Interlude: Of Goblins under a new Leadership
It all started a few days ago. The nest got invaded by strange creatures who claimed leadership. Obviously the chiefs at that time, a strong hob and a shaman laughed at this and faced the intruders. But in less than a minute, they were annihilated.
Goblins may be stupid but are not fools. The rest of the nest understood that there was too much of a difference between them and the invaders' strength and so they bowed to their new superiors.
They would obey… for now, for they all knew that when the opportunity would arise, they'll claim leadership for themselves. That's what Goblins are after all, greedy.
They even murdered the women prisoners and the young goblins because 'There will be no need for weaklings.' Those new leaders were no joke...
But it wasn't like they were completely useless! Far from that! They promised to give each goblins more power in exchange of their 'souls'.
Goblins didn't know what it was or what value it had. A 'soul' wasn't something they could eat or kill or use in any way. So what's the point keeping it?
The first goblin who gave its soul to one of the leader suddenly changed. It got stronger, much, much stronger. Its strength was almost the same as a hob! But the same fool tried to turn against the leaders, and died.
Another lesson: they were still weaker than them, even with new strength.
They were stronger, much, much stronger. They recruited more of their kind and even rallied other nests to theirs! Anyone who dared defy the leaders were burnt to a crip. And anyone who bowed to them gave their 'souls' to become stronger.
They went hunting, there was a family of three giant creatures that they didn't know the names. It was some large cat with the face of a human with wings and a giant spiky tail.
Just by looking at that creature it was certain that they were big threats. But confident that with their new strength they were invincible, the goblins rushed at them with their homemade weapons.
They were still weak compared to the creatures but they killed the young one without much difficulty. The problem was the parents.
With ease they killed three of the empowered goblins but next to the leaders and their fire magic, they didn't resist long. One of the giant cats died under the strikes of the nest and they other ran away.
It was a great victory for the goblins, they killed a creature much much stronger than them!
No one will be able to face them! They are stronger! Their leaders are the strongest! For the goblins, this world was already as good as theirs.
That night there was a giant feast on the creatures' meat at the cave.
The next day they would attack the village at the exit of the forest. The scouts spotted some adventurers in there.
Adventurers… Hunters of their brethren. Just thinking about them made their blood boil in anger.
One of their leaders laughed when they noticed that sudden change.
Goblins were like that: they would kill one of their own, even laugh at their death, but when it's someone else who kills them they just get angry and enraged. Their logic is incomprehensible.
They would attack, fight and kill every single human in this village.
They are rage, brutal and without mercy.
At least, that's what their leaders, those demons, said.
Interlude p2: Of a Manticore who lost Everything
Just what happened?
Just what happened?
Goblins are supposed to be weak creatures! But these ones were so weird! So strong!
TOO strong!
They were just enjoying their day and those green devils appeared out of nowhere accompanied by those three weird creatures with flame powers.
And now her mate and cub are dead. All she can do is run away.
Call it fate or a roll of the dice of the Gods but the Manticore's path went straight to a group of adventurers.
The Manticore was ready to offer a part of her tail for the adventurers to sell as long as they avenge her fallen family.
But her eyes landed on the adventurer in green.
Green like those weaklings who attacked her.
Green like those monsters who killed her family.
Green like those devils who took everything from her.
And with eyes blinded by rage, she pounced on the adventurer in green armor.
It was her last mistake.