Chapter 14: Lillin

Grunt and Lillin traversed the think forest of Campwood to go to the next town.

“Sorry for dragging you out with me instead of letting you stay with Chris,” Grunt said. “There are reasons why I brought you with me.”

“Don’t worry. I need not be there with him. I’m sure he can handle himself,” Lillin replied.

Grunt smiled. “Thank you for the understanding. You are very different from him.”

“Haha. You just don’t know him so much yet,” said Lillin. “He probably has a bad temper, but that’s because he grew up with so much hatred against the fire goblins and the Cyclops.”

“Because of what happened in Seren…” Grunt remarked.

“Yes. But don’t blame yourself,” Lillin assured. “I noticed that he’s starting to change after he learned the truth about the incident and after killing the fire goblin’s leader.”

Lillin continued, “Chris is a really nice guy. He looks tough on the outside, but he’s actually very kind towards his closest friends. The reason why I’m still alive is because of him.”

“What happened?” asked Grunt.

“I grew up without parents. I usually just wander from town to town and hope for some people to give me food or money,” Lillin narrated. “Then one day, I met a boy who treated me kindly. He was so fond of my horns and my nose. He would usually give me candies and food that he hid from his parents so that he could give them to me.”

“And that boy is Chris?” Grunt asked.

Lillin nodded. “We became close friends that’s why I stayed in their town. Finally, he introduced me to his surrogate parents, and they’ve decided to adopt me. That was the best day of my life.”

“I see. So that’s why you always talk about this debt whenever you save him from an enemy.”

“It’s more than just paying a debt,” Lillin smiled. “Chris became very close to me that I simply want to protect him so long as I’m alive.”

The two adventurers reached the end of the forest and saw that Steeltop, the village of the Gremlins, is being attacked.

“Just as expected, they are attacking the main villages of the Humans, Cyclops, Satyrs, and Gremlins!” Grunt exclaimed. “Lillin, your mission now is not just to protect Chris, but to protect everyone! Let us help the resistance until Chris finishes his training.”

“With nature’s providence! I will protect Chris, and all the things that he’s destined to protect!” Lillin said with confidence.

Chapter 13: The Test

“Am I really capable of doing that?” Chris asked.

“I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes.” Grunt replied. “You killed Purete using your ice ability. Although it seems that you can’t consciously control it yet.”

“So where are we going?” Chris inquired again.

“To a place where you could train your ability,” was Grunt’s short reply.

The three adventurers traversed the dense forest of Campwood. After an hour of walking, they heard calm splashes of water.

Grunt looked at the two others, “We’re near.”

As they continued walking, they saw a beautiful waterfall. Colorful flowers outlined the area and there is no blade of grass, greener than the grass within the vicinity. The water is so clear, one could see even a tiny pebble at the bottom of the lake.

“This is the Waterfall of Curse and Clarity,” Grunt said. “It is a waterfall known only to a few Cyclops.”

“This waterfall is rather mysterious,” Lillin remarked. “Water continuously falls from above but the water below forms a small lake and not a river. Why isn’t it overflowing?”

“Even I don’t know the answer to that. This waterfall is full of mysteries,” Grunt answered.

Chris then said, “I suppose it contains other mysteries that’s why we’re here? Unless of course you dragged us here to sightsee.”

Slightly irritated, Grunt replied, “It is not called Curse and Clarity for nothing. In the islet in the middle of the lake, you have to stay still for ten days. You cannot eat, drink, sleep…”

“What!?” Chris exclaimed. “How am I going to survive for ten days without those?”

“If you are really one of the destined children, you will not feel anything during the first nine days,” Grunt explained. “The waterfall is supposed to clear your mind and be able to let you control your ability at will.”

“You said I have to stay there for ten days. So what will happen to me on the tenth day?” asked Chris.

Grunt’s tone became very serious. “The first nine days will only test if you’re a destined child. The tenth day will test if you are strong enough to control your ability. As I said, you won’t feel anything on the first nine days, but on the tenth day, you will feel everything your body has gone through during those nine days. Also, it is said that the pain would be thrice as much.”

“Sounds tough,” Chris said. “But if it’s my destiny, I will take the test and be able to complete it. Lillin, just watch me. I’ll make a wonderful pillar of ice once I’m done with this.”

“We’re not staying here,” Grunt said. “We don’t have the luxury of time to wait for your training to finish. We’ll move ahead to the surrounding village and help with the resistance.”

“Good luck, Chris! May nature’s blessing be with you,” Lillin said.

Chris walked towards the lake, and almost immediately, a narrow path made of soil and clay appeared. The path led to the islet. Grunt and Lillin then left and went to the nearest village.

Chapter 6: Revelations

The yetis and the grass goblins became disorganized after the fall of their leader. They ran at all directions, which made it easy for the humans and Cyclops to kill them one at a time. After a few minutes, the village of Ishrock was devoid of living yeti and goblins. Many of the raiders were able to run, but many have also fallen and will just remain a footnote of this battle’s history.

“Long live the village chief!” shouted the Cyclops. “For Ishrock!”

There was a huge celebration that night. The humans and Cyclops ate and drank to their heart’s content. Amidst the celebration, was a house filled with intense conversation.

“I have helped save the village,” said Chris. “Now you have a lot to answer!”

Gorlon spoke calmly, “What is it young one?”

“The town of Seren!” Chris angrily answered. “Why did the Cyclops forsake our village?”

“So you are Chris, the sole survivor in the town of Seren… The Cyclops did not forsake your village.” said Gorlon.

“We got the request from your town,” Grunt said. “It was I who headed the reinforcement squad and we immediately departed as soon as we got your request. Unfortunately, we were ambushed by a group of fire goblins. They were expecting us to come.”

Chris listened intently.

Grunt continued, “We are a strong race. We annihilated the ambush group, but it was able to delay our arrival.”

“Delay?” Chris retorted. “You didn’t even arrive!”

“You were a small child back then,” said Gorlon. “If our reinforcement didn’t come, you wouldn’t be standing in front of us at this very moment.”

“We are very sorry for what happened to your village. We were too late to save it, but not yet too late to save you. It was I who knocked you unconscious when you tried to attack the fire goblins. Even as a child, you certainly have the courage of your father,” Grunt explained. “My squad quickly dispatched the fire goblins that stayed in your village, then took you to a neighboring town. Your surrogate mother, Elsa, should still remember me.”

After hearing this, Chris slowly stood up and walked outside. Lillin followed him, and they both stared at the night sky.

Gorlon, on the other hand, spoke to Grunt. “He is indeed the descendant of the ancients…”

Chapter 4: Fight For Answers

“How dare you! Chief, you want me to crush the skull of this human?” exclaimed the Cyclops warrior.

“No. Let him speak,” says Gorlon. Turning to Chris, he politely said, “I am prepared to answer all your questions, but this is not the time for it. As you can see, the village is currently under attack.”

“I have no concern about the safety of this village. But if that’s what it takes to get answers from you, then I’ll gladly kill a thousand goblins,” Chris remarked.

Chris joined the other Cyclops warriors in the field to battle the endless wave of goblins and yetis. He swung his sword in rapid succession and killed the enemies, one after another.

“It can’t be!” exclaimed Gorlon.

“What is it?” asked the Cyclops warrior.

Gorlon humbly requested, “Grunt, could you help the human in the battlefield and observe if there is something peculiar with his sword?”

“Ok.”

Grunt, once again, fought side by side with Chris. It was a tiresome battle and the hope for the arrival of reinforcements seemed to be lying in the horizon. Grunt carefully observed Chris, but did not notice anything unusual. Chris, on the other hand, continued the slaughter, as if fueled by tremendous rage.

“Watch out, human!” Grunt shouted.

A grass goblin suddenly jumped over a yeti positioned at Chris’ blind spot, but it missed its target. It was already dead when it hit the ground. It was bleeding, and the mark was readily noticed by Chris. Running towards them was Lillin.

“Will you ever learn how to calm down? Rage will only result to your own demise,” said Lillin. “I am not always here to watch your back.”

“Heh. I will never learn to calm down as long as I know that you’re still watching my back,” Chris replied. “Thank you for saving me yet again.”

“My debt to you will always remain. I will always protect you until my last breath.” Lillin said with conviction.

Grunt interrupted the conversation, “You two save the chitchat for later. We have a village to protect and a thousand goblins to slay.”

At a distance, came a shout that gave life to the raided village. Reinforcements have finally arrived!

Chapter 3: The Meeting

“Lillin, hurry!”

The terrifying roar of the war drums thundered more and more as the two adventurers neared the Mountain of Icepeaks.

“Look out!” exclaimed Lillin and shot the wolf that was running towards her companion.

Surprised, Chris let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you. Let’s proceed with caution.”

Chris and Lillin breezed through the fertile lands of Elderwood, and killed any creature that threatened their lives. After a few moments of nonstop running, they reached the foot of the mountain. Black smoke tarnished the supposed clear sky.

“The village chief! We have to talk to him before it’s too late!” Chris dashed towards the village at full speed.

“Stay calm! The village is surrounded by the Yetis and the Grass Goblins! Ugh… he’s always so reckless,” Lillin followed cautiously.

The Cyclops are holding the raiders at bay, but the grass goblins continue to come from all directions. Goblins and Yetis are being slain from left to right, but reinforcements keep on coming.

“Where are they all coming from? Why are they here?” asked a Cyclops warrior.

The village chief shrugged his shoulders. “We do not know their intentions, but we must hold until the humans arrive.”

Coming from the south, a familiar form emerged. It was Chris, angrily slaughtering the grass goblins.

“Reinforcements?” exclaimed the Cyclops.

“No. It looks like he’s alone. Who is he?” asked the village chief.

The Cyclops went towards the human. Fighting alongside each other, they defeated the small group of grass goblins in the area. The two conversed and walked straight to the village chief.

“Are you the village chief?” asked Chris.

“Yes. I am Gorlon, the village chief of Ishrock,” was the calm reply.

“Then you have a lot to answer from me!” Chris said angrily.

Chapter 2: From Green to Blue

The rustling of dried leaves echoed throughout Elderwood as the two ventured the forest. It was certainly a pleasant sight to behold. Gigantic trees stood tall with branches opened wide as if welcoming the adventurers. Everything was green and brown. The growth of the forest hasn’t been disturbed for many years, and the Satyrs have done well to preserve it.

“Ah… there really isn’t a place in Uld that is more vibrant than Elderwood!” exclaimed Lillin.

Chris, on the other hand, continued walking as if he didn’t hear anything so the two proceeded. Elderwood is vast and it’s easy to get lost with one misstep. It was only because of Lillin that Chris can easily go in and out of the forest.

“Chris, don’t you like this forest too?” asked Lillin.

Annoyed by the question, Chris looked at Lillin. “We are not here to sightsee!” said Chris. “Besides, I’m not a lover of forests. Anything that easily burns is a thing of weakness.”

Taken aback, Lillin let out a deep sigh. It is one thing for a Satyr to be yelled at, but it’s another thing for someone to disgrace their most beloved place. But Lillin knew Chris well enough. She took everything in, and proceeded silently.

As they get deeper and deeper into the forest, Lillin heard a vicious howl from a distance. Almost immediately, Chris took out his sword and killed a snake that swept through the ground and jumped behind Lillin.

“What’s wrong? All the animals in this place don’t normally attack people, especially a Satyr…” Lillin was lost in thought and was very confused.

“This is not the time to think about it! Pull out your gun! We are completely surrounded!” exclaimed Chris.

Finally, Lillin was able to gather courage. “I’m sorry my beloved forest. I have to take the life of some of your children, in order to preserve mine and my companion.”

The wolves attacked ferociously, but Chris made quick work of them. Lillin fired three bullets with her sturdy rifle, and they pierced through the wild bear leading the pack.

Letting out a sigh, Lillin mumbled, “No! What happened to this sacred place that the Satyrs have protected for so long?”

“Things are getting worst. We have to know what’s happening. Let’s hurry to the Mountain of Icepeaks!” Chris said with great resolve.

As soon as they started walking, a loud explosion was heard from the direction of the Mountain of Icepeaks. Surprised, the two sped up and ran towards their destination.

Chapter 1: Chris

“Run!!!”

The terrified screams of the villagers rang across the fiery sky as the fire goblins raided the once peaceful town of Seren. Bodies of defenseless humans fell one by one, and the ground was painted red with blood and fire.

“Stay here! Don’t come out no matter what happens,” says a bearded man.

“No! I’m scared. Don’t leave me here, Father!” the voice of the child was barely heard.

Wielding his iron sword and shield, the man calmly said, “I will be alright. It is my duty to protect our town. The Cyclops will come to our aid so you need not worry.”

The man departed the house. The young child anxiously waited for the arrival of his honorable father. Minutes passed and the screaming and wailing slowly faded. Then, there was silence.

“Father?” the child whispered.

He slowly crawled out of the cupboard. Shaking, but with great determination, he peeked through their battered door. Outside lies the bodies of villagers, soaked in their own blood. The stench of burnt flesh and blood seeped through the tiny holes of the door. Terrified, the boy let out a gasp. It was then when he saw five fire goblins, gathered around a seemingly familiar form. It was the corpse of his father, with his sword still pierced through the heart of the goblin’s leader. The other goblins are desecrating the corpse as if in grieve retaliation.

Filled with anger, the boy dashed outside and charged towards the goblins. Startled, the goblins prepared to attack, but the boy suddenly collapsed when hit by something from behind.

“Father… no…” were the final words of the boy.

__________________

“It’s that dream again,” says Chris as he slowly wakes up from his deep slumber.

Lillin, a female Satyr travelling with Chris, noticed that he is awake. “Are you really sure about this quest you are speaking of? You have been dreaming the same dream ever since you ventured outside your village.”

“I have dedicated my whole life to fulfill this mission. The horrors of the day Seren was attacked will never leave me until I extinguish every last fire goblin in Uld!” Chris said to her worried companion. “Petty dreams like this will not stop me from my goal!”

With those words, the two started to pack their bags and headed out to the Mountain of Icepeaks.