A New Game: Part Seven

A Goblin warrior disappeared away into light particles leaving a metal necklace in its place. Alex wiped away the sweat on his brow and picked up the item. He had been walking for quite awhile and so far he hadn't reached the city. He sighed and sat down on a log, his wolf sitting down besides him displaying the same emotions. He didn't know how long he would be able to go, his mana was replenishing, but slowly.

"I wish I had a map, it would be so easy to keep track of distance that way." He grumbled away, funnily enough he hadn't once gotten hungry or thirsty during the entire time being here. While that was a blessing in and of itself it left a little emptiness to the overall effect of the game. He also wished that he could try some food during his time here.

He sighed and lifted himself up, "Alright, lets go. Surely it can't be too far now." One thing did worry him, there was an obscure amount of goblins on this path. A quick check of his inventory showed that he had nearly 21 Metal Charms, items dropped by defeated Goblin Warriors. It was weird, surly there wouldn't be this many goblins so close to the city. 

His wolf tested the air with his black nose and got up quickly. "What's wrong, more Goblins?" His question went on deaf ears, because the wolf instantly sprinted down the path. "W-Wait," Alex sputtered while running after his companion, "what's gotten into you?" After a short sprint he caught up to his friend. 

The wolf was currently sticking his head out of a small whole in the vegetation. It was then he heard the sounds. It was faint, but he clearly heard shouting and battle cries. He poked his head out of the vegetation to get a better look. 

It was a dirt highway that split the forest in two. In the middle of the road surrounded by a number of goblins was a caravan. Men in metal armour were guarding two wooden carriages. Archers were standing on top of the carts firing arrows down upon the growing number of the Goblins. 

The monsters were attacking a caravan, and the guards were defending against the attack. There were a number of goblins already attacking, he estimated about 15. There were also different varieties, some were holding bows, clubs, and crude swords. "There being attacked, we have to-" 

He stopped, Monsters were attacking the wagons. He looked at the wolf, it's fangs already bared. The people of this world see his own companions as monsters, they could get hurt while in the heat of battle. He took his staff, "Sorry, buddy, you can't help me out on this one." He whined and looked at him, clearly worried about leaving him alone. 

"It's fine, I'll summon you if things get dicey." He tapped the staff to it's furry red head and it disappeared into his staff. He jumped out of the vegetation and wielded his staff, "Alright, lets try this out." He ran out onto the road and slammed his staff onto the ground, "Distraction!" 

Sound waves emitted from his staff, the same way his Green slime had done earlier. It was very loud, but he couldn't close his ears to block out the sound. All of the goblins stopped their attack and covered their ears as did some of the guards. When the first goblin turned to him a burst of Ice had already struck it in the chest. 

He twisted his staff in the air and slammed it down again. Another bolt was let loose and it hit a goblin archer and soon it was dissipating into light. The guards and the goblins were stunned, but as soon as the second goblin was decommissioned the goblins snapped out of it and went on the offensive. One goblin, slightly larger than the others and wearing a bouquet of red feathers shouted out orders in their language.

Soon four goblins began running at him, their cries whipping across the road. The guards had reacted just as fast and attacked the pack of goblins while they were distracted. He slung another bolt of Ice towards the quartet of goblins running at him, but he wouldn't have time to attack again with the Ice. 

As the bolt hit the first of the four goblins he quickly raised his wrist and switched spells. The first one rolled and disappeared into particles, but the other three were running unfaced. They jumped at him at the same time, but it was too late, he had already slammed the staff down on the ground. A torrent of fire hit the three goblins and blew them back. 

Not one survived. He gasped for breath, his mana was getting dangerously low. That one attack was very costly, draining his mana a great deal. He looked at the guards and found they were making considerable progress. They slashed and swung at the remaining goblins with practiced ease, pushing them away from the wagons. 

Some began to retreat, despite the big one shouting orders at them. It was looking at the retreating Goblins with disgust filled eyes, and then it turned towards him. It's disgust turned to rage. "YOU," it snarled. It pointed a well crafted sword at him, "YOU RUIN, EVERYTHING!" 

"So," he thought to himself, "some monsters can speak." It sounded undeniably simple and the words kind of fuzed together, but he understood them well enough. The goblin ran at him and he prepared another ice shot. He slammed the staff down and a bolt of ice flew through the air towards the Goblin leader. "What!?" 

The goblin leader evaded the spell and continued running. Alex couldn't help but furrow his brows as he slammed the staff again, as his mana lowered he could feel it took a toll on his stamina. A bolt of fire exited the staff's head and hit the ground in front of the Goblin. "If I can't hit you, I'll blind you!" 

The spray of sparks and dirt hit the goblin in the face and the sparks set the feathers on fire. The goblin still tried to evade it, but the bolt of fire was also an AOE attack and still hit him. He flung himself to the side and rolled to the the ground snarling, "STUPID MAGIC!" 

He crawled back up, seemingly unfazed by the fire now blazing on his body. He tore off his feathers and wiped his face of dirt. He stared at me hateful, I was nearly out of mana now and he was sure he was showing it. The guards have almost cleared out the rest of the goblins, those who were still fighting that was. Most now have run off into the woods abandoning their quarry. 

He actually noticed that two of the guards were running to his aid, but they wouldn't get there fast enough. The Goblin leader cried out and began running at him again. He didn't have many options now, but an idea popped into his head. It was rash, and will likely lead to injury. 

Before he knew it the Goblin Leader had pounced at him. He raised his staff up to block the attack. 'Please work. Please work. Please work.' He felt pain as the blade entered his shoulder and he grimaced. His spell was now in place.