Goblins. Small humanoids with the strength of well-fed children. Stupid; imbecilic creatures, armed with mere sharpened twigs as replacements for spears andplumprocksinstead ofcudgels. The rare smarter ones in the pack were at least aware of the pitiful craftsmanship their kind possessed. Thesemarginally intelligentones would steal the tools of manandclaim them as their own.Fewwere even strong and lucky enough to acquireweapons of war likeswords, axes and spears; tools forged for nothing but war.


    Their small scrawny arms enhanced bytheirpoor weaponry made them pitiful foes indeed.


    Apple warded off their onslaught,globs of firedevouredfour, an invisible blade ofairseveredtwoin half, a javelin of icethrownat one more. Many of the creatures fell before theygetclose to the sorcerer. Those fortunate to be located at the back of the horde, managed to close the distance their little weapons desperately needed. Although even once that criteria were met, they then had to facealarger and stronger foewielding agiant staff,that could crack their skulls like melons.


    Sadly,for Apple,not all would fall tohis onslaught ofattacks. The stronger and the wiser of the pack were able to survive allthebarrages of elemental blowsthat threatened their existence, were rewarded with a poke to the sorcerer.Now that they had finally met their reward for their wits and luck, the next criteria had to be met. Were their stabs and jabsstrong enough to bypass Apple’s thick cow-leather coat?Perhaps if they prayed to their primitive gods hard enough their sticks and rocks would windpurchaseon an area not protected by his precious leather.


    Goblins wouldcontinueto charge with a frenzy one could only muster when theirlivelihoodwas at stake.Many would burn, drown, or simply be crushed by Apple’s superiorstrengh. Those thatsurvivedwould poke one, barely a concern to the much more powerful Apple, but what about another poke? And Another?


    A prick to the side. A thump tothe forearm. A poke to the thigh.A slam to the shin.A sting to the stomach. Even the occasionalarrow managed to break skin.Though, tiny bowswielded by tiny people, firing twigs that haven’t even beenhardened by the black of fire, failed to maimsignificantly.


    Individually thewound Apple suffered wereof no concern at all. Individually, however, was the key word. One scratch to the chest was of littlenotice, but what about thirty?


    Just as how ants overpower thevastly greaterspider withtheir sheer numbers, the goblins did same to Apple.


    They surrounded him from the only two available directions he could move. At first it was easy. Tens of goblins fell to his magic and the ones that did notwere met with the strikes of his equipment.Yet, as minutes passed and more and more kept coming.So many in fact their grotesquecorpses shielded the newbies on the battlefield from his might.


    Apple, a sorcerer that possessed ahorrificallyaverage amountofdwimmer,accompaniedbyan apprentice levelrepertoireof spell knowledge,was slowly being overwhelmed.


    He believed that the main reason he had yet to suffer a serious blow was due to his small silent shadow protecting him, whilst hefocussedon thehorde.


    Apple was down to abouta thirdof hisdwimmerreserves and even lessof hisstamina.


    He performed the spell formula for the fire magic:“torrent of flames” the spell was typically called,sending the formulato his catalyst for deciphering. Once done he willed the magic back down his arm, into the stomach, straight up his righthand,andfinally into the torchclutched within it. Using thealready burningflameasapseudo-catalyst, his spell forced the fire to grow and feed upon the goblins in front of him – all the while swatting at another patch of the creatures with his staff.


    They screamed and howled as theywere roastedalive, yet Apple never heard them. Their existence already forgotten, as he now kicked anewgoblin in the nose,a peskyindividualwho had just stabbed him in the leg while he scorched its brethren. As soon as he did that, he felt another pinch of painuponhis back. He turned to face the cause and saw a goblin with a bow in the near distance jumping up and down in joy, as one of its arrows had buried itself in his coat. That was now the fifth arrow that had successfully lodged itself in his leather attire, all barely causing any damage to himself, never the less it was all adding upand wear him down.


    Apple unleashed a quick blast of water at the bowman, knowing it would notbe enough to kill it, but hopefully enough to destroy its flimsy bow string.


    It was now becoming painfully obvious to Apple that his current predicament was a losing battle. His eyes darted wildly for an escape route. He was confident he couldat leastcreate an opening in thepasty-greencrowdslong enough to flee through, but whichdirection? Everything looked the same in this tunnel and Apple had become so discombobulated from the fight, he no longer knew whichwarleadto the exit.


    “Forwards, backwards. Forwards, backwards. Forwards, backwards...” He mumbled to himself between each laboured breath.


    He finally decided forwards as it possessed the least number of goblins on that side. With a panicked haste he casted the same steam spell he had used to escape theEspavailierinthe city ofPier.


    The magic came quick from practice andwilfuldesperation. He lingered for several seconds, fighting other goblins in the meantime, waiting for the burning cloud of water to completely envelope the legion in his path.


    Once satisfied enough had become blinded by the steam, Apple called to Mula:“Mula! Climb on my back, Mula!” He cried, unsure where she was.


    A pause and then the quietestutterance of the word“Kay,”was heard. Immediatelyafterwards Applefeltsudden soft weight of life appearing on his back.


    Apple surrounded himself, and what he prayed was Mulatoo,asmalltornado and charged into the scalding steam. The vortex around him successfully flung the flouting dropletsofwet flames away fromthe pair.


    Even when he had left the shroud of white and dissipated his shield, Applestillcontinued to run blindly forward, creating as must distance between him and the horde as possible.


    He eventually came across a trio of separate tunnels and happily burrowed further into the unknown goblin lair. Ithad quickly becomepainfully obvious he had gone the wrong direction, yetsinceturningwas akin tosuicide, Applehad little choice but toventureforth.


    More and more options presented themselves as Apple continued to storm through the mazeof clandestine burrows. His unthinkinghastewas at least rewarded with the growing silence of the enemy that chased him, they too must have become lost in their own nest.


    Apple found himself in an open space for the first time since he had arrived. A vast circle ofelevatedrocks,jaggedstalagmites, and drooling stalactites. What Apple truly found amazing about this area, was not the frightening architecture or its size, nor the strangeness of its difference, it was the fact that he could see all of its interior without a light of his own.


    Scattered around the walls were lit torches much likeApple’s own, except these still possessed the fuel needed to feed the fire.Mula jumped off Apple’s back and the two began to move forward andinvestigate the area.Apple wondered why beings that could see in the dark would need torches.Did the light symbolise something?


    As they ventured further and further away from the room’s entrance and closer to the torches, a figure presented itself.


    Sat atop what looked to be a throne made of bones of various species was a goblin. A proud looking fiend that studied the pair with vulture-likeeyes and asolemnexpression. Both of them were unsure on how to reactto this new character. This was the first time a goblin had notimmediatelyhissed and attacked them. No, this goblin sat with a straightproudback and causally tapped the clearly human skull that made the end of the throne’s armrest. Apple may have found the sight of a lesser creature mimicking nobility amusing, were it not for his exhaustion and the clear confidence this creature radiated.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    The two locked eyes. Appraising each other through the red hue of scattered flames. Apple took advantage of the standoff, using it to catch his breath. Still, he kept his lips puckered, ready tobellowa spell at any moment.


    “So, I’m assuming you’re the leader of this establishment?” Apple asked. Deciding it couldnothurt to try and have a conversation with thisgoblin, now that his breathing was steady.


    It simply continued to stare at him, its expression never changing in the slightest.


    Knowing it to be pointless, yet believing it to be the right thing to do, Apple tried sparing the creature’s life. “I am the great and powerful magician: Apple!” He bellowed. “Next to me stands the swift and furious: Mula. We have slain many of your men and order you to surrender and flee this place.Also,if you have treasure or people laying around, those are now ours too.” Apple boldly declared.


    Apple found his answer in theform oftwo arrows finding themselves inside hisback.


    Mula screamed and Apple fell to his knees from the unexpected force that assaulted him. While forcibly lowered, Apple saw two goblins from either side of his peripherals step out from the shadows andstalktowards him. The biggestgoblins hehadacross so far, dressed instretchedhideand armed withclearlyhuman-made spears. It would appear that the goblin leader had been also stalling for time as well.


    “Archers, Mula! Find the archers!” Apple spat, along with strings phlegm and blood. The girlfailedrespond but Appleto his command although hecould no longer feel her presence near him.


    The leader’s guardsmen werealmost upon him now. Thrusting their iron tipped poles at the air, mocking his impending demise. Their leader remained lounging upon his throne, grinning down at Applewith those vile yellow goblin teeth.


    Apple smirked right back at him, it seemed they were underestimating him a little too much. How dare they make him bend to theseinferior creatures.


    He threw his lifeless torch at the goblin to his left in anmockact ofdesperation,an act the goblin easily dodged and cackled at. As soon as Apple heard that condescending laugh, he unleashed a geyser of water at the goblin to his right. The creature was thrown from its feet and Apple wascertainthe blast at least shattered its ribs.


    Apple smiled wider at their leader, its own grin was now replaced withcompletebewilderment, it appeared that this goblin had never came across a magicianand their abilitiesbefore. However, the goblin to his left was no longer savouring thehuntand charged at Apple, its wicked spear gripped tightly in both hands.


    Just as he was about to cast another spell, he felt another arrow burrow itself in the flesh of his back. These archers must be using a higher qualitybow than the previous goblins, thesearrows wereeasily able to bypass his poor excuse for armour.


    Apple’s vision went black and he collapsed to his hands. Hisarms shook violently from the effort of simply holding hisweight. Hisentire body burned, the copious amount of sweat that rained down him did nothingto soothe him. He could feel more liquidsdribble fromhis nostrils and clog his throat. He forced a coughing fit upon himself to help prevent his own fluids from suffocating him.


    Apple was knocked further to the ground from the sudden kick to the chin from the goblin leader. No longer acting all high and mighty, he now stood in front of theproneApple, wielding a bronze short sword andsmall roundshield of wood and animal hide. Apple tried to cast a spell in retaliation, however was unable to find gaps in his wheezing to do so. Instead he willed his remainingdwimmertopump through his body,invigorating him just enoughtoable tojumpto his feet.


    As soon as he stoodup, the goblin leader stabbed at him with his sword,despite the factApplewas clearly stillflustered,hemanaged to dodge thestrikeand return his own, albeit clumsily. The creature easily parried the weak blow and returned a swing at Apple’s hands. This time, however, Apple was unable to movefastenough and felt the tip of hisringfinger depart from the rest of him.


    The pain of the parting was cut short by the sudden sensation of a spear piecing his side. Apple, trying to see the positives in the situation he was in,found agrey humourabout all the scars he’willacquire today to impress the maidenswith in the future, should he survive of course.


    Using hisnumbdelirium to his advantage, Apple grabbed hold of the spear in his side and held it tightly in place.He barely even wincedorgroanedwhile the guard jerked the spear back and forth, in an effort to free it from his grasp.


    The leader swung his bladeagainat Apple, a blow he just managed to block with his staffin the nick of time.The staff dropped to the floor, Apple’s hand had becometoo weak and greasy from his own blood toequal the goblin’s strength.Using his own failing as a distraction, Apple kickedangrilyat the leader, forcing him back several paces.


    Apple took advantage of the tiny window hehadgiven himself and turned his attention towards the spear-user. He took hold of the goblin’s closest hand with his freehand and twisted its delicate fingers clasped around the spearin one swift motion. Once he felt the snapping of bone and saw the creature gulp air in preparation for screaming, he sent it tumbling with a kick as well, claiming the spear as his own.


    He yanked the metal tip free from his flesh, swapping it out forhis nowcrippled hand to help stop the bleeding.


    Releasedfromhisdaze, the leader was once again upon Apple, swinging at him with an increasedfrenzy. Apple retreated from theslashes, using the difference intheir reachto his advantage. Unfortunately, his tired one-arm jabs werealsotoo feeble,allowing the goblin leader to effortlessly block with hisshield.


    The two moved around the room as they duelled. Apple, foreveron thedefensive, completely unable to find achink in the enemy’s own defence. His skill further dulled by theconstant worry of another one of its minionsjoining the fray.


    Apple was reaching his limit and his opponent knew it. He had been fighting and running none stop for almost an hour now, his body was a canvas of holes and a painting ofvariousreds. The goblin leader,in contrast,had suffered nolastingwounds at all and did notutter a single unsteady breath while he fought. Apple prayed that Mula was okay and about to save him,awish he was far too exhausted to feel embarrassed about.


    His prayer wasfinallyanswered in the form of a knife rammed into his foe’s back. Apple used the distraction to plunge his new spear into the goblin’s shoulder.


    The goblin leader screeched and swung his sword around at Mula, also forcing Apple to retreat his spear fromthecreature’sflesh.


    Apple saw in the corner of his eye, the blurry haste of Mula as she ducked under the bronze blade just in time. Before Apple could stab the leader again, a cold and soaked goblin jumped ontohis back and buried its foulknife-liketeeth into his shoulder. Instinctively, Apple released the pressure from woundathis side and attempted to pry thevampiricsuckling from his frame.


    The goblin tangled itself around himtightly, Apple’ssapped strength failed to budgethe creatureeven an inch.


    He was only finally able to get the parasite to wiggle when he jammed his thumb and index fingersinto itsbeadyeyes. Ignoring the revolting texture of the pulsating white flesh, he twirled his fingers wildly, grinding the solid structure into a fine paste. Only when his fingers felt nothing but airand a viscous liquidwhile they spun, did he feel the goblin’sjawat lastloosen.


    Now that he had finally freed himself, he turned his attention to the leader, ignoring the fire coursing through his body and the sound of hisownlaboured gurgles.


    While he had been distracted by the goblin feasting upon him, Mula had been battling the goblin leader the whole time. Her body hosted several gashes from the creature’s polished blade;her breath ragged,yetcompared to Apple she was completely fine, for now at least.


    No longer possessing the element of surprise, she was clearly outmatched by the goblin. While faster andnimbler, the goblin leader boasted superior equipment, strength, and experience. All Mula seemed to be capable of doing was dodging, and even that was becoming obviously more difficult as the battle drew on.


    Apple limped towards the two and stabbed at the goblin with his spear. While the blow met no resistance or objection, the thrust failed to even puncher the goblin’s crude armour. It was as if Apple merely poked him gently,as ifone woulddoto get a friend’s attention. “Come at me,yapointy nosed bastard.” Applebarelymanaged to taunt.


    Seeing his feeble state, the goblin happily obliged. Leaping at Apple with his sword aimed at theApple’sthroat. Apple did what only his body would allow him to, he merely collapsed to the ground. Not expecting thiskind of retaliation at all, the goblin leader leapt completely over Apple and landed behind hisbodywith a slight confused stumble.


    Mula copied the goblin,leapingover Apple, absorbing the falling momentum into her thrustwith ease. The goblin saw her fly towards him and readied himself withbowedlegs.


    A single breath before the two collided, the prone Apple kicked out at the goblin’s shin, causing it to fall toone of hisknees. In that single moment of shock, Mula’s knife met the creature’s exposed face and skidded all the way down it, only finally stooping at where the creature’s bellybutton should be.


    The goblin leader roared! Its skin peeled from where it was sliced in half, exposingthemurky brown fleshbeneath. “Finish-it-Mula!” Apple gurgled, his words muffled by the stone floor.


    Once he heard nothing but Mula’s pained breaths didAppleknow she had done what he asked. With a job well done, Apple went asleep.