The Frontier is a dangerous place. There was little in terms of law enforcement here and not a soldier in sight. Settlements were left to create their own justice systems with only a few of them having actual guards. But crime was one of the smaller issues faced by those that lived on the frontier.
Monsters were known to also call this place home. These creatures came in many shapes and sizes, with various abilities that made them a threat to the people that were unfortunate enough to be found in their sights.
As such it was a perfect place for mercenary work. Most of these mercenaries (or as they preferred to be called adventurers) came from poor backgrounds and saw it as the only way that they could retire, despite the dangers the profession brought. Some were sought nothing more than fame and fortune. Others were thrill-seekers, looking for their next adrenalin fix. And the rest sought to make the world a better place than the one they were born into.
It was said that any good adventure had all three of these traits, but when push comes to shove you can see which one they truly are. When time is short, do they save the hostage? Grab the gold? Or fight the monster?
The frontier held a group that would always priorities the hostage. No matter how dangerous the quest.
The first member and the leader of the group was a man known as Goblin Slayer. Until recently he was an outcast in the guild due to his fractured mental state. He was obsessed with murdering goblins, his blunt nature caused him to unknowingly offend nearly everyone he talks to, and the fact he always wore cheap, filthy armor did not help his situation at all.
But things began to improve when the second member joined him. A Priestess who he had encountered in a goblin nest and had saved just before the goblins could grab her. And since that day she had joined him on his quests, he had continued to protect her and teach her. Others would join them months later but for a while, it was them.
Which is why she was so worried about getting him a good birthday present. She had five days left to find a good gift and it was proving next to impossible for her. All the ideas she comes up with had already been done by someone else, leaving her panicking.
It had to be special! Especially considering what Goblin Slayer had given Priestess for her birthday. At first, Priestess wasn't even sure he would get her anything, but Cow Girl, his childhood friend, assured her that he would. During her birthday Goblin Slayer had given her a knife that had been built especially for her. The handle was made of the same wood as her staff and had been carved with dips to put her fingers in when holding it, and a grip had been etched into the sides of the handle, with two brass pins holding it together. The blade was a silver/steel alloy that had been enchanted to last longer than it originally would, with the symbol of the Earth Mother engraved on both sides of the blade. And to top it all off, he had somehow managed to get the blade into Sword Maiden's hands and she had asked for the gods to bless the knife and its owner. The four-inch blade was only sharp on one side, the last inch of the blade curved to meet the back. The handle was also slightly curved to give Priestess more leverage when she used it. It looked more like a tool than a weapon, but Goblin Slayer assured her that it would kill if she ever needed to use it in such a matter.
She had actually cried when he gave it to her, and to the surprise of everyone, physically hugged him. Something only Cow Girl had dared to do. Both High-elf Archer, and Dwarf Shaman had been a bit put out that he had unintentionally won their little contest to get Priestess her favorite gift, with Dwarf Shaman getting her some better chain mail, and High-elf Archer getting her a silk dress.
Lizard Priest got her some high-quality polish for her sounding staff. While Cow Girl had gotten her some soaps to help combat the smell of goblins after a quest, and Guild Girl had gifted her a book on wilderness survival. Saying it was something a lot of adventures overlook only to regret it later on.
Priestess was thinking about all of this in the back of her head as she conducted her morning prayer to the Earth Mother. And Earth Mother heard her troubles, and Priestess got a perfect roll. The young woman gasped as she felt a warmth bubble within her as a white light covered her. She knew what this meant. She had received a new blessing. The miracle of soul-speak.
Priestess remained frozen in place until her brain started back up and she understood just why she had been given this blessing. The revelation caused Priestess to jump to her feet and cheer. "Oh thank you, oh merciful Earth Mother!"
Five days later.
Goblin Slayer arrived at a gravesite, along with Cow Girl, Priestess, Lizard Priest, High-elf Archer, Dwarf Shaman, and Guild Girl. Each of them was holding a bouquet of flowers they had bought at the florists. Goblin Slayer was surprised to find the others waiting for him and Cow Girl, but it was clear that Cow Girl had planed this ahead of time. "We're here." Goblin Slayer announced. In front of him was the final resting place of every member of the destroyed village, barring Goblin Slayer himself, and Cow Girl. Most of the graves had fallen into disrepair, as there were no living relatives to take care of them. Some of the other graves had dead flowers resting on top of them.
The only sound was that of the wind, nothing else dared to disturb the eerie silence. Goblin Slayer and Cow Girl separated their bouquets into three small ones and placed them on three graves. One for each of Cow Girl's parents, and the final one for Goblin slayer's sister. The other members followed suit.
"Would you like to go first?" Goblin Slayer asked Cow Girl.
Cow Girl shook her head. "No, it's okay. Besides It's your birthday, not mine." She answered with a caring smile. Goblin Slayer nodded and prepared to step forward but Cow Girl stopped him by grabbing his arm.
"Yes?" He questioned. Cow Girl said nothing and just unfastened his helmet before taking it off.
"Remember your promise. No more wearing your helmet here." Cow Girl reminded him.
Goblin Slayer sighed. "I remember." He left his helmet with Cow Girl and kneeled in front of his sister's grave. Goblin Slayer said nothing as he stared at the grave. The flashes of that night played in his mind as they had over a million times before. Her tears. Her screams. Her blood. "I'm sorry Sis." Goblin Slayer said softly, breaking the lull of silence. "I should have done more." Goblin Slayer had long since forged his grief into an unrelenting rage to destroy every goblin alive, but here all that work always came undone. His grief never failed to surface here. It was why his visits were so rare. The trauma he had learned to live with would suddenly become too much when he was here. He took shallow shaky breaths as a tear slowly trickled down his face. Followed by another. And another. Then another.
Cow Girl kneeled next to him. Her own eyes were watery, but she tried to smile regardless. And so did he. Cow Girl leaned into Goblin Slayer, resting her head on his chest plate. "You're not alone, you know?" Cow Girl reminded Goblin Slayer.
"I know." Goblin Slayer replied just like he always did. "And neither are you." He added.
"I know." Cow Girl replied while looking him in the eyes, before breaking the connection to look at the others. The group stood there awkwardly, unsure what to do with themselves. None of them wanted to intrude on the seemingly private moment. But Cow Girl gave a slight gesture for them to join herself and Goblin Slayer.
Guild Girl was the first to approach. Closely followed by Priestess. Dwarf Shaman and Lizard Priset followed them and High Elf Archer brought up the rear.
The group spent the better part of the morning sitting in front of the graves, with Goblin Slayer and Cow Girl telling stories of their time in the village.
"And then he said. 'Of course, I can make that jump!'" Cow Girl giggled as she struggled to keep it together long enough to tell the story. "And so he jumped off the fence post, landed funny on the next on, twisting his left ankle, and fell off into a pile of horse manure!" She laughed, along with everyone else except Goblin Slayer, as the story was about him. "His sister didn't let him out for a week! Ha haha! A-and most of the time! He was being washed! Haha haha!
Goblin Slayer calmly turned to Cow Girl and spoke. "Should I tell them about the time you caused a stampede through the village?" Most wouldn't be able to tell, but Cow Girl could hear the teasing in his tone.
"Don't you dare!" Cow Girl screamed. Her joyful expression was now replaced with mock horror.
"Oh, now I have to know!" High Elf Archer grinned.
"It's only fair." Dwarf Shaman joined in with a mischievous smile.
"Indeed." Lizard Preist agreed.
"No!" Cow Girl squealed.
"Oh come on." Guild Girl interrupted. "It can't be that bad." She tried to assure her farmer friend.
"I'll tell you on the way back into town." Goblin slayer announced as he stood up. "I need to check the board for any goblin quests."
High Elf Archer sighed. "Never take a day off, do you Orcbolg?" She asked with an exasperated smile.
"Someone has to kill the goblins." Was his simple answer.
Soon.
The group arrived at the guild without any issues. Cow Girl was still slightly embarrassed from the story Goblin Slayer had told the others. The group went over to the quest board and looked for any goblin quests.
"It looks like no goblin quests were posted this morning." Guild girl commented.
"And only one was posted yesterday." Goblin Slayer mentioned. "I don't like it." He growled.
"Maybe you've finally killed them all, Beardcutter." Dwarf Shaman joked.
"No. They're still out there. And whenever it's this quiet, something big is right around the corner." Goblin Slayer replied with the joke going over his head.
"Well, if we know something big is coming we can prepare for it, right?" Priestess questioned.
"Right." Goblin Slayer agreed.
"In that case... you will want this." Witch spoke from behind the group, just in time to see her pull a scroll out of her cleavage. "Happy birthday dear." She said as she offered the scroll to Goblin Slayer. "It's your favorite."
"Thanks." Goblin Slayer replied as he calmly accepted the gift.
"Remember Dear... I expect a nice gift on my birthday... in a few months." Witch mentioned was a smile, before turning to leave. "See you soon." She bid him goodbye. Both Cow Girl and Guild Girl were put out by Witch's flirtatious nature. While Priestess found her blushing at Witch's choice of words. And High Elf Archer and Dwarf Shaman were concerned that someone had just been beaten for best present again. Without the winner intending to. AGAIN!
"Seeing as there are no Goblin quests today, it seems now would be a good time for us to also give you your presents, Sir Goblin Slayer?" Lizard Priest suggested.
"Sounds good." Goblin Slayer agreed.
The group commandeered one of the many tables within the guild everyone but Priestess left Goblin Slayer at the table, as they went with Guild Girl to get their gifts from behind the counter. When Priestess noticed Goblin Slayer was looking at her, she knew he was questioning why she was still there. "Don't worry Goblin Slayer, I already have your gift with me." She reassured him with a smile.
"I'm not worried." Goblin Slayer answers.
The others soon returned with their gifts and they gathered around the table once more.
Cow Girl handed over her gift first, seeing as she was his oldest friend it was decided that she would go first. "Here. I think you'll put this to good use." She said with a smile.
Goblin Slayer's analytical mind began to try to decipher what the gift was. Given the size, weight, and resistance to pressure, he guessed it was a small, relatively thin book. Tearing off the wrapping Goblin Slayer found that he was correct, but what caught him off guard was that the cover and the pages were blank. "A journal?" He stated, looking to Cow Girl. While others might have mistaken his tone for disappointment, Cow Girl could hear the confusion, and knew what he was asking, and that he wasn't trying to be rude.
"I know you've got a good memory, but I thought it might be a good idea for you to write some things down that are important, or complicated."Cow Girl happily answered. Goblin Slayer looked back down to the journal already thinking about what he wanted to put in it. "I made sure to get one that would fit in your main pouch without taking too much space."
"I see. Thank you." Goblin Slayer replied as he looked back at his childhood friend.
"No problem. After all, every great adventurer should keep a record of their greatest feats." Cow Girl replied, causing Goblin Slayer to stiffen in a blink and you'll miss it moment.
"Well, I suppose it is my turn now." Guild Girl spoke up as she presented her gift to Goblin Slayer. The adventurer once again tried to guess the contents before he removed the wrapper. As the gift was moved he heard the sound of glass clinking against one another. Given this clue and how it was similar in shape to her gift for Priestess, he believed it to be a variety of potions. Unwrapping the gift he was once again proven correct. Although rather than it all being medical potions, there was some body-enhancement potion within the mix as well.
"These will be very useful." Goblin Slayer thought out loud.
"I certainly hope so. But please, try not to use them so soon." Guild Girl replied with her signature smile. Cow Gril and Priestess nodded in agreement.
"If no one else minds I would like to go next?" Lizard Priest asked. No one protested as they were all curious as to what he has gotten their unofficial leader. He took a large folded piece of parchment from his robe and handed it over to Goblin Slayer.
The Slayer accepted the parchment and unfolded it. Revealing it to be a large and highly detailed map of the entire frontier. Including various settlements and known territories of various bandits and monsters. This was definitely something that could be acquired cheaply. "While it may not be practical to bring on your quests, it will allow you to properly plan your route beforehand."
"You're right. This will help me reduce the time I spend traveling, and where it is safest to set up camp for the night." Goblin Slayer agreed before refolding the map. "Thank you."
"My turn!" High Elf Archer cheered as she placed her gift on the table. It was a compound bow. Wrapped in a bow. "I noticed that you haven't really been taking care of your bow Orcbolg. It looks ready to snap! So I decided to get you a new one. And you better take care of this one!" The elven princesses finished her explanation with a threat.
"I will." Goblin Slayer vowed. His bow wasn't as bad as High Elf Archer made it out to be. It had some small chips from when he had used it to smack some goblins, but there were no cracks. And he would he had nether bothered to clean it, it wasn't like it has mold on it. But he would take better care of this one. while his old bow couldn't have been more basic without becoming a stick, this one had clearly had far more effort put into its creation. The wood had been carved to have a handle, and a notch to rest an arrow on, as well as 2 metal pins to as sights. Pulling back the string, he found the bow to be far more flexible than his old one and require more strength to fully pull back, meaning it had more range and be more accurate. Simply put, it was far superior to his old one in every aspect. "Thank you." Goblin Slayer spoke as he gently eased the tension from the bow. Dry firing a bow can damage its structure. The Elf shot her dwarven companion a smug look to which he huffed.
"Okay, my turn!" Dwarf Shamen proclaimed before putting his gift on the with a thunk. Goblin Slayer unwrapped a wooden box. The box itself was nothing special, but inside were 2 retractable 6-inch wrist blades. "With your love of throwing your weapons at goblins out of arms reach I figured you could use some back-ups." The Dwarf explained as Goblin Slayer fastened the blades to his armor to test them out. "The blades come out simple enough so you can replace them once they're worn out."
"I see. Thank you." Goblin Slayer replied as he extended and retracted the blades. They were light enough to not way him down, and the mechanism was quick enough for him to use them at a moment's notice while leaving his hands free to hold anything.
"You know, he's probably going to just take the blades out so he can throw them." High Elf Archer teased with a smile, as she rested her head on her fist.
"Don't be giving him ideas Long Ears!" Dwarf Shaman retorted. Causing the rest of the group (except Goblin Slayer) to laugh.
Everyone looked to Priestess as she was now the only one left. She couldn't hide her nerves as this would be the first time she performed the miracle, despite having practiced the prayer as much as she could beforehand. She steeled her nerves as best as she could. "Erm. Goblin Slayer. For this to work, I'm going to need you to take off your helmet." She explained.
Everyone looked at her in confusion. "Ok." Goblin Slayer answered after a brief pause before beginning to unfasten the helmet.
Priestess blushed as she was once again reminded how handsome he really was under his dirty armor. She shakingly reached out and placed her hands on each side of his head and pressed their foreheads together, further confusing the others. With one more deep breath, she began the enchantment. "Oh, merciful Earth Mother. Let this child see what was cruelly taken." She began.
Goblin Slayer's eyes widened as he recognized the opening verse. "No, it can't be! There's no one alive who can cast this miracle!" He thought to himself.
"Let them look beyond the veil, and speak to the spirit they hold dear"
As Priestess continued, Goblin Slayer's heart beat faster and hard with every second, while his mind was in frantic denial.
"Soul-speak!"
The next thing Goblin Slayer saw was a blinding white light.
...
When the light faded, he found that he was no longer in the tavern, but in a beautiful meadow on a sunny day. He heard birds chirping in the distance, and saw vibrant butterflies going from one colourful flower to another. But most importantly he saw her. His sister. She looked just as she did before the goblins attacked. Wearing a green and white dress, her brown hair in a side ponytail resting on her shoulder, loving brown eyes full of compassion, and that same reassuring smile that always made him believe everything was going to be alright.
For a moment he just stood there. Unable to comprehend what he saw. While his sister just looked at him like she always did. With love and kindness. And then she spoke. "Look at you. All grown up, roughed, and handsome. And an adventure just like you always wanted to be." She approached her younger brother and brushed a tear from his cheek with her thumb and she cupped it, before gradually pulling him into a hug.
Goblin Slayer returned the embrace tenfold. Afraid she would disappear as soon as he let go. He had searched far and wide for a way to speak to her again. To see her again. But there was nothing he could do to reach her. But now that he had the chance, he found himself breathless. Struggling with even the most basic of bodily functions. His mouth opened but for a moment no words came out before he finally managed to speak. "I'm sorry."
"Ssshhhhhh." The sister shushed him as she brushed her fingers through his hair. "You have nothing to apologize for." She said soothingly. "It wasn't your fault. There was nothing you could do. You were just a kid."
"But-"
"No buts mister!" Goblin Slayer's sister interrupted him. "I knew what would happen to me but I did it anyway. I had to keep you safe."
"You should've just left me and ran." Goblin Slayer argued.
"Would you have left me if our roles were reversed?" She countered.
"Never." Goblin Slayer quickly replied.
"I thought so." With her point made, she sighed and separated from her younger brother. Much to his disappointment. "You can't change the past no matter how much you want to. You have to focus on the present and the future. You've helped so many people, but you've forgotten to live yourself. Try to take better care of yourself, and cherish what you have."
"I will. I promise." Goblin Slayer vowed.
"Speaking of promises I need you to make one more." Goblin Slayer's sister announced.
"Anything." The Slayer replied.
"I need you to promise that you'll never ask that priestess to do this again." She answered.
"B-but-"
"You need to go on with your life, and we'll see each other again when you pass over." The older sister cut Goblin Slayer off with her reassurances before her expression suddenly hardened. "But that better not happen soon! You got that!?"
"I- I do." Goblin Slayer reluctantly answered.
"Good." The older sister replied before her expression softened again and she reached out for her brother. "Now come and give your big sister a hug." Goblin Slayer needed no further prompting as he embraced his older sister once more. "Happy birthday little bro. I love the flowers you've left me."
"You've been watching over me?" Goblin Slayer asked in surprise.
Goblin Slayer's sister giggled in responce. "Of course I have. And despite everything, I'm so proud of the man you've become."
Goblin Slayer smiled a small content smile, and continued to hold his sister until the bright light returned.
...
Once the light faded, Goblin Slayer once again found himself in the guildhall, facing Priestess.
Priestess looked physically exhausted with her eyelids trying to close as she fought off sleep a little longer. "I... held on as long as I could. But the miracle is *yawn* really exhausting." With that Priestess fainted.
Goblin Slayer swiftly caught her before she could hurt herself. "I will take her to the temple." Goblin Slayer announced as he picked up Priestess bridle style.
"Just take her to room 4 upstairs, no one's using that at the moment." Guild Girl suggested.
Goblin Slayer nodded and was about to do so when Cow Girl spoke up. "You saw her, didn't you?"
With his helmet left forgotten on the table, everyone could see his watery eye and content smile. A smile not too different his sister always had. "I did." Was his answer.