Chapter 2 — Goblins at the Gates
The moon was hidden behind dark, rolling clouds, casting shadows across the castle walls. From my vantage point atop the roof, I could see them. Goblins.
They poured out of the forest like a river of green and blue, twisted and ugly, their four horns glinting under flashes of lightning. Their claws scraped the stone, and their screeches filled the night.
"Archers, ready!" the general shouted. "Fire arrows at the front!"
Flaming arrows arched through the sky, hitting goblins and sending them tumbling back. The air was thick with smoke and screams, but there were too many. They climbed the walls, leaping over battlements with terrifying agility.
I gripped my sword tighter. My heart pounded. "We've faced chupacabras before, but this…" I muttered, watching as the creatures swarmed the gates.
Lyra, standing beside me, loosed a fireball that streaked across the battlements.
"Kaelen, focus on the ones trying to climb!" she yelled, deflecting a goblin with her staff.
"They're too many!" one of the soldiers shouted. "The walls won't hold!"
I gritted my teeth. "We cannot let them in. Not tonight!"
The goblins' shrieks grew louder. Some managed to scale the wall, and I swung my sword, cutting through claws and snarls. Sparks flew as steel met steel. My arm ached, but I couldn't stop. Every second counted.
Suddenly, a massive goblin, bigger than the rest, horns curling like twisted branches jumped onto the wall near the gate. It roared, knocking several soldiers aside. The goblin charged at me I stood my ground, fought like my life depended on it. Well.. my life actually depends on it.
I used every ounce of my strength and swung my sword creating a deep cut in the goblin stomach. I wasted no time to chop up his head.
"Hold the wall!" the general bellowed. "Do not let them break through!"
The battle raged on, chaos consuming the courtyard. But even as we fought, a chill ran down my spine. I could feel it, these were only the first of many threats.
When the chupacabras came they came for the livestock draining blood out of their lives.
But the goblins they came for us. It felt like the wanted to distroy Eldoria and we can't let that happen.
I fought fearlessly, Lyra beside me fought like the bravest female I've ever seen, the Eldorian soliders fought well, They where trained for a time like this.
Shadows were gathering beyond the forest, and something far worse than goblins was coming.
Finally, as dawn approached, the remaining goblins retreated as if they where called into the darkness, leaving behind wounded soldiers and scorched walls. I sank to my knees, exhausted, my sword still in hand.
Lyra knelt beside me, her face smeared with soot. "This isn't over, Kaelen…"
I looked toward the horizon, where the clouds still churned ominously. "No… it's just the beginning."
We've heard of those mystical creatures only in tales but right now having an encounter with them makes me question what I thought I knew my whole life. Eldoria was suppose to be peaceful yet, I don't think there will be peace any time soon.
The general approached us, his armor battered. "we need to regroup, strategize," he said grimly.
"the goblins won't stop, what ever is summoning them won't stop.
I nodded sheathing my sword. "we must protect the city. Assure the villagers we will protect them. They must have been scared.
Lyra stood, her eyes narrowed. How can we assure them? They haven't recovered from what happened after the chupacabras and now they goblins.
The general face darkened. "the must all learn to survive, they need to be strong. This few days has shown us vulnerability, Being strong is all the can do
The castle great halls was filled with the sounds of wounded solders, the smell of smoke and sweat hanging heavy in the air.
As the sun broke casting light on the Eldoria, I knew Eldoria will never be thesame.