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Chapter IV: The Team's Effort
One of the deadliest mistakes many people make when coming across a Minotaur is assuming that they are slaves or servants of the people he's travelling with. For ages, Minotaurs had indeed been slaves, as they were looked upon as simple minded, yet powerful, creatures that actually understood what you were talking about.
The Hobgoblin stepped back just in time to avoid being hit by the mighty horns of the Minotaur when he tried to pierce the Hob's chest. A short shout came from the Hobgoblin's mouth, a quick order, and suddenly four more Goblins came jumping out of the trees, and the small Goblin who had already been there jumped forward, shortsword drawn.
I've always wondered how long my battles have lasted. It always seemed like hours, but it could never have been more than a few seconds, or maybe a minute or two. Everything always happens so fast, but it all seems to last real long.
As soon as Asteron had charged the Hobgoblin, the Goblin who had already been there was joined by another small Goblin as they were trying to flank and kill the mighty Minotaur, but their little swords weren't able to pierce his scale armour, weren't able to penetrate his big reinforced shield, and they weren't able to pass his skilful parries. Only a few minor cuts managed to draw some blood from the mighty creature. They both didn't have much of a chance, as one of them was immediately scorched by Bardryn, who was calling upon her deity to help them. Her symbol shone in a bright red colour, and as the Goblin who had just been hit by the flames fell dead to the ground, some of Asteron's wounds closed and healed themselves. But the Goblin's place was immediately filled again by another Goblin. This one was slightly larger, and he was more skilled with the blade. Asteron had a hard time deflecting all the attacks, which became even harder when another one of the Goblins attacked him. As busy as he was fighting back all the Goblins, Asteron didn't notice the Hobgoblin bringing a staff down soon enough to deflect the attack. As soon as the staff hit the Minotaur, there was a big cracking sound, like lightning, and the beast's reflexes went down as he seemed dazed by the strike. Filled with fury, Asteron tried to smash the Hobgoblin with all his power, but his attacks were easily dodged by the Hobgoblin.
Surina quickly passed one of the Goblins, drawing her two khopesh, and cut a small Goblin through the neck. The creature fell dead to the ground. I tried to use the situation of distraction to take down the apparent leader, and I invoked a sleep spell upon him. I pulled the spell off, and for a second the Hobgoblin appeared to fall asleep, but I had forgotten all about the legendary resilience these creatures have. Immediately, the creature shook the spell off like it had never been there. Maragh turned out to be a very tactical team player, as he fought one of the Goblins flanking the Minotaur, using wits and skill to position the Goblin away from the dazed warrior.
Bahamut's symbol shone in a bright white light as Bardryn brought her morningstar down on the repositioned Goblin, almost killing the creature instantly. Light poured from the wound on the creature's neck, and it healed the Minotaur, closing all his wounds and reinvigorating him. Everyone was in combat with at least one enemy, and I was the only one away from the big fights. I had no weapons but my magic, so I did not mind them keeping the enemy at bay. It gave me a good view on the enemies, and the Hobgoblin's strange magic.
The creature chimed a spell, and suddenly, Maragh walked around through the battle, without any reason to do so. The spell was compelling him to move, and I could see the mental struggle in Maragh's face. The spell was broken as Asteron recovered from the spell he had been put on, and tried to crush the Hobgoblin's leg. He only just missed, but it was enough to make him concentrate on the battle up close again. Surina was fighting a big goblin in black, and managed to land a solid blow on its chest. Dark red blood came seeping out. I tried to help as well, of course, but the magic balls of force I shot at my enemies kept missing as I had to be careful not to hit my allies.
Magic was flying through the air from all sides, and the sound of metal on metal was eerie in the otherwise silent woods. A sudden setback hit us hard; the Goblins suddenly broke through the defence of Surina en Maragh, and they both had a big bleeding wound in arm and leg. What's worse, the Hobgoblin had once again hit Asteron hard with his numbing magic. The maddened and wounded Minotaur kept swinging around, but his slowed speed and weakened strength proved to be enough for the enemies to dodge. He almost managed to hit one of the Goblins, but it dodged the attack. In doing so, however, the Goblin had not watched its back, and a khopesh pierced its chest as Surina finished him off. The last Goblin still standing was looking around in fear, but there was nothing that he could do. One of my magic attacks finally landed, and the creature fell to the ground, its flesh crushed by the awesome power of force magic.