Goblin Vanguard Attack

Dawn had barely broken when Lucas awoke to a disturbing sensation - his blood bond with the Night Thralls vibrating with urgent alarm. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

He leapt from his bedroll and grabbed the Fang Dagger in one fluid motion, the survival instincts honed over weeks of dangerous encounters kicking in.

"Seraphina," Lucas called in a low but urgent voice.

The vampire queen was awake, her red eyes scanning the darkness with intensified predatory alertness. "I feel it too. Multiple hostiles approaching. Many of them."

Vex materialized from the shadows with barely controlled panic - an expression Lucas had never seen before on the face of his Night Thrall leader.

"My Lord," Vex gasped, "massive goblin force approaching from three directions. Hundreds of them. And they're... organized."

[Emergency Alert: Large-scale Attack Imminent]

[Enemy Force: Goblin Army - 300+ units]

[Formation: Coordinated assault from multiple vectors]

[Time to contact: 15 minutes]

Lucas felt ice water in his veins. An organized goblin attack with hundreds of units was not a random raid - this was a military operation planned with careful precision.

"How do they know about the mine?" Lucas asked, his mind racing through possibilities.

"My Lord," a new voice interrupted - the kobold leader emerged from the mine entrance with an expression mixed with fear and anger. "The gnome trader from yesterday... he didn't leave. He hid in the rocks, watching. Watching and... talking with a strange device."

Realization hit Lucas like a physical blow. Grimwick wasn't just a greedy merchant - he was a spy. A scout for a much larger and more dangerous force.

"Magical communication device," Seraphina concluded with grim understanding. "He reports our position, defenses, resources... everything."

[Intelligence Revealed: Grimwick Goldweaver - Goblin King Spy]

[Strategic Information Compromised: Complete]

[Enemy Knowledge: Full layout, defensive capabilities, resource locations]

The sound of war drums began to echo from the hills surrounding the mining complex. Deep, rhythmic pounding that makes the ground vibrate and send chills down the spine of every creature in the area.

"Battle positions," Lucas commanded with authority that surprised even himself. "Vex, disperse Night Thralls for harassment attacks on enemy flanks. Seraphina, you handle any elite units or magic users. Kobolds..."

He paused, looking at the kobold leader. These creatures had no obligation to fight for him, and the goblin armies historically slaughtered kobolds without mercy.

"We fight," the kobold leader declared with unexpected determination. "This is our home now too. Goblins no mercy for kobolds. We fight or we die."

[Alliance Confirmed: Kobold Tribe]

[Additional Forces: 15 Kobold Warriors]

[Moral Bonus: Fighting for survival]

Lucas nodded with respect. Whatever happened today, he wouldn't face this alone.

"Mining Golem," Lucas called toward the mine entrance. Massive construct emerged with mechanical obedience, eyes glowing with readiness for combat.

"Defensive positions around entrance. Protect civilians and resources."

[Battle Formation Set]

[Lucas Forces: 8 Night Thralls, 1 Vampire Queen, 1 Mining Golem, 15 Kobold Warriors]

[Tactical Advantage: Defensive positions, choke points]

[Disadvantage: Severely outnumbered]

The first wave of goblin attackers crested nearest hill as the sun finally broke the horizon. Lucas felt his breath catch at sight which greeted him.

Hundreds of green-skinned warriors in crude but effective armor, carrying a variety of weapons from rusty swords to wicked spears. But what is more concerning - there is a structure to their formation, there is a hierarchy, there is actual military discipline.

Leading the front was a figure who was clearly not an ordinary goblin. Taller, more muscular, with better crafted armor and weapons gleaming with enchantments. The goblin champion or lieutenant of whoever commanded this invasion.

"Archers," Lucas spotted with growing dread. Goblin force included significant ranged component - dozens of bowmen positioned on elevated ground to rain arrows on defensive positions.

But the most terrifying sight was the figure in the center of the goblin formation. Robed goblin with staff crackling with dark energy, surrounded by bodyguards in black armor. Goblin shaman with serious magical power.

[Enemy Composition Analyzed]

[Goblin Infantry: 250+ units]

[Goblin Archers: 40+ units]

[Elite Units: 3 Champions, 1 Shaman]

[Magic Threat Level: High]

"HUMANS!" the goblin champion's voice boomed across the battlefield. "SURRENDER THE MINE AND YOU DIE QUICK! RESIST AND WE MAKE SUFFERING LAST DAYS!"

Lucas stepped forward on a parapet that he had quickly constructed from mining equipment and iron ore. His voice carried with authority enhanced by his growing power as Lord of Darkness.

"COUNTER-OFFER!" Lucas shouted back. "LEAVE NOW AND I LET SOME OF YOU LIVE!"

Laughter erupted from the goblin ranks - harsh, mocking sounds echoed across the hills. Clearly they don't take the threat from the small defensive force seriously.

"FOOLISH HUMAN!" shaman's voice joined in, magically amplified to carry across battlefield.

"YOUR VAMPIRE CANNOT SAVE YOU FROM THE POWER OF THE GOBLIN KING! SURRENDER OR FACE CONSEQUENCES!"

[Information Revealed: Attack Ordered by Goblin King]

[Political Implications: Major territorial power involved]

[Escalation Level: Significant]

That confirmed Lucas's worst fears. This is not a random raid - this is an official military action from a major power in the region. Goblin King wanted control of an iron mine, and he was willing to commit serious resources to get it.

"Attack positions," Lucas ordered quietly to his forces. "Wait for my signal."

First arrows began falling like deadly rain. Lucas ducked behind cover as projectiles shattered against stone and embedded in wooden structures. Kobolds returned fire with their own crude bows, but were clearly outmatched in ranged combat.

"Vex, begin harassment attacks. Hit their flanks, disrupt their formations, then withdraw. Don't get caught in prolonged combat."

Night Thralls melted into the shadows, moving with supernatural stealth toward goblin positions. Within minutes, screams from goblin stragglers began echoing from the edges of their formation.

[Harassment Tactics: Successful]

[Enemy Casualties: 12 Goblins]

[Allied Casualties: 0]

[Enemy Morale: Slightly reduced]

But the goblin response was swift and organized. Champions moved to shore up flanks, archers provided covering fire, and shamans began casting protective spells on key units.

"They're well-trained," Seraphina observed with grudging respect. "Whoever commands this force knows military tactics."

"Then we need to be better," Lucas replied, studying the battlefield with an eye for tactical opportunities.

Goblin infantry began advancing in organized waves, shields raised to protect from projectiles, spears lowered to charge. Standard military assault, executed with competence concerning.

"Now," Lucas whispered.

Mining Golem stepped into the open, massive frame drawing immediate attention from goblin archers. Arrows bounced harmlessly off its stone and iron construction as it began hurling chunks of iron ore with devastating accuracy.

[Mining Golem: Area Denial Successful]

[Enemy Casualties: 8 Goblins crushed]

[Tactical Effect: Advancing formation disrupted]

Seraphina launched herself from a defensive position with barely visible speed, Blood Lash extending to strike at goblin champions. First champion never saw death coming - vampiric speed was beyond goblin reflexes to counter.

[Elite Enemy Eliminated: Goblin Champion]

[Seraphina Combat Effectiveness: Maximum]

But as vampire queen engaged second champion, goblin shaman made his move.

Dark energy crackled from his staff as he began weaving a spell that Lucas didn't recognize. Chanting in old goblin language, hands moving in patterns that seemed to bend reality around them.

"Seraphina!" Lucas shouted warning, but the vampire queen was already committed to combat with the second champion.

Shaman's spell erupted with visible force - waves of sickly green energy washed over battlefield. Lucas felt it pass through him like cold wind, but with no apparent effect.

Night Thralls, however, were a different story.

Vex suddenly stumbled in the middle of a stealth attack, clutching his head with an expression of agony. Other Night Thralls begin writhing in shadows, their forms flickering between solid and incorporeal.

[Goblin Shaman Spell: Mass Hex]

[Target: Undead Units]

[Effect: Severe debilitation, potential permanent damage]

"No!" Lucas roared, watching as his most valuable troops were systematically crippled by a single spell.

Vex tried to maintain attack on the goblin archer, but hex was interfering with his undead nature. He flickered, stumbled, and the archer's lucky shot caught him in the center mass.

Night Thrall leader collapsed, form beginning to dissolve back into the shadows - but the process was wrong, painful, incomplete.

[Critical Casualty: Vex - Night Thrall Leader]

[Status: Severely wounded, may be permanent]

[Remaining Night Thralls: Hexed and combat ineffective]

Rage flooded through Lucas with an intensity that surprised him. Vex had been first ally, loyal servant, and effective leader of his undead forces. Seeing him fall because treacherous magic triggered something primal in Lucas's growing power.

"SERAPHINA!" Lucas commanded with a voice that carried supernatural authority. "SHAMAN IS PRIORITY TARGET!"

Vampire queen disengaged from champion combat with fluid grace, leaving opponent with throat torn and arterial spray painting ground red. Her eyes found shaman with absolute predatory focus.

But the goblin magical user was prepared. Protective wards flared around him as Seraphina approached, and his bodyguards moved to intercept with professional discipline.

Meanwhile, with the Night Thralls out of action, the goblin infantry renewed their advance with obvious confidence. Numerical advantage was beginning to tell, and Lucas could see defensive positions being overwhelmed within minutes.

Time for desperate measures.

Lucas drew on the reserves of power he had been saving, channeling blood essence with intensity that made the air around him shimmer with red energy.

[Blood Essence: Emergency Reserves Activated]

[Power Level: Temporarily Enhanced]

[New Ability Unlocked: Battlefield Command]

Knowledge flooded into Lucas' mind - supernatural tactical awareness, the ability to coordinate allied forces with precision beyond normal human capability. He can sense the position of every friendly unit, track enemy movements, and calculate optimal strategies with inhuman speed.

"KOBOLDS!" Lucas commanded with a magically amplified voice. "SPEAR FORMATION, ADVANCE ON MY MARK! MINING GOLEM, SUPPRESSIVE FIRE ON ARCHER POSITIONS!"

His commands carried weight beyond normal authority - magical compulsion that enhanced coordination and morale of allied forces.

Kobold warriors formed up with precision that surprised even them, moving as a unified unit toward the goblin left flank. Mining Golem pivoted to rain iron ore projectiles on archer positions, forcing them to seek cover.

"SERAPHINA, BYPASS BODYGUARDS, TAKE SHAMAN FROM ABOVE!"

Vampire queen leaped with supernatural strength, arcing over the goblin defensive line to drop directly onto shaman's position from an impossible angle.

[Battlefield Command: Successful]

[Tactical Coordination: Enhanced]

[Allied Effectiveness: +200%]

Combat flow shifted dramatically as Lucas's enhanced leadership took effect. What had been desperate defense became coordinated counter-attack, with each unit moving in perfect synchronization with the overall strategy.

But as Seraphina closed on the goblin shaman, the magical user revealed the final trump card.

From his robs, he produced crystals that pulsed with energy that Lucas recognized with horror - the same type of magical communication device that Grimwick had used.

"GOBLIN KING!" shaman screamed into the crystal. "SEND REINFORCEMENTS! VAMPIRE QUEEN TOO STRONG!"

Voice from crystal responded with authority made ground tremble:

"REINFORCEMENTS COMING. HOLD POSITION. FAILURE MEANS DEATH."

[Enemy Reinforcements: Incoming]

[Estimated Time: Unknown]

[Strategic Situation: Potentially catastrophic]

Lucas realized with a sinking heart that even if they won this battle, the war was far from over. Goblin King was committed to claiming the mine, and he had resources to keep sending waves from attackers until defensive force was overwhelmed.

But immediate concern was hexed Night Thralls. Vex was still dissolving, other Thralls writhing in agony as dark magic ate ​​away at their undead essence.

Decision time: Continue coordinating battle, or risk everything to save his fallen troops?

Lucas looked at Vex's fading form, then at the advancing goblin reinforcements visible on the distant hills.

Whatever choice he made in the next few seconds would determine the fate of everyone depending on his survival.

And time was running out fast.