The Abyss

"What is this place?"

I looked around me, confused. I'm sure i was killed by goblins. It definitely wasn't a dream. The pain was all too vivid and real that just recalling the memory sends shivers down my spine.

I looked up to see total darkness. All around me were stone walls, surrounding me in a circle. If there was a word to describe this place, it would be colosseum.

I still had my greataxe in hand and all my equipment, weirdly enough. Suddenly, a *poof* sound could be heard. I turned to lay my eyes on where the sound came from to spot a lone goblin. The goblin was red unlike the normal green goblins that killed me. It was a tad bigger and carried a club. It was also enveloped in a green miasma which.

I recoiled and shrieked in horror. What did you expect? I was just killed by goblins and now i have to fight another one. Of course i would develop some kind of phobia for them. I could still remember the nightmarish grins the goblins had on their faces as they beat me into the ground.

I knew that i could easily slaughter the lone goblin, even if it seemed a bit special, it's still a goblin. But my heart was pounding and wouldn't listen to my brain.

The goblin noticed me after my shriek and came sprinting. It was faster than a normal goblin, about twice as fast. In my panic, i dashed in the opposite direction, trying to get away from it.

I desperately looked for a way out of the colosseum, any gaps in the stone walls. I ran and ran, squinting my eyes to see in the darkness, using what little light i had from my lantern. I could hear the thumping getting closer from behind me. I was getting tired out and couldn't keep up my sprint for much longer.

Eventually, i gave in and turned to face the goblin, ever so unwillingly. I could see the goblin's face now. A long nose, long ears, eyes and a nasty snarl. It was a slit-eyed horror. I hurriedly swung my axe in a horizontal arc, forcing the goblin stop in it's tracks. I quickly grabbed a random item from my bag and hurled it at the little nightmare. All that did was buy me a second as the goblin easily dodged.

I continued to throw my possessions until i had nothing left. I then threw the magic bag itself in a desperate attempt to buy myself more time. The goblin crept closer and i had nothing left but a latern and an axe.

I could hear the goblin snickering, as if it was toying with me. In a last ditch effort, i discarded my only light source, throwing my lantern at it. In retrospect, that was a stupid thing to do, but it worked out in the end.

By some miracle, the goblin didn't dodge it. I don't know if it was because it was stunned by what i threw and didn't expect it or if it wanted to taunt me and let something i hurled hit it. As soon as the lantern collided with the goblin, it broke and the goblin was set ablaze. Cries of pain echoed throughout the colosseum as the goblin ran amok.

I stared in a daze. Then a thought came to me. There were stories of how those who die go to a place called the abyss where they have to overcome a trial that varies in difficulty from person to person depending on how strong that person is and if they succeed, they get to come back to the overworld, meaning coming back to life.

I died to goblins and now, i'm in some sort of colosseum, being forced to fend off a goblin as if it were a trial of some kind. Coincidence? I think not!

The trial is, well obviously killing the goblin. I can't see it being anything else. And if i succeed, i get a second chance at life, meaning all is not lost and i can continue on my quest to becoming a mithril class adventurer! It would seem quitting would be the smart choice here but there's no way that's happening. I'll strive to become a mithril class adventurer, no matter how long it takes!

I steeled myself, focusing my gaze on the goblin torch. I set my fears aside and forced my body to cease shaking. I darted across, closing the gap between me and the goblin and brought my greataxe down on it in a diagonal swing, slashing off an arm from the shoulder. A deep diagonal gash could be seen on the torso of the goblin as it screamed in anguish but it was still alive and kicking. The flames were finally put out but it's wounds were cauterized by the fire. Guess i couldn't hope for its' death by bleeding.

The goblin scuffled to its' feet, burns on various parts of its' body as it huffed and puffed. An enraged expression can be seen on it's charred face. It roared and launched itself at me, albeit a bit sloppy. I quickly leapt off to one side and had the goblin dive into hard rocky ground. I planted my foot on its' remaining arm, applying pressure until it let go of the club. It squealed, trying to break free as i placed my other foot on its' blackened back.

I held my greataxe up high and swung it down one last time, finishing the job. All of a sudden, my surroundings bent and twisted, warping to a ridiculous degree. My head started throbbing and my heart began racing while i inhaled sharp and short breaths of air.

I'm not sure how long it's been but when it stopped hurting and my breathing became steady again, i opened my eyes to see the familiar roof of the abandoned mine and got up in a frenzy to see 4 cards floating in front of me.