Chapter Six (Continued): The First Threat
The sun had barely risen over the hollow when the first sign appeared.
A low, echoing growl rolled through the trees, unnatural and deliberate. Kael's red eyes flicked to the forest line, Umbra's ears twitching sharply. The wind carried a stench of decay and rot.
"They've come," Kael muttered. "Get the goblins ready."
Moments later, the village came under assault.
A massive creature emerged from the treeline: a Forest Overlord, taller than a man, hulking and covered in mossy scales. Its eyes glowed with intelligence, and jagged antlers sprouted from its head like twisted branches. Its voice was deep, resonant, and unmistakably capable of speech.
"Pathetic vermin," it boomed, "building hovels in my woods. I will claim what is mine!"
The goblins scattered in panic. Spears and bows were brandished, but the beast swatted weapons aside like twigs. Trees cracked under its weight as it advanced.
Kael stepped forward, Umbra growling at his side. "Stay behind me," Kael commanded. "Do not fight unless I say."
The battle was chaos.
Kael moved like shadow and flame, striking the creature with black fire from his palm while Umbra lunged, teeth snapping at joints and legs. Sparks of flame and stone erupted where Kael's magic met the Overlord's scales.
The goblins hesitated at first, unsure how to help, but Kael's command and the sight of Umbra coordinated with his strikes inspired courage. Together, goblin archers fired coordinated volleys, aiming for exposed gaps in the monster's armor-like scales.
The Forest Overlord roared in fury and pain, its antlers swinging in a deadly arc. Kael dodged and countered with another eruption of black fire, Umbra leaping in tandem, jaws snapping at the monster's knees to destabilize it.
Finally, Kael seized control, forcing his demonic power inward, focusing it with precision instead of letting it run wild. The Overlord staggered, growling in confusion at Kael's control, hesitant under the sheer intensity of his power.
With a final strike, Kael touched the monster's forehead with his palm, letting a pulse of shadowed magic course through it. Umbra bared his teeth, growling a warning.
The beast froze. Its glowing eyes dimmed, and it knelt, submitting to Kael's will.
"Go," Kael commanded, voice like iron. "Leave this place. You harm nothing here again."
With a begrudging snarl, the Forest Overlord retreated into the trees, broken in spirit though not in body. Umbra growled, watching its retreat.
Kael wiped sweat from his brow. The goblins cheered hesitantly, some in awe, some still trembling at the enormity of what they had witnessed.
Raguk approached, wide-eyed. "War-chief… you… you controlled it?"
Kael nodded. "We control through strength and will. Umbra and I together. This forest belongs to no one who cannot prove themselves."
After ensuring the village was safe and unscathed, Kael and Umbra set out to track the Overlord. The creature had left traces—broken branches, deep claw marks, and the faint stench of decay.
Hours later, they reached a massive cave, hidden deep within the forest. Smoke curled faintly from its entrance. Inside, cages lined the walls: goblins, smaller creatures, even a few docile forest beasts, all huddled and frightened.
Kael's red eyes burned. "Taken… by this creature. They've been feeding off the helpless."
Umbra growled low, shifting forward, claws scraping the cave floor. Kael placed a hand on his head. "Careful. There may be more of them."
The cave was vast, winding deep into the earth. Shadows moved as the Overlord's minions—twisted forest beasts, lesser than the Overlord but still dangerous—paced around the cages.
Kael drew his sword. "Stay close, Umbra. We free them, then burn this place to ash if necessary."
With calculated precision, Kael and Umbra struck together. Shadow and fang, claw and fire, they dismantled cages and incapacitated guards without slaughtering innocents. Goblins huddled together, some crying, others cautiously curious as Kael freed them.
The Forest Overlord, now weakened and obedient, watched from the shadows. Kael stepped forward. "These creatures are under my protection. You will see that none here suffer again."
The Overlord bowed its massive head, subdued, while Kael freed the remaining captives. Each creature—goblin, forest animal, and even a few timid dwarves or elves—emerged blinking into the daylight.
Kael surveyed them all, Umbra at his side. "We are building more than a village," Kael said quietly. "We are building a refuge. A home for all who have been forsaken."
And with that, Kael began the long march back to the hollow, leading the freed captives and his loyal wolves, ready to expand his settlement and his vision.