Goblin Slaughter

Osiris had been travelling for almost two hours. He had a light breakfast just before dawn and was now moving northeast towards the Maw. So far, his journey hadn't been the hardest. Besides a fateful encounter with a druid, one could argue that it had been quite relaxing.

The grasslands had treated him well so far, only having encountered a few small holes in the grassy terrain. Osiris and Dusk continued in this tranquillity for some time. However, this calm would be crushed by a sudden sound from the tall grass.

Taking notice of the rustling grass, Osiris made Dusk halt. An eerie silence took hold of the grasslands. Then, from the grass in all directions came four stone-headed spears; they flew through the air with practiced grace. Then, in the few moments the spears were air-born, Osiris focused on the spears. Suddenly, a gale was summoned onto the spears, pushing them off trajectory. Three spears failed to find their mark, hitting the grass. The last spear, even after being moved, still grazed the horse, causing it to go into a panic, suddenly bucking from the pain. Osiris was knocked from Dusk's back and into the tall grasses. Luckily he sustained almost no injuries, only bruises.

Dusk, extremely freighted, ran off into the field. However, their attackers seemed far more interested in the shine of Osiris's plate armour than the innocent horse. From the grasses emerged five goblins. They were grey, and four of the five worse rudimentary clothing barely covering their bodies. The fifth seemed to be held in high regard, wearing some basic metal plate armour. Though it appeared that the armour was scavenged from another person who had ventured into the grasslands, far too large for the goblin.

Nxt to each of the goblins was a wolf of considerable size. Each one almost the same size as their goblin master. Then in a practiced motion, the wolves lunged forward at their prey. Their eyes were a yellow brilliance in the sun. Their jaws open wide, in an attempt to kill the Knight Slayer as fast as possible.

Osiris may have been able to cast a spell to kill the wolves at once, however, he felt that he was still weakened after his encounter with the druid. The wind spell he had cast earlier had already taken a toll on him. If he cast another spell he might run dry of magic. If this happened he might end up worse than if he didn't use any magic at all.

If one used too much magic and "ran dry" as some put it he would face major consequences. Technically one couldn't run out of magic. Natural systems in the body would prevent this. However, one could lose a lot of it, to a point where a creature's natural systems, which require magic could fail. This would result in fatigue, dizziness, fainting, and organ failure in extreme cases.

Due to these reasons, Osiris wished to avoid these possibilities as much as possible. So, instead of casting a spell, he rolled just below a lunging wolf, skewering the beast on his longsword. He was then met with a dagger from the wolf's master. After all, even with the goblins lacking intelligence, knew that it would be idiotic to just watch your dog be slaughtered without doing anything. Blocking the strike, Osiris executed a feint, managing to stab the grey-skinned creature in the eye. Sadly, or not so sadly, this goblin would not be receiving an eye from a druid.

Turning around swiftly, the Knight Slayer was met with a stalking wolf and another goblin. In a mere moment after Osiris's turn, the wolf lunged. Seeing the goblin's close proximity, he grabbed the small imp by its throat, his plate armour blocking the weak blows from the goblin's rusty dagger. He then heaved the imp into the wolf. Instead of trying to avoid its master, the wild dog continued its lunge, ripping the goblin's head clean off.

In the brief moment of the wolf's distraction, Osiris plunged his blade into its spine, killing it instantly. Turning around, he saw that the three remaining goblins, as well as the wolves, seemed a bit more cautious. The goblins seemed to push past their caution. Perhaps they had not had a visitor in some time.

The remaining monsters then tried their best to circle Osiris. The bounty hunter then lunged toward one of the goblins, catching him by surprise and slicing his stomach open. Red gore found its way onto the grass as Osiris broke the goblin's formation. Once again turning, Osiris swiftly gutted another wolf.

Now there were only two goblins and two wolves left. One of the last remaining goblins shouted something to their leader in the armour. Osiris assumed that it was a call for retreat, however, it seemed the leader was dead set on having armour as he shouted back commands to the imp. The goblin then lunged forward with his wolf by his side. A war cry escaped his brutish lips. The howl of his wolf soon accompanied him. This promise of blood was immediately cut short as the oversized dog's head flew through the air.

Perhaps fueled by the rage after his dog's death, the goblin turned into dagger wielding maniac. Swinging the small blade rapidly. Just as Osiris was about to finish the poor goblin off, he saw the accumulation of magic in his peripheral. It seemed that the goblin in front of him was a distraction. In the brief moment, before the spell was cast, he kicked the enraged goblin into the spell. The poor creature's body was split in two after a blazing ball of fire was sent in its direction.

Osiris charged forward, through the smoke and guts that fell from the sky. After closing in, he cut the goblin's dagger-wielding hand clean off. The screech of the beast shook the grasslands, tears streaked down its face as it begged for forgiveness. Osiris was no fool, nor would he die like one, submitting to a goblins charade was pathetic and he could easily see the imp reaching for another dagger. So, before he could be fooled, the Knight Slayer cut the beast's head down its center.

Taking a moment to regain his composure, Osiris looked around. It was then that he noticed a strange fog. It was thick and almost opaque. The most confusing thing about this strange fog was the rapid pace it took form as it was not there when he had started his conflict with the goblins.

It was then that the fog ensnared him, taking him into its fold as it swirled around him. The Knight Slayer suddenly felt light-headed. Then for the second time in his journey so far, he blacked out.