Starlit Survival

Chapter 3: Goblin

The group continued to walk deeper into the forest, the oppressive silence weighing heavily on them. Each step felt like they were being toyed with, as if the forest itself was leading them in circles. Rynax's heightened senses were on high alert, but despite their efforts, they had yet to find any sign of water.

"There seems to be a sound of water nearby," Nerissa exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of hope and urgency.

"Let's just keep moving," Thalor replied, his confidence unwavering. "We'll find it if we stay vigilant."

But Rynax felt a growing unease. His instincts screamed at him, warning him that something was approaching fast. "Everyone, do—" he started, but it was too late.

In a horrifying instant, he saw Lyra's expression shift from playful curiosity to confusion. Her large violet eyes widened as she turned to look at the group, and then, in a sickening moment, her head fell to the ground, severed cleanly from her body.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Nerissa screamed, her voice piercing the stillness of the forest.

Rynax's cybernetic enhancements allowed him to feel vibrations in the ground, but the creature that had attacked was too fast, too sudden. He couldn't react in time. The shock of Lyra's lifeless body hitting the forest floor sent a wave of dread through him.

Nerissa stared in horror at the lifeless form of Lyra, her calm demeanor shattered. Meanwhile, Garrick and Thalor instinctively formed a protective circle, their eyes scanning the darkening woods for any sign of the attacker.

"What the actual fuck was that?!" Garrick shouted, his voice a mix of anger and disbelief.

Thalor's gaze darted to the shadows, where he caught a glimpse of a pair of beautiful jade-green eyes glinting in the darkness, accompanied by a mischievous smile that sent chills down his spine. "There's something in the forest, and it's smiling at us," he said, his voice steady despite the fear creeping in.

Instinctively, Thalor raised his hands to the sky, invoking the ancient spirits of the forest. "Erynthaur Aegis!" he chanted, his voice rising above the tension. The ground trembled slightly, and massive, enchanted vines burst forth, spiraling around him and his allies in a protective embrace.

"What the heck is this?" Rynax shouted, confusion etched on his face as the vines wrapped around them.

"This is one of my greatest defensive spells," Thalor explained, his confidence shining through the chaos. "We should be safe for a while."

"Nerissa, are you okay?" Garrick asked, his voice softer now, filled with concern.

"I want to go home!" Nerissa cried, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked at Lyra's lifeless body. "I'm only the strongest among my race because of my great water therapy, but I cannot heal this!" Her voice trembled with despair.

Thalor conjured some of the vines and gently covered Lyra's body, murmuring a prayer. "Na lû thand le ias Dôr," he whispered, invoking the spirit of Gaia to watch over their fallen comrade.

As they silently mourned, a sudden shockwave of force slammed against the vines, shaking them violently. The attacks outside were relentless, the creature's strength cutting through the enchanted defenses with terrifying speed.

Rynax's heart raced as he turned to Garrick, urgency in his voice. "Can you create me a short weapon, a dagger?"

Garrick nodded, his expression serious. "I'll make it quick." He knelt down, placing his hands on the ground, channeling his energy into the earth. "Khazad Zigil!" he called out, and the ground beneath him began to shimmer and rise, forming a molten mass of metal. With precise movements, he shaped the metal, cooling it rapidly into a finely crafted dagger.

He handed the dagger to Rynax, who felt the weight of it in his hand. "Thanks, Garrick," he said, determination hardening his voice.

As the creature continued to batter against the vines, Rynax felt a surge of adrenaline. He was no longer just a bystander; he was ready to fight. "We need to find out what we're dealing with," he said, gripping the dagger tightly. "Stay alert!"

With a nod of agreement from the others, they prepared themselves for the impending confrontation, the forest around them darkening as the threat loomed closer. Rynax's heart raced.

The vines surrounding them were suddenly cut by sharp slashes, the sound of tearing foliage echoing through the forest. Rynax's instincts kicked in as he caught sight of the jade-green eyes peering through the shadows. Without a moment's hesitation, he sprinted forward, dagger in hand. Viper Strike! he thought, his focused.

With his augmented vision locking onto the target, Rynax calculated the optimal path for his attack. In a blur of motion, he dashed forward with incredible speed, his blade slicing through the air with surgical precision, aimed directly at the creature's neck. But it was quick, blocking the strike with surprising agility.

As Rynax jumped back to regroup with his companions, he finally got a good look at what had killed Lyra. The creature was a small, creepy goblin, its skin a sickly green, and its features twisted into a menacing sneer. "Kekekekeke," it laughed, the sound grating and mocking.

"This isn't a normal goblin," Rynax said, his heart racing. The creature's swift movements and the dark aura surrounding it suggested it was far more dangerous than any goblin he had encountered in his games. "Thalor, create an obstruction and you'll get out of here!"

"Are you nuts?" Thalor shot back, his confidence unwavering. "We can't just run! Let's fight it together!"

"Nerissa isn't well right now, and Garrick can't really fight that thing because of his experience from his planet," Rynax argued, his voice urgent. "We need to prioritize our safety. You must run!"

Garrick nodded, his expression serious. "He's right. Goblins are good in my world, but this one… it's different. We need to find a better strategy."

Thalor hesitated, his pride battling with the reality of their situation. He was a magic user, but facing a goblin that relied on stealth was a disadvantage. "Fine," he relented, his voice tight.

"Lindë Loth!" Thalor called out, gracefully gesturing with his hands. He invoked the gentle spirits of the forest, and a cascade of ethereal petals materialized, swirling around the goblin in an enchanting dance, momentarily distracting it.

"Now, go!" Rynax urged, his eyes locked on the goblin, ready for its next move. Thalor scooped up Nerissa, and Garrick followed closely behind, their feet pounding against the forest floor as they fled.

The goblin, however, was not deterred. It leaped toward them with a feral snarl, but Rynax was ready. He stepped forward, blocking the creature's path with his dagger raised. "Ahhhh!!!" Nerissa shouted, her voice filled with panic as she glanced back.

"Live, you idiot!" Thalor exclaimed, his voice strained as he ran.

"See you later!" Rynax called back, a big smile plastered on his face, masking the fear that churned in his gut. He was now alone with the goblin, which grinned back at him, its sharp teeth glinting in the dim light of the forest.

The goblin's eyes sparkled with malice as it crouched low, ready to pounce. "Kekekekeke! You think you can stop me?" it taunted, its voice dripping with mockery.

Rynax tightened his grip on the dagger, his heart pounding in his chest. This is it, he thought, adrenaline surging through him. He had faced many foes before, but this was different. He was fighting for his comrades, for their survival.

"Let's see what you've got," Rynax said, his voice steady despite the chaos around him. He focused, channeling his training and instincts, ready to strike. The goblin lunged at him, and Rynax sidestepped, slashing with his dagger in a swift arc. The blade connected, but the goblin was quick, twisting away just in time.

"Not bad, human!" the goblin sneered, its voice taunting. "But you'll have to do better than that!"

Rynax felt a surge of determination. I won't let it win. He calculated his next move, his mind racing as he prepared for the goblin's next attack. The forest around them felt alive, the shadows shifting as the battle unfolded, and Rynax knew he had to end this quickly before the goblin could strike again.

He focuses everything, he heated so that his senses will increase two-fold, three-fold. Inferno Surge activates his internal systems with a focused command, causing his mechanical implants to emit a faint, fiery glow. As the heat within his cybernetic components rises, his senses sharpen dramatically, enhancing his perception and awareness. Inferno Surge is a powerful skill that temporarily amplifies Rynax's sensory capabilities by increasing the heat output of his mechanical implants. This surge of energy heightens his vision, hearing, and reflexes five-fold, allowing him to perceive the environment with unparalleled clarity and react with extraordinary speed. During this heightened state, Rynax can detect the slightest movements, hear the faintest sounds, and process information at an accelerated rate, making him an even more formidable opponent in combat. The skill showcases the synergy between Rynax's human instincts and technological enhancements, pushing the limits of his abilities to new heights.

Rynax suddenly went into the back of the goblin, Viper Strike. As soon as he thinks he felt something at the tip of his blade, the goblin is gone; it's the goblin's afterimage. The goblin swiftly transported to Rynax's back, its dagger aiming at his neck.

"Too slow, hooman!" the goblin taunted, its voice dripping with mockery.

Rynax overheated and kicked the air, resulting in a sudden combustion that sent them both flying apart. The force of the blast propelled him forward, and he rolled to regain his footing, narrowly avoiding the goblin's dagger as it sliced through the air where he had just been. He landed in a crouch, his eyes scanning the shadows for the goblin's next move.

"What the hell is this thing?" Rynax thought, bewildered. He didn't know goblins could do that. The goblin now watched him mischievously, a glint of excitement in its eyes.

"Ready for round two?" it sneered, darting forward again, its movements a blur.

Rynax prepared himself, focusing on the goblin's movements. As the creature lunged, he felt a shift in the air to his right. Vortex Parry! Rynax deflected the incoming attack with a swift, circular motion of his dagger, redirecting the force back at his attacker. The goblin's dagger clashed against his, the impact sending a jolt through his arm.

"Nice try, but you'll have to do better than that!" Rynax shot back, his voice cold and calculated, betraying none of the fear that simmered beneath his surface.

The goblin stumbled back, momentarily off balance. Seizing the opportunity, Rynax lunged forward, channeling his energy into a single, powerful thrust. Piercing Thrust! he thought, driving his dagger with pinpoint accuracy. His cybernetic targeting systems ensured that the thrust hit vital points, maximizing damage. The blade found its mark, piercing the goblin's left elbow.

The goblin howled in pain, clutching its arm. "You'll pay for that, you freak!" it spat, eyes wide with fury. Instinctively, it turned to flee, darting into the shadows.

Rynax felt a surge of triumph, but it was short-lived. As the goblin disappeared, he felt something burning inside his bleeding shoulder; the wound oozed a silver liquid. "What is this?" he muttered, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over him. The world around him began to blur, and he fought to stay conscious.

"Stay awake, Rynax," he whispered to himself, shaking his head to clear the fog. "You can't let it end like this."

But the burning in his shoulder intensified, and he felt his eyelids growing heavy. "I need to find out what this is," he thought, his mind racing even as his body betrayed him. "I can't let this goblin get away. Not like this."

With a final surge of will, Rynax pushed himself to his feet, determination igniting within him. "I will find you," he vowed, his voice steady despite the pain. "And when I do, you'll regret underestimating me."

The goblin, sensing Rynax's momentary weakness, reappeared from the shadows, its eyes gleaming with malice. "You think you can keep up with me?" it taunted, lunging again, this time with a flurry of rapid strikes aimed at Rynax's torso.

Rynax's heightened senses kicked in, and he sidestepped the first dagger thrust, feeling the rush of air as it barely missed him. He countered with a quick jab of his own, but the goblin was already rolling away, agile and quick. "You're fast, I'll give you that," Rynax said, his voice low and steady. "But speed alone won't save you."

The goblin laughed, a high-pitched, mocking sound. "We'll see about that!" It charged again, this time feinting to the left before darting right, trying to catch Rynax off guard. Rynax anticipated the move, pivoting on his heel and bringing his dagger up in a defensive arc. The goblin's dagger clashed against his, the force of the impact reverberating through his arm.

"Is that all you've got?" Rynax taunted, pushing back against the goblin's assault. He could feel the heat of the battle coursing through him, his implants working overtime to keep him sharp and focused.

The goblin snarled, frustration evident in its eyes. "You're a tougher opponent than I expected!" It leaped back, creating distance, and Rynax took the opportunity to assess the situation. He could feel the silver liquid from his shoulder wound seeping into his system, dulling his senses slightly, but he pushed through the pain.

"Let's end this," Rynax said, determination hardening his voice. He activated another skill, focusing his energy into a concentrated burst. Inferno Surge! The fiery glow around his implants intensified, and he felt a surge of power coursing through him.

The goblin, sensing the shift in Rynax's demeanor, hesitated for a moment. "What are you doing?" it asked, a hint of fear creeping into its voice.

"Something you won't survive," Rynax replied, launching himself forward with newfound speed. He closed the distance between them in an instant, his dagger aimed directly at the goblin's heart.

The goblin's eyes widened in shock as Rynax executed a series of Rapid Strikes, each one precise and deadly. The goblin barely managed to dodge the first two attacks, but Rynax was relentless. He followed up with a spinning kick that sent the goblin sprawling to the ground.

"You think you can take me down that easily?" the goblin spat, scrambling to its feet. It lunged again, but Rynax was ready. He sidestepped the attack and countered with a swift uppercut, catching the goblin off guard. The creature staggered back, dazed.

"You're not as clever as you think," Rynax said, his voice low and menacing. He could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, heightening his senses even further. He could hear the goblin's ragged breathing, see the sweat glistening on its brow.

The goblin, realizing it was losing ground, attempted to retreat into the shadows once more. "You won't catch me that easily!" it shouted, but Rynax was faster. He activated his targeting systems, locking onto the goblin's movements.

Vortex Parry!, anticipating the goblin's next strike. He deflected the dagger aimed at his side, redirecting the force back at the goblin. The creature stumbled, and Rynax seized the moment, launching into a powerful Piercing Thrust.

The dagger struck true, embedding itself deep into the goblin's side. The creature gasped, eyes wide with shock and pain. "No... this can't be..." it stammered, collapsing to the ground.

Rynax stood over the fallen goblin, breathing heavily, the fiery glow of his implants slowly fading. "You underestimated me," he said, his voice cold and steady. "And now you'll pay the price."

The goblin coughed, blood pooling around it. "You... you think you've won?" it rasped, a defiant glint in its eyes. "There are other two who's cunning than me... you'll never be safe."

Rynax narrowed his eyes, feeling the weight of the goblin's words. "I'll be ready for them," he replied, his voice unwavering. "And I'll be waiting."

With that, he stepped back, allowing the goblin to fade into unconsciousness. Rynax turned away, the adrenaline still coursing through him, but the burning in his shoulder reminded him of the battle's toll. He needed to tend to his wound and figure out what the silver liquid was.