Under the moon's light, Xander and Atheria rode atop Crazy Jack, their journey illuminated by the silvery glow. The dirt path stretched out before them, bordered by swaying silver grass that added an enchanting quality to the scenery.Suddenly, their focus shifted as they spotted a carriage approaching from a distance. The driver seemed oblivious to their presence due to the darkness and distance."Quick, into the grass," Xander whispered urgently, swiftly dismounting and disappearing into the tall blades. "Sit boy," Atheria gently said. Crazy Jack seemed to comprehend Atheria's whispered command and obediently settled down in the grass."She is good with animals I see," Bloodhound commented within Xander's thoughts."That's why you like her I guess, because you are an animal too," Xander replied in a whispering tone.The carriage drew nearer, its pace leisurely as torches cast dancing shadows around it. The driver, hidden beneath a bamboo hat and nondescript brown robes, seemed unaw
Inside the carriage, Xander's heart raced as he felt it come to a halt. He strained his ears to catch snippets of conversation happening outside. He could hear Toya's voice and the excited chatter of the goblins who accompanied him."They say it's the finest ale they've ever tasted," Toya's voice carried a mix of confidence and anticipation."About time we got a decent shipment," a goblin at the gate responded, his excitement palpable."Open it, open it!" another goblin chimed in eagerly."Hold on, Is that really necessery?" Toya's voice took on a cautious tone. "We just have to make sure it's all there. Chief's orders." a goblin said.Xander clenched his fists inside the carriage, his anxiety rising. The goblins' voices echoed around him, making him feel like time was running out. He glanced at the barrels around him, hoping they would be convincing enough."Damn it," Bloodhound hissed within Xander's mind. Xander's heart skipped a beat as the goblins continued their conversation.
With Bloodhound unresponsive and encircled by a swarm of goblins, Xander gripped his dagger in desperation. The horde's menacing advances left him with no alternative but to fight his way through, hoping against hope for an escape from their clutches."Dead meat, human!""Bones for the feast!"The goblins' taunts echoed in the air as they closed in on him. Their prior witness of Xander's brutal efficiency under Bloodhound's control had them wary, unwilling to charge at him recklessly. Instead, they formed a cautious perimeter, biding their time.As the goblins circled him, Xander's gaze caught a glimpse of Toya stealthily slipping away from the scene. Suddenly, two goblins surged at him, one from the front and another from behind."Come and get me, you ugly shits!" Xander's voice resounded with defiance as he planted his feet firmly. With calculated precision, he sidestepped, delivering a powerful kick to the chest of the goblin attacking from behind."Bastard!!" The kicked goblin cra
Upon learning that he had been consuming Toya's blood, a startled expression overtook Xander's features. Atheria couldn't help but roll her eyes in response to his reaction."You practically guzzled down goblin blood before, so this is definitely an upgrade. Ugh, it sounds pretty disgusting when I say it out loud," Atheria commented, her own words seemingly unsettling her."Drink it and heal your wounds, fool," Bloodhound's voice intruded forcefully into Xander's thoughts.With no better option for healing at hand, Xander drew a deep breath and swallowed the entirety of the blood within the leather pouch. A wave of warmth coursed through his body, swiftly knitting his wounds, easing the pain, and reinvigorating his body.Curious and determined, Xander inquired, "Where's Toya?""Follow me," Atheria gestured, her movements beckoning Xander to join her. With his wounds healed, he stood and moved without the previous discomfort.Guided by Atheria, Xander and Jack made their way toward a s
"Look, I believe you," Atheria's voice broke the silence that had settled between them. "But life isn't fair, and we don't always get what we want. We have to make do with what we have and help others. Your curse can be those villagers' gift."Xander looked at her, his expression a mix of contemplation and gratitude."I'm not saying don't look for a cure," Atheria continued, her tone earnest. "But until you find one, use your powers to help people in need. Turn your curse into something good. We only have one life, Xander, and we should live it in a way that leaves a positive mark."“I will save those villagers. I just hope my powers and Bloodhound don't disappear in the middle of the fight,” Xander sighed, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.“You're a foolish one, aren't you? Want me to vanish, yet you require my assistance in battle. Admit it, you're nothing without me, and you need me more than I need you,” Bloodhound's voice echoed within Xander's mind, causing him to wince in pai
As night fell, the heavens opened up, releasing a torrential downpour upon the goblin camp and its surroundings. The heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, provided the perfect cloak of darkness and concealment for Xander and Atheria to execute their plan and rescue the captive villagers.Perched atop the watchtower, Atheria's voice cut through the rain's steady drumming. "Look at that rat." At her feet lay the lifeless body of a goblin.Xander stood beside her, his gaze fixed on the figure of Toya as he ventured into the heart of the goblin camp. The rain had the desired effect, keeping most of the goblins huddled inside their tents instead of patrolling the area."We're fortunate for this rain," Atheria remarked, her tone carrying a hint of satisfaction.Xander nodded in agreement. "And even more fortunate that goblins have a taste for stew."His lips curled in a sardonic grin as he observed the scene below. Despite the rain's deluge, the fire beneath a large copper cauldron burn
Xander watched as the goblins struggled to maintain their balance, their legs buckling beneath them. "This... this isn't right," a goblin managed to mutter, his words slurred.Atheria's lips curled into a triumphant smile as she saw her plan unfolding perfectly. "Poisoned stew tends to have that effect," she remarked, satisfaction evident in her tone.The goblins continued to writhe in discomfort, their roars of anger and confusion mingling with the sound of raindrops pelting the ground. "I can't... I can't move," one goblin muttered, his body trembling."They're dropping like flies," Xander murmured, a mixture of awe and horror in his voice.Atheria's gaze remained fixed on the goblin camp. "They brought this upon themselves," she said, her tone unapologetic.As the last of the goblins collapsed, the camp descended into chaos, their groans and cries mingling with the thunderstorm's fury.As the last goblin fell down, Atheria turned her gaze back to Xander, who was already taking a de
Before Xander could react to the chilling voice, a sudden movement whisked Toya away, disappearing him into the center tent. It happened so swiftly that Xander barely registered the event, only catching a fleeting glimpse of a shadowy figure dragging Toya by his hair into the massive tent at the heart of the goblin camp."There goes our power," Bloodhound's voice rang out in frustration within Xander's mind. The intensity of Bloodhound's anger was palpable as Xander steeled himself and moved closer to the enigmatic tent.The tent itself was an oddity. Constructed from a blend of stones, metals, and various fabrics, it stood as a bizarre anomaly amidst the goblin camp. Its size was notable, large enough to comfortably accommodate twenty grown men, an unsettling sight in the center of the camp."We can do this," Xander whispered to himself, determination seeping into his every step. The tent exuded an aura of malevolence, a sinister presence that seemed to permeate the air. Through the