A hard earned payback

I waited for her to process everything. There was something about the way she studied me—her eyes scanning me for any sign of hesitation—that made me think she was still weighing her options. But I wasn't going to waste any more time. The goblins had to be close, and this could be my chance for some payback too.

I watched as her expression shifted—uncertainty turning into a mix of disbelief and determination.

"You're… serious?" she asked, looking down at the vials in my hands.

I nodded. "Goblins are sneaky, vicious little bastards. They don't play fair. But we don't have to let them get away with it, right?" I gave her a grin, the fire from the earlier battle still burning inside me.

Elise hesitated for a split second longer, then grabbed the vials with a soft curse, popping the cork off of one of them and downing it. She let out a small breath of relief as her wound slowly knitted itself back together, though the sharp pain in her thigh still lingered. The potion did its job, but she was far from fully healed.

"I didn't expect this," she muttered, eyeing the second vial I offered—a stamina potion. "Most divers would leave me to die."

"Well, I'm not most divers," I said, cracking a smirk. "Besides, I'm not one to leave a job unfinished."

Her gaze flickered to my axes, my grip tightening around the handles, then back at me.

"You really think we can take on those elites?"

I didn't hesitate. "We can't just hide forever. We'll have to fight."

She took the second vial and drank it, the glow from the potion making her already-strong muscles hum with renewed strength.

As she finished, I took a moment to prepare. The axe in my right hand felt heavy with anticipation. The weight of the battle still clung to my muscles, but I knew I could push through. The leather armor—the blackened set that I'd just gotten—felt snug against my skin, but it offered protection where it mattered. The gauntlet on my left arm, the one I'd gotten from Abigail, felt like a shield, even though it was designed for offense. I gripped it tight, ready for anything.

I looked at Elise, giving her a nod.

"You ready?"

Her response was a faint smile, despite the exhaustion in her eyes. She nodded, lifting her battered shield. "Let's get them."

I led the way back into the darkened passage, the dim glow from the crystal formations casting long shadows ahead of us. The air here was thick with the scent of stale blood and the remnants of battle. Every sound, even the faint rustle of our footsteps on the stone floor, felt amplified in the silence.

We pressed forward, moving carefully.

The deeper we went, the darker and more oppressive the atmosphere became. The air turned cooler, and the sound of skittering feet echoed from far down the corridors. I knew the goblins were out there, and the last thing I wanted was to be caught off guard.

Then, we heard it—the unmistakable sound of goblins chattering, a low growl that seemed to vibrate through the stone. My grip tightened on the axes, and I could feel the tension in the air rise.

We weren't far from the stairwell now.

"We're getting close," I whispered. "Stay sharp."

Elise moved beside me, her shield raised. She had the advantage of blocking, but the goblins' agility would test both of us.

We rounded the corner, and there they were—the goblins that had ambushed her earlier.

There were three elites this time, just like before—taller, stronger, and far more dangerous than the normal goblins. Their yellow eyes gleamed with malice as they noticed us. Their weapons—crude but deadly—were raised, and their mouths opened in a series of guttural snarls. Behind them, the six normal goblins scurried forward, eager for a fight.

I didn't wait.

With a sharp battle cry, I lunged forward, throwing my weight into a downward slash aimed at one of the normal goblins.

The goblin barely had time to react, its expression frozen in fear before my axe cleaved into its side. It crumpled instantly, and I swung around just in time to meet the first elite's attack—a massive cleaver swinging toward me.

I raised my axe to block, but the force of the blow pushed me back, the shockwave of the strike rattling through my bones. The goblin elite was fast, faster than I had expected, and I barely had time to avoid its next swing.

But Elise was there.

She moved in, her shield raised, and the elite's cleaver clanged off her defense. The force of the strike sent a shock through her arms, but she didn't flinch—instead, she retaliated with a quick strike from her sword, cutting deep into the goblin's exposed flank.

I took advantage of the opening. I ducked under the elite's next strike, stepping to the side and slashing at its midsection. The goblin let out a shriek of pain, but it didn't falter—its movements became even more vicious, the bloodlust in its eyes evident.

Meanwhile, the other two elites had begun to close in, while the normal goblins were circling us, waiting for an opening.

I could feel my strength beginning to drain. Each swing of my axe felt heavier than the last. I glanced at Elise—she was holding her own, but the battle was starting to take its toll. She was slowing down, and I needed to finish this.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself as I switched tactics. With one powerful swing, I knocked the cleaver out of the first elite's hand, sending it skidding across the floor. Elise took that moment to jab her sword straight into the goblin's chest.

It was a good hit, but the elite wasn't finished. It staggered back but then lunged toward her.

I wasn't going to let that happen.

In an instant, I was there, my axe swinging in a powerful arc that connected with the goblin's neck. It dropped to the floor, dead, but not without leaving a heavy thud.

I turned to face the remaining goblins, the elites snarling as they charged. The battle was far from over.

I gripped my axes tightly, feeling the sweat dripping down my brow. My muscles were burning from the strain, and my heart hammered in my chest. But there was no stopping now.

The remaining two goblin elites charged toward me, their eyes locked on mine, and I met their charge head-on. They were strong, stronger than the normal goblins, but I had already faced them before. This time, I wouldn't hesitate.

The first elite swung its massive cleaver, aiming for my head. I ducked under the blow, the sharp edge whistling through the air just inches from my face. My legs tensed, and I launched myself back to my feet, swinging my axe in a wide arc. The goblin barely managed to raise its own weapon in time, the two blades clashing with a resounding clang.

But I wasn't alone in this fight.

Behind me, I heard Elise's sword clang against her enemy's shield as the second elite surged forward, slamming into her with a brutal charge. She staggered, but her shield held firm. It wasn't going to be enough to keep her safe forever though. I could see the strain on her face, the effort it took to keep her ground as the elite towered over her, swinging a jagged sword with brutal precision.

I couldn't let that happen.

With a growl, I launched myself at the first elite again, pushing it back with a series of quick, sharp strikes. The goblin's yellow eyes narrowed in fury as it parried with its cleaver, but it wasn't fast enough to deal with me. Every strike was designed to force it backward, and my feet slid across the stone floor, moving in rhythm with my swings.

The second elite was still focused on Elise, its heavy steps pounding the ground as it moved to strike again. I had to act fast.

I surged forward, taking the full brunt of the elite's attack on my own armor. The goblin's cleaver slashed across my right side, the edge catching my leather armor and tearing it open with a sharp rip. Pain shot through me, but I ignored it, pushing on with everything I had.

The elite's ferocity was overwhelming, but I didn't have the luxury of retreating. I parried another blow, my axe scraping along its cleaver, and thrust my other axe straight for its gut. The impact was sickening, the heavy weight of the axe sinking into its flesh.

It howled in pain, staggering back just for a moment, giving me the opening I needed.

But I couldn't let up. I swung again, this time at its throat, feeling the resistance of its tough hide give way with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed from the wound, and the goblin elite let out a death rattle, its hands clutching the open wound as it collapsed to the ground with a thud.

It wasn't over yet.

The second elite had noticed my movements and roared in fury. It turned on me, slashing wildly, its jagged sword cutting through the air with deadly precision. I blocked the first strike with my axe, but the second blow caught me off guard, slashing across my left arm.

I gritted my teeth, staggering back, but there was no time to nurse the wound. Elise was still struggling against her own opponent, and I had to finish this.

Elise was breathing heavily, her shield battered and chipped from the elite's relentless blows. I could see her flagging, her sword trembling slightly as she swung it once more to deflect the goblin's sword. She was still in this, but the fight was wearing her down.

I couldn't let her face this alone.

With a final push, I brought my axe down on the elite's weapon, knocking it from its hands with a loud crack. The goblin staggered back, unarmed, and that was my chance. I spun around, using the momentum to slam my axe directly into the goblin's skull, splitting it with a sickening crunch.

It fell to the floor with a heavy thud, the light slowly fading from its eyes.

I didn't breathe a sigh of relief yet. I could feel the weight of the battle dragging on me—the exhaustion in my limbs, the burn in my chest. There was still the aftermath to deal with, but I had to focus on Elise.

I turned to her, finding her still locked in combat with the last elite. She was tiring, but she wasn't finished. Her sword was heavy in her hands now, each swing slower than the last, and the goblin before her seemed to sense that.

"Elise!" I shouted, moving to her side.

The elite swung again, aiming for her exposed side, but I was already there. I blocked the blow with my axe, catching the elite off guard. The force of the strike jarred my bones, but I didn't let it stop me.

Elise took the opportunity to step back, breathing heavily as she repositioned herself. The elite was getting slower, its movements sluggish from its own injuries, and I knew it was only a matter of time.

We moved in sync. I slashed at the goblin's chest, cutting deep, and Elise followed with a swift strike to its side. It staggered back, its breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

But we weren't done.

I raised my axe one more time, bringing it down in a vicious arc. The goblin's shriek echoed off the stone walls as my axe sank into its shoulder, knocking it off balance.

It tried to regain its footing, but Elise was already on it. She darted forward, her sword piercing straight through its chest with a force that left it gasping for breath.

It fell to the ground with a final thud, and this time, it didn't get back up.

The battle was over.

Breathing heavily, I lowered my axe, looking over at Elise. She was slumped against the stone wall, her shield still raised, but her exhaustion was evident. We had done it.

I glanced around at the carnage. The goblins were dead, their bodies scattered around us like broken toys. The fight had been brutal, but it was ours.

"Elise," I panted, "You good?"

She nodded, her breath ragged. "Yeah, just… give me a second."

I took a few steps back, sheathing my axes. I felt the weight of the battle in my bones, but I also felt a strange sense of satisfaction. This was why I had come here.