A Knight's Lilies

"Goblin hierarchy is quite simple, strongest one wins."

- Adventurer Johannes Duskwaters, Monster Specialist

Eva kept one hand firmly on the scabbard of her sword, worried that it would somehow disappear if she let go. Sweat dripped from her brow as she kept the torch close, the heat providing some measure of safety as its light staved off the darkness. Ahead of her another fork in the cavern, one going left, one going down. No wonder I got lost, but I feel like we went decently up so going down might get us out, but would the hob be on this floor? Or would it be somewhere else? She contemplated, only for the small snarls of the goblins behind her inch closer as she stood still, their phalanx threatening to push her forward regardless.

Goddess, even the goblins push me around. She grumbled, but ultimately hedged her bets on the hob being on this floor. Her hunch at least seemed correct, since some goblins let out what she assumed were cries of alarm, like they didn’t expect me to go here. In their surprise, a particularly squat looking one raced forward with his spear to prod her, his misshapen feet irritatingly tapping against the rock as he raced forward. She didn’t know what was happening as she drew her blade, the split second it took for her thumb to pop out the sword and for her to toss the torch upwards too fast to comprehend. Instinctively, her now free hand grabbed onto the hilt, tore the blade from its scabbard, and before her mind could process anything, she swung.

With inhuman dexterity and strength, she watched as the goblin’s ugly green head was cut clean from its shoulders. Her own body arching sideways to avoid his spear even as her scabbard hand managed to wrap around the falling torch. Blood sprayed onto its compatriots behind, the snarl still on its face even as the head landed with a wet squishy plop.

Cries of fright and surprise echoed from the phalanx at the sudden violence. Taking the chance she leaned forward with the torch, provoking a new expression in their eyes. Fear. She had effortlessly cut one of theirs down in a display of unnatural skill, their confidence had been shaken and she could hear the phalanx clambering amongst themselves. A curious feeling welled up inside of her, a feeling she thought nothing of when she beat up the thugs in the capital. It soothed her just a little, it gave her a sense of control, a sense of power. Little green pests. She feigned lunging forward with her sword and the entire phalanx reflexively backed up in fear, the pathetic sight making her laugh. To think I was afraid of them.

Faint murmuring coming to an abrupt halt drew her attention to two large figures taller than her staring over in shock. Their rotund green forms and slightly more humanoid but still ugly features identify them as hobgoblins, and given the keyring around one’s waist. They were the ones she was looking for. Their faces were shaped into what she could describe as a snarled messed up version of an ‘O’, their eyes flicking to her as she bullied their comrades.

One carried a buckler and a rusty looking sword, armoured up with thin looking pieces of metal, this one looked like a trooper or guard of sorts, his helmet crooked like his nose. The other was clearly the warden with his keyring and belt, a surprise if smug goblinoid face and the distinct lack of armour. In fact it lacked much of anything besides the belt, a whip on the belt and a spiked truncheon in his other land. She pursed her lips for a moment, considering the implications of these weapons when her mind flashed back to the poor prisoners, the other potential victims that might have fallen prey to this creature and saw red.

Without warning she launched herself at them, which credit where credit’s due, the two hobs managed to hold their weapons up to parry her attack. In a straight fight this would mean she needed to reset, to jump back and attack again. But they were but large pests, and she never fought fair. Pressing her blade against the buckler to hold the armoured one back, she used the torch to engulf the warden’s jungle like privates in flame. Horrifying screams echoed a second after, the noise so piercing that even the other hob winced. Seeing her chance, she took the millimeter of space granted to her and ripped the torch away, shoving it down the surprised mouth of the armoured hob, pushing it straight down his gullet.

With one hob choking and one hob screaming, she silenced his pitiful cries with a blade through his throat, bloody gurgles all that remained as silence descended once more. Darkness wrapped the cavern with a frosty chill as the armoured hob finally choked to death on the torch. Seeing their evolved brethren meet such a horrific fate, the other goblins whimpering turned to full on wails as they retreated en masse.

Despite the feeling of accomplishment present, there was a tingle of urgency, she sheathed her blade before grabbing the weapons from the hobs and the keyring. The goblins were too busy cowering to pay her any mind when she ran past. Their cries faded away as she arrived back at the prison to the surprise of the inmates. Giving them no time to process her bloodied appearance, she wordlessly tossed the key over as she left the pile of weapons in front of the cell, giving the orc a small nod before she dashed back over to head below.

He growled but she did not care, she needed to get out and find her class.

The emotions that swirled around inside her were confusing, a mixture of horror and jubilance. She felt powerful, like some warlord that just decimated a warband, and though the slaughter had been brutal, a part of her was smiling, that whatever this feeling of power was, she liked it.

A terrifying roar shattered her concentration and she hurriedly inched her way forward in the dark, creating distance between herself and whatever hunted in the hallways above. Distant sounds of boots and combat indicating that she was getting closer to her people. You’re an idiot for getting lost Eva, everyones gonna be laughing at that for ages god! I can’t believe I threw a tantrum and just stormed off, what am I like five? Gods if Sophie finds out, hells if Freddie finds out ughh. She groaned into the darkness until the flicker of something distant caught her eye.

The weakest of oranges illuminated the end of a hallway and her eyes perked up. Torch light! She shuffled her way towards it only to hear something strange, inhuman guttural grunts and grumbles. Ugh shit, I thought I already found a way out. She poked her head around the corner and almost gasped at the sight. A small shoddy brazier stood squat next to a hob and five goblin archers behind a barricade, past them if she squinted she could identify what looked to be a few more ledges with goblins on them. Beyond that they were inside what appeared to be a large cavern, and though she could not see the floor from her position she could recognise the sounds of a horde gathering below. Christ.

War horns and battle cries soon echoed throughout the cavern and what seemed to be very humanlike shouts joined the fray. People? My people! But before she could do anymore a meaty palm landed on her shoulder and she froze. Turning around she saw the same scarred orc from before, but this time covered in blood, to her relief behind him were the two human prisoners timidly lagging back. He eyed them before leading Eva’s gaze to the cavern, get them out. With the message understood she crept forward behind the goblins, the other platforms firing their own projectiles down into the cavern.

The hob barked a series of guttural commands and as the goblins reloaded, she dashed forward and cut into the archers. Two, three then all five of the ugly green things fell to her blade and soon the hob charged her. Steel on steel echoed throughout the caverns and she could hear the cries of surprise coming from the other platforms. But before the hob could properly warn its comrades she kicked its shins, the sudden pain surprising the hob as it knelt only for her to shove her sword through its face. It struggled for another second before it fell still and Eva drew her blade back.

She glanced over the edge to find a worrying sight. Evidently the cavern had been a trap of sorts. The archers had peppered the entrance with arrows as Eva could make out the silhouettes of two fallen figures whilst the rest formed a shield wall as more huddled up behind them. Shit if any of the kids got hurt…

Dismissing the thought she found the orc and prisoners waiting for her as it gestured ahead towards the next platform. Understanding his silent order she advanced like a hornet, buzzing through the cavern for her next victims. Her own speed was only slowed when she found another large orc, a barely loin-clothed female and a fur covered male orc standing at the other end of the hallway.

“Ahh Grorok, I was wondering who caused this commotion.” Fur orc chuckled.

“A scrawny looking female too, barely worth breeding with much less for food.” Loin orc added, making Eva bristle at the unnecessary comment.

The scarred orc meanwhile scowled and pushed the two humans behind him, much to the disapproving tuts of his compatriots.

“Even now you seek coexistence, look outside, the humans don’t care for us, they never did. Our tribe grew lucky at our escape, they flourished under my rule. And now you seek to throw it all away, pathetic.” Fur orc spoke.

“Shall we test his mettle?”

“Let’s.” Fur orc smiled deviously at loin orc’s suggestion and the two charged down the hallway.

Eva shared a quick glance with her silent companion and they rushed forward to meet the attack. To her surprise the female orc blocked her strike with the battleaxe, pushing her back and launching her own attack with an ear shattering roar. Shit what is she, like a barbarian or something? The battleaxe swung down just past her and Eva tried to slash from above but the orc simply swatted her aside with a heavy punch to the ribs.

Gah shit! Eva reeled from the blow and used the wall to steady herself. Time was not on her side as the battleaxe swung forth once more and she ducked, feeling the slight whoosh of wind just above her scalp. Unperturbed by the close call she jumped back on the attack, aiming for a cut of her own. She missed the slash but managed to smash her pommel against the orc’s abs. This created an opportunity which she took to launch a follow up only to have to dodge a wild swing of the battleaxe.

“Grawgh! The little whelp can fight!” The barbarian roared.

Wordlessly Eva charged ahead again, her muscles tensing as if to pounce only to suddenly drop into a crouch as she sliced at the orc’s exposed thigh. Dark red droplets scattered across the cavern floor but the pain seemed only to enrage the orc. This time a slower but more viscous swing landed next to Eva, the impact sending puffs of gravel dust into the air.

“Die whelp!”

Unexpectedly, the orc lunged forward, viscous hands seizing Eva. With a malevolent grin the barbarian looked pleased and Eva saw her moment to play dirty. Eva leaned in as if her energy faded and as the orc tried to lift her up she arched her head just far enough for her to bite down on where she assumed the nipple was behind the cloth. A vicious chomp was followed by a blood curdling scream of pain as the orc tossed Eva away, staggering back as she gripped at her chest in horror. Eva slammed into the rocks and felt a soreness take over her body but pushed herself back to her feet.

Now truly enraged, the orc ran head first at her, the battleaxe wildly swinging. Though she dodged the initial blow the orc’s muscular shoulders still rammed themselves into her. She felt her whole body bend under the pressure and almost whimpered in pain only to be flung aside as her lungs were compressed, leaving wheezing from the attack. Her sleeves scraped against the rocky floor and she could feel the scrapes on her skin, her hand barely gripping onto the sword. Fuck I can’t take a hit like that again.

She tried to get a bearing, catching the surprised glances of the goblin archers on a platform, the stocky creatures pointing her out to the hob who glowered at her. The barbarian roared again and faced her, hatred etched onto her face as she leapt at Eva. Panicked, Eva ran towards the goblins who were equally surprised and before any of them could react the barbarian’s battleaxe slammed into the wooden platform, biting into the wood and frightening everyone.

“What are you looking at?! Kill her!” She bellowed.

The hob was the first to charge, a halberd swinging just past her and accidentally decapitating a goblin. The goblins slapped at her with their bows and Eva glared at them with a fury of her own. Dodging past another blow from the halberd she kicked a goblin toward the hob, staggering the two when the barbarian just began rushing us. In her enraged state the orc knocked a goblin off the platform in her attempt to grapple Eva, who for her part tried her best to duck back into the pathway before she felt the orc get a hold of her collar.

Oh no- she barely had time to think before she got ripped back onto the platform, the orc delivering a devastating punch to the back and tearing her shirt collar right off. Her body convulsed in pain from the shock of the blow and she rapidly forced herself to roll out of the way of another blow. In her struggle she felt her heart drop as a clatter echoed nearby, her hand reflexively let the sword go.

“Human!” The orc spat into her face, “How dare you desecrate my body!” But as her meaty fists lifted for another blow she suddenly staggered sideways, a look of surprise on her face. “Who…?”

Another arrow struck the orc and Eva saw her chance. Channeling what energy she had left she focused all her strength into her boot and kicked with all her might between the orc’s legs. What surprise remained left the orc as rage filled her expression once more.

“Human!” A guttural cry came from behind her. She caught a glimpse of steel flickering in the light and a hearty thud right next to her head. The dagger!

Wasting now time she ripped it from the platform’s planks and lunged at the orc. The barbarian roared in anger and caught her in a bear hug, trying to squeeze the life out of her. But Eva was prepared and managed to wiggle her hand far up enough to plunge the dagger under the orc’s breast. Instinctively the orc released her to examine the wound and in her moment of confusion Eva tackled the orc, the light addition of pressure just enough to push her off the platform.

“You!” The barbarian growled as she fell.

Eva turned to find the hob strangely still and as she looked over she found arrows embedded into it. She turned over to trace the source and found a full scale melee happening throughout the cavern. Various squads skirmished with the goblin horde, but there in the back, her unexpected ace in the hole, a kyudo expert who sported a rather large bow standing with the fourth squad. Eva gave a tentative wave and hoped it was seen as she turned back to the pathway, to find the scarred orc pressed up against the wall by fur orc, fresh cuts all over their bodies.

“Grorok! You traitor!” Fur orc spat at the other, “And you! Don’t think either of you will escape this unscathed! The Frostfangs will never surrender.” With a roar he smashed his hands against Grorok’s legs, the orc silently grunting through the pain. Frostfangs huh?

To her surprise and even Grorok's the fur orc simply ran away, scarpering into some distant cavern tunnel leaving them to their own devices. Eva picked up her sword and wandered over, looking around to make sure the area was secured before checking up on the trio.

"Many thanks...human." Grorok rasped much to the concern of the other two prisoners.

She recognised his voice and remembered the boot dagger she had given him, something that now needed to be replaced but served its purpose nonetheless. "Thanks for the save." She murmured quietly.

She turned back to the sounds of battle and furrowed her brows, they would need to help out but also eliminate the goblin archers so the main force could secure the cavern at least.

"You three ready for some more action?" She asked nonchalantly, or hoped that she seemed nonchalant. anyways.

"My people are born ready for battle." Grorok grunted through the pain as he gingerly pushed himself up, "And I owe you a debt for freeing us from this prison. Vengeance would be...enjoyable."

Eva faced the three and gave them a solemn nod, this is gonna get real messy, "Alright then," She affirmed, "Then let's try to get you guys out of here. We'll need to find a way to those archers across the way, got any ideas?"

She felt the malicious grin before she saw it appear on the orc's scarred face, the sadistic smile of vengeance to come too enticing for him to suppress, "They really shouldn't make me dig all the passageways, heh. Follow me human." He said as he ripped the barbarian's battleaxe from the planks. With a nod Eva fell in behind him and felt almost exhilarated despite her own pain, now this is an adventure.