Goblin Threat - Part 1

The tranquillity of the Edoleran Forest had been shattered, and I felt it in every rustle of leaves, in every silent pathway that was usually full of life. Whispers of disappearances were spreading among the forest creatures, filling the air with an unease that gnawed at me constantly. It started small—squirrels, rabbits, birds—creatures that could sometimes vanish without much notice. But then it became worse. Larger beings, like deer, and even some of the lesser predators, began to go missing. The once vibrant forest paths were now eerily quiet, the usual symphony of life replaced by a thick, unsettling stillness.

I couldn't ignore it. The clearing around our den, normally bustling with activity, was now subdued. I could see it in the eyes of my siblings too. Lorelin, with her white fur tinged with green that seemed to glow softly in the sun, stood at the entrance of our den, her golden eyes full of worry.

"Something is wrong," she murmured, her voice barely audible as we gathered together. "I can feel it. The forest is... afraid."

I nodded, every one of my senses heightened by the tension in the air.

"It's more than just fear. There's a reason behind these disappearances—something lurking in the shadows."

Orsus, his silver fur bristling with unease, grunted as he spoke.

"Carcasses," he growled, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. He had found the bodies of some of our fellow forest creatures during his morning patrol, and the sight of them still lingered in his mind. The corpses were mangled, showing signs of a brutal attack that suggested something far more sinister than a mere predator. "I found them near the southern edge, close to the old caves."

Orish, the most clever among us, narrowed his blue eyes, his mind already working through the possibilities after gathering clues, checking footprints and more.

"Goblins," he said, his voice laced with both disdain and concern. "They must have made a nest in those caves. It would explain the tracks, the disappearances and the condition of the bodies."

The mention of goblins sent a chill through me. I had heard stories of these vile creatures—small, vicious, and cunning. The stories in my old world about them? Yeah, they were all very accurate. Goblins were a blight upon any land they touched. They attacked in swarms, overwhelming their prey with sheer numbers and cruel tactics. If they had indeed made a nest in the caves, it was only a matter of time before they grew bold enough to threaten the entire forest.

"We can't wait for Mother or Father to return," I said, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my insides. The thought of taking on such a dangerous task without our parents' guidance was terrifying, but I knew we had no choice. It still wasn't the time for Dad to return and Mother left with some warriors to settle a dispute at a further part of one of the borders. Who knows how long she'd be there...

"If we don't act now, more lives will be lost. The Forest is depending on us."

My siblings shared my resolve, even as we all recognized the weight of the decision we were making. We were still young, still growing into our roles as protectors of the forest, but we knew the responsibility that came with our lineage. As children of the King and Queen, it was our duty to protect the forest and all who lived within it.

Just then, a familiar figure landed gracefully beside us—Zephyr. The griffin had become one of my closest friends, his sharp eyes filled with concern as he listened to our conversation.

"I overheard what you were saying," Zephyr said, his tone serious.

Of course, you did. If Zephyer were to live in my old world he'd be a spy for sure... planting cameras and microphones everywhere. I rolled my eyes mentally with a subtle smile at my thoughts.

"If it's goblins, you're going to need help. I'm coming with you." The griffin added.

I felt a surge of gratitude for Zephyr's unwavering loyalty.

"We could use your eyes from the sky, Zephyr. Goblins are cunning, and they won't hesitate to ambush us if they get the chance even before we get near their caves."

With our decision made, we began to prepare for the mission ahead. We gathered what supplies we could—sharpened sticks, food, and whatever the forest could provide. Lorelin, with her gentle touch and growing command of the forest's ancient magic, imbued some of her healing and strengthening magic into us, a sign of the power she was learning to harness.

I decided to check in with PIA for any additional guidance, knowing that the stakes were high.

PIA tell me something about Goblins.

[Opening the database]

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Species: Goblins

Threat Level: Single - Very Low, Group - High, Community - Higly dangerous

Common Tactics: Ambush, Swarm Attacks, Poison

Weaknesses: Fire, Light, Advanced Tactics

Additional Notes: Goblins are known for their rapid reproduction and their preference for dark, confined spaces. They often set traps and ambushes, using their small size and numbers to overwhelm larger foes. Extreme caution is advised.

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The information was clear—this was not going to be an easy mission. But as I read the details, I felt a surge of resolve. We had faced dangers before, and though this might be our greatest challenge yet, there was no backing down.

"Are we ready?" I asked, scanning the determined faces of my siblings and Zephyr.

Lorelin nodded, her expression resolute. "As ready as we'll ever be."

Orsus growled, a fierce determination burning in his golden eyes. "Let's make those goblins pay for what they've done."

Orish smirked as he spoke. "We'll need to be smart about this. No charging in blindly. We stick to the plan."

Zephyr spread his wings, his brown and white feathers catching the light as he prepared to take flight.

"I'll scout ahead. If there's any movement, I'll signal."

With a final nod, we set out, moving swiftly and silently through the forest. The weight of our mission pressed down on us, but we carried it with the strength and determination that had been ingrained in us from birth. The fate of the forest rested in our paws, and we would not let it down.

As we drew closer to the southern edge of the forest, the air grew heavier, the silence more oppressive. The usual sounds of the forest—birdsong, rustling leaves, the distant calls of animals—were absent, replaced by an eerie stillness that set my nerves on edge.

"This is it," I whispered, barely audible as we reached the entrance of the cave. The dark maw of the cave yawned before us, the air around it thick with the stench of death and decay. The scent was so strong it made my stomach churn, but I pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the task ahead.

Zephyr circled overhead, his sharp eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. He landed briefly beside me, his expression grim.

"There's something inside, something that's been moving around. Be careful."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

"We stick to the plan," I reminded everyone, my voice firm. "Orish, take point. Lorelin, stay close to Orsus. Zephyr, keep an eye on our flanks. Let's move."

With Orish leading the way, we entered the cave, every one of my senses on high alert. The darkness swallowed us, the walls of the cave closing in as we ventured deeper into the goblins' nest.

The further we went, the stronger the stench became. The air was thick with the scent of blood and rot, making my heart pound in my chest, but I kept moving, eyes fixed on the path ahead.

Finally, we reached a large chamber, the flickering light from our makeshift torches casting eerie shadows on the walls. And there, in the centre of the chamber, was the goblins' nest—a sprawling mass of twisted roots and rotting flesh, surrounded by the bones of the creatures they had slain.

Orsus growled low in his throat, his eyes narrowing in disgust.

"We're going to burn this place to the ground."

I nodded, my resolve hardening.

"We will. But first, we need to deal with the goblins. Be ready—they won't go down without a fight."

As if on cue, the goblins began to emerge from the shadows, their small, twisted forms creeping toward us with malevolent intent. The battle was about to begin, and there was no turning back.