Exterminating The Goblin Part 1

The lead goblin suddenly stopped beside an old tree. Its bark was blackened with a strange mark like a twisted spiral surrounded by sharp, claw-like triangles. Aaron stayed hidden, watching closely. The goblin raised its hand and pressed its palm against the symbol. A soft light pulsed through the tree, and nearby, thick vines began to move. They slowly pulled back, revealing a dark cave hidden in the rocky outcrop.

Aaron walked closer, his eyes narrowing as he remembered what Aureil had warned him about: the goblin lair was full of traps some hidden underfoot, others set in the walls or hanging from the ceiling. Taking no chances, he focused his chakra into his feet, gently pulling himself upward until he was standing upside down, pressed to the ceiling like a shadow.

He moved forward slowly, each step measured and silent. The rough stone above him was damp and cool to the touch. Flickering torchlight from deeper inside the cave cast moving shadows across the walls. Aaron kept his senses sharp, eyes scanning for glints of wire or unnatural patterns in the dust. One wrong step could trigger a trap meant to pierce, crush, or burn.

Aaron moved quietly across the cave ceiling, using chakra to stick to the rough stone above. Behind him, the vines had pulled back, opening the way into the goblin hideout. The air was damp and smelled like wet moss, smoke, and something sharp like old blood.

He entered the first large chamber. Bones and animal skins hung from wooden spikes stuck in the walls. Two goblins were there, slowly walking back and forth with rusty spears in their hands. They didn't notice him.

As he crept past, Aaron saw a small side room used for storage. It was messy and full of stolen things old crates, spoiled food, bits of armor. One goblin sat alone, scraping mold off a piece of cheese.

Then he reached the main hall. A large fire burned in the middle, with smoke rising up through holes in the rock. Many goblins sat or stood around the fire eating, talking, or fixing weapons. Around the edges, better-trained goblins stood guard. Some had old bows, others had rusty swords and dented armor.

Aaron stayed alert and spotted a thin wire stretched across one path. It was a trap. He tested it by letting a water drop fall past it didn't set it off. He kept moving.

To the side was a strange room with a tall totem made of skulls, metal, and candles. The walls were marked with red symbols. This room felt cold and eerie, like it was meant for dark rituals. No goblins were there, but Aaron didn't trust it.

At the far end of the cave, up a slope, was the most dangerous place: the Shaman's chamber. Five large goblins guarded the entrance. They were huge, full of muscle, and held heavy clubs and spiked gloves. Their eyes looked wild, ready to fight at any moment.

Inside, the Goblin Shaman sat surrounded by flickering candles. His body was covered in old scars that formed strange shapes. He wore a crown made of feathers and vines. In his hands, he held a smooth black orb that gave off a soft red glow.

Aaron didn't move. He stayed quiet, focused. This wasn't just a bunch of goblins. It was a fortress. And he was deep inside it.

Aaron moved silently, sticking to the ceiling of the cave above the Shaman's chamber. Below, five berserker goblins stood guard in a half-circle, their huge arms tense, weapons ready. But Aaron's attention was locked on the Goblin Shaman sitting in the center, cross-legged, whispering into a glowing black orb.

Now, he thought.

His fingers formed quick hand signs as chakra gathered into his palm. Air swirled tightly around his hand, forming an invisible blade the Gale Fang Cleave.

It made no sound as he released it.

The wind shot forward like a thin line of pressure. It struck fast. The orb cracked with a sharp whine. The Shaman's eyes widened then the powerful wind slammed into his chest, throwing him back into the wall with a loud, crushing boom.

The berserkers turned in shock but Aaron had already moved.

He dropped from the ceiling, spinning in midair. Another Gale Fang blade formed in his hand. As he landed, he slashed upward, cutting straight through the first berserker's chest. Armor and muscle split easily under the power of the wind.

The rest roared in fury.

One swung a huge club, but Aaron ducked, jumped off the wall, and sent another wind blade flying. It hit two berserkers at once, throwing them into the ritual totem behind them, which shattered in a burst of broken bones and falling candles.

The fourth tried to run at him, but staggered—blood pouring from a wound that had been left by Aaron's earlier attack.

Only one was still standing, wild-eyed and breathing hard.

Aaron calmly stepped forward. Wind swirled in his hand once more.

As the final berserker fell to the ground with a heavy thud, silence swept through the chamber, broken only by the crackling of scattered candles. Aaron stood still, breath steady, the last coils of wind from Gale Fang Cleave fading into the air.

Farther inside the cave, goblins in other chambers paused. In the Ember Ring, they sat around a fire, eating and joking. But then they felt it. A small rumble. The fire shook. Dust fell from the ceiling. One goblin dropped his food. Another stood quickly, eyes wide.

Then came the loud boom from the Shaman's chamber like thunder had exploded deep underground.

Goblins panicked.

From the supply room and the totem hall, they rushed toward the sound. Some elite archers nocked arrows. Others grabbed swords or knives, shouting to each other in fear. A broken horn sounded across the lair harsh and shaky, like a warning call. A black mist also began leaking from cracks in the floor, cold and strange.

But Aaron didn't wait.

He dashed forward, catching the first wave of goblins coming down the tunnel. They barely had time to raise their weapons. Aaron spun low, sending a short Gale Fang into one guard's chest. The wind tore through him, knocking two more goblins behind him to the ground.

An archer tried to fire but Aaron was too fast. He vanished into the shadows, then reappeared right behind him, slicing cleanly with a wind blade.

The confusion helped him. Goblins shouted, not knowing where the attack came from. Aaron moved between them like lightning striking from above, behind, and the side. Every time they turned, he was gone again.

One even slipped and fell into the ritual chamber, screaming as the black mist crawled over his skin.

Aaron kept moving, using the chaos to take down every goblin who came close. The lair was falling apart, and he was at the center of it all fury, speed, and wind.