First Appearance
It was late afternoon, the sky above the Academy turning gray, when Marion walked alone across the courtyard. The silver coins were still in his pocket, pressed deep into the fabric. In his mind, he was already imagining what he could buy for Tamara—perhaps a piece of jewelry, something worthy of her status.
Then he heard a rustle behind him.
He turned.
And froze.
A figure stood only a few steps away.
Tall—for a goblin. Almost his height. Athletic. Muscles taut beneath copper-colored skin. Long, wild green hair fell into her face. In one hand she held a bow. In the other… a rabbit. Its fur was soaked in blood, its throat cleanly slit.
"Nix caught!" she called, her voice bright, almost playful, lifting the rabbit like a trophy.
Marion couldn't breathe. His heart pounded violently; his legs refused to move. The shock hit so hard he felt warmth spreading through his trousers.
No… not now…
But his body didn't listen.
The goblin stepped closer, her eyes large and shining.
"For… you?" She held out the dead rabbit. Blood dripped onto the stones.
Marion tried to speak, but only a strangled sound left his throat. His mind screamed: Run! Move! — yet he stood frozen.
"Nix not good?" she asked, tilting her head like a child waiting for praise.
He shook his head frantically, but his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth.
Voices echoed across the courtyard. Other students were returning from class, laughter bouncing off the walls.
The goblin flinched. Her eyes narrowed. A shadow passed over her expression.
Then she vanished.
She slipped into the darkness as if she had erased herself.
Two students rounded the corner moments later. Marion still stood there, stiff as stone, the damp stain on his trousers cooling uncomfortably.
"Marion? You okay?"
They gave him a confused look before walking on.
He remained alone, breathing hard, knees weak as water.
What… was that?
The images burned into his mind: copper skin, the bow, the dead rabbit, the childlike smile.
The Stain
The corridor was quiet, lit only by flickering torches. Marion hurried toward the dormitory, head down, hands clenched in his pockets. Maybe no one would notice.
"Well, well… what do we have here?"
The voice hit him like a slap.
Jenny stood at the end of the hall, arms crossed, her lips twisted into a smug grin. Her eyes dropped immediately to the damp stain on his trousers.
"Oh my God." She laughed sharply. "Marion, did you actually…?" She covered her mouth theatrically. "You're worse than Tobia after three mugs of cider!"
Her laughter echoed down the corridor.
Marion felt hot and cold at the same time. His body wanted to run, but his legs felt rooted.
"Stop."
Tamara stepped out of the shadows, her expression firm, eyes locked on Jenny.
"Leave him alone."
Jenny arched a brow. "Of course. The princess rescues her farmer." She turned on her heel, still laughing. "Just make sure he doesn't wet himself during class!"
When she was gone, Marion stood speechless. Tamara stepped closer, her cheeks faintly flushed—not with anger, but embarrassment.
"Come," she said softly. "Change your trousers."
Later, in clean clothes, they stood outside beneath the pale moonlight.
The words burst out of him.
"It wasn't just that. A goblin attacked me. A big one. With a bow."
Tamara frowned. "A goblin? Here? Near the Academy?"
He nodded urgently. "Yes! She killed a rabbit and showed it to me. She… she spoke to me."
Tamara stared at him for a long moment.
Then she gave a short, incredulous laugh.
"Marion… please. You need a better excuse."
"What?"
"You wet yourself. That's embarrassing enough. But a goblin ambushing you with a rabbit? No one will believe that." She sighed and placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "Don't tell anyone. Promise me. They'll laugh at you across the entire Academy."
"But I swear, it was—"
"Shh." She pressed a finger softly to his lips. "I love you anyway. No matter how embarrassing this was. Just keep the rest to yourself, okay?"
He nodded slowly. Her eyes held no mockery—only warmth, and the clear intent to protect him from further humiliation.
For Marion, that was enough.
Rabbit Affection
The night itself seemed to hold its breath as Marion slipped alone through the courtyard. Tamara had just left, her warmth still lingering on his skin.
Then he heard the soft rustle again.
He turned—and his throat tightened.
The goblin stood there once more.
Tall. Copper-skinned. The bow slung loosely over her shoulder. In her hand, still, the dead rabbit—fur soaked with blood. She held it like a child clutching a toy.
"Girlfriend?" she asked, pointing with the rabbit's limp paw toward where Tamara had disappeared.
"Y-yes," Marion stammered.
Her eyes widened. She almost beamed.
"Good! Your girlfriend. My friends… dead." She pointed upward into the darkness. "Sheep. They want sheep. All… dead."
Marion swallowed hard.
But Nix smiled.
"I no need sheep. I kill all rabbits in world!" She swung the animal proudly, blood spraying across the stones. "Taste good raw… very good!"
She playfully bit into the fur, then held the rabbit toward him.
"You try?"
Marion shook his head so hard he nearly grew dizzy. "I—I'm not hungry. Really."
For a moment she looked disappointed. Almost hurt. Like a child denied a game.
Then she nodded slowly. "Okay. Nix understand."
She stepped backward.
The shadows wrapped around her, swallowing her shape.
And she was gone.
Marion stood alone in the courtyard, heart hammering in his chest.
She survived.
And she had followed him all the way here.