuck on the fact that it was a child. But then I remembered the bodies of the forest creatures, the lives lost to these monsters. My resolve hardened, and with a swift movement, I jumped towards the little goblin so it wouldn't try to run away. And it didn't. It was looking at me with huge scared eyes as I held its neck in my muzzle. Fangs pierced its skin and blood gushed into my mouth. Quickly, I ended the goblin's life, ensuring that it would never grow to be a threat. When the small body dropped dead to the ground, I felt sick for a moment but managed to keep my cool.

The chamber was now silent, I took a moment to catch my breath. The pain in my side had lessened, but the wound still throbbed, a reminder of the battle and that both sides wanted to live... I knew I couldn't afford to rest for long—the others would be waiting for me.

As I made my way back to the main chamber, I kept my head low, tired from the constant vigilance and all the fighting.

When I returned to the meeting point, the others were already there, waiting for me. Orsus and Zephyr had emerged from the left tunnel, their fur and feathers matted with dirt and blood, but their eyes were bright with triumph. Lorelin and Orish were similarly battle-worn, but they stood tall, their expressions fierce and determined.

And of course, Lorelin is all fresh and fluffy... What the heck...

"The tunnels are clear," Orsus reported, his voice low but steady. "No more goblins."

"We flushed out a few stragglers, but they didn't stand a chance," Orish added with a smirk. "They were no match for us."

I nodded, relief washing over me. "Good. We've done what we came here to do. Let's head back home and let the others know it's safe."

The journey back through the tunnels was quiet, all of us too exhausted to speak. The adrenaline from the battle was wearing off, leaving us with the weight of our injuries and the reality of what we had just faced. But despite our fatigue, there was a sense of satisfaction that came from knowing we had protected our home.

Young or not... Dad and Mom made us responsible for the Forest... and if they weren't here, we were the only ones to protect it. Well... Zephyr was an exception, but he still risked his life to fight alongside. It made me feel warm, knowing that he cared and became part of our little group.

When we finally emerged from the cave, the sunlight was blinding, a stark contrast to the darkness we had just left behind. The fresh air filled our lungs, a welcome change from the stifling atmosphere of the goblin tunnels.

As we made our way back to the den, the forest seemed to come alive around us. Birds chirped in the trees, and the rustle of leaves in the breeze was a soothing melody after the chaos of battle.

I could swear I heard the Forest breathe in relief, the wind blowing delicately as if to pet me in gratitude.

When we arrived at the den, we were greeted with a mixture of concern and pride. The other forest dwellers had heard of the goblin threat and were anxious to hear the outcome of the battle. My siblings and I were hailed as heroes, and our bravery and skill were praised by all.

But I didn't feel like a hero. I was tired, my body aching from the fight, and my mind weighed down by the memories of the battle. I had done what needed to be done, but the cost of it all still lingered in my thoughts.