A Stretch of River (part 2)

Two hours later, everyone but Tasha has reached B rank. Just then, a handful of goblin generals break through the trees. They even kill the weaker monsters that where in their way. Koi was too far away helping a group of new grants who seemed to have been overwhelmed by the unsought of beasts. Jeruelle, now a B rank, can cast Ice impaler on her own which kills the weaker monsters but just barely grazes the goblin generals. She then casts Ice wall. However, this was futile as the powerful goblins easily jumped the distance in one leap.

Althea quickly calls everyone to her side. She casts Light dome which instantly heals all those under it. The mana required is proportional to the number of people and the severity of wounds. She had just acquired the skill and knew that it would be the last chance she could cast it until the battle with the goblin generals are over. In fact, she wasn't sure if they can all make it past this battle safely.

Two generals run towards the team while three generals mutter an incantation. As the two goblins close the distance between the river banks Tasha casts her new spell Wind wall. The two goblins look comedically spread eagle midair.

*Congratulations! You have Leveled up! *

*Congratulations! You have now reached B rank! *

Terrick uses Fire breath and hits the one with armor squarely in the chest. He is damaged but far from death. Three Ice javelins eject from the water surface and skewers the other goblin general. The goblin falls into the river dead. Meanwhile, Bryce flickers to the other side of the river already deep in combat with the largest of the generals. At the same time, Althea is casting blinding Light which distracts the other two goblins from completing their spell. She then uses her Light chains which is a version of Kyoketsu-shoge. It wraps around the both of the goblin casters. One of them dies when the dagger tip of the Light chain stabs him in his heart. The other goblin seems enraged but also dies when three other Light chains erupt from the ground and impale his face. Althea manifests her Light sword and using Light sense slices the female goblin general vertically in half. Bryce is cut up but his opponent looks even worse. Then, a goblin Lord walks into the scene. Livid at the sight of his dead generals, he begins to scream.

All the goblins in the stampede has been called to this location. Within 5 seconds, one side of the river is filled with goblins of varying rank and power. The Goblin Lord points towards the members of Forlorn's Hope. An "Oh crap" was clearly written on their faces. Hordes of goblins leap and use each other to get to the other side. Few of them drown but this did not deter the seemingly insatiable goblins. Terrick creates a Fire wall that burns numerous goblins but even more goblins took their place. Some breach the wall and are now closing in on them, blistered and disfigured. Tasha casts her new spell Wind vortex that sweeps more goblins. But the goblin's number doesn't seem to be reducing. Bryce is still fighting the strongest goblin general who was now missing an arm. Then the worse thing happened. The Fire wall collapses as it becomes overrun with goblins. Terrick tries to recast the spell but he is carried off by the wave of oncoming goblins slicing and beating him.

Jeruelle freezes the river to create an Ice wall 25 feet tall. But the Goblin Lord smashes it like it was nothing as he crossed the river. He rushes to her and she is flung 10 feet into a tree. Some of her ribs are broken. She coughs up blood and loses consciousness. Tasha has stopped keeping the goblins from crossing and is trying to get to Jeruelle's aid but goblins were getting in her way. She couldn't cast spells fast enough but she somehow erected a Wind barrier and was able to get Jeruelle and Terrick in its protection. The three look worse for wear. The goblins are furiously banging on the Wind barrier.

Bryce finally manages to kill the strongest of the Goblin Generals. But he is pretty hurt. He is trying to get to his friends but they are across the river and there were more than a hundred goblins in-between them. He doesn't even have enough mana to manifest his shield so he focuses on his Dark Lightning Sword. Althea struggles to stand up. She calls forth her Light chains but they keep breaking because of how powerful the Goblin Lord is. Althea knew this was bad. If it got any worse, she would lose someone she cared about. Throwing caution to the wind, she activates her crystal and accesses the pool of mana inside her. A Fire vortex appears out of nowhere. It sucks the goblins that have successfully crossed the river clearing the area around the Wind barrier. She then casts Light chains that bound the Goblin Lord's hands and feet. He laughs and pulls at them but they don't snap this time. She activates her Light armor one more time and summons a giant Light javelin aimed at the Goblin Lord's heart. The Light javelin breaks through the Goblin Lord's multiple magic barriers but is having a hard time penetrating the armor. She summons Fire, Wind, Earth, and Water elements to enhance the javelin. Her crystal glows hot white, while her insides feel like burning. Magic circles appear along the length of the multi-element javelin. With the additional power, the javelin is now able to rip the metal and puncture the Goblin Lord's chest. In his death throes, he grabs her neck and proceeds to choke the life out of her. She loses focus which cuts off her access to the mana pool. With great struggle, she tugs on the Light chains that are still binding the Goblin Lord's hands and feet. He falls prone on the ground. The javelin has penetrated all the way through him.

The Goblin Lord slowly disintegrates into wisps of glowing mana. His death laugh lingers in the air. She is starting to lose consciousness. Beyond the place where the Goblin Lord died is a sight of her three friends. Two of whom look deathly. She directs Light heal towards them. The beam passes through the Wind barrier and starts healing them but it quickly fades. The endeavor saps her of her remaining mana. She closes her eyes and could feel herself falling slowly. Somewhere before hitting the ground, she feels an unexpected softness and warmth.

"Don't worry, I am here now." A familiar figure says as her view turns completely dark.