Hunt begins

The first creation, even the stars and shadows of the world envied and wanted it for it was only by claiming it would one have the qualification to stand above all others. Legend stated that it was lost some place in the world of man where no star or shadow could reach. Thousands of years pass while it had been unclaimed. Reduced to mere myth and fantasy, its pursuit became taboo as too many lives were lost chasing after the unattainable dream. However, in a small and remote region in the far south, the dream did not die. 

(Royal Guard): "Open the gate for her highness the first princess Veronica!"

 The men who stood watch at the gates of the kingdom heard the order and proceeded as instructed. The citizens of the kingdom stood by chanting and wishing her good luck as she was about to leave through the gates. Though surrounded by some of the strongest and famous fighters in the land, she herself was all any man, woman or child could talk about. She was young, beautiful, kind and fashioned the best and most expensive armor money could buy. 

(Princess Veromica)" Thank you everyone. I will put in my best effort on this hunt for the sake of our homeland." 

Her public image was that of a joyful and kind girl thus earning her the nickname "Peoples smile." One could see that the Mame kingdom was not the worst place to live in terms of their rich history and culture, but it also carried its fair share of troubles. Monsters from all over the land had grown stronger and more aggressive inviting pain and suffering to the people as they ran rampant in the world. Occasionally, hunting expeditions were to be made by the most capable people to thin out the monsters. A small army marched out of the western gate that points towards the forest. It was the royal family's private army added with a few men from the nobles of the region. The royal guard surrounded the princess for her protection and coordinated the army. 

(Crowd):"WE WISH YOU LUCK!!!

 COME BACK SAFE!!!"

The army continued their march until they all made it out of the city and its gates were closed. A few of the older citizens had worry on their faces, the young boys ran on the streets playing at being warriors and the adults went on to their work. 

...

(Royal guard):"Baron Mada, select a few men to form a scouting unit. We don't know what to expect this time around, so we need as much intel as possible."

(Baron Mada):"Forgive me Sir Ian, although I am in charge of logistics, I am afraid I am not familiar with these men. I have no way of knowing who amongst these commoners the responsibility of gathering intelligence that may determine our life or death should befall. I believe you more suited to the task since you are of common birth yourself. You are more familiar with these men than I."

(Sir Ian):"...I understand."

Sir Ian's POV

I suppose its naive to think that just because I am the strongest man in this kingdom, they will all of a sudden forget that I am a commoner. This fat and lazy Mada especially has it out for me since his highness appointed me head of the royal guard rather than his nephew. He has been a pain in my ass since. Hopefully we will be finished soon, and I get to go back to my wife and her heavenly venison stew. 

(Sir Ian):" Listen up men!!! I need ten of you to form a unit for renascence purposes. You will also act as our rapid response unit. Those of you who are willing, step forth."

 Maybe it was because of his charisma or the fact that he was the hero of the commoners, but half a hundred men stood out immediately in response to his call.

(Sir Ian):" HAHAHAHA!! I must be quite popular. You are more than we need so I will only take half of you. The rest will go back to your stations."

(Soldiers):"Sir yes sir!!!"

He and his men rode out on their horses and went into the forest first. As they were about to set off, they were halted by the princess.

(Princess Veronica):"Sir Ian, take me with you." 

(Sir Ian):" You are the leader of this army princess. Surely, they need you to lead them more than I do. You should stay here where you are needed."

(Princess Veronica):" I know that, but you don't know what you may find this time and may find yourself in need of a healer."

(Sir Ian):"...I understand, but you are to be careful while we explore. If anything were to happen to you, it is more than any one of us can afford."

(Princess Veronica):" This venture would be pointless if nothing were to happen. Do not worry yourself with me when we came out here for a different reason."

She rode past them with a face that was indicating she was excited. Having been raised strictly, it was one of the only chances she had at experiencing adventures of her own rather than those she read about from the books she had called her friends since she was young. She frequently visited the towns once she was older, but he aspired for more. This was one of the few chances she had to see more than just the same roads and walls. 

(Sir Ian):"Men, follow her and do not let her out of your site."

(soldiers)" Yes sir!!!"

They had ventured into the forest to see what they were dealing with this time around. One would expect it to be a large pack of wolves or a large group of orcs but what they found was a small group of goblins. They numbered a dozen or so and carried rusted and poison daggers and arrows. They were no larger than a human child but had the strength of an adult. They were known to belong to the category of intelligent monsters but still dull when compared to humans. Sir Ian and Princess Veronica's group hid in the bushes and the trees. Sir Ian was a spearman, so an assassination was not going to work well with him. Added with his direct and simple personality, there was only one thing he could do. The goblins found themselves staring at an iron clan individual who had a long spear in his hands, and he just looked at them with indifference. They then began to charge at him with their weapons. Out of the bushes and trees, arrows flew at the goblin's heads and bodies. Two of them were taken down so the goblins stopped their charge. As they looked around, they could tell they had been surrounded. One of them from the group shouted as loudly as it could. They then charged at Sir Ian again. He then swung his spear downwards and split a goblin in two. One of the goblins then shot its arrows at Sir Ian which he easily evaded. The goblins behind the one that had been cut down looked at Sir Ian as if he was a devil and ran from his presence. They scattered from him, but before they could find a place to hide, a few soldiers cut them down while some were shot with arrows to the head. 

(Princess Veronica):"I didn't get to do anything."

She then looked over towards Sir Ian and saw that he wore a rather troubles expression. 

(Princess Veronica):"What's wrong Sir Ian?"

(Sir Ian):"Goblins tend to belong to large groups and they shouldn't be this far south. If a group of goblins migrated this far south, then we could possibly be looking at thousands of them. How could we not notice a group that large? Also, we haven't seen anything else since we came in. By now we should have encountered at least an animal. What is happening here?"

(Princess Veronica):"Let's go back to camp and report this."

(Sir Ian):"Read my mind your majesty."

...

As they exited the forest they were met with a large roar and the growling of hundreds of animals. Sir Ian was then reminded of the shout the goblin gave of back in the forest. He assumed it was a battle cry but the thought that it could have been signaling its location crossed his mind. 

(Sir Ian):"Damn it!

 Brace yourselves for battle men!!"

Sir Ian's shout roused every man, their weapons were unsheathed in preparation for battle. 

...

On a hilltop sitting by an old grave was a boy in his teens. His clothes were old and the house besides the grave was small. He had lived there his whole life and was about to set off towards his dream but not before saying goodbye to his mother. 

(Mysterious boy):"I'm about to set out mother. I'll get you back with my own hands."