Rem and Amaia walked forward along the lonely road, the city of Darkgloom now well behind them. The path wound westward, the horizon swallowed by the dense line of the Dark Forest. It has been quiet since their last encounter with goblins, too quiet. The air itself carried a certain stagnant tension. Then came the sound of branches snapping, and guttural goblin chatter echoing from the bushes.
A group of goblins walked into view, green-skinned and foul smelling, their crooked and broken weapons held in gnarled hands. More poured from the bushes, forming a half-circle around them across the road.
Rem tilted her head towards Amaia, her tone dry. "Do you think it's possible, Amaia, that goblins have overrun this road? Cindy Lou said soldiers from Darkgloom are supposed to keep it clear. Yet since we've left, I haven't seen a single traveler or soldier. Maybe word's spread that things are out of control here."
Amaia's gaze sharpened, the air around her tightening as the goblins advanced.
In that instant, with her lady still speaking, Amaia chose to act.
Her blood-red helmet spawned over her face with a sharp hiss. Her magical energy flared, and a giant sword handle appeared in her hand, shaping itself into a jet-black claymore nearly as tall as she was. The blade radiated menace and sorrow, as a hungry black claymore sword devouring the light around it.
Rem held Ciara against her chest, stepping back a bit. Her lips smiling slightly as she whispered into the fox's ear. "Ciara my darling, it looks like my servant is packed full of surprises. I didn't realize her weapon of choice is a claymore sword bigger than she is… "Has it really only been a day and a half since I awakened? So much has already happened."
Ciara's ears twitched at her words, and the fox let out only a faint "mew."
The goblins shrieked, spurred on by their numbers, and charged forward.
Amaia moved like a storm. She brought her claymore down with a thunderous motion, splitting the first goblin from his skull to pelvis. The blade struck the ground below him and split it apart, spraying dirt and blood in every direction. With a fluid twist of her hand she ripped the claymore free, pivoted, and swung it in a wide arc. The claymore cut effortlessly through the air, as three goblin heads flew up into the air before their bodies hit the ground.
The rest of the goblins hesitated, their confidence breaking. A stench filled the air as two wet themselves, trembling in terror beneath the oppressive aura pouring off of Amaia's armor.
Amaia did not pause. One gauntleted hand left the hilt of her Claymore, as fire flew out from her palm. The blaze spread outwards in a sweeping arc, engulfing half a dozen goblins in flames. Their screams were cut short as they collapsed into piles of ash.
Another group tried to circle around and attack her back. Amaia pivoted sharply, both hands gripping her claymore, driving it through them with a savage slash. The blade cleaved through flesh and bone with ease, decapitating several more in a single strike.
The last stragglers scattered, but Amaia's stride was merciless. With a final swing she finished them off, as silence reclaimed the road.
Amaia stood amid the carnage, her claymore's blade dripping green with blood. Then she released the hilt, and the massive weapon dissolved into nothingness. Her helmet retracted, revealing her face again.
"My lady," Amaia said calmly, turning back towards Rem. "Are you all right? You seemed distracted, so I acted in your stead. I didn't want these goblins to interfere with your speech."
Rem rolled her eyes, shifting Ciara to one arm. "Amaia, you were just trying showing off in front of me. But…" her expression softened, "…you are such a badass fighter. I didn't realize you use a claymore in combat."
Amaia lifted one hand, scratching the back of her head almost self-consciously. "Thank you, my lady. I may only stand at five foot eight in height, but my body is built with immense strength. The resources your father poured into my construction make me far more than a simple magical construct."
Rem nodded her head slowly, studying Amaia witb narrowed eyes. "I'm beginning to see that for myself. I'm sure you still have plenty of surprises hidden away to show me Amaia. Next time, though, save a few goblins for me. I would like to vent some of my frustrations as well." She shifted Ciara against her chest, stroking the fox's fur as its tails swayed lazily. "Now—back to what I was saying before. Do you think all these goblins on the road are normal?"
Amaia paused before answering, her voice even. "Actually, my lady, I didn't want to say anything earlier since you were so dead set on heading towards the Dark Forest. But this isn't the main road. You left it about five miles back. This is a rarely used side route. It's not surprising we would run into groups of goblins here."
Rem's face colored, her cheeks flushing red. She squeezed Ciara tightly, petting her fur with one hand as the fox let out a pitiful "mew."
"Oh really…" Rem said under her breath.
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