Hey, guys! Sorry it's been so long since I updated any of my stories. I have been so busy with work and school that I simply haven't had any time for writing. I am on a sick day (yuck) and got really bored really fast… So I decided to check up on my fics. I wanted to update this one in particular. So here I go!

The angsty, impatient Julia has arrived at Blessia Island. Hopefully she can get what she needs… But, (spoiler alert) I wouldn't count on it.

Chapter Two: Facing the Horde

Julia's POV

"I'm going in," I said. I was going to be just fine. I mean, it was just an island with a few goblins and oversized turtles. What could happen?

I steeled myself and moved just beyond the entrance, and glanced around. I saw the beach, a path, and a small neglected field… And a huge stone barrier blocking another path that led deeper into midst of the jungle. I walked over to the stone, and pressed my hand to it's smooth surface. I looked at it closer, and wondered at the strange writing engraved in it. I couldn't make heads or tails of it. I assumed it was some sort of warning to NOT travel beyond the stone barrier. I shuddered, not daring to imagine what manner of wild beasts lived farther inland…

*Snap!* I gasped and whirled around at the sound of a twig snapping from somewhere behind me.

"Who's there?" I called out, seeing nothing but the clear water of the ocean and the gently swaying trees of the surrounding jungle. "Hello?" I was answered with the frustrated cry of some sort of monstrous bird in the distance. It echoed until it faded away, and then I was faced with a dead silence.

I was alone. I took another deep breath, and began to nervously inspect the tiny field. I found two of the four different kinds of herbal grass I needed, thank Grimoire! I smiled at my small triumph for a brief moment, before I realized that if I were to find the rest of what I needed I would have no choice but to go in deeper.

"It's okay," I tried to reassure myself with my own weak voice. "You haven't seen any monsters yet. It's just a little farther inside, Julia. You've got this." I tentatively moved forward and made myself look around another set of new surroundings. Deep, blue pools of water and a bridge leading to what looked like a small isthmus were just ahead, and there was a pile of rocks next to another blocked path to my left. To my right was another path, leading to where I could see a huge shipwreck looming over the trees.

Assuming that I'd be able to find some salt built up near the shipwreck, I took the path on my right. But when I made it over there, and moved closer to the wreck, I noticed a low combination of buzzing, chirping, and nonsensical muttering.

"What is tha— AAAAHHHH!" I screamed as a horde of goblin pirates poured out of the wreckage and surrounded me. The swarm of them seemed angry and nervous, and I was absolutely terrified. I could do nothing as they closed in around me and grabbed at me with their clawed fingers and poked at me with their swords; others had their bows in hand, arrows ready to fly if I did anything to make them mad enough… Even if I was already pretty sure my very existence was enough to make them angry enough to kill.

"No! NO! Leave me alone," I cried, crumpling myself into a little ball on the ground as they drew in closer and closer, and I felt their grabby hands touching me and tearing at my bag and my headband and my dress. I sobbed, not fearing that they would kill me and that no one would ever know what happened to me.

"RAAAAAAAAHHHH!" A loud, guttural roar ripped through the air and panic spread among the goblins like wildfire. I kept my eyes shut and remained frozen in the fetal position, curled up on the hot golden sand of the beach. I heard loud, heavy footsteps and felt the ground shake as whatever it was began to move among the horde of my persecutors.

"Gah roh bati mala mala AY!" A deep voice seemed to be chastising the goblins, who were all very afraid of the owner of the voice. I heard their panicked cries as chaos ensued and they all ran away, pushing and tripping over one another in their selfish desire to get away before the others. "Bati mala mala tabaga bagi moh!"

After a few moments that seemed to last forever, the only sounds I could hear were the painfully fast beating of my own heart and my panicky, shallow breathing… And the slow, labored breathing of whatever creature that had frightened away my assailants.

I was trembling furiously, though the hot sun was shining down on me, making the fact that I was already sweating from sheer terror even more uncomfortable. But suddenly, I heard the dull, heavy thump-thump of footsteps and a huge shadow blocked out the sunlight. I opened my eyes and looked up at the creature towering over me, and my blood ran cold.

"Oh, no," I barely breathed. There, looming over me, stood a massive giant.

I hope you enjoyed that last bit! It's still rather introductory at this point. Give it about two more chapters and the story will really begin to unfold. :)