Above the former Earth Mother Temple was a wide overhang, but even this was not the top of the mountain. Before the wars, this would have been a site for the acolytes to perform their rituals for their beloved Earth Mother, but now it was ruined wasteland before the elements. Amidst the howl of the wind and downpour of rain, Beast Master peered over the edge at the darkness below; he could easily jump off and avoid capture since his plan had failed and now his love had more than likely met her demise, but that would give the Goblin Slayer and his surviving party members a final victory.
"Why have the gods allowed the dice to fall as they do? Was it not enough to take my family from me, but now my love and my revenge too? That boy…that miserable boy…I don't know what favor he holds with the gods, but I shall end him here tonight. I will slaughter as many of them as possible before I die…and should I win the day, then this abyss before me will be my reward as I travel back to my beautiful magician."
He heard the whine of the warg, he turned hoping to find the remains of one of the adventurers in his jaws, but only saw an injured animal retreating before him. Its right eye gone from an attack by the adventurers, another failure before him, just like the goblins and smaller wolves he had trained.
"You damn pitiful creature!"
Beast Master struck at Scar with his whip, knocking the warg to the ground with a cry of pain. Scar slowly stood snarling at Beast Master who cracked his whip along the ground causing the warg to take a couple steps back.
"You only needed to kill that one human, and you failed at that! Even more pathetic you ran after a slight wound to the eye. You are worthless!"
"I don't believe you are in any position to criticize him."
Beast Master frowned as he looked past the warg and saw a warrior in dirty leather armor with club in hand staring back at him. A streak of lightning shot across the sky illuminating both of them, as the light subsided Goblin Slayer's left eye was ablaze with a fiery, red light. From where he was, Beast Master could not help but think he was looking at piece of cursed armor and that thought brought a smile to his face as his own eyes shined with a blue light.
Goblin Slayer stared at this man in dirty leather armor, whip in right hand and sword in his left smiling back at him. This man who had lost everything to the goblins spent years honing his skills, trying new techniques against his opponents, and preparing for a lifetime of revenge…but that was as far as the similarities went. Beside this man was the injured warg, it turned toward Goblin Slayer and growled, blood still present on its fangs, Wolf's blood, and the sight made Goblin Slayer tightly clench his fists.
"You too ran right after your injury did you not?" Goblin Slayer walked forward, the heavy raining batting against his damaged armor as he neared his opponent.
"It would be a mistake to refer to me as a coward boy, I'm merely choosing the spot where you will die." Beast Master walked forward as well, the smile on his face masked the rage and instability that now coursed through him, Scar following close behind. "I don't see any of your friends or that mangy cur of yours…did you fail to protect those close to you again?"
Goblin Slayer was silent as he looked toward Beast Master, then looked toward the warg, a beast equal in size and mass as his dire wolf, then back toward Beast Master.
"Wolf…is far stronger than your warg. Even with the injuries he received, he continued to fight rather than run. It would appear that you are inept at properly training your animal Beast Master."
"I will enjoy killing you." Beast Master raised his sword for battle and gave his whip a crack along the ground. "I can see now that you are what I could have been had I decided to remain a weak-willed fool. Know that when you die, your companions will be right behind you as I send you all to hell. Come…let us give the gods a good show!"
"You talk too much." Goblin Slayer charged forward with club and clashed with Beast Master's sword.
The two traded blow for blow, Beast Master being in better shape for not having to fight constantly, but Goblin Slayer's controlled rage pushed him forward despite his injuries. Scar rushed forward snapping at Goblin Slayer who moved back and swung the club toward the warg to drive it back, he turned in time to raise his shield and block the Beast Master's sword strike before being knocked back. Goblin Slayer shook off the attack and charged forward pushing Beast Master back with a blow to his chest with his shield, then swung the club once again knocking the sword out of his hand. With a final push from his shield, he knocked the Beast Master to the ground, the pain in his left arm ever present the more the used it.
Just as Goblin Slayer readied to continue the attack, Scar rushed forward tackling armored warrior. Goblin Slayer struck the beast across the snout once, then twice, but on the third blow the injured animal got hold of the club in its jaws and savagely shook its head from side to side until it tore the club out of his hand and tossed aside. With jaws open again, it lunged toward the adventurer's helmet, Goblin Slayer used both hands to stop the jaws from moving forward, its massive fangs tearing into his gloved hands. As the human's blood dripped into its mouth, this only excited the beast who continued to push closer and closer all the while growling at the human.
At this rate, the warg would crush his hands and then his helmet, something needed to be done before the Beast Master rejoined the fray. Goblin Slayer removed his right hand and placed his shield and left arm into the jaws of the warg, the monstrous beast clamping down with all its might, crushing the shield and further cracking the bones in Goblin Slayer's left arm. Scar growled as it shook its head, attempting to tear the Goblin Slayer's arm off while dragging him along the ground, Goblin Slayer struggled to reach for his sword with all the movement. He finally drew out his sword and proceeded to stab the warg in its left side over and over, Scar still biting and growling until the final blow to its chest. Scar cried out as Goblin Slayer withdrew the blade, watching at the warg collapsed to its side, blood running from its wounds as it lay motionless.
Goblin Slayer struggled to catch his breath, waiting for the warg to get back up, but could see it was no longer moving even appearing to not be breathing. He grunted as he looked down at his mangled left arm, and slowly rolled to where he was no longer on his back but on his stomach, this way he could push himself up with his good arm. Just as he managed to get to his knees, Beast Master charged forward taking whip in both hands and wrapping around Goblin Slayer's neck and pulling in opposite directions. Goblin Slayer dropped his sword as he brought both hands to the whip around his neck, ignoring the pain in his arm as he struggled to remove the whip that was suffocating him.
"You'll be lucky if all I do is choke you to death boy!" A crazed smile splashed across his face as he heard Goblin Slayer gasping for air, making him pull the whip tighter and tighter. "I'm going to keep pulling until that weak neck of yours snaps like a dry twig."
Goblin Slayer's vision began to fade, he'd pass out at this rate, so he removed his left hand and started feeling around the ground while his right hand struggled to break the grip of the whip. Soon enough he found the hilt of his sword, then taking the sword in a hand with blade pointed towards him, drove it backwards tearing into Beast Master's left side. Beast Master screamed as he removed his hands and stumbled backwards holding onto his injured side as the blood ran over his gloves. Goblin Slayer removed the whip and tossed it aside and he gasped for air. He soon stood and turned toward the injured Beast Master, then rushed forward tackling him to the ground, the moment he hit the ground Goblin Slayer proceeded to pummel the Beast Master with his fists over and over. Blood ran from Beast Master's mouth and nose with each blow, but now it was Beast Master's turn to counter the devastating attack. From behind his back, he pulled out a large silver dagger and rammed it into Goblin Slayer's right side, easily piercing through the chainmail, and twisted it around causing Goblin Slayer to spit up some blood through his visor before stumbling backwards.
"That chainmail may protect against cheap goblin blades, but that is no goblin blade." Beast Master wiped the blood from his nose then spit out the blood and loose tooth from his mouth before laying eyes on the goblin club on the floor. "You're biggest mistake is you think too much like a goblin. I on the other hand use various strategies to win."
Goblin Slayer gripped the handle of the dagger, but before he could remove it, Beast Master struck him across the helmet with the club knocking him back to the ground. While Goblin Slayer was knocked down, Beast Master walked over to retrieve his whip and now with both weapons in hand, he readied to continue the torture.
xxxx
"I'm not seeing any more goblins, I think we got the last of them." Half-Elf Archer sighed as he wiped the sweat from his forehead, then looked down to find the quiver of arrows completely empty.
"I've used up all my spells, I've got nothing left." Rookie Mage plopped to the floor rather ungracefully as she struggled to catch her breath.
"Then the goblin army is fully dealt with." Young Warrior sheathed his sword then turned back toward the other adventurers who continued to work on healing the dire wolf. "How is your companion?"
"We've done everything Beardcutter suggested, it's up to this big brute now."
"He has to make it." High Elf Archer frowned as she found herself pacing back and forth. "We're not done adventuring together."
"Calm yourself Lady Ranger, he is still breathing, we just need to be patient."
Priestess frowned, her vestments stained red from the blood but that didn't matter to her, what mattered was the wellbeing of Wolf. She placed the dire wolf head upon her lap and gently stroked his head as she watched him sleep, praying to the Earth Mother that he would not have to be taken away this night.
"I'm out of spells myself, but saying the prayer can't hurt the situation it can only help. O Earth Mother, abounding in mercy, lay your revered hand upon this child…"
Wolf's eyes began to wince before he finally opened them. He looked around before locking eyes with Priestess; the sight of the little one he protected, alive and well, made his tail wag although weakly. Priestess once again broke into tears as she hugged Wolf, thankful that the Earth Mother heard her petition and aided in the recovery of her friend. The other three eagerly rushed to check on Wolf, Lizard Priest and Dwarf Shaman gently patting his head while High Elf Archer too threw her arms around his neck hugging her friend although Priestess tried to caution her about Wolf's bandages.
"You damn mongrel, I thought we'd lost you!"
"Wolf when we get back into town, I'm buying you the biggest steak I can find. Even Beardcutter will have to show some emotion when he sees this big guy up around."
"With that said, we should rush to aid Milord Goblin Slayer, I worry about his injuries from these constant fights."
Wolf's ears could pick up the sounds of metal being struck by something, and then the crack of that awful whip. He looked around and could not find the armored man, he stood despite the protests of Priestess who tried to keep him still and shook his body. His neck and midsection covered in wrappings, his body still weak from the arrows and warg attack, but he could sense something was wrong.
"Wolf sit still, you're in no shape to be moving around."
Wolf barked twice before taking off at full speed, ignoring the sounds coming from his pack. Into the darkness he charged, the armored man drove back the warg, once again saving him, he would not allow this human to die.
"That damn beast really does take after Orcbolg in the worst possible was sometimes. Come on, we better get after him before those two end up killing themselves!"
Xxxx
The Goddess Illusion watched as the token, a warrior in armor, toppled over, still standing was the other game token, a man with a whip. She'd been deeply interested in the armored warrior, although there was nothing extremely special about him that would make him stand out compared to a hero, this one controlled his own movements. She found it more enjoyable to watch him decide his own decisions for himself and his party, and was delighted with the addition of the dire wolf. Now though, the token she had come to admire, seemed to be at death's door.
I told you, none can overcome truth.
She turned to see the God Truth sneering as he watched the battle below. He himself was at first intrigued by the token's ability to change the fate of the dice roll by using his own wits, but as his adventures progressed he grew irritated, no matter how many challenges he added to Illusion's game this one always found some way to overcome each and every obstacle. Now though, the introduction of a similar figure seemed to be the one element that would finally undo this warrior's success.
It is time. Roll the die.
Illusion sighed as she prepared to let the die roll, not even the gods could change the outcome of the die. Truth may be cruel, but he was right, the roll of the die would determine what the fate of this adventurer would be. Just as she allowed the die to fall, a large game piece appeared on the board, knocking the die out of the way. To both of the god's surprise, the large token, a dire wolf, now stood between the whip wielding man and the armored man.
No…not another one.
Illusion smiled as she looked at the tokens, the adventurers would decide their own fate, she and Truth could now only watch to see how things would truly end.
xxxx
"It may have been a mistake to wear that helmet boy, true it keep you from being knocked out, but it's also prolonging your inevitable demise." Beast Master struck the Goblin Slayer across the helmet once again, smiling as blood splashed on the floor.
Goblin Slayer was knocked back to the ground, he struggled to get back to his feet, only for the Beast Master's whip to strike him along his injured side, blade still imbedded deep within his flesh. His helmet and armor were dented and cracked from the constant beating, still though he pushed himself back up. Beast Master found himself struggling to catch his breath, in spite of everything he did, this boy refused to cry out in pain.
"What kind of will does this boy…no, this Goblin Slayer have?"
"Why won't you die?" Beast Master once again lashed his whip toward Goblin Slayer, only for Goblin Slayer to raise his injured left arm and allow the whip to catch on that. "Damn you and your tenacity!"
Goblin Slayer grunted as he pulled on the whip wrapped around his left arm, this of course was a distraction which allowed him to reach behind his back and retrieve his southern throwing knife. With a quick movement he hurled the blade forward, the blade spinning as it flew forward before landing in Beast Master's right shoulder, easily biting into his flesh and muscle only stopping once it hit bone. Beast Master cried out as he dropped his whip and club, stumbling backwards as he reached for the handle of the blade, tearing it out before angrily throwing the blade to the ground. Beast Master glared at Goblin Slayer who himself had collapsed to one knee, the sudden burst of adrenaline was gone and now his fatigue set in. With a final grunt, he too tore out the silvery dagger and tossed it to the side as he looked back at Beast Master.
"No matter what you do, you can't beat me boy. With my age comes experience that outweighs your own, it's clear that I'm stronger than you, and my techniques go beyond just thinking like a goblin!" Beast Master bent down to pick up the club in his left hand, even with only one useable arm it was clear he was in better condition to fight that Goblin Slayer. "Yet, you still intend to defy me, down to your last breath! So before you die tell me…what makes you different from me? Enlighten me boy and I'll prove you wrong!"
Goblin Slayer struggled to get back to his feet, blood running from under his helmet and stab wound, but finally he stood tall, doing his best to keep his body from swaying or falling over.
"There are two big differences."
"Oh? Go one then?"
"You and I have lost much to the goblins, but I didn't let my vengeance turn me into an actual goblin."
"What the hell are you blabbing about boy?"
"You grew resentful of the happiness others had and you had lost, this led you to take that from anyone and everyone. I may thinking like a goblin, just like you do, but I have not allowed myself to become a human goblin."
"How dare you compare me to a goblin! You know nothing of the pain I went through!"
"True…I can only go off what I've experienced and it is clear to me that, even though I am younger than you, I came out of it stronger than you."
Beast Master's face twisted in rage as he walked toward Goblin Slayer, club in left hand he was prepared to beat this boy to death.
"Then before you die what the other thing that makes us different?"
"I have my friends to help me." Immediately Goblin Slayer thought of those on the farm, at the guild hall and his own party members. "And one of them is a dire wolf."
A large beast rushed past Goblin Slayer, snarling as it opened its wide jaws much to the surprise of Beast Master. Wolf sank it teeth into Beast Master's left arm, knocking him to the ground before savagely shaking its head left and right. Beast Master screamed as he was forced to drop his club, he attempted to reach from the wolf's snout with his right, but the arm was useless from the earlier injury. Wolf continued to shake its head, repositioning its teeth every time it bit down, until it finally tossed the body aside. Wolf growled as it examined the motionless body before returning to Goblin Slayer's side. Goblin Slayer reached out with his right arm, and gave Wolf a pet along the top of its head.
"Thanks."
"Goblin Slayer!"
Goblin Slayer and Wolf turned to find the rest of Goblin Slayer's party and the rookie adventurers rushing to meet them. As the last of the adventurers past the downed warg, the beast finally opened its left eye to look at those around it, blood still spilling out from its body. Priestess made sure to place Goblin Slayer's good arm around her shoulders in an effort to support the weakened warrior.
"Are you all alright?"
"Of all the things to ask Orcbolg, you're in far worse shape than any of us…save that dumb Wolf of ours."
"The moment he realized that you were not around, this critter rushed after you Beardcutter."
"Are you okay Goblin Slayer that arm and stomach of yours look terrible and we're out of spells." Priestess frowned as she looked over his body, he looked as bad as the time he was struck by the goblin champion.
"I've been told that I'm a stubborn one." Goblin Slayer looked toward the rest of his friends. "Perhaps even too stubborn to die."
The others were silent for a moment, before chuckling lightly as their leader's foolish comment.
"It is good to see that your injuries have not affected your wit Milord Goblin Slayer."
"Truly Beardcutter, you can be a foolish one."
"I'm far from dead you damn fools!"
Everyone turned to see Beast Master back on his feet, his body stained in blood with his left arm dangling horridly from his left side, the damage from Wolf's teeth evident to all. In his right hand, barely raised was a grenado, a wicked smile crossed his face as he snapped his fingers only to see the wick would not light. In a panic he continued to snap his fingers, but not matter what he did the wick would not light.
"It won't light in the rain."
Beast Master had a defeated look about his face as Goblin Slayer's comment sank in, he allowed the grenado to drop to the ground, where it rolled off to the side. He looked back at the group of warriors, all of them were alive, the girls, the wolf, every one of them. He'd lost everything in a few short nights, while Goblin Slayer stood before him literally supported by comrades.
"Damn you! You'll have to kill me, because I sure as hell have no intention of being taken prisoner."
High Elf Archer raised her bow and readied an arrow to kill this horrible excuse of a man, but to her surprise, Goblin raised his left arm and motioned for her to stop. She looked toward him questioningly, but complied as she lowered her weapon.
"Do you expect me to thank you for your mercy? I thought you killed all goblins and aren't I a "human goblin" ?"
"You are…but we are not your only enemy."
As Beast Master questioned what he was saying when he heard the growl of another creature behind the adventurers. Everyone turned to see the warg back on its feet as it slowly stalked forward, Scar ignored those around him as its eye was focused on Beast Master before it. Beast Master instinctively reached for his whip on his right side despite the pain in his arm, but could not feel it anymore, he looked around and found it far off to the side. The realization of the missing whip hit him as he slowly started to back up, shaking his head as if he could not comprehend how all of his plans had fallen apart. He backed up as far as he could until he hit the edge of the overhang, he looked back at the darkness, at first a welcoming visage, but now cursing that there was nowhere left for him to run to.
"Like a true goblin, you are a coward at heart."
"Sta…stay back! I command you!"
Scar snarled before charging forward, with jaws wide it slammed into the screaming Beast Master sinking its teeth into his neck. With a gurgle of blood, Beast Master and Scar tumbled over the edge, their bodies immediately swallowed up in the darkness. With Priestess' help, Goblin Slayer made his way over toward the edge and looked over the side to confirm that the two were truly dead.
"So ends the terror of the Beast Master, wouldn't you agree Milord Goblin Slayer?"
Goblin Slayer nodded before turning around to find Young Warrior running toward him with the weapons that Beast Master had been using.
"Mr. Goblin Slayer, I gathered up all the weapons that Beast Master dropped like his whip and the grenado. What should we do with them?"
Goblin Slayer moved away from Priestess as he took the bundled items from Young Warrior and examined them. He looked toward Wolf and the others before dumping the four weapons over the edge of the cliff.
"Why did you do that Orcbolg?"
"It's a reminder of what I could have been."
Wolf slowly limped over toward Goblin Slayer and carefully placed its head under its right hand. Goblin Slayer looked down toward the injured Wolf and gave him a gentle pat while nodding his head. With the Beast Master and his goblin army fully defeated, the weary adventurers slowly made their way back into the temple, Goblin Slayer's party keeping a close eye on Goblin Slayer and Wolf as they were the most injured. High Elf Archer looked toward the injured dire wolf then back to Goblin Slayer and smiled while shaking her head.
"I tell you Wolf, that's some master you have there."
"I'm not his master." Goblin Slayer's response drew an inquisitive look from his party members. "I'm not anyone's master."
"What do you mean Goblin Slayer?" Priestess was concerned by the statement; was he planning to return to doing things alone, would he turn her away?
"The term "master" would indicate that others are not my equal."
His response was indeed surprising, but soon everyone smiled as they followed behind this oddly dressed, goblin-obsessed, silver ranked adventurer. Priestess smiled happily knowing that even though Goblin Slayer was still teaching her, he did not see her as a burden. Just as they exited the Earth Mother Temple, the rain finally cleared and the sun shone brilliantly in the distance, with the threat gone now this region could return to its peaceful state…that is until the next goblin threat came.
Author Note: Wow…this has been a bit of a long arc, but were near the end. I have one more chapter in mind to wrap up the loose ends. After the next chapter, I plan to go back an update my previous chapters, there's been a ton on misspelled words, so now I can fix that now. That and I can think of what the next arc will be. I'm going to keep this story going for as long as I can. Thank you all for your favs and reviews.