Chapter 6 – Two Shadows in the Cave
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Water dripped steadily from the ceiling, echoing faintly in the damp cavern. Night deepened, the cold biting through the air. Goblins lay sprawled together in filthy heaps, snoring, reeking of rot and sweat.
Altair did not sleep. His eyes stared into the darkness above. The vow he had sworn beneath the moon still burned inside his chest. Resolve alone, however, would not keep him alive. He needed more than fire in his heart—he needed allies, followers, something to shape into strength.
That was when he felt it: a gaze.
From the corner of the cave, two pairs of eyes glimmered faintly in the firelight. They did not hold malice like the others. No hunger. No contempt. Only quiet curiosity.
Two young goblin females—thin, frail, their green skin pale. They huddled together, as if clinging to each other for warmth and protection.
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Altair moved toward them slowly. One of the females flinched back, but the other reached out to still her.
"I won't hurt you," Altair said softly.
The bolder one met his eyes. Her tangled black hair shadowed her face, her gaze sharp yet dim. "Lila," she muttered in broken goblin tongue.
The other trembled, smaller and meeker. But when she whispered, her voice carried gentleness. "Mira…"
Altair nodded. "Altair."
For a long moment, they simply stared. For the first time since his rebirth, Altair felt something unfamiliar in this wretched den—he did not feel alone.
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A growl broke the silence.
Several goblin males stirred, their yellow eyes gleaming hungrily as they noticed the two females. They rose, drooling, tongues wetting their lips. Their intent was clear—violence, instinct, violation.
Lila stiffened, Mira clutched her own arms in terror.
Altair stepped in front of them. His small body was nothing compared to the larger goblins, but his stance was unyielding. "They are not yours."
One male sneered. "Who are you?"
Altair stooped, picking up a jagged stone from the dirt. His voice was sharp, his eyes fierce. "I am your new leader. Touch them… and you die."
The cave grew tense. The males chuckled, expecting him to falter. But the way his eyes glowed—sharp, calculating, merciless—was not the gaze of a goblin.
One by one, the males backed down, muttering curses.
Lila and Mira stared at Altair with wide eyes. Not just curiosity now—but something deeper. Respect.
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Later that night, the three of them sat near a feeble fire, its flames painting shadows on the cave walls.
"Why… help us?" Lila asked.
Altair was silent for a moment. Then he allowed a thin smile. "Because I need you. I cannot survive alone."
Mira lowered her gaze, her cheeks faintly flushed—or perhaps it was the glow of the fire. Lila studied him a while longer, then gave a slow nod.
"We follow you."
Those simple words struck him harder than any blade. For the first time, his vow felt real.
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Altair looked at them—Lila and Mira—and then at the other goblins still sprawled in slumber.
"This is the start. I am no longer alone. From these two… I will build a pack. From a pack, I will build strength. And from strength, I will build a world."
That night, deep within the foul den of the Forbidden Forest, the first sparks of Altair's pack were lit.
And with Lila and Mira at his side, the fire of vengeance in his chest burned brighter than ever.
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