Civilization

"Hot! It's so HOT! LUKE! Can we jump into a river or something?"

"Quiet Sylvia!"

"Hrmp!"

I look to my left to see Sylvia moving her shoulder-length wavy jet-black hair with blue highlights away from the front of her face. Revealing her slightly tanned rose cheeks, sapphire eyes and pink lips. Her eyes move away from the front and went towards me, she slightly cooks her head, raising an eyebrow while looking at me. I blink a few times before moving my line of vision away from her and to the front.

Chest-high wooden fences surround a small village. Three wooden houses are forming a triangle and two smaller wooden houses on the outer edges of the triangle. In the village I could see goblins pace back and forth moving from house to house, patrolling the perimeter, speaking with each other and sharpening their stone tools. Above them on a small hill hidden in the bushes were me and Sylvia.

"You said that you escaped from here a few days ago right?"

"Yep! Don't believe me?"

"It's not that I don't believe you. I just...Find it hard to believe that you escaped an encampment alone."

"Well, I did and after running away for two whole days, TWO! I ran into a psychopath that jumped me with again TWO knives pressed to my neck."

"I said I was sorry for that already…"

"Yea, okay whatever Luke. The same psychopath dragged me through the forest and made me lie on my stomach under some bushes, under that blazing hot sun for what? To see some goblins walk around?"

"I said I need to watch their movements. I want to save as many people and/or monsters if I can. That's what he would have done…Sylvia, quiet something is happening."

I signal with my hands to be quiet and then point towards the village. The goblins were gathering at the center of the village and I could see two hobgoblins coming out of the top house while dragging two humans. One of them had platinum blonde hair, pointy ears and emerald eyes while the other had dark skin ash gray hair, amethyst eyes and similarly pointy ears. Both of them had hourglass bodies and were covered in a sheer white cloth and through it, I could see bruises and cuts.

"Oh no...Those poor girls."

"Were they not here when you left Sylvia?"

"No...There were only adult men when I was here, in fact, I don't even see any of them left were they killed…?"

I did not reply to Sylvia and instead, I focused on what was happening. The hobgoblins drag the girls to the center while the rest of the goblins moved to the side letting them pass. Their eyes are full of hunger and noticing the surroundings the girls start to retaliate violently. They swing their arms, kick their legs and scream at the top of their lungs but are unable to break free from the hobgoblins' clutches.

"We need to get down there and save them."

I couldn't watch them anymore. I slowly crawl backward and nod at the wolves that were lazing on their stomachs under the shade of a tree. They perk their ears up and start to move towards a path down the hill.

"Luke! How are we going to do that? Look how many goblins there plus there are 2 hobgoblins."

"I don't care. I'm going down there, thank you for leading me to this encampment. You can leave if you want I won't force you to come with me."

"Wait! What about me? I can't survive in the forest by myself. Leave them and come with me."

I look at Sylvia and took out my goblin knives.

"Like I said. I'm going down there."

I quickly follow the wolves down the path leaving Sylvia at the top of the hill. I step as quietly but quickly as I can and I reach the bottom of the hill in a blink of an eye. I nod at the adult wolves and in response, they howl as loud as they can before dashing towards the encampment. The pups stick close to my legs and I wait for the signal from the adult wolves.

"Luke. I...I'll help too."

Sylvia places her hand on my shoulder as she reached the bottom of the hill as well. I pass her one of my knives and places my finger on my lips. The howl of the wolves reaches my ears and I quickly turn around and dash towards the encampment. The wolves had distracted a good portion of the goblins, running away from them and dragging them further from the encampment.

Only the two hobgoblins plus ten more goblins were still in the encampment. The two girls were lying on the ground trembling, their faces full of disgust and anger. I could see new additions to their bruises and ropes tied around their wrists and ankles. I grit my teeth and dash behind a house but it was all in vain as the hobgoblins noticed Sylvia's presence. Her slow and clumsy movements caused her to trip slightly letting out a small cry but that was enough the hobgoblins have seen her and ordered the goblins to attack.

The signal the pups to go back to Sylvia and protect her. I look at her and it's surprising seeing her expression. Full of confidence even though she had just slipped up and made a mistake. She glanced at me and nodded while smiling at me. I nod back and lean over the side to catch a glimpse of the hobgoblins.

They were looking at the goblins that were rushing at Sylvia and due to that, they did not notice me moving from house to house until I was positioned behind them. I hold the knife tightly and crouch. Slowly, slowly moving one foot in front of the other. I keep an eye on the peripheral just in case something sees me and once I was close enough to slice the head of a hobgoblin.

I took the opportunity. A swift slice into the neck cut flesh and bone. Decapitating it without a second's thought and once I finished the deed I turn to the next hobgoblin but it had noticed its friend dying. It awkwardly stepped back to dodge my quick strike but unfortunately tripping over the two girls. Seeing their chance they move their bodies ontop of the hobgoblin trying to pin it in place while looking at me with desperate expressions. Acknowleding their help I leap on the hobgoblin and stabbing its eye. It howls in pain and stratches my arm but to no help. I twist the blade in his eye socket causing greater pain until it finally goes quiet.

I let out a sigh of relief but suddenly I remember, Sylvia. I turn around in her direction and got surprised when I saw her face so close to mine.

"What? Why do you look so surprised? Do I have something on my face? Is it goblin blood?"

"No...Nothing. Don't worry about it. Thank you for the help."

"Whatever. You just need to stay with me now ok?"

"Okay, but first let's release the girls and kill the remaining goblins."