Chapter 9

In the shadows weep the tiny hoblins' plight,

With warrior hearts that shine, they rise to fight.

Against Hypnal's might, they stand, united, bold,

Can they conquer the dark, or will their fate unfold?

*

We are now heading to the Kobal Forest of Nyebe to find Hypnal's lair. The sky is still dark as it hasn't dawned yet.

As we entered the forest, I pulled on Nyebe's leash to bring her to a halt. I dismounted, facing her and holding her head gently in my hands. "Nyebe, you must stay here until I return. If there are any enemies, find a place to hide, but you must come back to this very spot. When I call your name, you must come to me immediately. Do you understand?"

"NEEHEEEEE!" she responds, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that gives me hope.

A smile spread across my face, feeling relieved. It seems she understands the language of humans.

I stroked her face one last time. I can't take her into the forest with me; the danger is too great. So, I leave her here, at the edge of the trees.

"I'll be back, I promise," I said, giving her a reassuring pat before stepping deeper into Kobal. The charred dry trees loom around me, while the ground feels damp from the earlier rain.

As I venture further, I keenly sense my surroundings, trying to locate the cave where Hypnal resides.

The path ahead appears untouched by fire, indicating that I've reached the forest's heart. Suddenly, an overwhelming presence washes over me. I froze, sensing something enormous nearby.

I hear the crashing of trees and the hissing of hypnalis.

"That's her, Mother. She is the one who killed some of us," whispered a tiny voice from the shadows.

My heart races as I scan the area. Just then, an enormous serpent slithers into view, crushing the dry trees beneath its massive body. I looked up to see it.

It resembles the hypnalis but is far larger and broader, hissing loudly as it flicks out its long, forked tongue. "Did you kill some of my children? Ssssss…"

I can't believe it speaks. Its voice is feminine, and its bright green eyes glint with malice, revealing its razor-sharp fangs.

"Yes, I did! You must be Hypnal!" I shouted boldly, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

A wicked smile stretches across its face. "Indeed. Sssssss…"

My heart swells with relief; I no longer need to search for it; it has come to me.

"Introduce yourself!" Hypnal demands, its tongue flicking out provocatively.

"I am Hemira, a warrior of the kingdom of Gemuria! I am here to slay you so that this forest can be returned to the hobgoblins you took it from!" I declared, trying to project confidence despite the fear gnawing at me.

Hypnal pauses, then bursts into sharp laughter, the smaller hypnalis echoing its mockery. "What did you say? You will slay me? Are you losing your mind? It seems you do not yet know what my abilities are. No one can defeat me. Sssssssss... Unfortunately for you, warrior woman of Gemuria, your arrogance will be your downfall! Prepare yourself, for I will end your foolishness!"

Before I can react, it lunges at me, its massive jaws wide open. I leaped aside just in time.

I dodge its attack as its face crashes into the ground, creating a thunderous sound. Trees around us ignite, turning to ashes, leaving a massive hole where its head struck.

As I drew closer, I spotted a hypnalis crawling nearby. Without hesitation, I stomped down on its head with all my might, relishing the satisfying crunch. I quickly grabbed my sword, ready for the next wave.

With a swift thrust, I plunged my sword into the ground, skewering another hypnalis that dared to crawl toward me.

Suddenly, I feel a sharp pain as one sinks its teeth into my leg. I swiftly sever its head with a clean swipe, adrenaline fueling my movements.

But then, another bite pierces the back of my leg. I whirled around to find a hypnalis clamped down tight.

Before it can escape, I seize its head and force it to bite my arm. This was Elderly Orum's method for counteracting its venom—using its poison against it.

"Igghhhhhhh…" I groaned, overwhelmed by the burning pain in my leg and arm. Strangely, no blood flows from the bites.

Dizziness threatens to engulf me, but I shake my head fiercely; I can't afford to lose focus. In just a heartbeat, thousands of hypnalis could swarm me.

I hurled the biting hypnalis to the ground and drove my sword through it. It cries out, but its life extinguishes quickly.

I survey my surroundings. Hypnalis swarm around me, their menacing forms closing in, but our attention shifts to Hypnal, who has finally lifted its massive head.

It is seething with rage.

Even as I observe its size, I notice its movements are sluggish.

"You!" it roars, glaring directly at me.

As it lunges again, I slice through the smaller hypnalis beside me and dash away, narrowly avoiding its grasp.

I fix my gaze on it, now visibly irritated, but its annoyance twists into a mocking grin. "Ssssssssss… Did you come here to slay me? Sssssssss… Why are you dodging my attacks? Is that your strategy, or are you just a coward with nothing but empty words?"

I smirked defiantly. "You're all talk! Quit your rambling and attack already!" I shouted back.

Its fury ignites further due to my taunting, and it lunges at me once more.

I brace myself as its head comes down to bite me. Timing my jump perfectly, I leap into its open mouth, retrieve my other sword, and stab both weapons into its eyes.

"GAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

Blood gushes forth, splattering my face as I yank both my swords free and leap down, narrowly escaping its violent thrashing.

"GAAAAAAAHHHH! MY EYES! I CAN'T SEE! I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING!" it screams, thrashing wildly in agony.

Its rampage causes it to crush the smaller hypnalis nearby, along with the dry trees around us.

It continues its chaotic flailing, swinging its body toward me. I dodge quickly, sprinting away to avoid being crushed.

BAAAAAAAAMMMMM!

The impact shakes the ground, sending shock waves through the forest.

Its screams echo in the air.

"You foolish Hypnal! Did you think I was unaware of your weaknesses? I know your skin is nearly impenetrable, but you're not just a tough hide! You have two eyes that I could easily injure! And let's not forget your sheer ugliness stemming from your evil! You stole the home of the hobgoblins, who never did you any harm, just to make yourself comfortable. Now it's time to reclaim this forest!" I charged at it, but the smaller hypnalis blocked my path once more.

Their hissing fills the air, drowning out my thoughts as they close in around me again.

I consider using the magic I summoned earlier, but I fear the resulting explosion would ignite a massive fire, destroying the entire forest. If that happens, the hobgoblins will have nowhere to return.

Instead, I swing my swords fiercely, cutting through the mass of hypnalis surrounding me.

I run, continuing to slice downwards, stabbing any that dare to bite me.

The sharp pain from their earlier bites throbs painfully in my mind.

"AHHHHHHHHH!" Hypnal is still in a frenzy. When it swings its neck toward me, I jump onto its head, clinging tightly to its scales to avoid being thrown off.

The smaller hypnalis are crushed beneath its massive weight.

With its head momentarily still, I stand above its mouth, staring into its now-bleeding eyes, the wounds glaringly visible. "How does it feel, Hypnal, to be the one in pain now?" I ask, my voice steady.

"Ahhhh! Help me, Hemira!" A tiny, desperate voice pierces through the chaos. I turned to see who it was...

"Eriza!" I gasped, spotting her small form ensnared by Hypnal's thin, scaly tail.