Key To A Goblin's Heart

Maland's POV

To be the disappointment of General Dorin himself hit me harder than I expected. Was he right? Was seclusion a bad choice for me in the long run. But I didn't know what else to do? I have never fraternized before this day. The idea of bonding with someone was itself too weird for me. But I needed to find a common ground with the others if I were to be in the Military. Maybe not too close, but enough to empathize with them?

Then again, where do I start? That evening I decided to talk to my opponent, to ensure that there were no hard feelings. After all, our recent fight could be a good excuse to talk.Heading to the infirmary, I noticed him sitting on the bed, applying ice packs on his wound. That reminds me, I have to do the same as well if I were to survive the fight the next day.

A nurse noticed me and approached me if I needed anything. Requesting an ice pack I approached my opponent. He was minding his own business until he noticed me and his expression stiffened. "What do you want"? He spat. His tone was dipped with hatred.

"I…" I struggled. "I see you are awake". I mumbled.

"What did you think? You knocked me out for good? If it wasn't for your stupid distracton you could have never gotten the opportunity to hit me." He scoffed.

"I suppose thats true" I mumbled, running out of ways to maintain the conversation. The nurse brought me an ice pack which I applied to my arm after removing the cover on my arm.

The large round purple hue made me wonder how the hell I was unable to feel such a large wound, when I should be writhing in pain. Maybe somewhere down the line I became insensitive to the pain? When my opponent noticed the big bruise he flinched. "That… seems deep. How the hell did you put so much power with such a big bruise"? He asked me.

"I can barely feel it" I mumbled flatly.

"Show off" He scoffed ad rolled his eyes.

"No, I am serious. It seems you gave me some kind of nerve damage. I knew you hit me here, but this whole area is numb" I clarified.

"Ah…" He opened his mouth but didn't say much. "Guess I wasn't too easy on you either" he mumbled.

"As you shouldn't have. It was combat for a reason. We were supposed to do our best" I simply shrugged.

"I didn't…" He gritted his teeth and took a deep breath. "I didn't do it for some stupid prize, I did it because…. I don't like you"

"I am aware," I admitted as well.

"Then why the hell are you here"? He snapped.

"I would like to change that," I admitted honestly.

"Why"? He tilted his head in confusion.

"It has come to my attention that my attitude could be… infuriating to others. It is, however, not my intention. We are comrades, we should fight for this country together instead of making enemies within ourselves" I declared.

"That general got us fighting with each other? How the hell are we supposed to fight together"? He scoffed. 

"Maybe that's the test? He wants to see if we can still be comrades despite our match"? I offered.

"That… actually makes sense," My opponent nodded. "That general is a sly fox, god knows what goes inside his head" he grunted.

"I am Maland" I introduced myself. 

"I know who you are, we fought together today" He gave me a dirty look.

"Right," I nodded.

"You don't know my name do you"? He stared down at me.

"I…" I hesitated. "I am just bad with names"

"FIgures" He shook his head. "I am Stylix" 

"Nice to meet you. So we're good" I asked. He gave me a subtle nod as we proceeded with our tending to our injuries. He gave me a little bit of the background of where he comes from. He had a son who was waiting for him back at home, and he took this position because he wanted his son to be around him. I shared some of my backstory before we both left the infirmary.

That was the first friend I ever made. Sure, he had his other buddies and I made some of mine over time. We didn't exactly became buddies or anything but we could run into each other occasionally, and everytime we would part on friendly terms.

However, that's just me getting ahead of myself… wait, but why? How do I know the future? As it so happens I won the next few rounds as well, fighting with different strategies all the time, catching my opponents off guard. They simply didn't know what to expect from me.

When I was in the final match, I was on the verge of losing when a tiny butterfly distracted my opponent which led me to win the final match. Turns out, I was really lucky, or why would a butterfly interrupt his final strike? When it was the moment to declare the winner, I was beyond elated. My happiness knew no bounds and I was honored to be known by everyone.

"So, with all the matches coming to a conclusion, it's time to declare a winner," General Dorin announced once everyone was gathered at the courtyard. "The special gift that you shall receive is…" He paused for dramatic effect, obviously. "A combat with me" 

The whole crowd gasped, while I stood still at that declaration. Somehow, despite knowing that he would probably beat the pulp out of me, that I have no chance against him, I was weirdly rejoiced to have the opportunity to fight him. So much so that I had to put everything on the line to just stop myself from smiling at that offer.

Our match was arranged the next day, everyone literally betting on the ways I would be beaten. Some betted that I would last merely 20 seconds and some betted that I would last even less. It didn't matter to me how long I lasted. What mattered to me was I was the one who had the privilege to fight him first amongst the lot.

As the match started he looked at me carefully. Since it was hand to hand combat, no weapons like swords or spears were allowed. All we had to rely upon was our brute strength,which I had plenty, but he just had wary more than I did. He attacked me after we encircled once around the ring. 

Instead of dodging it, I grabbed his hand to stop his attack, so that I could gain leverage, but somehow he seemed to have anticipated what I was going for and used this connection to use it against me, gaining himself the leverage and throwing me off the ground.

I landed on the ground with a loud thud with a spiking pain shooting up my spine. Could I even continue any further? I guess we will find out. With much difficulty I stood up, trying to walk with much difficulty let alone fight. I dogged a few attacks and managed to land a brutal punch on his shoulder blades before my spine gave up and I became unconscious.

Next thing I recall that I woke up in the infirmary, where General Dorin stood by my bed. "I must say, I am impressed how long you lasted given how you almost broke your spine"

"Thank You" I nodded. To gain back his approval once more, I was beyond delighted. I wanted to dance… except, I couldn't feel my legs at all. I panicked and tried to move but a hand landed on my right shoulder holding me still. 

"You have a spinal injury," He declared.

"I can never walk again"? Devastated, I asked.

"You will heal, but for now you need rest" he instructed me.

"Can I ask you something?" I wondered. 

"Go ahead" He encouraged. 

"Did you ever pass out in your days of training"? I asked.

"No," he answered simply. I was going down the road of shame until he added, "then again I didn't have such a strict General".

"I am glad I do" I mumbled.

He tilted his head in confusion, "You're glad? After everything? Yow know you can't walk anymore because of me"?

"LIke you said, I'll be able to soon. Besides, if you aren't harsh with us, how can we learn how to defend our country if and when we are under attack"? I shrugged.

He stared at me, bewildered, and a bit more… touched? I dunno. The expression on his face was something new, something I didn't exactly know what to say.

He got up and mumbled, "Exactly what are you made of Maland Sylvester"? He whispered.

"I am just another Goblin" I shrugged.

"No, you're not. You are truly worthy" he declared. He drew his sword and put it in front of me. "My master gave this to me when I was selected as a knight. He told me this would bring me luck, and so it has. As a general, I am all lucked out, so here take it" he gave it to me.

"But.. this is yours" I blinked.

"From now, it's yours" He handed it to me. And that is how I came into possession of my precious sword.