The Goblin Nation

Shuja got on Olhos' back. He carried her upstream on the river wall, past the first dam. Pawns tried to stop her, but her bow was far deadlier and Olhos' thick fur protected them. Crocker stood in front of their path, firing his rifle. The closer Olhos got, the more the bullets began to penetrate his fur, but it did not matter. Shuja summoned a wind on her arrow and fired it towards Crocker. The wind formed a twisting wall that blew away C.o.c.ker's attack. Fortunately for him, he was shorter than what Shuja estimated, and she missed his head by an inch.

But there was still Olhos, who was ready to maul Crocker. The wind disoriented Crocker, and he didn't see the werewolf reaching its claws to him. Cooke tackled Crocker out of the way, saving him from Olhos' death grip. Olhos stopped and was about to turn around to finish the job, but Shuja urged him to keep moving forward.

Shuja felt an odd change in the air. The plan was simple: they would move swiftly and break open the first dam to get to the next section. But not only did they ignore the gates, but Stick took control of the dam instead. As if breaking through the gates would be bad for them.

Olhos broke through enemy goblins until they reached the section behind the dam, and what she saw surprised her. The river was dry and empty, leaving a black river bed filled with trash. And in the middle of the river was Smoke and Rock surrounded by goblins. The two were struggling to fight them, which surprised her until she and Olhos got closer. The goblins were slaves and wore the same collars like the ones underground.

Shuja took out the master stone and raised it in the air, "Stop fighting them!" The slave collars stopped shocking the goblins, and soon the wearers collapsed from exhaustion.

"Smoke, look!" Rock pointed at Shuja riding Olhos.

"What is she doing here?"

Olhos jumped over the weary goblins and over to the brothers. "What's going on?" She asked them.

"We're trying to the castle." Smoke answered, "One of Cossack's hors.e.m.e.n got lost and stumbled there."

"So, is this some rescue mission?" Shuja jumped off Olhos.

"No, he came back," Rock scratched his head, "But with some bad news."

"The lake and its dam are frozen solid," Smoke said. "Even if we get the ship through the last gate, we'll still be stuck on ice."

"It's the last weeks of spring! How is there still ice?"

"We don't know. But we decided to go there ourselves while Stick defends the sh.i.p.s and the first dam. But that asshole," Smoke pointed at a large figure standing in front of the second dam wearing blue armor, "Is blocking our way. If you can distract him for us, we can get to the city center faster."

"Wouldn't it be faster if I ride on Olhos to the castle?"

"Yeah, it would, but that lost goblin spotted two more goblins similar to us. And I bet my warclub that they're the ones responsible for the ice."

"And just imagine how strong they must be to freeze an entire lake," Rock added. "I bet I can take both of them down!"

"So you want me and Olhos to kill the grunt for you guys? Are you guys serious? Us two fighting that thing over there?"

"Hahaha," Rock laughed, "Does he look that strong that you're getting scared?"

"Screw you, Rock! I can kill that armored giant with one arrow. I'm just worried Olhos will have cold feet."

"If I can maintain my monster self, I think I'll be able to take him down. In fact," Olhos glanced at Shuja, "He looks lighter than a pink skin goblin I know."

"Weeeeell Excuse me, mister!" Shuja yelled.

Both Rock and Olhos laughed, but the fun quickly disappeared when the earth shook. Rook started jogging towards them, and he gained speed for every foot he covers. His acceleration was slow, but they could tell that he is unstoppable regardless of how slow or fast he may seem. But Olhos howled with confidence, for the monster in him is equally formidable. He just hopes he knows when to stop before he loses his will.

Shuja ordered the slaves to seek shelter with the Orgut and Maston warriors fighting on the first dam. Once they left, the four charged. Olhos led them. He strode across the river and tackled the moving tank in front of them.

Rook did not stop, but he did slow down, which startled him. He did not expect the werewolf's strength to be enough to hinder his path. Olhos crunched his armor with his powerful jaws and tried to reap it apart. Rook pulled him over his shoulders to throw him against the ground, but Shuja shot an arrow imbued by mana that pierced his t.h.i.g.h.

He released Olhos, letting the werewolf land behind him, and got trapped in an armlock. Shuja shot another arrow, but this time Rook saw the attack and quickly turned his body, using Olhos as a meat shield. The arrow dug itself deep in Olhos' b.u.t.t and the poor wolf dropped to the ground, wriggling in pain. "I'm sorry!" She yelled.

Meanwhile, the brother slipped past the armored menace and made their way towards the center of the city. A swarm of goblins tried to stop them from breaching the inner city walls, but Smoke made quick work of them with his electric attacks while Rock simply ran through the goblins like a raging bull. Once they demolished their way through the walls, they finally reached the frozen lake. And in the middle of the lake was the city castle with its purple dome, the color of royalty, stand out in the grey colored city.

And looking around on the surface of the lake did the brothers realize how dirty the city was. The frozen waters could not hide the black waste that polluted the waters, and black clouds came out from large chimneys over the horizon.

The only things devoid of such filth was the castle and two goblins standing before the brothers. Their pink skins were flawless and complexion, gentle and unassuming. The unwanted scraps littering the frozen lake did not taint their bodies. And they wore matching white v-neck sweaters, black pants, white masks, and black hats overly decorated with coloful flowers. Bishop, the twin brother, waved at the brothers. "WELCOME, OUTSIDERS, TO THE CITY CASTLE DISTRICT!" He yelled.

Smoke and Rock had no time for pleasantries with the enemy. "Whoever lands last will have to fight the girl!" Rock announced.

"Are you that scared to fight the loud one. I bet you two would fit perfectly for each other." Smoke joked. They leaped over the wide lake and landed in front of the twins. Smoke was the first to land and he quickly charged towards Bishop. He pointed his war club at Bishop's direction and shot a lightning bolt at him. Bishop took a deep breath and screamed, creating a sound barrier that blocked the attack sent Smoke flying back to the frozen lake.

'I HOPE THAT WASN'T TO LOUD!" He yelled.

Rock was the second to land, "Darn it, why do I have to fight the girl?"

Queen teleported behind Rock and leaned close to his ears. "Why? Do you think I'm weak?" She whispered softly.

Rock turned around and was about to punch her but stopped a moment before hitting her face. "Rock, why'd you stop?" Smoke asked.

"I can't,"

"Can't what? What do you mean?" Queen wondered.

"I can't do it! I can't hit a lady. It's just not right!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Smoke shouted, "You've sparred with Dawn. What makes this any different?"

"I don't know!"

Queen smiled. "But I do," She pulled a gun out from underneath her sweater and shot Rock on the c.h.e.s.t. The shot pushed Rock back and made him drop on one knee.

"Rock!" Smoke yelled.

"Did your mother ever tell you to wear a mask over your mouth? It helps prevent the foul stench from infecting your body with diseases. And with how disgusting the river is with the waste we dump in it, you wouldn't believe how easy it is to get sick."