The Guild and The Power Struggles

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the town as Gabriel, Lina, and Kain stood at the entrance to the Silver Fangs Guild hall, ready for their first mission. The trial mission would determine if they were fit to join the guild permanently. Gabriel's expression was as unreadable as ever, but Lina's excitement and Kain's focused determination balanced the trio.

Inside the hall, Guild Master Aric was waiting, a thick scroll in hand. His stern gaze swept over them as they approached.

"This is your trial mission," Aric said, handing the scroll to Lina. "A simple monster extermination. There's a cave about a day's journey from here that's been overrun with goblins. They've been attacking travelers and disrupting trade routes. Your job is to clear them out.

Lina unrolled the scroll, glancing over the details before nodding. "Understood. We'll handle it!"

Aric's eyes lingered on Gabriel. "Goblins aren't particularly dangerous, but they can be tricky in large numbers. I expect you'll keep your team safe."

Gabriel met his gaze with a cool, steady look. "We'll complete the mission."

"Good," Aric replied. "Prove yourselves on this task, and you'll have a place in the guild. Fail, and you're on your own."

As they left the guild hall, Lina couldn't contain her excitement. "Our first mission!

This is going to be great. We'll be part of the guild in no time."

Kain adjusted the sword on his back, his eyes focused on the road ahead. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We still have to complete the mission."

Gabriel walked in silence beside them, his thoughts as guarded as ever. Lina glanced at him, trying to read his expression, but found only the same cold, emotionless mask.

"Gabriel, you're always so quiet," Lina said, her tone playful but with a hint of concern.

"Don't you ever get excited about anything?"

Gabriel looked at her, his voice calm. " don't see the point in getting excited. It's just another task."

Lina sighed but smiled. "Well, you're certainly consistent. But maybe one day, something will break through that icy exterior of yours."

Kain smirked slightly. "Don't hold your breath, Lina. Some people are just wired differently."

Gabriel didn't respond, his mind already shifting to the mission ahead. He had faced far greater threats than goblins in his past, but he knew better than to underestimate any opponent. As they traveled, Lina and Kain continued to chat, sharing stories and observations, while Gabriel remained a silent observer.

By the time they reached the cave, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the entrance. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and decay. Lina wrinkled her nose in distaste.

"Ugh, smells like death in there," she muttered, drawing a small dagger from her

belt.

Kain drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the fading light. "Stay alert. Goblins are cunning and usually set traps."

Gabriel moved ahead, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the darkness within the cave. He could sense the presence of the goblins, their movements erratic and chaotic, a reflection of their twisted minds.

He glanced back at Lina and Kain.

"Stick close. We go in, clear them out, and get out," Gabriel instructed, his voice firm but low.

Lina nodded, her usual cheerfulness replaced with a serious demeanor. "Got it.

Let's do this."

They entered the cave, the darkness swallowing them whole. The only light came from a small lantern Lina carried, casting eerie shadows on the rough walls.

The deeper they went, the more oppressive the air became, and the sounds of goblins chittering echoed through the narrow passages.

It wasn't long before they encountered the first group. The goblins, small and twisted creatures with sharp teeth and beady eyes, lunged at them with crude weapons, screeching in a language that was more growl than speech.

Kain was the first to react, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. He cut down the first goblin with a swift strike, moving with practiced efficiency. Lina darted in and out of the fray, her dagger flashing as she struck at vulnerable spots, her movements quick and calculated.

Gabriel hung back for a moment, observing how Lina and Kain fought together. They were competent, but he could see where they left openings. When a goblin attempted to flank Kain, Gabriel stepped in, his hand raised. The blood from the goblin's body responded to his will, freezing it in place. With a flick of his wrist, Gabriel sent the creature flying into the wall, its body crumpling with a sickening thud.

Lina noticed and shot Gabriel a grin. "Nice timing!"

Gabriel gave a slight nod but said nothing, already moving toward the next group of goblins. The battle continued, with Lina and Kain growing more coordinated as they fought side by side. Gabriel was a silent force, his blood manipulation turning the tide of the battle whenever it seemed the goblins might overwhelm them.

As they pushed deeper into the cave, they found the goblins' nest--a large cavern filled with makeshift nests and the stench of rot. Dozens of goblins swarmed them, shrieking and clawing at the intruders.

Kain gritted his teeth, slashing through the horde with a ferocity born from years of battling darker foes. "There's too many of them!"

Lina stayed close to Kain, her eyes wide as she fought to keep the goblins at bay. "We have to hold them off until we can find their leader. Without it, they'll scatter."

Gabriel moved to the center of the cavern, his eyes narrowing as he focused. The blood of the fallen goblins began to rise, swirling around him in a crimson vortex.

The goblins paused, their beady eyes fixed on the terrifying sight.

"I'll take care of this, Gabriel said, his voice calm despite the chaos around him.

With a powerful surge of his will, Gabriel sent the blood swirling toward the goblins, the force of it knocking them back and breaking their ranks. The goblins shrieked in terror, their fear palpable.

Lina and Kain took the opportunity to press forward, cutting down the goblins with renewed vigor. As they advanced, they spotted the goblin leader-a larger, more grotesque creature with a crown of bones and a gnarled staff.

"There!" Lina shouted, pointing her dagger at the leader. "If we take it down, the rest will flee!"

Kain nodded, his eyes locked on the leader. "Let's finish this."

The goblin leader snarled, raising its staff as dark energy began to gather around it.

Before it could unleash its power, Gabriel acted. He thrust his hand forward, and the blood from the goblins coalesced into a spear, shooting through the air with deadly accuracy. The spear impaled the goblin leader, its eyes wide with shock before it crumpled to the ground.

The remaining goblins screeched in panic, scattering in all directions. Without their leader, they were no longer a threat. The cavern fell silent, save for the ragged breathing of the three who had fought.

Lina lowered her dagger, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. "We did it! That was incredible!"

Kain sheathed his sword, nodding in agreement. "Good work, everyone."

Gabriel remained silent, his expression unchanged as he surveyed the aftermath.

He could sense the life force draining from the goblins, their blood slowly seeping into the ground. It was a gruesome sight, but one he had long since become numb to.

"Let's head back, Gabriel said finally, turning toward the cave entrance.

As they made their way out, Lina fell into step beside Gabriel. "You really saved us back there. Your power... it's unlike anything I've ever seen."

Gabriel's response was as cold as ever.

"It's just a tool. Nothing more."

Lina's smile faded slightly, but she nodded.

"Still, I'm glad you're with us."

Kain, walking on Gabriel's other side, glanced at him with a thoughtful expression. "You're strong, Gabriel. But you're also holding back. Why?"

Gabriel didn't answer immediately, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "There's no point in using more force than necessary. We did what needed to be done."

Kain seemed to accept this, though his gaze lingered on Gabriel for a moment longer. "Fair enough."

As they emerged from the cave into the fading daylight, Lina took a deep breath, her smile returning. "Well, we survived our first mission together. I'd say that's something to celebrate."

Gabriel remained stoic, his mind already shifting to the next challenge. He had no interest in celebrations or camaraderie. His focus was always on the task at hand, and this mission was no different.

But as they made their way back to the guild, Gabriel couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted. Perhaps it was the sense of having fought alongside others for the first time in years, or maybe it was the way Lina and Kain seemed to accept him without question. Whatever it was, Gabriel knew that this was only the beginning.

Their journey together had just begun, and the road ahead was bound to be filled with more trials, more battles, and more revelations about the world they lived in.

Gabriel, Lina, and Kain had formed a fragile bond through blood and battle, and though Gabriel would never admit it, a small part of him was curious to see where the path would lead…