POV Rick

  ‘Goblins have to live and die for me and the cause, and I shouldn’t doubt myself huh…sigh…alright, pull yourself together Rick. I can’t have Velora come back to see me as a depressed Goblin. I’ll confront this situation and any situation that comes after it headfirst.’

  “Thank you Jaba for your input, I understand. Thank you for the insight as well Rogu, I needed that. There are some things I don’t necessarily agree with some of it, but I understand where you’re coming from.

  “So, let’s move forward a bit. What do you think about this impending war and the comments from the Serpent. Do you agree with Jaba?”

  The large Goblin paused as if to consider his words for a moment.

  “My Lord, I think Jaba has a point. You should be able to feel it much clearer now. The difference between us and the two Tier 7s who we were just faced with.

  “You might not be able to clearly remember the feeling that came from the Orc in the forest My Lord, but I do. It was no less than the Serpent. It even felt like more than the Serpent at times.

  “There is not a single Goblin Chief in the Dark Lands of Mir, who can defeat that Orc My Lord. Not one. In fact, it would likely take all of them to accomplish that, and a few of them might still die.

  “That’s the difference between the Tiers My Lord. The higher the Tier, the wider the gap. And this is not a gap that can be bridged by just a Tier 2 and 3 Goblins, and a handful of Tier 4s.

  “If we fight this war…a lot of Goblins will die. Though…I am confident in the fact that I can buy you a few seconds to escape…but that will be all that I am capable of.”

  The mood in the conference turned somber as both Rogu and Jaba gave Rick their opinions regarding the potential war that is nearing their doorsteps at each passing moment.

  ‘So, both of them felt this way…yet not only were they willing to fight alongside me in this deadly war. They were willing to die not alongside me…but in an effort to buy me time to escape…’

  “Heh...” Rick let out a seemingly self-deprecating chuckle.

  “My Lord?”

  “…It’s nothing Rogu. I understand. Thank you. Both of you. But I have a request.”

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  Both Rogu and Jaba became even more attentive than they already were.

  “If you truly feel that I’m about to do something stupid. Please tell me. I’m not the smartest Goblin in the world and I’m sure I’ll make plenty of mistakes. So please…tell me.”

  Both Rogu and Jaba hesitated for a bit, Rogu more so than Jaba, but eventually they agreed to do as such.

  “Good. I need to think about all of this for a bit, tell Loruk to wait for me on the eastern side of the Village, I’ll be there in a moment.”

  ‘Watching both Rogu and Jaba leave the room, all I could think about was my foolishness. Not the decision to free all the Goblins in the Plains, but the decision to think I could ever stay here and fight.

  ‘Just how much of an idiot I was to think to think that I could genuinely fight that Orc and protect all these Goblins at the same time.

  ‘And to make things worst…it wouldn’t be just that one Orc coming. There would be hundreds of them.

  ‘Hundreds of Orcs.

  ‘…Alright. That’s enough self-bullying. Rogu is right. I will have tough decisions to make. This won’t be the last time I’ll have to decide something of significant importance for the rest of my race.

  ‘I have to be able to face reality and confront the situation headfirst like I said I would…okay. I’ll go test this power of mine and clear my head for a moment. Then we can decide the way forward. I just wish Velora was here to give some advice…or to talk…’

  ???

  Rick then calmly left the small conference room, which was a bit cramped at his current size, though he wouldn’t complain of course.

  He then quickly strode over towards the eastern side of the village where a dutiful Loruk was standing at attention the entire time.

  The rest of the village had eventually broken out of their staring when Rick entered the conference room, but it almost seemed to pick back the moment Rick came within sight once more.

  Only this time Jaba was able to control himself and then get everyone else to focus on whatever task they were supposed to be doing.

  Ignoring all of that, Rick began making his way east once more.

  If he was going to test his power, then he would test it against foes he once struggled with.

  So, it was only fitting that the first beast he was able to find that caught his attention was another Barclaw.

  Of course, a part of him wondered why Tier 5 Barclaws were so common in the area, but that was only a fleeting thought. He found exactly what he was looking for and he would be able to test himself fully.

  “Loruk. Stay here. Don’t help no matter what.” Rick said to Loruk.

  “Understood My Lord.” Loruk responded without even a hint of hesitation. He had no doubts regarding the outcome of this battle.

  And based on the actions of Rick at the moment.

  Neither did he.

  Rick didn’t bother hiding his presence or trying to sneak towards the beast.

  He just stood up to his full height and began walking with determined steps in the direction of the resting Barclaw.

  Of course, the Barclaw noticed and quickly rose to its feet. Flaring its nostrils in a threatening manner and preparing a charge in the direction of Rick.

  Rick simply smiled. His walk unperturbed.

  And just as the Barclaw began his charge.

  Rick uttered one word.

  “Ruknar”

  Of course, much to Rick’s annoyance and slight embarrassment…nothing happened because he had to click {Yes} to confirm activation…

  Though the second it activated…

  Rick’s Tattoos thrummed with power.

  Echoing loudly in the area.

  Doom!