Chapter 3: An Uncertain Fight

30 minutes later

"Well *pant* this is a problem" I said

The plan worked wonderfully at the beginning. One could even say that it was the correct decision. Goblins are stereotypically weak. But they had pointy spears and we had flesh and clothes for armor, which it turns out, is not a good match up. If we had fought them, one of us would have probably died. There was only one flaw. I looked behind me. The trio of goblins were panting heavily, tongues lolling. They were far more desperate than I expected. I then glanced to my right. Serena was exhausted. Very exhausted. If we had even a minute to spare I could teach her proper running form and pacing. But as it was I didn't want to get close enough that they thought throwing their spears would be a good idea.

Which led to the current stalemate.

I looked at Serena more closely and realised we were in far more danger than I'd thought. After all If we continue like this…

I positioned myself until I was close enough so that she could hear me.

"I think *pant* we can take them *pant* they're more tired than we are" I said

Serena barely acknowledged that she heard me. Only nodding. Not having enough energy to even speak. In truth I imagine if we kept the situation as it is. We'd still have a good chance of outrunning them… However it's not enough. I understood when I looked into Serena's eyes. Serena's body will give out before her mind does. So once we've escaped, Serena will collapse. I would be stranded in goblin patrolled lands. The risk would be far far too high. If we fight now...and win. We'd be in a much better spot which means…

"Okay we're stopping *pant* in a minute *pant* ready yourself"

Serena nodded again and we pressed on.

* * *

A minute passed and nothing had changed. Although Serena looked prepared at least. The three goblins behind us were around half a minute behind us. Not much time to catch our breath but it'll have to do. I signalled Serena to stop in a small area surrounded by hills with a tall oak tree nearby. We Immediately heard the goblin's triumphant cries at the sight of their prey seemingly giving up.

I picked up a study looking branch from the tree and asked

"How many can you get rid of?"

She said she had a fraction of her original power. But even 1% would be a godly amount. However

"...only one…..two...would be too much right now" she replied taking in deep gulps of air

She also agreed to escape in the end.

The goblin screeching became louder

"...I'll keep two of them occupied while you deal with the other one" I said finally

I had a plan for dealing with one so I was really counting on her to take on at least two of them. This is bad. I'm really not a fan of risks and this is going to be a huge one. If I had more time I could think of something better but...

Then Serena looked at me.

"...You can leave me. This is the result of my own actions" - she said quietly

"Yeah you're damn right. So you better make it up to me" I said readying myself

The goblin's feet were audible now

"You would need to survive first" - she said smiling

"Hah...well, I have an idea of sorts" - I replied, lifting up my makeshift weapon

Because the goblins had arrived.

The first two things I noticed was that they didn't bring any tea like I thought. And then the awful smell. Their teeth were a sickly yellow. Seriously lacking any dental hygiene whatsoever. They were very tired but they had the numbers. Thankfully they split up according to the arrangement. One goblin to the weak looking Serena and the remaining two to me. Next step.

"Hey you broccoli turds over here!" I yelled running up the hill.

The goblin duo despite the language barrier turned furious and ran after me.

That's good. If I can give Serena some space she should be able to deal with the solo goblin using whatever Reaper power she still has. As for me...I had a tree branch. I chanced a look behind me. They themselves were on the verge of collapse. Barely holding their spears. Their yellow eyes told a different story. Desperate. Hungry and excited. I tried to ignore those eyes and waited for my opportunity. Now!

Before I reached the top of the hill. I abruptly stopped, planting my foot firmly then using my whole body, swung as fast as I could. Goblin A and Goblin B after continuously giving intense chase for so long...could not react in time.

*CRACK*

Goblin A unable to stop ran into my power swing. The branch collided with his head with a sickening crunch. Goblin A fell like a sack of potatoes. Goblin B who was a little behind Goblin A became stunned. Their prey whom they've hunted relentlessly, in a single second turned the tables on them. Where I'd seen excitement before I now saw terror. Despite that...I stepped back.

"This is where it gets interesting," I said to myself.

I looked down at the remaining goblin and he looked up at me and raised his spear. With Goblin B being a little down the hill, I knew he could only reach me by targeting my leg in front. It was going to be a contest on the speed of his thrust against my timing. If I could step on his spear and trap it I would win. If I was too slow or too fast, I would get stabbed and I would die. I can't even turn around and run, if I did he'd stab me in the back…. This was it, do or die. If I miss his thrust...

"Come on you green midget!" - I shouted impatiently.

To my horror Goblin B responded by throwing his spear.