The battlefield lay in ruins, with the remnants of the Goblin horde scattered and defeated. The once-ferocious Goblin General, now lifeless, lay in two gruesome pieces, his reign of terror ended. The Goblin Shaman's headless body slumped to the ground, its magical powers silenced forever.
Amidst the chaos and destruction, Aven the Seeker slowly pulled herself up, her nose still bleeding, and her body battered from the shockwave. Her eyes darted around, trying to make sense of the aftermath. Then, her gaze fell upon Coward, and her companion Goblin Butcherer, who stood amidst the carnage, bloodied and battered, but resolute.
Coward's silver hair, now stained with blood and the Goblin Butcherer soot, hung loose, and his armor was marred with the scars of battle. He appeared to be on the brink of collapse, but his unwavering determination kept him upright. In his eyes, there was a mix of exhaustion, relief.
The immediate threat had been neutralized, but the cost had been high. The Goblin Butcherer, his legendary title living up to its name, had faced the Goblin horde with Coward the Horrible and with Aven joining the fray. It was a battle that had taken a toll on them all.
Now, with the smoke clearing and the dust settling, they were left with the daunting task of assessing the situation, tending to their injuries, and uncovering the mysteries that had brought this monstrous horde to their doorstep.
Elera's arrival, accompanied by the soldiers of Eclatia, brought a sense of relief to the chaotic battlefield. Her quick thinking she's the one who made that huge blazing sphere before the shaman could completely cast it and throw it to her friends and mastery of healing magic had averted a potentially catastrophic situation. As she rushed to Coward's side, her hands began to glow with a soothing light, and she started tending to his wounds.
The soldiers of Eclatia, battle-hardened and ready to defend their kingdom, quickly assessed the situation. Seeing the decimated Goblin horde and the fallen Goblin General and Shaman, they knew that they had arrived just in time to support the outnumbered defenders.
Elera's magic worked its wonders, slowly but surely closing Coward's wounds and alleviating his pain. Despite his stoic demeanor, there was a hint of gratitude in his eyes as he looked at his companion. Elera had not only returned in the nick of time but had also proven her unwavering dedication to their journey.
With the Goblin threat neutralized and their injuries being tended to, the immediate danger had passed. The soldiers of Eclatia secured the area and began assessing the aftermath of the battle. It was a scene of destruction and chaos, but it was also a testament to the strength and resilience of those who had stood against the Goblin horde.
But that just seems to be the start of their worries, a young soldiers riding a horse seems to be bring a troublesome news.
The soldier's troublesome message about the impending Surge was a cause for concern. In this world, dungeons were not just places of adventure and treasure but also sources of danger. When the population of monsters within a dungeon grew unchecked, it could lead to a Surge, a catastrophic event where these creatures overflowed from the dungeon and swarmed the nearest settlements, leaving destruction in their wake.
Surges were known to be devastating, as they often caught settlements off guard and could lead to significant loss of life and property. Handling a Surge required not only skilled adventurers but also a coordinated effort from the local authorities and the military.
For Coward, who was still recovering from the intense battle with the Goblin horde, this news posed a dilemma. He was already weakened from his previous encounter, and facing another crisis so soon would be a daunting challenge. However, he knew that the safety of the people and his companions depended on their swift action.
The captain of the soldiers approached Aven and the Goblin Butcherer, fully aware of their injuries from the previous battle. He understood the dire situation they faced and was left with no choice but to seek their assistance. Goblin Butcherer wasted no time and made his demands clear, requesting a new full plate armor to replace his battle-scarred one, a fresh sword, and supplies. Aven, on the other hand, only asked for more arrows and potions, showing her determination to continue fighting.
The captain's gaze shifted to Coward and Elera, knowing that they were travelers from another country and that it might not be appropriate to ask them to risk their lives in another battle. However, he couldn't help but notice the unspoken communication between Coward and Elera. Their shared look and silent understanding spoke volumes.
Elera, with a resigned sigh, turned to the captain and spoke on behalf of both of them. She declared that they would indeed join the battle to help quell the Surge. It was a decision driven by their sense of duty and compassion, a willingness to stand with the people of Eclatia in their time of need. With their commitment to this new challenge, the stage was set for yet another test of their mettle in this unforgiving world.