Author's Note

Holy wow! The stats feature on this website has finally been fixed! I can finally see how many people are reading this story!

For anyone that was not in the know, the views feature has been broken for writers since last September I believe.

That being said, I'm happy for all the support and I read every review. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, because I am very keen to use story suggestions if posed with them from you all.

Uploaded

01/04/2024

LEGEND BELOW

"That's two down..." = Normal speech.

Chapter 8

A Goblin Slayer rushes to aid a beaten werewolf

Rated-M

M rating for mature themes, nudity, romance, violence, blood, adult themes, and of course, sex.

Music of the day

Skyrim - Combat theme #5

The earth shook below him, his legs threatening to buckle underneath the weight of the giant trying to flatten him. His arm felt like it had broken when trying to block all that mass, yet he didn't even let out a peep. He stared a vengeful red glare over the rim of his shield, staring the towering monster right in the eyes.

No one else was dying today, not on his watch. Especially not the half dead woman laying below him, not while he still breathed.

The giant roared in surprise, pulling its hand away as if to try and take a second swing, but Goblin Slayer was having none of it. When the second fist came, he parried with his shield, tossing the giant monster's weight completely off, sending it stumbling to the side.

In that brief moment of weakness, it couldn't defend itself when he lunged forward, stabbing it straight through the chest with his short-sword.

It stumbled backwards, roaring in disbelief as it gaped in awe at the blade protruding from its bare chest.

"That's one." Goblin Slayer muttered, drawing two small daggers from his waistline as he leaped into the air, stabbing both of them into the monster's neck.

With a wet gargle, the giant fell dead, its blood staining the grass of Skyrim red.

He deftly fell to the ground, flicking his daggers clean of the blood before he turned to the woman behind him.

She felt her heart speed up beneath her breasts underneath the burning intensity of his shaded gaze. But before he could either speak or move, a shadow was cast over them, the third and final giant from before having broken off from its fight against the other lesser warriors, and charged blindly at him.

Still unable to even lift her own arms, she was left defenseless as the monster approached.

Or she would have been, if she didn't suddenly find herself scooped up off the ground, avoiding death itself as the man in armor carried her away in his arm with such a level of care and protection it let her know without words that everything was going to be alright in the end.

Yet, she also knew that with her body in his arms, he was not going to be able to fend off the giant when it came for them. There was no outrunning an enraged creature of that size, and she knew that if he was going to survive, he was going to have to leave her behind.

So, that's why she found herself surprised for a second time in rapid succession when he shifted her around in his arms, throwing his left hand underneath her butt, gripping it firmly to hold her in place. Her chest was pressed against his own, her arms wrapped around his neck as he held her with one arm.

"Hold on." He grunted lowly in her ears, voice deep and gravelly. She subconsciously found herself obeying his commands without even an inch of hesitation, the strength in his voice that of a true alpha. "I've got you."

It made her hidden monstrous blood coo in delight, despite her grievous wounds. His voice was a reassurance, a promise that she was going to make it out alive, and the giants were going to lay dead at his feet.

With his right arm now free, he reached up and drew his shiny new steal long-sword, gripping it tightly in his hands.

The giant roared as it stormed closer, cocking its might hand back for a devastating swing.

Goblin Slayer stared the beast down, eyes narrowed as it approached him. Moments before it would have connected with his face, he threw all of his weight to the side, leaping out of the way of harm. While still in the air from his narrow dodge, he swung his blade with all his might.

In a flash of motion nearly too fast to witness, the giant's left arm fell uselessly to the ground, blood spurting from where it had once been connected to its body.

His feet hit the ground, sliding to a stop as he kept his eyes trained on his target.

"Goblin Slayer!" Another voice joined the fray, Serena rushing up to his side.

"Ice spikes, aim for its legs." He ordered lowly, not even greeting her.

She didn't even question him, doing as ordered as she raised her golden dragon staff, charging up a swarm of freezing spikes.

The giant threw its head skyward, roaring in agony and unbridled fury. Spittle and blood flew from its lips, eyes bloodshot as it snapped.

Goblin Slayer firmed his grasp on the woman in his arms, ignoring the little squeak she made at feeling his strong hands. He bent down low, blade charged and ready to bring an end to the fight. Rushing forward, he took a swing at the monster's side.

It snarled as it took a swing at him, only for him to duck under the attack. In that moment Serena's attack finished charging, firing off at blistering speeds. A few of her spikes missed, but those that didn't struck true, lining large bloody holes in the legs of the monster.

"Now." He muttered to himself, blitzing forward as he reared his arm back. "You're finished." He decided, swinging.

In a flash of blood and gore, the giant's head fell from its body. It sat on its knees, its body almost in surprise by its missing head, blood spurting out of the stump. Then it crumbled backward, crashing down to the red stained grasslands of Skyrim.

Goblin Slayer huffed heavily in his armor, the run over to the battlefield and the battle itself a bit exhausting. But that didn't matter to him, not then. For, instead he cast his gaze to the woman in his arms, his sword temporarily forgotten while he moved to make sure she was alive.

"Are you alright?" He asked in the most Goblin Slayer way possible, asking the nearly crushed to death barbarian if she was fine.

She chuckled out a bloody cough, red straining his armor. "W-What kind of… question… is that…?" She slowly spoke, breathing labored.

"Aela!!!" Other voice shouted, footsteps rapidly approaching the trio.

Serena stood faithfully by his side, watching on uselessly as he held the dying woman.

"Right…" He muttered, perhaps realizing the ill placed question. "Hold on, I have a spell that might help you." He said gently, moving to lay her on the ground.

"I-I doubt you've g-got anything that can repair my- m-my-" She tried to sound tough, but couldn't manage half a sentence before she began choking on her own blood. Her eyes widened as blood began pouring from her lips, trailing down her chin.

Goblin Slayer's eyes narrowed, his suspicions confirmed.

She was dying, her ribs broken off into her lungs, likely her heart too. She was bleeding internally, from multiple locations most likely.

Her eyes shrank in fear as the reality of it finally began to sink in, her body having been running on adrenaline up to that point.

Now…

"Get away from her! We need a healer!" A barbarian shouted as he ran to their side, frantic to try and save his kin. "Someone! Get a healer down here now!"

"Back away!" Serena stepped in, pushing the angry warriors back. "There's nothing you can do for her…" She said, tone softening as she took in the grieved faces of the wounded men and women who had run to her aid.

Goblin Slayer stared down at her, mind focused as he recalled the words from the book. It was a bit fuzzy, and he was tired from the fight. But, unlike the wizard's name from before, he didn't forget this.

Her eyes were growing fuzzy, death sinking in as she slipped away in his arms. She was just lucid enough to mentally question why he placed his open palms on her breasts.

But the blinding flash of power that exploded immediately after was what really caught her attention.

"Healing Hands." He grunted, focusing all of his power into her chest. A blinding golden light quite literally exploded from his gloved palms, completely enveloping her in its light.

The grass parted from the surge of magic, the light so bright that anyone nearby was forced to shield their eyes.

Aela, so sure that death had come to take her away, was surprised when instead, it slowly became easier to breathe.

The stabbing pain in her lungs, the cold sinking feeling in her heart, the pounding headache in her brain.

It all just…

Began to fade away.

Then the light eventually faded, Goblin Slayer's magic power dimming. Everyone gathered around to watch him as he stood up once more, his hands gently scooped underneath the Huntress, one under her rear end and the other under her backside.

Glancing down at her, he sighed despondently. "I apologize if that spell wasn't enough. I have been told it was a novice level magic." He said simply, gazing softly down at the woman in his careful hold.

As for Aela herself…?

Well…

"I'm… alive…?" She muttered, eyes quivering in their sockets.

"That… was my intention." He responded simply, tilting his head to the side. "Come. You require rest to regain your strength." He said, turning to move back towards the city. His step was labored, but not enough to stop him.

He'd suffered far, far worse before.

Warriors and Nord guards all parted the path for the man responsible for saving them, watching in awe as he carried what might as well have been a corpse of a woman only a minute ago. To see her revived from the state she had been in…

Was awe inspiring.

"I-I don't need to be carried, you brute." She growled, face flushing. He didn't stop walking, yet he cast a passing red eyed glance down at her. "Put me down this instant!"

"It wasn't a request." He said, voice as authoritative and deep as ever.

Her eyes widened at the strength in his tone, and she felt every cell in her body bowing to his demands. "Y-Yes… sir…" She muttered lowly, blushing a passionate hot red as she averted her gaze, submitting to his will.

If she had a tail, it would have been wagging at dangerous speeds.

"Hmm…" Goblin Slayer muttered, moving up into the city.

"L-Lady Aela…?"

"She…?"

"Took orders from a man…?"

"By the gods…"

"I have never before seen such a thing..."

"I shall prepare the den for their children…"

"They will be powerful kits..."

Serena watched the kinsmen of the crazy powerful barbarian woman muttering some sort of nonsense between themselves, before splitting off to help aid the survivors of the giant's attack.

Naturally, she was quick to return to Goblin Slayer's side once again. It was the only place where she felt she belonged…

"Oh, Goblin Slayer? Back already I see? I hear you were instrumental in stopping those rampaging giants outside my walls, and for that I must thank you." The Jarl said, snapping his fingers as he ushered his steward over to him. "See to it that sir Goblin Slayer and his companion are properly rewarded for their efforts today." He ordered.

"Yes of course, my Jarl." The steward, Proventus Avenicci said as he stepped forward. He offered the man a sack full of gold coins for his efforts, making sure Goblin Slayer had hold of them before stepping back.

"As for Bleak Falls Barrow, what do you have to report?" Jarl Balgruuf asked, leaning lightly on his throne.

"There were goblins. I killed them." Goblin Slayer muttered simply.

Balgruuf blinked, glancing to his steward as if hoping for a clue on what that was supposed to mean.

Proventus seemed just as lost as he was.

That's when Goblin Slayer's companion stepped forward, offering the Jarl a polite bow of respect. The blond haired Nord studied her closely, seeing as his previous encounter with her was relegated to looking at her while she stood silently behind the strange armored man.

Her eyes were hidden from view, only her nose and puffy midnight black lips visible underneath her tattered red cloak and hood. Her complexion was odd, certainly not like any woman he'd seen in his hold before.

Her mere presence and the mystery behind her set him on edge, yet he couldn't place why.

"My apologies. What my Master means to say is that upon our approach to Bleak Falls Barrow, we encountered a goblin encampment that had made the Nordic crypt their home." Serena explained elegantly, hands clasped together behind her back.

"Those wretched little mongrels dare to desecrate our history? I'm repulsed by the very idea." Proventus shivered in disgust.

"Tell me that you dealt with that nuisance?" Balgruuf asked, eyes narrowed.

"Yes. We killed the goblins that made their home there. Not one was left alive." Serena nodded.

"Thirty seven." Goblin Slayer said simply.

"I beg your pardon?" Proventus asked curiously.

"There was thirty seven goblins. I killed them all." Goblin Slayer elaborated further.

"Oh. I see." The steward muttered, blinking.

"When we reached the depths of the crypt, we found what your court wizard Farengar spoke of, a Nordic burial tomb containing the stone tablet he was seeking. My Master also encountered a mysterious wall that seemed to draw him to it, and upon his approach seemed to disperse ancient knowledge into his mind. He seemed greatly uncomfortable from the entire experience, so I would appreciate some insight into what may have occurred…" She stated, thoroughly explaining the quest in its totality while also simultaneously grilling the steward for information concerning her dear Master.

For when it came to the man in question, anything that posed a threat to him was something she would keep an eye on. This mysterious wall of ancient runes could have done serious harm to him, and they weren't warned of its dangers whatsoever.

She wasn't happy about it, not one bit.

"Do not speak so loosely to the Jarl! If I were you I would rethink your words when inside this-" Proventus snapped, appalled by her words.

"Calm yourself, Avenicci." Balgruuf muttered, silencing his steward. "What is this mysterious power you speak of? I was not informed of such a thing lying in the depths of the tomb, so, I apologize for any unintentional surprises sir Goblin Slayer has encountered." He asked curiously, apologizing for his court wizard's mistake.

"Serena." Goblin Slayer muttered, the intonation of his voice telling her to back off of the Jarl.

Her face flushed at his tone, quickly returning to his side. "I'm sorry Goblin Slayer… I was overcome by my personal feelings…" She apologized quietly, head bowed in submission.

He reached up, placing his hand on her head, ruffling her hair beneath the cloak. "It's fine." He decided on, rubbing her fondly.

She flushed, leaning into his touch. She was afraid he would be upset at her, but she was pleased to know that he wasn't.

That said.

"I'm not sure… I feel as if a dragon spoke to me." Goblin Slayer muttered, holding his hand to his chin in thought.

Balgruuf's eyes widened in surprise, leaning forwards on his throne. "Really now…? I find that fascinating." He admitted. "Tell me, what were these words it spoke to you? What did it say?"

"It said many words that did not make sense to me… But one did." Goblin Slayer admitted genuinely, looking up to the Nord leader.

"A word of power…" A new voice spoke up, Fargenar stepping into the conversation. "My apologies for my lack of foresight, I had not foreseen you coming into contact with the ancient dragon ritual site." The wizard apologized genuinely, bowing at the waist.

Goblin Slayer stared curiously at the man, the words he spoke gaining his attention more than anything else said so far.

"Power…?" The man in armor questioned lowly, tone mutely curious.

"Indeed!" Farengar exclaimed, turning to the Jarl. "May I…?"

"Go ahead." Balgruuf sighed, waving his hand as he gave the man free rein.

"Words of power are ancient magics passed down by the dragons themselves. To know a word of power, to truly understand it, takes men and women like you and me years of study and hard gruesome dedication to even understand a single entire phrase. It goes by many names, Dragon Shouts, The Voice, and the Thu'um." The man ranted on excitedly.

"W-What does this have to do with my Master? He has not trained for anything like that before…" Serena muttered, turning to glance at him for clarification. "Have you?"

"No." Goblin Slayer stated.

"And yet you say that single word is clear to you?" Farengar asked, eyebrow raised. "If you don't mind me asking, what was that word…?"

Goblin Slayer turned to face the man, hand dropping back down to his side. "It was Fus."

No sooner had the word slipped free from his lips, a violent and powerful force exploded from his mouth, flying forward in a show of raw uncontrolled power. Farengar stumbled backwards, nearly thrown from his feet if he wasn't so quick to react.

Balgruuf sat up in surprise, eyes widening. "By the god…" He breathed, awestruck.

"S-Sir Goblin Slayer…" Farengar muttered, voice quivering. "You are… Dragonborn…"

Goblin Slayer blinked. "What?" His throat suddenly felt very dry...

Chapter

8

End