Chapter 5: Camp Rescue

The night shrouded the dense forest in pitch-black, making it difficult to traverse. Jushiro pursued the creatures from afar like a hawk. Just as he started to feel relaxed and eased by a stranger's kindness, all good things ended from the fires that burned his place of sanctuary.

"It's like whenever you feel that things couldn't get worse. That night I saw the fire. I knew right away that the worst had happened. Though I didn't see the farmers in the burning rubble, I assumed the possibility and held onto hope they were still alive."

Jushiro wandered further into the forest while keeping close to the creature's trail. Alas, the journey ended when he saw their place of destination. With a sickening feeling, he slowly approached to see the creature's settlement.

The trail led to a large open area near a ruined fort. A large fire flickered in the center while thick trees and brush lined the perimeter. To the northeastern side stood large wooden cages with people and livestock inside. Three tall wooden towers watched over the south, east, and western sides as a river lay north of the fort. Jushiro noticed the abundance of cooking pots and other dishes near the fire pit.

He hid behind a bush in the tree line and observed the creatures.

"I watched as they gathered by the fire in the dozens. They were half the size of normal humans with a surge-green skin tone. Their eyes were pale yellow like the sun, and their ears and noses were slightly longer. Their mouths were full of sharp crooked teeth. No doubt they must be goblins," At the center of the area, Jushiro saw what appeared to be the goblin leader as a pair of bodyguards stood beside him. He remained hidden in the treeline to avoid detection while observing the vicinity. The smell of rotting flesh, among other foul scents, overwhelmed Jushiro until he felt queasy.

Then the sound of drums rang in plunging rhythm, and the goblins gathered in mass to chant. Jushiro couldn't understand until they opened the cages and brought out three captured prisoners. They led the people into the center, and the goblin leader raised his ax. He yelled aloud and thrust his weapon downward. The other goblins acknowledged the signal and proceeded to slaughter the helpless people.

Jushiro watched and listened in horror as they squirmed and screamed in agony. Among them was a young child half Jushiro's age. He held his mouth close and looked away while whimpering heavily. After the noise ceased, Jushiro gasped for air as tears dripped from his eyes. The sight traumatized him severely. His hands shook, and his legs trembled, disabling his ability to walk.

He remained still for nearly an hour until he calmed down. Soon he heard the sound of footsteps walking toward him. He unsheathed his knife and saw a patrolling goblin approaching. The lone goblin could smell something abnormal and chose to investigate. The goblin edged closer until he was a foot away from Jushiro.

Before he could check inside the bush, a hand grabbed its weapon, followed by another that covered the goblin's mouth. The goblin struggled to release itself as Jushiro held it tightly like a trap. The goblin bit and sank its teeth into Jushiro's hand. "Damn it!" Jushiro said in pain. He then pressed his knife into the goblin's neck and opened its throat. Blood poured and stained his coat.

He dragged the dead goblin into the bush and wrapped his injured hand using a rag from the hunting bag.

"I... I just killed my first foe. A goblin," Jushiro said, taking a moment to collect his thoughts while still shaken from earlier. He took a moment to calm himself under the notion he was safe inside the thick brush. He looked through to see the goblins cooking stew using the remains of their victims. Jushiro regurgitated from watching.

Hours passed, and Jushiro decided to wait until morning as the goblins showed no sign of tiring. He settled in for the long night until the faint sunlight shined through the vegetation and on his face. Jushiro woke and slowly stood up to observe the area. His hunch proved correct as no goblins were in sight.

Jushiro almost crept through until he suddenly backtracked. He remembered the three watch towers and looked up to see goblins on the lookout. Before he could proceed to rescue the hostages, he decided to take out the guards on the towers. He skulked quietly, remembering the hunting tips Byrant taught him until he was within range of one goblin guard.

He brought out his bow and aimed at the guard. His fingers eased their grip, and the arrow flew straight. The projectile pierced the goblin's head and caused it to fall off the tower. Jushiro dashed to catch it, not wanting to make too much noise. Jushiro sighed in relief at his first success.

"Like hunting a stag," He said to himself.

He focused on the remaining two guards and dropped them both with ease. After eliminating the guards, Jushiro made his way to the cages, where some of the people waved to him. "Wait!" said a voice. Jushiro noticed the farmers among the captured. Jushiro walked close enough to hear the farmer inform him, "The cage's keys with him. The goblin chief,"

"Damn it," A disappointed Jushiro said.

He looked at the ruined fort and braced himself for the endeavor. He looked at the front gateway to see two more goblin guards. Jushiro took out his bow the slew them instantly. He proceeded through the dimly lit hallway to find some goblins sleeping in different rooms. Jushiro quietly walked further until he gazed at a doorway covered by a crimson sheet with a painted symbol.

"That must be it," Jushiro said.

He pulled the sheet to see four goblins guarding a chamber. "They were slightly armored with spears and halberds standing watch in front of the entrance. On the other side, I noticed a pile of gold, among other jewelry. Then I saw him sleeping on the treasure with the key attached to a belt wrapped around his waist," Jushiro could see the goblin chief behind his bodyguards. He counted the number of arrows he had left and had three in the quiver.

"Damn it. Why now?" Jushiro said to himself.

He looked around the hallway and noticed a lit oil lamp above the guards. Jushiro decided to aim for the light source to set the guards ablaze. "Aim true... hit your target," Jushiro knocked the lamp off but failed to burn the guards as little oil remained. Two bodyguards charged forward while the others stayed on guard.

They passed through the red sheets, and Jushiro used his last two arrows, killing them like an ax to a tree. Jushiro retrieved the arrows and dragged the bodies aside. With two more guards and the chief remaining, Jushiro tried to think of a plan before the entire fort was alerted. He readied behind the sheet doorway, about to charge the last two bodyguards.

Before he stepped through the entrance, the sound of a blowing horn echoed in the hallway of the fort. The sound woke up the sleeping goblins, who scrambled to stand up. The goblin chief awoke and grabbed his ax before running to meet with his guards.

"To arms, we're under attack! Follow me, worms!" The goblin chief yelled.

Jushiro heard the sound of charging feet and peeked through to see the goblin chief with his guards. The goblins spotted Jushiro at the entrance and headed toward him! Jushiro panicked but quickly shot one of the guards. They soon drew too close for him to use his bow. Jushiro drew his sword and clashed with the goblins. Jushiro blocked and parried the two goblins attacking him. Their strength forced Jushiro against a bust hole where a window once belonged. He struggled to propel them back, but the goblin chief soon kicked Jushiro's torso, causing him to fall outside the tower.

The branches of the nearby willow tree slowed Jushiro's fall as he landed near the river. The goblin chief and his bodyguard descended to see if Jushiro survived or died. They reached the river near the tree's base to find a blood puddle and trail leading to the river. They edged closer to the river, and Jushiro quietly approached them after hiding behind the willow. The goblin chief surveyed the water but noticed something in the water's reflection.

"Clever flesh!" The goblin said, raising his ax.

The two clashed again, and the surprised bodyguard turned his head to see Jushiro rearward. He went for the chance to pierce Jushiro's side while the chief faced him.

Jushiro anticipated the move and parried both weapons. Jushiro audibly expressed his gratefulness for learning kendo during his high school years. After eluding their attacks, Jushiro knocked the goblin chief unbalanced and used the opportunity to cleave the bodyguard's head like a melon. Only one goblin remained, and both foes readied their weapons for a final fight. Neither uttered a word nor sound as survival was all they thought. Jushiro, on the other hand, devoted himself to rescuing the hostages no matter the cost as the goblin chief assailed him will all his remaining might.

"I will save them no matter what," Jushiro said.