Chapter 11 – Hunters from the Outside World
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That day, the Forbidden Forest carried a different wind. The air was heavy with smells that did not belong—iron, oil, faint incense. At the mouth of the cave, Altair stiffened. Even in his weakened goblin body, his nose could detect it.
"Humans…" His jaw tightened. "So they dare step into this forest."
Until now, he had only faced beasts, wild goblins, and the distant threat of the Guardians. But today, the danger came from something far more familiar—humans, the very race he once bled for.
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The Adventurers
Through the mist, five figures appeared:
A young knight in light armor, sword gleaming at his side.
A female mage with a staff tipped by a small crystal.
A hooded archer, bow already strung.
A priest clutching a holy emblem.
A scout with twin daggers and quick, light steps.
Their formation was steady, their movements confident. A small party, but against a goblin den, they were death incarnate.
"Our target is clear," the knight declared. "Goblin heads fetch good coin. Their hearts sell to alchemists."
The mage smirked. "And rumors say goblins in this forest multiply unnaturally fast. If that's true, we'll leave rich."
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Inside, Altair's goblins grew restless. They sniffed the air, their bodies trembling.
"Humans… hunters…" one muttered.
"We should run!" another shrieked.
Mira clutched the newborns to her chest, face pale. Lila stood beside Altair, trying to look steady though her hands shook.
Altair's eyes cut across the frightened pack. "Quiet! If we scatter, they will pick us off one by one."
Even his own heart pounded. "Five adventurers… trained, armed. Against them, this pack is nothing. One mistake, and we are finished."
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Outside, the scout crouched low, fingers brushing the dirt. "Fresh tracks. More than a dozen goblins. We're close."
The knight grinned. "Good. We end them before nightfall."
The priest muttered a short prayer. "May the holy light cleanse this forest of filth."
The words made Altair's claws dig into the earth. "Filth? Once, I was your hero. Now, in this form, you call me trash?"
His rage boiled, but he forced himself to stay still.
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Altair hurried back into the cave. His pack looked at him with wide, desperate eyes.
"Listen," he growled. "Humans are coming. They are hunters. They will not stop until they find us."
Panic broke out. "They're too strong! We'll die!" one wailed.
Altair slammed his fist against the wall. "If we flee blindly, we'll die faster. Understand this: humans are not beasts. They are trained, yes, but they can be deceived. They can be trapped."
Lila's voice was sharp. "Do you have a plan?"
Altair inhaled deeply. "Not yet. But I know this: if we do not stand, we will perish. Tonight or tomorrow, they'll find this cave. So we must be ready."
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Silence stretched heavy. The goblins lowered their heads, too afraid to meet his gaze.
Altair's eyes flicked toward Mira, cradling the newborns—Kael, Kyren, Davj, Varz. A tremor ran through his chest. "For the first time, I have something real to lose. Not just vengeance… but family."
He raised his voice. "You're afraid? Good. Fear means you want to live. Now choose: stay prey forever, or fight for a future."
A few hesitant growls answered. Weak, but it was a beginning.
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Meanwhile, the adventurers moved closer, cutting through undergrowth.
The archer smirked, arrow nocked. "I can smell their den. Fresh blood will pay well."
The mage's eyes glowed faint blue. "Don't underestimate them. Goblins sometimes swarm."
The knight laughed. "If there are many, even better. More heads to sell."
Their voices carried through the mist, drawing nearer to the cave.
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Altair sat crouched near the entrance, listening. The sound of boots crunching leaves grew louder. The hunters were almost here.
"They come. This is the first true battle with humans. If I fail, the pack dies here."
He gripped the jagged stone that had become his weapon. His emerald eyes burned in the dark.
"Prepare yourselves," he growled to his pack. "Our fight begins now."
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