Civilization

I push off the ground and dash past the stunned humans on the ground. Following my command, the goblins ran after me, running around the humans and making them human shields against the monster.

"Yo! Gabe! That dude is a player!"

"Yea and Kingston just died and we have a big ass stone human freak thing in front of us what do you want to do?

"Shut up you two and run! Every man for themselves."

"Just leave the demi-humans they are just NPCs anyways."

"Okay, okay, running."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. While the conversation was short I figured out that the humans were players while the demi-humans were NPCs. At the same time, I was disgusted by their attitude towards the NPCs. Thinking about the residents of HavenFall, I would never treat them like that. I glance behind me the moment I escaped the cave and I saw a scene from hell.

The goblins had escaped from the monster's reach and were ahead of the human/demi-human party. However, behind the goblins was a grotesque scene. With the monster's wings folded and them on the ground, they grabbed the escaping demi-humans ankles pulling them closer. The screams and cries by the captured demi-humans silenced the moment a monster's claw enters their body. 

Heads roll, limbs torn and shattered.

And blood.

Splattered everywhere.

The monsters weren't even eating the demi-humans.

Just killing.

Ripping.

Tearing.

Their once stone-grey bodies are now covered in the blood of the demi-humans.

Even the once haughty players were speechless at the scene.

They back off slowly.

One of them covered their mouth with their hands trying not to gag. 

It was horrifying…

"Oi...Let's get out of here."

I could hear a soft whisper from one of the players before the 4 of them bolted towards the exit.

My group had escaped and once they did we kept running. Our feet dig deep into the muddy river banks leaving clear distinct tracks behind. I dare not look behind, afraid I would see one of the monsters flying out looking for prey.

"Leader Ian. Leader Ian. LEADER IAN!"

I turn around after hearing my name being called. To my surprise, the goblins were very far away from me. I had crossed the river and ran almost to the next corner while the goblins had only just entered the river. 

"I thought you guys were behind me…"

GomiTwo reached me first and after taking a few deep breaths to control his breathing again.

"No...No...You kept running leader Ian."

"I'm sorry, I did not mean to run ahead."

Was I that terrified that I wanted to escape that area as soon as possible? So much that I left the goblins behind and I didn't even notice.

I leaned against the canyon wall waiting for the rest of the goblins to catch up before moving again. I look at the goblin's condition and I was disappointed in myself. They were wearing haggard faces as they drag their feet along the ground. Despite this, not one of them let go of their weapon or shield. Other than the ones that got hit away during a battle or damaged during the escape every goblin was holding onto their weapons firmly. 

What about me? I left my spear thinking it was going to be safe down at the copper mines. Ended up some random monster ambush awaited me and without GomiTwo I would have most likely died and the goblins would have died as a result. Even after running from the monsters, I did not pick up my weapon to fight, no the first thought was to run.

I could convince myself that running was the better option. Run and fight another day but there was this uncomfortable feeling in my chest as I walk alongside these goblins. They were determined to die. If I had told them to stand and buy me time to run away I guarantee they would do it and feel proud that they helped.

But what about me? I can't do that. The only battles I have faced were ones that I have calculated that I could win or at least have a high chance to win. Fighting a losing battle? No, I ran from them. The Blood Ogre, the dragon, the human/demi-human party and then the stone monsters. I ran from them.

Would the goblins have just fought them even if they were going to die?

Snapping myself out of this spiraling descent into depression was a familiar sound. The sound of wings flapping behind me. 

"Quick! Around the corner!"

Sensing the urgency in my voice the goblins run, dash and leap over each other in order to get around the corner as soon as possible. I fine tune my sense of hearing and lo-behold I do hear it, the distinct sound that I heard from the start of the tunnel to the end. 

I peek around the corner to catch a glimpse of just one of those monsters flying slowly along the river. It looked like it was hovering above the water, its feet just skimming the surface as it looks left and right searching for something, maybe us?

I look around me and spot a couple of protruding rocks along the wall.

"There is one monster following us. It is going at a slow pace and I propose we try to kill it. Anyone object? Be honest as well."

With no hands being raised or voices of objection, I continue with the plan.

"Okay, I want the same formation as before, shields spearmen and then archers. However, we are only going to do half of the formation the rest will hide along the wall behind the rock ready to set up the same formation behind the monster. We are going to pincer it. The most dangerous thing about it is its ability to fly and its sharp claws. We can't stop it from flying but we can defend against the claws. When it raises its arm be ready to defend against the strike and if needed sacrifice the shield. Everyone got that?"

"Yes, leader Ian!"

"Okay, let's do this.. Let's hunt one of those scary monsters."