"It's finally dusk. We have only ten hours left before the trial ends, and we still need to kill three hundred eighty goblins to pass," Clara said as she sharpened her sword.
Gabby looked up at the stars and thought to himself, "A strong wind current." He said, "It's time to move,"
Gabby and Clara moved forward quietly. Clara led the way, crouching low and weaving between the trees.
Every few steps, she stopped and raised a clenched fist to signal a halt. Gabby copied her movements, her eyes scanning the bushes for any sign of danger.
They pressed their backs against the rough bark of a large tree. Just ahead, a pair of goblins walked nearby.
They looked small and skinny, with rough greenish skin. Their arms and legs were thin, but their bellies were bloated. Long, pointy ears stuck out from the sides of their heads. Their large yellow eyes glowed faintly in the dark, and their mouths were full of sharp, jagged teeth.
One goblin carried a crooked spear, while the other held a jagged knife.
"Are they already on the move?" Clara wondered.
She waited until the goblins were just a few steps ahead, their backs turned and their quiet chatter fading into the distance. Clara glanced at Gabby, who gave a small nod.
In one smooth motion, Clara stepped out from behind the tree.
Before the first goblin could turn around, Clara drove her blade cleanly through its back. It let out a sharp gasp, eyes wide with shock, before collapsing to the ground.
The second goblin spun around; its glowing eyes filled with alarm—but Clara was already on him. She deflected the crooked spear with a swift parry and plunged her blade into its bloated stomach.
A scream tore through the forest, echoing between the trees.
Clara scoffed and muttered a curse under her breath.
The plan was ruined.
From the shadows ahead, the underbrush rustled violently. Guttural voices barked in alarm, and the pounding of feet grew louder.
Ten goblins burst into view—eyes wild with fury, weapons raised high.
Gabby stepped back behind a tree, his hand hovering near the knife at his belt. But he didn't draw it. Clara didn't expect him to. He wasn't a fighter—he was a thinker.
Clara stepped forward, sword in hand. Her stance was low, steady, and ready. Her eyes locked onto the charging goblins.
No fear. Just focus.
She muttered with a grin, "Bring it on."
The first goblin lunged, swinging a rusty axe. Clara sidestepped and drove her blade into its side, twisting as she pulled it free. Another came from the left—she ducked, slashed upward, and dropped it in a heap.
The others hesitated, surprised by her speed.
Clara surged forward, a blur of steel and fury. Her blade danced through the air, slicing through armor and flesh. Goblins screamed and fell, one after another. Blood sprayed across the leaves, and the forest rang with the clash of steel and the cries of the dying.
Within minutes, it was over.
Ten goblins lay still on the forest floor. Clara stood in the center, breathing hard, her sword dripping red.
Gabby watched, thinking to himself, She's impressive with a sword.
Clara barely had time to catch her breath before five more goblins burst through the trees, snarling and shrieking. She met them head-on, her movements swift and precise, fell instantly, then another, and another.
But in chaos, one goblin slipped past her guard.
Clara turned too late.
The goblin lunged; its jagged knife aimed straight for her back—until Gabby stepped in.
The blade sank into his forearm with a sickening sound.
"Gabby!" Clara shouted, spinning around. In one fluid motion, she drove her sword through the goblin's chest, silencing it forever.
Gabby winced, clutching his bleeding arm. "I'm okay," he said while gritting his teeth. "It's shallow. Won't kill me. Maybe an infection, but… unlikely. Just focus on the goblins."
They fought back-to-back. Gabby might have only been support, but with him there, Clara had eyes on her blind side.
More goblins were coming—too many.
Clara raised her sword again, ready to fight to the end.
But then, something strange happened.
The goblins stopped.
They stood at the edge of the clearing, snarling and twitching, but not moving forward. Then, as if summoned by some unseen force, they turned and fled into the forest, vanishing into the shadows.
Clara slowly lowered her sword and uttered, "What… just happened?"
Gabby's eyes widened as he spotted a massive shape moving through the shadows of the trees.
Its body was thick and coiled, covered in blue scales that shimmered like wet armor. Each scale was jagged and ridged, nearly impossible to pierce. The serpent moved with a smooth, heavy grace, the ground trembling slightly with each coil it dragged across the forest floor.
Its head was broad and flat, crowned with glowing blue eyes. From its gaping maw jutted rows of long, curved fangs, each one dripping with thick, blue venom. The venom hissed as it hit the ground, burning through leaves like acid.
A low, guttural hiss escaped its throat sound so chilling that even the goblins fled in terror.
Clara turned slowly, her voice barely a whisper. "A Blood Serpent… Why is this monster here? Don't tell me…"
Her eyes widened. "Blood Serpents are only drawn to blood… and fear. That means—Gabby's blood and fear… he's been helping me fight, but it's my fault. I let my guard down."
As she staggered back in realization, Gabby pushed her aside.
He smiled faintly. "I'm counting on you. Please… pass the test."
Then, without hesitation, he turned and ran into the woods.
The Blood Serpent let out a loud hiss and slithered after him, vanishing into the trees.
Clara wiped her tears, thinking to herself, "He's such an idiot… and so kind. He sacrificed himself for me. But… thank you, Gabby. You gave me an opening."
With the goblins retreating, the path ahead was clear.
She rested for a while and pressed forward, heading toward the dry creek bed where more goblins waited. Hundreds of them—maybe thousands or more. She wasn't sure if she could defeat them all.
But her heart burned with determination.
She gripped her sword tighter, her steps steady and sure.