So here's a new fic I'm doing, You know its funny, I've read up to Volume 4 of Goblin Slayer and the entirety of what's translated of the manga. When the anime came out I watched the shit out of it, and even though it was far from perfect (Really cringly by comparison) I still loved it all the same. After all unlike most fantasy series, Goblin Slayer legitimately doesn't skim on the horrors of these monster and it makes you wish them dead even more.

Then something amazing happened, I decided to check up on the series and holy shit was my mind blown when not one, not two but four Volumes were out! Plus Volume 1 and 2 of Year One! Gods I'm so hype but I could only afford Volume 5 for now. Anyways after reading it, I came up with this Fic hope you enjoy.

P.S. Please read and support the Light Novels also note that my writing and scenarios are based off of them.

Chapter 1 A Change of the Dice

It's a common story, one heard all the time. A village is attacked by goblins. A girl is taken and then some rookies decide they'll play the part of the noble hero and get rid of these goblins for their first quest. They triumph, the villagers are grateful the guild impressed and with that the party takes its first step towards being real adventurers. It was what she'd expected when they invited her, when the warrior boy said they could use her help.

She remembered the receptionist broke into their conversation, saying that if they waited another adventurer would come. And it was only now she understood why she asked. They ignored her saying the same thing all adventurers said despite them being maidens to the occupation. That they were just goblins and so they went to fulfill the oh so common tale confidence in themselves they had yet to earn, that they would succeed and returned true adventurers.

But they forgot that there was another common story, a tale just as likely as the first maybe even more so with a warning. That the young novices would enter the little devil's domain sure in themselves an each other but things would not play out as they did in the inspiring tales. Perhaps it was overconfidence, inexperience or lack of preparation or maybe the dice merely rolled against them but no matter the reason it all ended the same.

One way or another the goblins were simply too much, and the whole party is lost to the green menaces. The men slaughtered, butchered and devoured while the girls just on the cusp of womanhood were captured to have unspeakable things done to their bodies, hearts and minds. Perhaps the dice were forgiving to the rookie's plight and rolled a mercy and one made it out alive or better yet escaped with the maiden taken by the malevolent monsters.

But she knew, that was not her fate, nor Female Wizard's, even after the novice warrior was torn and butchered apart. Even after Female Fighter sacrificed herself to the goblin's twisted and malevolent desires so they may escape. For the dice had rolled an unkind fate and the Girl she'd carried and healed shown no signs of turning for the better and instead seemed oh so much worse then when her stomach was torn by the green beast's dagger.

She remembered tripping once more as she tried to escape with her remaining comrade in hand, she had fallen so many times but never ceased to get up and advance as the fear for what followed her remained potent. However, this time was different because this time she saw her comrades state and was shocked and confused, how had her miracle failed. The wound was closed yet her state grew dire. With what determination she could draw in her lithe frame she begun to chant to the Earth mother once more.

"O Earth Mother, Abounding in Mercy… Let your- "

'Thock'

Suddenly her body was pushed forward and soon a heat rose in her left shoulder.

"Ah!" When she looked back, she saw it, a crude stone arrow buried within her delicate flesh and as if seeing it provoked more the searing heat heightened and spread. She slumped forward crying out in painful wells more tears forming.

"Gi, gi, gi." She froze at the distorted chuckles and looked back to see them, two small being's advanced towards her. They were of diminutive size with skin a sickly pale green like infected pus. Large wide pointed ears and long bumpy noses with many jagged uneven fangs lined the tiny terror's mouths, Spittle dripped from their twisted smiles. But what terrified her most was their eyes, a sickly yellow with horizontally slit pupils that were exclusive to them alone. In them she could see no innocence, compassion or even the gleam of basic nature.

No with their sinister orbs lied a perversion of all those things, greed, hate and anger and deeper laid far more simple and primal emotions. She knew what was in their gaze, lust, hunger and excitement and frankly she didn't know which scared her more. She trembled unable to think beyond her fear of these beast they came to exterminate… They were the weakest monster Goblins.

It was only once they mounted the paling still Wizard that she spoke against them yelling despite her fear as they tore her clothing apart and gripped her supple flesh, their nails dug into the Wizard's ample breast. However, in response to her yell one merely ignored her, no worse it seemed to excite him to her speak against his act. The second Goblin though looked to her and smiled but it there was not a trace of good will.

As it made its way to her still frightened form, she recalled the other fates, the young warrior cut apart like a butchered pig to be eaten by the minuscule fiends. The Fighter being stripped of her clothes and just as quickly her purity as the beast indulged in her as she told them to run and finally the Wizard who was on the verge of being defiled before her very eyes. She knew her fate would be no different and it was with that knowledge and dread her body gave in and she felt a warmth spread between her legs alongside a wetness but she was far to scared to feel shame.

While the act would repel a evildoer or brigand the Goblin's response was the opposite and its leering grin widened as its jagged mouth drooled with desire. As if the scent excited it even more, she knew there was no hope, she knew her fate and in response all she could do was repeat the earth mothers name again and again. And as the beast readied to grab her, defile her and play with her it abruptly stopped.

It was only as the two monsters stopped their laughter that she heard it too, the sounds of footsteps but they were different from hers or the goblins. Heavier with a rhythm betraying no hesitance only a confident stride. She looked to where the goblins gaze fell and saw it, a light within the dark, a star opposing the encroaching twilight. And it was then she saw him.

He was not impressive at a glance, grimy leather armor with a filthy steel helm whose horns decorative had long since been crushed, small a shield fastened to his left arm and in its grip was the light, a torch. In his other hand was a plain blade of an unusual length. The figure looked pitiful, and unprepared even by a rookie's standards. And despite her fears and panic she still found herself wishing to yell for him to run if only not for being paralyzed by fear. If only she held courage like the Fighter.

The two goblins seemed focused on the figure and sneered as one drew his bowstring nocking back another crude arrow. And despite how she could make out the monster's lack of skill and truthfully terrible archery once the stone-headed arrow launched she knew it was decided, for the cave was dark and the arrow unseen to its mark.

"Hmph" The figure however gave little more then a derisive snort before swinging his strangely length blade. The swipe was true, and the plain sword cut the crude arrow out of the air. The little fiends could not understand that his arrow did not strike the feeble adventurers form and stopped while his brethren leaped forth a rusted dagger at the ready. Its hateful amber eyes found a chink in the grimy armor near its collar and no sooner the dagger plunge forth doving deep within and seeing such the young Priestess found her voice and screamed.

But there was only a silence to follow, no blood nor the sickeningly joyous laughs of the Goblin only the faint and quiet sound of metal against metal. Any adventurer, soldier or knight would know the sound, that of chainmail but goblins were fools and rarely knew of it. So, in its ignorance the scared and angered goblins only response was to push the blade in harder only to be met by the same result.

"GAYOU?!" The green monster cried out as the man's shield bashed its chest pinning it to the wall.

"You first…" The meaning of his words was given explanation as the next moment his torched stuck forth smashing into it's face braking it long nose and cracking its forefront fangs as it smashed its face. He pulled the torch back and thrusted it forward again pressing deep between the hate filled eyes breaking through the Goblin's skull. And as suddenly as it had started, he had stopped as the little beast went limp its screeches muffled by death and the stench of burning flesh filling the cavern. Once he was sure it had taken its last breath, he pulled the shield back letting the small corpse tumble to the floor.

It was then he turned to them, and perhaps for the first and only time the priestess and remaining goblin felt the same as a single bright and deep red orb bore into them from beneath the helm.

"You next." The figure took a step forward and Priestess found herself more scared then before while the Goblin beside her trembled taking a step back. It was as it readied to flee that she found the gaze of the being was not on her, but it and realization struck. The Goblin whose mind was decided turned to flee only for her sounding staff to be thrusted its way.

Her form was weak and worn and in truth it was but an act of instincts but as meaningless as it should have been for the figure whose gaze was upon the Goblin it was enough. For when the little beast paused at her action he was given the instant needed to aim and no sooner did the unusually length blade fly through the darkness tearing the goblin's head in half staining the walls with its putrid brain matter and gore and as it's form crumbled he spoke again his tone cold and mechanical.

"That's two." And once again he made his way forward his confident stride renewed, and he ground his boots one the little devil's cadaver. And with his heel against its form he withdrew his unusual blade from it so casually as if done an endless amount of times before. He looked to the blade drenched in gore and fat and chipped by the skull of the beast and snorted in response to his examination showing no real attachment as he looked away from the blade and to her and the Wizard almost uncaringly.

And surely one could not blame her for her trepidation, so strange was his appearance and with an aura so unlike any man or woman she'd yet met. For a moment she imagined him a goblin like the large on who'd subdued fighter or perhaps something far worse. Which was why her next actions were admirable as she spoke with purpose despite her weariness and the searing pain spreading throughout her. Through trembling lips, the fearful maiden asked.

"Wh-who are you…?" And despite her expectations he answered.

"…Goblin Slayer." The name should have been comedic, the title of Slayer was not given but earned, only to those who killed a foe so great and numerously, so many times that others saw them as the predators to said monsters. Slayers of dragons, Chimeras and Vampires and so many more and while they may be different all could be considered fierce for the title meant they stood above them. So how laughable it should have been for a man to brandish the Slayer name for the weakest monster.

The beast who even rookies were fabled to be the bane of, Goblins. And yet to her, his name was anything but. For she now knew of how her arrogance and ignorance betrayed her and her party to the sly devils.

How she must have looked to the man as she sat dumbly almost forgetting the pain of the crude arrow which she clutched. He looked to her and paused as he saw the tag displaying her rank hanging from her neck

"You just registered?" And it was as she nodded that she noticed his and came under a small amount of shock for what glinted in the light of his torch. It was not the white of Porcelain, the slick black of Obsidian, the grey of still nor the color of the diamond ranks. What stared back at her shone in the slight faintly telling her it was not bronze but silver. Anyone who aspired to be an adventurer knew the top three ranks.

The fabled Platinum of which only a handful existed, beneath it were that of gold worked under the government. Finally, there was the third from the top were those of silver. While many would say they were the third adventurer rank it was also true that it was the highest rank an adventurer could reach out in the field and live to his own will.

And knowing it was such an individual who looked to her should have filled Priestess with relief and to a point she supposed it did. But as he spoke his tone plain and without emotion, she felt that relief wane.

"You can speak… You're Lucky." He dug into a bag in his belt and pulled a small bottle out presenting it to her. Unthinkingly she looked to it curiously faint recognition.

"Is that…"

"A healing potion, drink it after I pull the arrow."

"Wh-what?" His answer to her was not with words but brutal action as he gripped the arrow and pulled it with equal parts strength and skill, it did not splinter nor did the stone head go undone. Yet surely the pain that rang from her body made her less inclined to thank him and the agonized screams did even less.

"GYAAA!" She fell forward, curling in on herself as her teeth gritted as she repeatedly drew heated pained breaths as she trembled. He didn't look to her with disappointment nor understanding.

"Drink it." his words were short but understood and yet she didn't as her pain was not what came to the forefront of her mind but instead what she pondered at his words was 'her'.

"Please…I want you, I want you to give her the potion." She looked to the Silver rank pleadingly and though she could not see his eyes beneath the helm she was sure he was looking back to her. He spared the Wizard a glance and made his way to her. Blood bubbled spittle fell from her mouth

"My Miracle, it, it didn't help her, the flesh was mended but even still." He looked over the now stripped Porcelain rank sparing a brisk examination. He felt her abdomen before jabbing his finger slightly. in response she gave not a breath to signify that she lived but a pained suffered cough and seeing it he spoke.

"Where was she hurt?"

"Her stomach…it was a dagger." It was faint, but he gave a single nod.

"A dagger." He then pulled the rusted dagger caught in his chainmail as he looked down to the Wizard and seeing this Priestess found a tinge of strength and rushed to huddling over her companion. He looked to her who looked back to him fearful and unsure before he spoke.

"Give up." He showed her the dagger and spoke.

"Poison." She looked to the rusted blade and paled as realization struck.

You can speak… You're Lucky

She was lucky it was not her who had been cut by the rusted blade but Wizard.

She understood as she looked to her companion on the edge of life and took a heavy swallow.

"A mixture of their own spittle and excrement, sometimes they add herbs they find. Once in your system, you have trouble breathing. Your tongue starts to spasm, then your whole body follows." His tone betrayed no sympathy for the girl beneath Priestess as he explained cold and indifferently.

"Soon, you develop a fever, lose consciousness, then…" She asked with the utmost reluctance.

"Then?"

"…You die." However even with his explanation she still pressed.

"I-if she's been poisoned, all we need is to cure it… right?" He shook his head.

"The Poisons been in her too long, I have an antidote but it's too late." She faltered, and it was then Wizard's rolling eyes focused for only the briefest of moment. With trembling lips gurgled from her bloodied mouth forming little more than unintelligible babble.

"K-khi…ill, Mhe."

"Understood." Goblin Slayer didn't hesitate to grip the rusted dagger towards her throat and stabbed down. As she saw him do so Priestess understood the futility.

The dice had been rolled against Wizard from the moment she declined the Priestess suggestion to procure potions and the like.

But to the gods an occurrence both rare and yet expected within 'his presence occurred, the dice that the gods rolled was meaningless. But for once it was not by virtue of his own action… but hers.

A delicate pair of hands reached out grabbing the dagger's blade and Priestess cried out as it separated skin and flesh alike the sting of the poison blooming in her newly scarlet stained hands. Goblin slayer grunted and pulled back the blade from her the smallest hint of anger clear.

"Why?" Priestess gripped her bleeding palms together fresh tears forming as the pain of the goblins venom spread up her arms.

"Please…" Goblin Slayer clicked his tongue before pulling out another vile of a different hue and presented it to her.

"Antidote, smear on the wound or drink, either will do." Priestess nodded thankfully but beneath that was a silent apology to the man, for a different intention then laid in her then what he surely expected. It was odd yet familiar… as if she'd experienced it once so long ago. A flash of insight came to her.

Protect, heal, save.

The fundamental precepts of the Earth Mother, she recalled an empty feeling and with it a languished warrior against a wall reminiscent of the man before her. Perhaps it was the Earth Mother giving her an oracle or a not so grand tip, but regardless she acted on the feeble thought as if it was truth.

For when she opened the vial and down the potion, she did not swallow but instead leaned over wizard and feed it to her. She ignored the blood and spit that filled her mouth as she forced the potion through until she was sure it had been downed. Goblin slayer gripped her shoulder that still burned with pain and readied to pull her back.

"Foolish, it's too late, swallow what remains." But she ignored him and when he forced her away from the Wizard, she gripped her sounding staff and chanted.

"O Earth Mother, abounding in mercy, lay your revered hand upon this child…" And once more the prayer took hold and Priestess's hands begun to glow, she spat into her palms and despite the being diluted by the blood and spit, what of the antidote remained seeped into her cuts and before healing and soon the pain resided. She did not waste a moment to be relieved though and stretched out her palm to the wizard's abdomen. Goblin slayer looked to her and nodded seemingly understanding her actions.

"It will not work…Give up." She gritted her teeth and spoke.

"I know, you're right."

"Then…"

"But still, I have to try, if it can happen, even if it is ever close to impossible, I still need to at least try."

"I see." His response was curt but as he looked to the frail porcelain rank, her appearance was determined and scared and from her the scent of gore, sweat and piss alike seethed. Yet there was still beauty in her form but that was not what drew his attention. No, it was the tears that fell it was for a moment that he remembered his sisters words.

You're supposed to protect girls.

Don't make them cry.

He looked to her and nodded before looking to the Wizard, he supposed their was truth to the Priestess's response.

"Need to try… I see… Yes." Goblin Slayer would not claim to be overly knowledgeable, in fact he believed he lacked in many if not all knowledge if what his master said was true. But even so that did not mean he was without anything to know of. He recalled something Guild Girl had said in passing, to fight Poison with Poison, he only understood the principle slightly but remembered it all the same.

An alchemist said for Goblins primal like poison it was not the same as others, apparently it was many little living things unseen to the eyes that spread the venom, like a sickness. Goblin Slayer knew little, but he did know things, what is living can be killed no matter how small or big. And so, he pulled out the blade of unusual length and took the potion and his remaining antidote as well as a third black vial, a poison so weak it would not kill but burn. As Priestess readied to place the miracle upon Wizard he acted, gripping her.

"Wait…" She looked to him shocked, but he then showed the blade and vials and she silenced for him.

"I will try something, It will not work… probably." He took the poison and smeared a third along the left edge of the blade and then the potion and did the same to the right. The Silver rank then turned to the Wizard who even now barely acted different despite ingesting the antidote.

With great precision he brought the blade to her abdomen and pulled it against her bare skin, the blade parted the flesh of her belly and for the second time the Wizards stomach was opened and the poison of a blade seeped in. The girl's body jumped at the sensation and if she could Priestess was sure Wizard would scream.

But Goblin Slayer ignored her and waited, waited for the poison to spread hoping that it would attack the girl's innards and the little unseen things poisoning her alike. Finally, he turned the blade letting the potion seep in and pulled back his strange sword as he did, he poured the vial of antidote inside.

"Now." Priestess did not need him to explain any further and understood and where before she kept her palms just over Wizard's stomach now, she pressed against her abdomen desperately. And like before the light of her miracle begun to bubble away and Wizards opened stomach stitched itself back together once more. Priestess stared for the longest moment hoping, pleading for change and when Wizard once more gave a ragged cough again, she near fainted.

Until she realized no longer did deep crimson bubble from her coughs but instead a light pink, she dared hope and for another moment they waited until her coughs were clear, deprived of blood. Goblin Slayer nodded once.

"She will live." And with his words, she felt all her fear and anxiety vanished replaced by an unfathomable relief. However, her relief was short-lived as a vial, half-empty was thrusted before her.

"Drink it, it'll help with the pain." She didn't hesitate to take it in her hands and gulping it down, she turned to thank him but his gaze beyond her. Deeper in the cave.

"Did you see any big ones?" She paused, for a moment his words confused her before she remembered what it was, they were here for.

"Y-yes, there was one, but it was surely too big to be a Goblin."

"That was a Hob Goblin… a wanderer, the same as an adventurer for them." She took a shallow breath at the news.

"I-I see."

"I'm going to go finish them off, the goblins, take the girl outside and wait or go far away…" For a moment she almost nodded before she looked to Wizard and remembered another.

You two, run…

Fighter.

She looked to him with determined eyes despite their tears.

"I'm coming with you." He looked to her and then to Wizard before nodding.

"I see." He made his way to the unconscious porcelain rank and threw her over his shoulder before turning back to her.

"We'll leave her outside, hidden in brush." Without waiting for a response, he strode forth back to the exit and spoke.

"What are your abilities?"

"I-I've received Miracles."

"Which kind?"

"Minor Healing and Holy Light."

"How many uses?"

"Three together but I've used two."

"So one."

"Yes."

"Hmm, I understand, all right then." She was blinded by the light of day as she exited the cave and saw the fields of the plains. While she had only been underground for but an hour it felt like an eternity. All was the same except one thing, laying they're before the cave's mouth was a goblin, its form flat to the ground dead. Goblin Slayer laid the Wizard down between tall stalks of aromatic grass which hid her scent. He then turned back to her and over the goblin he must have killed before entering.

"What are you doing?" Without warning he brought down the rusted dagger into the goblin's gut pulling the blade back creating a large tear of which its innards and viscera spilled out.

"By the Earth Mother! Why are you doing that!" He answered with his same cold indifferent tone.

"They have excellent smell, more so for girls who have wetted themselves." A blush took her at his words, she watched as he took a rag and stuffed it between the goblin bloated belly catching innards between it.

"We have to mask the scent…" He wrapped the rang with innards within and watched it soak deep with the scent of their gore. Seeing it Priestess shuddered as she understood the implications of his words.

"Eight… Nine…Hmm."

Priestess stood within the cave watching as Goblin slayer checked over the two the dead goblin's her eyes however were not fixed on the green devils but the scattered remains. By a sword was a severed from the body that was nowhere to be found. Bits of viscera, skin and haired laid down as well. Priestess knew who this was as his smile came to mind.

She help back her tears and keeled over vomiting Goblin Slayer noticing this seemed to misunderstand thinking she was trying to avoid the scent.

"Breathe through your nose. You'll have to get used to the smell of blood and viscera… As an adventurer you will find it everywhere." He then noticed the limb and nodded in understanding.

"You were attacked from behind?" It was more of a stamen then question but regardless she answered.

"Yes, h-how did you know?"

"Because there are side tunnels ahead."

Side Tunnels!?

"That's not possible!" Despite her protest he ignored her and strode forth.

"Come, look." He directed the torch opposite to the path and suddenly as if magically appearing a second path revealed itself. She froze unable to speak or comprehend.

"But how?... this wasn't here when we…" He spared her a glance and spoke.

"A common mistake, for beginners." He pointed to the odd sculpture that had perplexed them earlier and spoke.

"Your focus was on the totem, and thus you were distracted. Didn't notice the tunnel." A dreaded realization ran through her. From the moment they entered they had already been ensnared.

"Goblin's aren't bright, but they're not fools. They were smart enough to take out your spell caster first." She nodded to his words still unable to accept the reality fully.

"The totem and is smart, too smart for most. A shaman is here."

"Shaman?"

""You don't know." There was no tone betray accusation and yet she felt as if the question was unbelievable.

"I-I don't."

"I see…They're spell casters. Better than your friend above, they are clever."

First Hobgoblins who were like adventurers then Shaman who were equal to Wizard she'd never heard of such a thing she then questioned herself, if she had, maybe her party her friends might still be alive… No, she knew that would not be true in her heart she was sure that even if they had known, they wouldn't have considered the goblins something to be afraid of. Goblins were weak, were prey, a way for new adventurers to cut their teeth.

they had all known after all, known that Goblins were as large, smart and strong as children. As besides the single Hob they were just that. But never had they truly considered it meaning what a child who took up weapons, plotted evil, sought to kill could do, what a dozen or so would be capable of.

They hadn't ever considered such, she hadn't ever considered such. Their party was weak, inexperienced, and virgin to combat, they had no coin nor luck to their names, and most importantly, they were underground, in the caves beneath the earth for the first time. But the goblins. They lived underground was a common mistake, the kind nobody would advise against because no one would be stupid enough to overlook it, no true adventurer.

Goblin Slayer either didn't notice or care as he spoke his thoughts out loud.

"The Shaman is leading the horde." Without rhyme or reason, he threw the torch leftwards into a nearby tunnel's mouth. It landed without opposition for a moment she wanted to question him, but no sooner did she shut her mouth as a small green foot step forward. Before she could even truly notice it a glint of steel caught her eye and vanished into the little devil and no sooner did an explosion of scarlet leap from it throat it gripped at its throat.

That was its mistake for it did not see him rush forth his strange blade true and ready as it buried itself in the Goblin's chest straight through its tiny black heart. Priestess was once again shocked by the man's display.

"Can you see in the dark?"

"No…I just practice." She looked to the green monster stupefied.

Practiced, to throw and aim at something no different than a child.

It brought the slightest of shivers up her spine. He however ignored it and presented the torch to her.

"They can though, see in the dark…Light is needed." She took the torch hesitantly ignoring the slight grim and gore. Goblin Slayer looked to his strange blade still impaled in the small monster and clicked his tongue.

"What's wrong?"

"Too much fat and gore… Can't use." Uncaringly he ignored the blade and turned around.

"There was a sword." Goblin Slayer looked to the dead Goblins and noticed some cut and torn apart. He picked up the blade beside the severed hand and grunted despondently before casually throwing it back down.

"Too long, the caves are too narrow." She sucked in a breath remembering the incident.

"Hmm?" Goblin Slayer knelt down beside a corpse and looked perplexed.

"No cuts, tears or burns." He felt the side of its head to find it caved in and then looked to another whose chest was much the same as it center was black from impact.

"Hammer, unusual for a beginner." Priestess noticed his words and realized.

"No, not a hammer wielder, one of our party fought bare handed."

"Is that so... strong attacks, useful, but not enough." He looked to the goblin and then to the hand of warrior.

"Was a girl correct?" Priestess nodded.

"Yes…" Priest remembered Fighter, her strength her kindness and ultimately her defeat.

"She was beaten… by the hobgoblin."

"Did they kill her?" Priestess shook her head.

"N-no… she lost… when they surrounded her, and were, were killing our leader she told us to run while they, while they…" She shook at the memory and Goblin Slayer stopped and looked down.

"I understand." He recalled that day, the day his world changed and his sister who told him to stay silent. He didn't understand, they were different, his sister was smart but not strong, no fighter… so why.

His hands touched a small line of crimson leading deeper into the cave.

"They took her." Priestess's response was instant.

"We have to help her!" He nodded.

"First, we kill the goblins."

He turned around grabbing the spear from the goblin he killed before looking towards the main path down and pulling a rope from his belt.

"What are you doing?"

"Making a trap, if you want to not die then remember it and do exactly what I say."

Priestess stepped nervously behind the man she knew as Goblin Slayer She felt the largest urge to pray to the Earth Mother, but she knew any noise could alert the Goblins. Soon she begun to smell it, where before there was the sickeningly sweet smell of rot, viscera and gore now it was combined with that of feces and something else like fish left in the sun and rotten eggs. Goblin Slayer rose his shield arm stopping her in place.

"Their ahead." She froze at the words.

"Use Holy Light, then run for the exit. If you stop, you'll die." She nodded to his words but he didn't see it as no sooner then he said so did he begun to rush towards the cavern, seeing him rush Priestess gathered what determination she could, she gripped her sounding staff and begun her chant.

"O Earth Mother, abounding in mercy, grant your sacred light to we who are lost in darkness…" Raising her sounding staff up a bright radiance manifested cutting through the darkness and enveloping the once dark cave in holy light. The small menaces retinas were assaulted by the luminescence. They rose their dirty hands to cover their vision, but it was too late.

Goblin Slayer wasted no time scanning the room, looking upon his foes as if his life depended on it, which surely it did.

"Six, as well as a Hob and Shaman." The shaman was quick and rose it staff of which lighting begun to gather around, but he knew it be the first to act and was ready. He rose the spear his aim set on the leader.

"You first." The spear tore through the darkness striking its mark and nailing the spellcaster's chest, for a moment he was tempted was tempted to attack another of them while they were blinded. But he knew better and turned away and made a run for his trap he, seeing Priestess he spoke.

"Fall back."

"R-Right!" He rushed past her a bit surprised to see she was so unfit, but for now that worked t his advantage. He could hear the goblin's yells of anger and laughs of anticipation.

Their focused on the beginner, good.

He leaped over his rope and turned around just in time to see the girl leap over as well but topple over. He supposed it was good enough, he reached for her, he caught her wrist , pulling her up towards him before pushing her out of the way behind him.

"hold your breath and close your eyes.!" The girl didn't question him obeyed and, while she did he drew his blade in one hand and reached in his pocket with the other and drew an egg out of his pocket. Without a moment's hesitation he flung the egg straight into the hob's face upon hitting the egg exploded open coating the giant goblin with a red cloud. The Hob Goblin choked on the mixture of ground pepper and snake letting out pained screeches.

In its agony it failed to notice the rope trapped and tripped over it falling flat on its face, Goblin slayer acted immediately drawing a dagger and stabbing it into the back of its skull. He let go and rose his foot.

"Eleven." And stomped down on the hilt of the small blade propelling it in completely the Hob spasmed before stilling. Priestess dared to open her eyes and saw the display before hearing the others.

"There are more coming.

"I know."" He pulled another vial from his pocket and chunked it against the hobgoblin shattering it and coating the brutish monster in a thick black substance. It gave off a particularly odd and foul smell for a moment she thought it perhaps a poison. Goblin slayer kicked the body sending it rolling down the path it came colliding with the goblins giving chase.

"See you in hell." Goblin Slayer threw his torch at the Hob's body which currently pressed against the two tiny monsters coating them in the same black ooze. The second it touched the substance lit into flames cooking the hob and goblins alike. Priestess watched as the two monsters writhed, screeching in agony as they were cook alive by the flames.

"Twelve and thirteen."

"H-How are they burning so much… could it be that oil?" Goblin slayer didn't turn to her but gave a single nod to show he heard her.

"Yes, many names like petroleum or gasoline though Guild Girl calls it Medea's Oil. Simple but slightly expensive," He remembered purchasing it from the same Alchemist who spoke of the little unseen things. As she watched the three bodies go limp and begin to tumble down, she panicked.

"The Women, if those body set the room on fire!" He gave a single shake of his head before her begun his trek down.

"Won't spread that that far, not enough to feed the flames to make that big."

"I-I see, so then…are you going back down?"

"Yes… Will you go up to her? You can't fight?" Priestess paused to consider his words before taking a nervous breath and shaking her head.

"No, my friend is down there."

"I see, then back away. They can't breathe down there; the flames will choke them out." She gulp understanding his words. He grabbed the Hobgoblin's crude stone axe and readied himself doe the encroaching devils.

I want to be an adventurer…

In the widest caverns of the cave she remembered those words, they were so long ago, when her and that boy spoke of their dreams so long ago. She knew they'd make it, join the guild and raise through the ranks, him with that stupid but indomitable will and her the martial arts her father ingrained into her.

Her determination only grew that much more upon his passing, that day as she looked to the tombstone of her father, her teacher and her goal she vowed. She'd use the martial arts her father taught her to save others, as many as she could. Then one day with her skills, she'd achieve silver and even beyond that to gold. She'd reopen her father's dojo and teach others her families martial arts and those in turn would save even more innocent lives.

That was her goal and it would all start with this single mission, they'd fight the goblins, kill the little devils and save the imprisoned women. How hard could it be? Warrior repelled them from the village before and she could beat him eight ways to Wednesday. So surely with the help of the Wizard from the capital it'd be a breeze and even if they got hurt Priestess could heal them.

Everything just seemed to fit, like it was destiny or one of the stories she'd heard from a traveling bard as a kid. But life was not so kind, in fact it was far from it, she watched as those monsters tore him apart and devoured that boy she'd known for so long. Wizard had been struck and even upon Priestess's miracle taking hold she grew none the better for it.

As she watched him being tore and butchered she felt fear, sorrow and regret but at the forefront was a new feeling hate. Hatred for those green devils, her father's lessons ran deep though, even then, even in that state she remembered what mattered most. Those two were still alive, so she told Priestess to run, to get Wizard out of there while she bought time.

She wondered why she'd been so foolish, she knew she was outnumbered, they had weapons and numbers and after killing Warrior she held no illusion that they were so weak as to be killed by her alone. And yet she couldn't leave, she wouldn't. Was it due to hatred, her arrogance or her kindness that she stayed, whatever it was she supposed it no longer mattered.

It stopped mattering when she turned to kill what she thought was another of the tiny beast but was met by a monster that towered over her. It was only then she realized it, how weak they were, how weak she was… which hurt more, her pride as a warrior or a woman being taken, it hurt, as they played with her, as they made sport of her body, heart and mind.

However even as they broke her, indulged in her and made her watch as they devoured the boy she'd known since childhood. There was a small glimmer in her otherwise dark world. It might have only been them, those two she and Warrior had convinced to follow them to this hell with but even so her sacrifice had saved them… it had to.

It was as she laid there, no longer the prideful fighter who'd beaten that boy dreaming of being a noble warrior so many times laying on the hard filth ridden floors of the cavern but instead a broken girl along the cusp of womanhood. A bright light shone brilliantly, cutting away the darkness and invading the retinas of her long since dulled eyes.

It stung, but she found that she didn't much care, after all what would it matter, whoever it was would soon fall too. However, what she saw wasn't some gallant white knight or noble adventurer, but instead a revenant, a bringer of death whose worn and tattered body rushed forth with a speed not matching its form and a single baleful red orb that struck fear into all it gazed upon.

"You First." The figure rose its arm and with precision like that of a professional it threw its spear impaling the beast who indulged in her flesh most. The ornament covered monster fell back impaled, It was then as it made way to turn that she caught its sight. To any other such a being would be the stuff of nightmares but to her he was her salvation, she'd welcome death.

Death of herself, of the monstered or even this world but it did not answer her plead and turned away and as the light faded and his form became one with shadows, she found that tinge of life, of hope flicker out once more. Her only solace was that in their panic and rage a good number of the goblins rushed after the death bringer leaving her alone to wallow in hers and they're filth alongside the other women.

However she knew they would be back soon enough, and when they came her suffering would continue, she'd be forced to endure more. To be made sport of by the beast and broken by the hob who'd claimed her first, the tiny imps would come back with the undead in hand she was sure… except no matter how long she waited they never did.

She wondered why, perhaps they were devouring the undead being, or beating it to a pulp where they struck it down. Surely that was it, after all once her mind had calmed, she remembered the threat of these menaces, sure that being may be strong, but the Hobgoblin was stronger. And even if it was superior to a single goblin more than five had run up after it, they would overwhelm the revenant, it was merely a question of when.

Never once did hope bubble within her abyssal despair, however every once in awhile, she'd ponder the light that'd filled the room. That blindingly bright light that had assaulted her vision and seemed to aid the undead. That indomitable radiance was surely something alien to these caverns and she was sure the revenant hadn't produced them.

It was then the image of that Priestess came to mind, that frail child of the church who'd they'd convinced to follow them… perhaps it was her. If so, she was sure, sure they'd capture her bring her down her and commit the same unspeakable act upon her frail form. That thought brought a single tear to her dry eyes and it was as she thought that that she heard it.

Something was tumbling down to them, alongside the sound of their horrid cheers, she knew what it was. The Revenant, they'd beaten it surely, they were yelling in victory and kicking it down the path. However soon those roars of victory became clearer and she recognized them for what they were. Screams of agony, no… they were death wails.

It was upon the realization that it finally came into view, her assaulter, the beast who'd subdued her, who mounted her. However, in its eyes were neither it desires or hatred and it once-powerful if not unpleasant way of walking was nowhere in sight has it rushed down to them.

For what greeted the lowest cavern was not the confident walk of the monster enthused by its most recent kill but instead a flaming corpse. She watched in disbelief as it slammed into the cavern and upon ceasing its tumble did, she notice two other goblins crushed and battered against it. From the burning corpse smoke rose and enveloped the room, she watched as the black smog just above her crumbled form filled the space above.

The Goblins who remained begun to go into fits of coughing and rush out of the cavern, she couldn't fathom it, what had happened? How? These beasts who had shown her how truly weak she was had dealt blow after blow, the miasma above her that choked them of their breath, the Hob who so clearly radiated strength laid dead and burning.

How? She pondered that question for some time and in doing so she'd gain back a semblance of herself from the broken psyche she'd suffered. It was then she heard it… footsteps, but they were not those of her tormentors… one was faint but betrayed a shy unsteadiness while the other, was powerful and sure a confidence in its stride.

And as she looked to their source she saw them walking into the vast, both were familiar to her but for altogether different reasons. One was the girl they'd invited along on this quest, a slim beauty with long golden hair and bright blue eyes. Her robes were no longer a pure white as deep crimson stained the beautiful fabric. It was surely her, returned to this hell and she'd claim her mad for that if not for the other.

The being she had thought an undead before strode too her it steps heavy and confident and as it advanced through the room she took in its appearance. What she once thought to be war-torn armor of a night now revealed itself to be blackened and grimy leather armor of which even Warrior wouldn't wear. On its head was a cheap worn looking helmet, once it had decorative horns but now, they were gone more than likely broken off.

And as she looked to him and took in his profile his nature was revealed to her, he was no monster he was of those who had language. Once more she remembered him, it was faint and though she hadn't actually saw him she was sure. When Goblins had come to their village three years and stolen some livestock, she remembered the commotion.

They had done what any village would do, they called an adventurer, she remembered asking her father why he hadn't killed the goblins himself. After all, surely, he was strong enough, but she hadn't known then that his life was on barrowed time, and that the sickness had already taken hold of him so firmly. He told her to understand one's strength, that overconfidence was a vile a venom as underestimating your foe.

She knew that, or she thought she had, and despite wanting to retort she held her tongue it was the next day Warrior had rushed over so excitedly. He looked like a boy who had had his first maiden, even now that thought upset her. However, when he proclaimed that the adventurer had come, she found herself just as excited.

She remembered for the first time cursing her fathers training as it was all that stood between her and meeting the adventurer. It was the next day she'd meet up with Warrior again, if he'd been smiling before now, he was practically beaming. She remembered his telling of helping alongside the younger men of the village in chasing off some of the goblins who'd broken off from the group the adventurer was exterminating.

He boasted almost endlessly about his heroic actions and she just had to beat him up two shut his mouth. However, what she remembered more was Warriors description of the man, grimy, leather armor and a long since worn helm. She recalled him describing his way of speaking as dull and mechanical and his weapons worn a shield far to small and a strange blade of odd length. For a moment he looked spooked as if describing a specter or living armor, however what he remembered most was his eye.

A single red eye, a baleful glowing red much deeper then the and brighter then the tag that hung on his neck. It was as those same crimson orbs looked to her that she was certain this man was the very same person. His gaze was terrifying however she felt no fear from it, after all he'd been their savior those years ago even if she'd only realized it now that she'd suffered to Goblins.

His glowing murderous gaze felt warm compared to the hateful and greedy stares of the Goblins. And as he made his way to her, she struggled to speak but found herself unable to give little more than a faint whimper. It was only then that she realized she was crying, whether it was joy at her salvation or that of sorrow for what she'd endured she didn't know. All she did know was that Priestess didn't waste so much as a moment rushing to her side, she'd ignored her dirtied and bared form as she took her in her arms.

"It's okay, you're gonna be okay." She could feel tears dropping on her form, and as she struggled to look to her, she saw the girl looking to her with so many emotions. Guilt, sorrow, pain and regret but what remand the most prevalent was relief she heard her reassuring words and in that moment they lit the still foreign hope that begun to flicker within her.

It was then that he'd past her, The man she did not know the name off walked past her worn form and to the being not far behind her. She struggled to look and through the corner of her eyes she saw him looking down to the leader of the Goblins. It was ever so faint and to anyone not versed in martial arts she was sure they'd not notice it but the goblins seemingly limp form was anything but.

She recognized the tensing muscles even if they laid still and it was with great effort she put her warning to words.

"… Sti…ell…Livs." Her voice was faint and weak, so much so even Priestess who embraced her couldn't seem to understand but…

"I know." He did, without warning her rose the blunt instrument in his hand and slammed down with a powerful but controlled swing. The club bushed into the shaman's skull just as it begun to act shattering it and exploding into a mess of gore. As she saw it fall, the last of her abductors a certain relief filled her chest.

"Eighteen…" He did not stop though as he turned to the throne made of bones behind the leader and kicked it. The seat shattered apart to reveal a door of rotten wood, Priestess didn't hesitate to begin to lay her down and make way to the door behind him.

"Why'd would they have a secret room?" She looked to their back from where she laid and saw him open it to reveal its contents.

"We were lucky." She could not describe the feeling that ran through her at that moment, but she was sure it was similar to what Priestess felt if her trembles were any indication. The room was small and for the most part filled with the plunder of the Goblins, however at its center were four forms that huddle together as they let out high-pitched screams of terror.

They were goblins, small defenceless children but goblins none the less, all her fears and panic returned as she saw their huddled forms. But alongside them was a certain despair, a feeling of guilt for they represented what the girls had suffered, what she suffered, and she hated them for it. It was that hate that hurt the most to despise something deprived of sin with such certainty, she felt she had lost something else precious in that moment.

"You'll…kill the children, too?" and by the numbed tone in the usually so pure Priestess's voice she knew similar emotions must have swirled within her as well. Whether he knew these feelings dwelled in them or not he didn't seem concern and spoke in his ever-calm tone.

"Of course." He made his way inside the small room

"Their numbers grow fast when they have women, if this nest had gone undisturbed any longer, we'd have dealt with double or perhaps even triple their hordes number." He seemed immune to their children's whimpers and sobs.

"We were very lucky." He took his first full step in the room and in them she could feel his intent and as the room filled with the children's cries and his steps, she felt a horrid conflict within. An urge but also a plead, her hate and compassion but most forefront what she knew was needed against what kinder soul wished against most.

"B-but their innocent." And apparently this conflict didn't fester in her alone, she looked to her former companions back and saw her struggle to speak out.

"T-Their just children!" And for a moment he stopped.

"They're not innocent, their animals, animals that hold onto their grudges for life." He then resumed his steps and she saw as the small beings struggled back terror clear in their eyes as they huddled as closely as possible.

"They would never forget today, they'd learn from my tactics and never fall for them, they'd create a horde of their own, take women kill, raid and steal." Tears begun to fall down her cheek as she watched his steps finally stop before the frightened beings. She knew his words were true, they had to be and yet in those scared faces she saw only children.

"They'd adapt and become a bigger threat, there isn't any reason to show mercy." It was then Priestess spoke out against him.

"B-but, what if, what if they didn't what if there was a good one! Couldn't such a goblin exist?!" For the second time he paused at her words.

"A good Goblin?" he let out a sole breathe in such a way it almost seemed to suggest bewilderment by her words.

"Perhaps… maybe there might be such a goblin… if we looked maybe we could find one." For a moment that seemed almost endless he didn't speak but when his voice returned, she could tell. In his tone his intention was clear.

"But to me." His baleful gaze reignited as he lifted the club up into the air, Priestess rose her hand but no matter how much she wanted to she couldn't speak against it.

"The only good goblins are the ones who never come out of their holes." Fighter watched through her dulled eyes as the club went down crushing them. Her body trembled with the sound of bones being crushed while her heartbeat rose at the tiny screams, She didn't know whether it was out of relief or despair that she cried all she did know was that as she heard their final wails she cried alongside Priestess.

As he turned away from his kills and direct those same confident Fighter looked to him and saw it. his confidence betrayed no regret nor sorrow, only a certainty, his grip remained on his club while his eye seemed to glow ever brighter with his baleful red and it was as she looked to that man that Fighter felt fear for him.

"That makes twenty-two." Priestess kneeled on the ground her hand gripped so tightly together that her pale hand were now bone white as she prayed. In contrast to her presence he'd never looked so much like a monster then in that moment as he was coated in their grim and gore.

"Stop praying." Priestess turned to hi and for the first time some anger was present in her gaze however he took no stalk in it as he spoke.

"They need help exiting." Priestess tinge of anger vanished with his words as realization struck and she looked to the women only now noticing the presence of five others besides Fighter. She rushed back to her and helped Fighter stand and when she did Fighter found her form barely capable of even that.

"No, that's too much for them." It was then he turned to Priestess presenting her his torch which she took in her trebling hands. He then looked down stepping just before Fighter and it was then that her fear peaked, as she looked into his baleful red orb she choked back a tear. And to his credit he seemed to notice her terror and dug into his pocket retrieving a small vial and bringing it end to her lips.

"Drink a bit, even the smallest amount." His voice held no compassion and even his actions that from anyone else would seem filled with kindness seemed hollow. Yet she complied and even if it was merely the tiniest amount of the mixture, she downed it, once she did, he nodded before present in it to Priestess.

"Make sure the other drink, doesn't need to be much." Priestess nervously nodded before leaving them. He then looked to her and gave the smallest nod before reaching for her only for her body to draw on all its strength and making pull back. His hands stopped, and he regarded her for the longest moment before speaking.

"I see…" He stood straight once more before turning from her.

"I will take the others before you." She didn't know his reason, whether it was out of consideration for her fear of him or anger at the very same undeserved feeling towards him. But she supposed it mattered little, he would give her respite from his terrifying presence and she supposed that was the greatest kindness he could afford her.

With great strength he lifted one of the girls over his shoulder like one would a bag of potatoes, his actions looked rough and uncaring, but she saw the unusual care in his action. How he held the village girl firmly yet with an iota of awareness, while his confident strides remained his movements had subtly lessened and slowed. Perhaps he could've held two of them that way but she already knew why he didn't as his other hand gripped the club once more.

Priestess followed his steps nervously stealing glance her way and it was just as se was about to exit from her sight that she spoke out.

"W-we'll be right back!" It was with a heavy heart that she turned away from her and left after the revenant like man. The wait was long but silent and without disturbance when they returned and as soon as they had come back, they'd taken yet another girl. Priestess spared her a moment of worry coming to her to look her over but at his words she rose and apologized, promising her once more before she left.

Again, they left and returned taking yet another girl away and it was then she felt her heart begin to calm. Perhaps it was with the knowledge that thrice they'd come back no more signs of continued battle clear that seemed to speak of her safety. It was when they came back for the fourth that she gazed upon him once more and could finally regard him as a man instead of a blood-soaked monster. As she watched him pick up the fourth girl, she finally felt the smallest bit comfort at his presence and what it meant.

Priestess regarded the torch before she spoke, how it was near dimmed asking for another to which he complied. With careful action she set the still alit one into the ground casting them in light and used it to light the new one. She then looked to fighter who found herself staring back and, in each other's gaze, each gave a silent thanks. One for sacrificing themselves and another for returning for them. However, the moment was short and soon she left the cavern once more.

Fighter looked to the entrance, regarding it and what it represented, hope, freedom…life.

"…a…ah." However, those thoughts were cut off when from the desolate silence the faintest whimper was heard.

"…ah… ugh…ahh." Those whimpers became groans and with he lights aid Fighter looked to find the other inhabitant of the room, the remaining village girl. She looked to the girl as she groaned and was a bit surprised, after all she had been still for so long before. Even the goblins didn't toy with her however when her groan hitch up even if only slightly, she finally noticed. As she watched her begin to writhe Fighter felt her heartbeat grow in fear, had had she never noticed.

"Agh… Ahh, Ah!" How had she not noticed her swelling belly that now shifted alongside the woman's screams. The light flickered at the scene, but Fighter couldn't notice it as all her attention, all her fear laid before her.

It's okay, you're gonna be okay.

Priestess words came to mind once more as she watched the village girls cries turn into the most suffering wails. She watched as blood began to leak from between her legs, the woman gave one last agonized scream before passing going silent and falling back. Her body no longer spasmed as the tiny mass laid between her legs Fighter looked to it her form trembling in fear.

It was small no bigger than her curled fist with sickly pale green skin peeking out from the gore and yuck coating its form. Through widened and fearful eyes, she watched as the mass shifted in place eliciting small grunts and whines as it did. She watched as it uncurled, and its tiny hand reached out and grew before her eyes. Soon its other hand came out as did the legs and finally she saw them, two small but very clearly hateful tiny amber eyes looked to her.

It looked back to its mother who laid still and growled and in it she could see it contemplating something before it looked back to her. She remembered the trembling children huddling away from the man in fear, how pitiful they looked how helpless and dare she even suggest it but innocent. In this infant she found not even a trace of that nature as I bore its hateful and hungry gaze upon her. It was then she truly understood a goblin's cunning, those children though young understood their peril and acted in way to gain sympathy.

She was sure that just like the infant before her they were not innocent and just as capable and willing to commit evil as their forebearers. They had merely been clever enough to act unlike the hateful little being that struggled to crawl towards her trembling form. In its eyes she saw it, its malice, its hunger and its hate and as the light flickered it came ever closer. and as it shuffled through the floors wet with blood, gore and semen she found herself let struggle to rise, to flee but it was futile.

Her body was worn almost as much as her mind, and it was with great despair that she finally ceased her attempts and wept.

"Twenty-three." But as she laid in that despair, she heard his dull but sure tone and alongside it a powerful crunch of the club slamming into the tiny new form. She looked up wide-eyed and saw as the flames flickered back to life his form, covered in dark leather armor he almost merged with the surrounding black.

Despite his armor his feet made not even the faintest sound. She watched as he rose his club from the broken corpse of the newborn and when he looked up she stared into his glowing scarlet orb. She looked to him and he did much the same before he spoke.

"Is there anymore?" It took a moment for her to realize he was asking her, and though it was weak she put all her power into shaking her head. In response to that he gave only a single nod before turning away.

"Understood." She watched as he made his way to the remaining village girl who laid still, slowly he shuffled through his belt pulling out a ripped piece of parchment. With nimble fingers he placed it to her lips and waited, and upon it shifting ever so lightly he gave another nod.

"Still alive even after birth, fortunate." She watched him pick her up, however unlike before he didn't through her over his shoulder but held her in his arms.

"I'll be back." And as he turned from her, she felt the dark once more encroach, however unlike before she took no solace in his presence vanishing as the gaze of the tiny life remained burned in her mind.

"Pl…plea…sss." He stopped for only a moment but that was all she needed as her trembling hand reached out to him. Throughout the room only the flames flicker and her fresh tears hitting the stained floor elicited sound.

"Tahk… mhe, t, to." He turned to her and his scarlet orbs burned into her obsidian retinas, she did not falter from his gaze. And she knew he saw it, her fears, her pain and what she suffered but what surprised her what she saw as she looked into his eyes. A pain long since ignored and left to fester leaving a broken man that even now was continuing to crack.

"Understood." He didn't give another word to tell his intent and made his way to her, his actions were quick without wasted movement as he tied a rope around her bare form. She ignored that small iota of shame at his seeing her naked form and instead wept tears of relief, relief that he had turned back to her.

"Do not struggle." With practiced movements he pulled her to his back putting his arms through the makeshift strap of rope. She did not need to be instructed and latched on to him with all the strength her form could manage. And it was then as she laid against his cold rimy armor that she looked once more for Priestess.

"She's not here." Fighter looked to I'm with what weak gaze she could and even though she couldn't meet his eyes she was sure he knew her feelings as he explained.

"Your comrade woke up, the Wizard, they're going to the village to gather help for the captives. She wanted to come back, but the other girl was too scared to be left alone." Fighter regarded his words and found her heart filled with a new hope. Wizard had survived… when she saw Priestess with this man without her remaining comrade at her side, she was sure she'd perished. But it seemed he'd reached them in time, they were both alive.

She tried to hold back her sobs at that, at realizing her suffering had mattered, had saved them but her mind was as worn as her body and she could not hold back her tears. She cried, her voice little more than whimpers against his wax treated leather, He did not speak against it and allowed her tears.

And it was as they passed the caverns that they'd been ambushed, as she saw 'his' sword lay on the ground that she finally ceased her tears.

We'll be adventurers, noble and true as knights and save a bunch of people.

Looking to it she recalled his face and choked back her tears as she reached for the blade.

"Don't move." She shifted his weight pulling her back into the fur of his collar with the rope but still, she acted to her desire.

"Please…the sword." He didn't retort or deny her.

"I see." He marched over to the long blade and shifted the other woman's weight before grabbing it. She watched as he examined it over once more.

"A nick and fat… three goblins before he hit a wall, correct?" She didn't answer but she was sure he hadn't expected her to.

"Still good, but not for this place." He sheathed the blade where however it peeked out as its length was longer than the blade the sheath was intended for. She then watched as he stepped forward picking up something before wrapping it in rags and [lacing it in his largest pouch that the vials once occupied.

"This is where you were taken." She did not answer, and she was sure that he knew she wouldn't.

"She said you suffered for them." She trembled.

"I had no choice."

"You did." She stopped.

"You could've cried or begged, instead you told them to leave. It was all you could do, it was enough." His words held no attempts at sympathy or empathy but only truth and perhaps that was why she accepted them so easily. She then cried once more into the rancid fur of his armor's collar and once more he walked forward.

She did not stop until it came into sight, it was so faint but definite, it was light, not the weary light of the flickering flames of a torch but of the sun. And when she looked up she saw it the exit and felt a great pressure leave her. It was as she looked to the encroaching light that she found how tired she truly was, and her eyes grew heavy.

But when they closed for but a moment, she saw them, the hateful ambers of her capturers, of that Hobgoblin but most of all she saw it, the infant. The images made her eyes shot open and her feeble grip tightened by the barest degree, but it was enough for him to notice.

"They are dead." His words brought her back even if only faintly.

"T-they… attacked us."

"I know."

"They butchered him… tore him into pieces…"

"I see."

"And then… then they took me…and, and." His voice cut through her cries and she struggled to speak.

"I've seen it." She stopped and looked to the back of his head.

"From the beginning to the end…I can't understand it, your feelings, your pain." She felt her will flicker at those words from him.

"But…" He turned to her ever so slight just barely enough to be noticed.

"If there are goblins, I will kill them, so rest, if you don't you might die." His words were simple and to anyone but her, they surely would give no solace. But his calm sure voice spoke deep into her, in so many ways it was different from Warrior's but in some way she knew there was the same promised determination and at the moment it was enough.

She found herself exhaustion take hold once more as she slumped forward into him, but even so, she managed her final words.

"Please… keep them away from me…till I wake…please."

"I understand." And it was with those words she succumbed to her exhaustion and the dark took her into its embrace and as it did, she noticed their amber gaze absent from her mind.

So here it is hope you enjoy this, as much as one can enjoy this kind of situation, the premise is simple Wizard survives and Fighter doesn't completely give into despair. At first, it was only gonna be about Fighter living under GS but it was spoiled to me that Wizard has a brother who shows up in Volume 6. So I decided to let her live the idea intrigued me and next thing I know I can't not let her live. Anyways until next time.