As the mace came crashing down, time seemed to slow for Ralph.

  Everything moved like molasses—each breath stretched into eternity.

  Ralph: "I can’t let it hit her... But I can’t block it either. I need to deflect it!"

  His hammer pulsed, its violet glow intensifying—brighter, stronger. With a desperate swing, he struck the side of the mace.

  CLANG—!

  The force deflected the attack, sending the mace slamming into the ground.

  BUSH—!

  A cloud of dust erupted. When it settled, Ralph and Jade were gone.

  The goblin commander’s brow furrowed in confusion.

  Then—

  Swish—

  Pain exploded through his leg.

  The commander dropped to one knee.

  Commander Goblin: “Hu—Me… can’t move…”

  He looked down. Blood poured from his Achilles tendon—an arrow had torn through it.

  From the smoke, Jade stepped forward, arms spread wide.

  Jade: “Here, hit me now!”

  She taunted him, her smirk sharp as a blade.

  Commander Goblin: “Rahr—!”

  He roared, wrenching at his mace—

  BUSH—!

  The weapon was stuck, buried in the dirt.

  Before he could react—

  THUD!

  A devastating blow crashed into his upper back. His face slammed into the ground.

  Dazed, he looked up.

  The last thing he saw—

  Two glowing purple eyes.

  SQUASH—!

  Ralph: “Ah… ah… I... need to... sit down for a bit…”

  Sitting down, he saw his hammer buried in what moments ago was a goblin, now just crimson dust.

  Jade (running out of the bushes): “Ralph, are you okay?”

  Ralph: “Ye… ye... I can’t breathe, okay? My throat is burning, it feels like my arm’s gonna fall off.”

  Jade: “By the gods, is there even a tooth left in that thing?”

  Ralph: “Let... me see.” He pulled his hammer out of the goblin’s head, now painted in a new shade of crimson red.

  Jade: “Ow, there’s a tooth...” She picked something out from Ralph’s hammer, grimacing.

  Ralph: “Ugh, don’t remind me.” He tried to get up but had to sit back down, gasping for air.

  Jade knelt beside him, her tone softening. “You did good, Ralph. But I think you need a rest. You look like you’re about to pass out.”

  Ralph: “I—yeah...” He wiped the sweat from his brow, his hands trembling slightly. “Just need a minute…”

  Jade (grinning): “Well, at least we can finally get a break. Don’t make me carry you back to the guild, though.”

  Ralph: “I’m not going anywhere anytime soon…” He let out a weak chuckle.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Jade: “Fair enough.”

  After some rest, they returned to the guild with three kills—two goblins and one commander.

  As they approached the balcony, Linda spotted them and waved enthusiastically.

  Linda: "Hello, guys! You didn’t die, that’s good! So, what did you bring me?" Her head swiveled left and right, trying to catch a glimpse of what Ralph was holding.

  As Ralph opened his hand, two small teeth fell out.

  Linda: "That’s it? I was expecting more from you two—humph!" She crossed her arms, pouting.

  Ralph smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Hum... more, you say? How about this?" He pulled out a tooth the size of his hand, dropping it with a loud clunk onto the table.

  Linda froze, her eyes widening as she took in the tooth. Her hands fidgeted together nervously. "I-is that a commander goblin tooth?"

  Ralph: "Yes, it is! Isn't it great? We're getting fourteen gold pieces total." He grinned from ear to ear, clearly pleased with himself.

  Linda: “Okay… let me just write this down then…” Her hands trembled slightly as she wrote it down.

  Jade (raising an eyebrow): “Is everything alright, Linda? You seem kind of bothered by it.”

  Linda jolted a bit before looking up at Jade. “No… it’s just that I wasn’t expecting you to even find one.”

  Ralph: “But I thought it was a good thing. Less of a strong creature in the forest now. The town is safer.”

  Jade: “Yes, Ralph, but commander goblins mean they were planning something—maybe to attack a small village, since they can’t get to the town.”

  Linda: “Exactly. That’s why I’m writing this down. We’re sending a team to retrieve the body and do some reconnaissance.”

  Linda: “Anyways, guys, thank you for that. Here’s your fourteen gold pieces.” She dropped the bag into Ralph’s hand.

  Jade: “Great, we can get one month of housing at the Inn now.”

  Ralph slightly elbowed Jade in the arm.

  Jade: “Hey, what is—” As she scanned around, she realized some of the guild members were quickly glancing at them.

  Linda: “Don’t worry, Jade. News travels fast here. Like, really fast.”

  So, they went back to the Inn. Upon entering, the smell of food and the loud evening rush greeted them. As soon as they popped in the door, a waiter stopped them, holding two piping hot plates of crab meat in hand.

  Waiter: “You two just find somewhere to sit, and I’ll get to you shortly.” He drifted off to tend to the other guests.

  Ralph: “I’m starving. We haven’t eaten for a few days now.”

  Jade: “Me too. I’m starting to get a bit out of it. And we almost got killed back there. Look, there’s a table over there.”

  So, the two sat down to eat, and the waiter came rolling over to them.

  Waiter: “So, what can I get for the lady and gentleman? Maybe a beer to start? Our selection is made here in the city.”

  Jade: “I’ll have rabbit soup with bread and a glass of wine. He can’t have alcohol—he’s not over 18 yet.”

  Ralph: “I’ll have a steak with some rice and orange juice, I guess.”

  Waiter: “Okay, noted. I’ll be right back with your order.” He ran off to the kitchen.

  Ralph: “Hey, why say I’m 16? I was looking for that sip of freedom.”

  Jade: “Because no, you’re not over age yet. So, you’re not drinking, Ralph.”

  Ralph: “What about you? How old are you, Jade?”

  She jolted a little.

  Jade: “It isn’t nice to ask the age of a maiden, but I don’t look a day over 23. That’s all I’m saying.”

  Ralph: “Uhm—okay, maiden…”

  Jade proceeded to kick Ralph in the leg.

  Ralph: “Hey, I was joking… So, Jade, this might not be the best moment, but what was my mom like? I mean, you said you were her best friend, and she was gone when I was really young, so I don’t remember her well.”

  Jade: “She was a nice person, Ralph. Calm and hot-blooded at the same time. She hated senseless violence so much, she became a healer. We met in the same village. We were the same age, played together, but one day we had to run away when our houses burned down, or the village was set ablaze…” As she said this, her left hand moved up to her ear.

  Ralph: “Hey, you don’t need to tell all of it now.”

  Jade: “Don’t worry, I’ve gotten over it—”

  Crash–!

  ???: “What the hell do you think you’re serving me? This is raw! You gave me raw!”

  A tattooed guy was harassing the waiter, breaking plates over his food.

  Waiter: “Sir, I can’t see it. It looks medium-rare to me.”

  Tattooed Guy: “Oh, you don’t see it? Let me show you then!” He grabbed the waiter by the neck and slammed his face into the plate. “Can you see it now? Huh? Can you?” Suddenly, a hand gripped his wrist.

  Ralph: “Let him go. This isn’t worth it.”

  Tattooed Guy: “Hey, who left their kid unsupervised? Come get him before I bust his little eyes!”

  Ralph strengthened his grip, and the tattooed guy let go.

  Tattooed Guy: “Oh, you think you’re tough? Let’s see if you’re really tough then!”

  He threw a hook at Ralph’s face, but Ralph weaved backward, avoiding it.

  Tattooed Guy: “Kid’s got moves. I like it.”

  Ralph closed in and hit him with a one-two overhead punch to the face, sending the tattooed guy wobbling backward.

  Tattooed Guy (wiping blood from his mouth): “You made me bleed, kid! If your parents aren’t gonna give you manners, I will!” He pulled out a dagger.

  But before he could do anything, Jade fired an arrow that pierced the dagger under the handle, pinning it against the wall.

  Tattooed Guy: “Hey, lady, don’t get—”

  Ralph: “You talk too much while you fight, you know?” He gave the guy a hook to the chin, knocking him over the table and effectively knocking him out.

  Ralph: “Hey, waiter, are you okay?” He put his hand on the waiter’s shoulder.

  Waiter: “Yes, yes, I’m fine. This isn’t the norm for this place, but the owner’s out. What about that guy? Is he okay?”

  The tattooed guy was snoring in a pile of bean soup, broken glass, and spilled wine.

  Ralph: “Did I overdo it?”

  Jade: “No... no, you did enough. He was being an ass. You stepped in. Great job.”

  Ralph: “No, I definitely overdid it. Look at him, he’s clearly drunk.”

  Waiter: “Just leave him there. The city guards normally come here at this time. They’ll take care of him. Would you two prefer to eat in your room if you’re looking for one?”

  Jade: “I believe that would be best. Yes, a two-bed bedroom would be perfect.”

  Waiter: “I believe room 218 is free. It’s upstairs. I’ll bring your food up shortly. Let me just wipe this mess.”

  Their room was quite empty. It reminded Ralph of his room at home, just smaller. The two ate their food. After eating, Ralph took his mother’s picture from his backpack and placed it near his bed.

  Jade: “Ah, you really did bring it.”

  He rolled over to bed, exhausted from their recent adventures.

  Ralph: “Laying in a real bed is the best feeling ever, Jade. I had it all, you know? I had food when I wanted, I slept when I wanted. Now I need to fight to eat and pray for a time to sleep.”

  Jade: “Yes, and yet you’ve grown a lot in just a few days, Ralph. More than in a long time.”

  Ralph got under the covers. “Sure, Jade, I have. But I know this is just the beginning, so I will sleep. I know tomorrow will be harder. Goodnight.”

  Jade: “It will be harder, but sleep well for today.”