“To think you would possess healing magic. What is the limitation? Can you restore lost limbs? I would be of great assistance.” Tiaj asks.

  He is not as worried as he seemed a few hours ago.

  “As if we would trust the undead enthusiast.” Meuko says.

  “There is one other reason, beyond my superior information, for keeping me alive. I even made sure to keep it to myself, so as not to entertain the hobgoblins.” Tiaj says.

  “You knew I worked with them because I was forced. You wanted us to take you.” I say.

  “Goblinoids are not known for their leniency towards prisoners. You are my most effective path at a life.” Tiaj responds.

  “What is your other use?” Julie asks.

  “I can study you, Volter. You are the most magnificent specimen of an Empty One the world has ever seen.” Tiaj says.

  “How did you-”

  “Do not insult me. Your magic was not simply suppressed, it was non existent. Yet, you somehow manage to release a surprising amount of magic and divert necromantic energy for yourself. A vessel’s lack of magic miraculously turns into a versatile ability to change magical properties at will. Well, almost at will. This has never been seen from Empty Ones. Alas, you cannot fully control it yet.” Tiaj explains.

  “You know, your pompous air and callous nature would suit you better if you were not held captive.” Sylvar says.

  Tiaj does look funny, being carried by Meuko.

  “How far away are we from the Village?” I ask.

  “From the lake, about half a day. I am afraid we will not be able to rest. Not with that hobgoblin at our backs.” Sylvar responds.

  “Zamayular.” I say.

  “I still do not like being here.” Snaray says.

  “And you still are out of options. We are all going with what we got.” I say.

  We are moving through a forest, cutting straight through for a direct path home.

  “Since you are you, what terrain are we looking forward to?” I ask.

  “This forest for the next two hours, then open plains with a few rocky hills for half an hour. Then, it is just the same forests we are used to, large trees and long, ever winding roots. That is the most straightforward path back home.”

  “And if we avoid the plains and the hills?” I ask.

  “We would have to add hours to our trip, including multiple river crossings and more hostile forests. Tree Beasts reside there.” Sylvar says.

  “How far south are we? I was asleep for a long time before finding the lake.” I ask.

  “I would venture a guess-”

  “Enough of you.” Meuko punches Tiaj, knocking him out.

  “Thanks.” Julie says. “I was getting tired of him.”

  “We do not have any good options. Suggestions?” I ask.

  “We could kill all the hobgoblins and then slowly make our way home.” Meuko says.

  “It might be our only option. What if they are faster than us?” Julie asks.

  “Zamayular has probably informed the Queen of all he learned by know. They can communicate over long distances, like Alayne, so they might have reinforcements. But I do not know what to do. Sylvar?” I ask.

  “Are we certain there is no avoiding a fight? I have faith in our running abilities. We have had plenty of practice by now.” Sylvar says.

  “What if Zamayular is not the one we are running from? What if, since he can communicate over long distances, he just sets up ambushes ahead of us. We cannot run all the way home and risk fighting exhausted but we cannot go slow and risk getting surrounded by multiple forces.” I explain.

  “So, we do both.” Meuko says. “Run across the open plains, then slowly take over the hills. If they attack us near the plains, we avoid them. If they attack us near the hills, we use the location against them.”

  “I guess we have a plan. Somehow, a slightly good one. Let us run, then.” I say, picking up speed.

  The next minutes are hectic, looking around us. Snaray is running next to Sylvar, Julie and I are flanking Meuko. We cannot risk any projectiles hitting Tiaj.

  “Watch your footing.” Sylvar says. “Picking up speed means you are more liable to trip.”

  “Like you said, Sylvar. We have had enough practice.” I respond.

  “I wonder where they are.” Julie says.

  “How long was I unconscious?” Tiaj asks.

  “Keep talking and you will be again.” Meuko says.

  “Noted.” Tiaj responds.

  We run out of the treeline and into the open plains.

  “Behind us.” Snaray says.

  “Do not stop. No matter what.” I shout.

  “I see them.” Sylvar says, loading an arrow.

  “Do not shoot yet. Focus on Meuko’s plan.” I say.

  Sylvar complies, maintaining speed.

  “To our left.” Tiaj says.

  Julie’s side. Ten black goblins, running for us.

  “At least we no longer have to wonder when the ambush is going to happen.” I chuckle.

  “That is not the argument you think it is.” Meuko laughs.

  Right before leaving, we took the short, but vital, time to find our equipment and restock from the bags. Sylvar has all the arrows he needs, Meuko has javelins and Julie has her slingshot. I have my sword, the four throwing knives I could scavenge fast enough, an axe and the Varknife. Snaray grabbed a couple of javelins, along with a mace and a shield.

  We can see the hills but I do not know if we can outrun them for long.

  “They are getting closer.” Snaray says.

  “Of course they are, they are not carrying an old man.” I shout. “Wait, Meuko. Give him to me. Run ahead. Do the ogre thing.”

  “The what?” Meuko looks at me confused, then grins in recognition. “Here you go.”

  Meuko uses magic to enhance her speed, stomping straight ahead of us.

  “Right side.” Sylvar says, shooting an arrow.

  A purple goblin gets hit in the leg, tumbling on the ground and dragging two more goblins with it. Five purple goblins are still chasing us from the right.

  “We have fought worse odds.” I say.

  “And they know that. What else is coming?” Sylvar asks.

  Just once, I would like things to be simple. I just want to go back to my Village. I just want to see my parents again. The kids.

  I look behind us. Zamayular is behind the twenty goblins, running at a slower pace and barking orders.

  He wants to join the fight after we have exhausted ourselves killing some goblins.

  Running while carrying an old man is exhausting, though, so he is making the right call.

  “You are slowing down, Volter.” Julie says.

  I am already tired, apparently. Zamayular will not have to wait long before finishing me off. I wonder where Daldrag is.

  “Julie.” Sylvar shouts, responding to the sound of magic crackling behind us.

  Zamayular lifts multiple rocks from the ground, aiming at us. Julie manages to raise a magical shield in time. The rocks shatter against Julie’s defensive capabilities. How come the hobgoblin is not using more powerful magic?

  “Can you do that thing Eadwald does that kills a bunch of them?” I pant.

  “If you want me to run out of energy before the fight is over.” Julie responds.

  There are a couple of goblins with bows but they are not shooting at us. They are charging us from the left side.

  “Immolate.” Sylvar shouts, shooting a flaming arrow at the goblins assaulting us from the left.

  The arrow hits a goblin, instantly incinerating it, flames bursting around it, scaring the rest of its group.

  “You are almost there.” Julie says, urging me to keep running.

  Before the black goblins can reach me, a stone lands on one of them, reducing it to a bloody pulp. They immediately disperse, dodging Meuko’s projectiles.

  She got there in time. She can send those stones flying further than I remember, using her magic without increasing her size.

  “Everyone has new things.” I say, finally reaching the rocky hill.

  We begin our ascent, as we are surrounded by goblins. Julie uses her sling to hit a goblin. A clean hit, cracking the skull. With my focus on getting to the top of the hill, I cannot count the number of enemies left.

  Sylvar shoots one of his charged piercing arrows, aiming for Zamayular. The bright green energy gets overwhelmed by the pinkish shield that deflects the arrow, sending it off its path.

  “Take cover.” Meuko shouts.

  The goblins finally reach a range for shooting their javelins. A random arrow finds purchase on my leg, before I dive behind a rock. The wave of javelins hits the rocky surface violently.

  Weirdly enough, none land around the place where Julie took cover. I raise my head, only to drop down again before a volley of arrows kills me.

  “They are trying to get Julie. Like they snatched me.” I shout, pulling the arrow out.

  This pain is nothing compared to what I went through in those caves.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “What?” Meuko shouts, raging as she responds at the enemy volleys with a stone.

  “You cannot keep climbing, now that they are in range, it is suicide. Listen to me.” Tiaj says.

  A rock crashing above us interrupts our hasty conversation. Zamayular is trying to pin me and the wizard down.

  “You made a mistake choosing this place as your standing ground.” Zamayular says from a distance.

  “I cannot use my magic, but you can. Absorb it but do not spend it. Channel it into that woman over there. She is your only hope.” Tiaj explains, nodding at Meuko’s direction.

  “If I knew how, I would. Last time I used your magic, I almost killed everyone, remember?” I say.

  “That was magic already refined into necromantic properties. This energy is pure potential, it should not affect you the same way. Do you not want to find out how strong you can be?” Tiaj asks.

  “Do not listen to him, Volter. He is dangerous.” Sylvar shoots an arrow, before being shot by one as well.

  “Sylvar.” Julie shouts, raising a shield in front of her, rushing to help him.

  I throw a knife, killing a black goblin.

  Zamayular sends a deep blue orb of lightning, aiming for Snaray. I cannot reach him in time. Thankfully I do not have to, as Meuko jumps in front of the orb, deflecting it with her body.

  “Big woman. Thanks.” Snaray says.

  “Volter wants you alive.” She responds.

  Snaray throws a javelin, killing a goblin that was trying to climb the rock I now hide behind.

  “You are not that surprised to find yourself hunted down.” Zamayular says.

  “I knew it from the start.” I say, throwing a knife, hitting a goblin in the shoulder.

  “Move higher, Volter. I got you.” Julie says, sliding next to me.

  “Come on, old guy.” I say.

  “Use it now. You need my magic.” Tiaj says.

  Arrows and javelins land on Julie’s protective surface, with no effect.

  “Why do you not just use some of that magic to kill them yourself? These are not suppressive bindings.” I say, realizing what is going on.

  Tiaj grins in response, probably understanding from my expression that I know what he is doing. This is just research to him. In the middle of battle, he is only trying to test me.

  “Fine.” I say, unlocking my magic. “Cover me.”

  Sylvar shoots his three homing magical shards, blowing the leg off of one purple goblin, piercing the heart of another, while the final shard is deflected by Zamayular’s magic.

  “I smell more. Other side of the hill.” Snaray says.

  Of course. Of course they send more. Sylvar is always right.

  “Ideas?” I shout.

  I concentrate on Tiaj’s magic. It flows freely inside his body but with more intensity than how I see it in other people. Is this the threat I felt when I first met him?

  “You are always refining your magic, right?” I ask him. “Always in the middle of some spell but never completing it.”

  “Correct. Use that power. Transfer it to your companions. Preferably, the woman decimating the other goblins. Your Julie has enough of her own.” Tiaj says.

  Multiple magic projectiles crash against Julie’s magic, shattering the protective surface, much to Zamayular’s anger. The goblins responsible for it back off, hiding behind rocks. The rest of the goblins also retreat, regrouping behind multiple points of cover around us.

  “Just give us the girl and the old man. I will let you run freely, Volter.” Zamayular cackles. “Would not want you to relive those painful experiences.”

  A useful reprieve. Unfortunately, while allowing us the much needed second wind, Zamayular is delaying so that his forces can get into a position where they can completely surround us.

  “Sylvar, Snaray. Get to the top, hold that line. The rest of us need to stay here.” I say.

  “Given my magical propensity, should I not stay here to take down the hobgoblin?” Sylvar asks.

  “You are a better fighter than I am, so I need you to help Snaray fight the rest of the goblins off. Now.” I say, grabbing Tiaj.

  “A split mind is ineffective. Focus on nothing else. There is only energy.” Tiaj says.

  “Probably will need an army three times stronger. Want us to wait?” Meuko goads Zamayular.

  Sylvar and Snaray dash up the hill. A single goblin tries to hit them with a bow, only to get impaled by Zeuko’s javelin.

  “Stay safe.” Sylvar says.

  “You too.” Julie responds.

  Zamayular conjures pinkish arcs of lightning, as Julie protects us from the arcane threat.

  “Just die already.” Meuko says, launching a rock against the hobgoblin.

  With a simple wave on his palm, Zamayular shatters the rock before it reaches him. Meuko sends more flying, only to have the same result repeat.

  He is defending and attacking at the same time, like Tiaj. At this rate, we will run out of energy before he does.

  Focus, Volter. We will not run out of magic if I do what I have to.

  “I cannot hold this for long, Volter.” Julie says.

  Meuko drops on her knees, steam coming off her. Holding Tiaj’s wall down took a toll on her.

  “Should not have ignored me for so long, Volter. No more negotiating. I will take all three of you and kill the rest.” Zamayular chuckles.

  I absorb Tiaj’s magic, my forearm getting cut in the process.

  “A violent reaction, but not as self destructive as the rest of the Empty Ones. Interesting. What ability keeps you as stable as you are. How can you hold this magic?” Tiaj asks.

  “Not… Helping.” I shout. “Meuko, grab my hand.” I say.

  Meuko stumbles over to me, trusting in Julie’s ability to keep the intense glowing magic from killing us. Zamayular has excellent control over his magic, so he plans on making us run out of energy. Not if I can help it.

  I grab Meuko’s hand, offering her Tiaj’s magic. Her eyes flash with energy, her muscles get larger and her veins glow with the orange flaming hue of an inviting hearth.

  A javelin flies over us from Sylvar’s and Snaray’s location, landing somewhere randomly. They are also fighting up there. We are being pressed from all sides.

  “I have more I can use. Julie, get here.” I growl, barely holding my body together.

  “Incredible. Not only did you channel my magic, you almost doubled it. Now, even that hobgoblin cannot stand up to you. You should offer the remaining energy you have left, unless you want your body to be consumed.” Tiaj says.

  “My body will most likely blow up. Violently.” I growl.

  “I am not exactly in a good position here.” Julie says.

  “I got it.” Meuko says, jumping off the side of the hill, growing larger yet again.

  Zamayular focuses on Meuko now, fighting her with everything he has. Lightning bounces off her shimmering body, while her attacks are stopped by Zamayular’s intense magic. They are having a fist fight, as the goblins cower away from the sudden show of Meuko’s force.

  “Come on.” I beg, my face cut all over.

  The magic is finding ways to hurt my body, as arms and legs are bleeding.

  “You will be fine.” Julie grabs my hand, healing me and powering herself up at the same time.

  My body reconnects all the parts that were split up, as Julie glows with energy.

  “A renowned individual’s magic, refined for decades, feels different, does it not?” Tiaj chuckles.

  “We can fight now. Thanks, Volt.” Julie says.

  Both of us breathe easier knowing that Meuko is handling Zamayular. The feeling does not last long. We look as Zamayular uses his technique to shut down Meuko’s magic, as multiple goblins rush them, intent on stabbing Meuko to death.

  How could I forget about this ability, now of all times?

  “No.” I shout, running towards them with a renewed body.

  The goblins pile on Meuko, stabbing her with their knives, impaling her legs with javelins. Meuko wails as she feels these weapons cut her down without any protective magic. For the first time in my life, my big sister is just as weak as everyone else.

  A golden rope swipes at them, killing two of them, while the others roll away. The opening is enough for me to reach Meuko, swiping at Zamayular with my Varknife. He dodges, giving enough time to the rest of the goblins to now attack me. With one arm, I grab a javelin that a goblin is holding, tossing it into another goblin, simultaneously stabbing a third one with my Varknife.

  A couple of them manage, however, to stab me with their spears. Only one of the weapons penetrates my armor but the collective force is enough to push me down. A struggle ensues, as the goblins try stabbing me again while I roll left and right, grappling whoever I can and stabbing them as fast as possible.

  “Get off her.” Julie says, charging Zamayular.

  “What are you doing?” I shout, a spear impaling my leg on the ground.

  I grab a goblin and headbutt it, immediately knocking it out. Three left. I have to finish this off quickly. I need to get to Julie. I deflect a sword thrust with my bracers, grabbing the goblin’s head and running it through its own sword’s hilt, jaw hanging loosely, blood running down my face.

  Two left. One goblin leaves the spear embedded into my left thigh, grabbing a dagger and slashing my right leg. The other goblin tries slashing my chest with its claws, using its friend hanging from its own sword as cover.

  I swiftly grab the goblin trying to cut up my chest and throw it at the one holding the dagger. They land on the ground together, giving me a great opportunity.

  Screaming with rage, I pull the spear out of my leg with all the power I can muster inside my body. This pain is nothing. Nothing. A couple of goblins will not stop me now. Not after everything I have been through. I throw the spear with enough strength that it penetrates both goblins, stuck between them. They jerk into a final spasm, right before dying.

  No goblins left.

  I try getting up, only to realize that my legs are too injured for me to charge ahead with my usual speed.

  “Should have kept your range.” Zamayular says, charging Julie’s staff with his own energy.

  Julie is paralyzed by the lightning, dropping on her knees. Zamayular grabs her by her shirt, punching her in the face and breaking her nose.

  “I will kill you.” Julie growls, attempting one of Eadwald’s moves with her newly acquired magical resource.

  Before the multiple glowing arrows can launch against our enemy’s back, Zamayular forces Julie’s magic to shut down. Meuko cannot move, on account of being held still by multiple weapons. There is not enough room for her to maneuver out of them. Even while bleeding out, she still tries to fight for others.

  “No.” Meuko says, blood running down her mouth.

  Zamayular grabs Julie by the waist, carrying her on his shoulder. She is unable to move, held in place by his magic suppressing technique.

  “There is no trusting those fools to grab all of you, so you will have to wait. See you soon.” He grins at me, running away.

  Not again. We cannot lose another person.

  “Julie.” Sylvar shouts from the top of the hill, as goblins swarm him.

  He slides down the hill but cannot escape the multiple goblins that lunge at him, even with Snaray’s cover. A spear runs through Snaray, as he is biting the neck of its wielder off.

  Sylvar uses his axes to clear the horde, Snaray covering his back despite his wounds. Both of them have wounds all over their body, bleeding and bruising.

  “Meuko.” I say, removing two spears from her stomach.

  “I cannot. I cannot chase him, Volt.” Meuko says, her voice tattered from all the injuries, spitting all the blood that is pooled in her mouth.

  “I know. So, toss me. With everything you have. Now.” I shout, removing the final spear holding her legs down.

  With no time to think, Meuko runs on sheer instinct, wounds covering most of her body. They only worsen as she runs whatever magic she has left through her, the tension stretching every injured part of herself. I put one leg on her hands, bleeding as well. We are in a bad shape but it does not matter.

  “You better get her.” Meuko screams, growing large for the split second that she throws me after Zamayular.

  She drops to the ground, losing her bigger form. I have to be quick about this. She is dying within a minute.

  The pain runs through me like a cold shock. I hear the muscles of my leg tearing apart after being thrown with such ferocity, but at least they hold on long enough for me to fly straight at the hobgoblin.

  All the options are going through my head midair. I only have one shot at this. I can feint an overhead strike, then use my magic to blast me under Zamayular’s sight, killing him by stabbing his heart.

  I do not have any magic available. I feel it.

  I cannot do anything. He can blast me away with his magic.

  Wait. That is it.

  “Die, hobgoblin.” I shout, readying my Varknife.

  Come on, hobgoblin. Prove you are better. Come on. I know I cannot kill you but show it to me.

  “You first.” Zamayular responds, finally showing his frustration about me being kept alive.

  The sorcerer hobgoblin raises his free hand, sending a wave of charged energy at me. A beam of pink light, with blue fiery chains running around it.

  I knew it. All that pompous air was for show, appearing superior to Daldrag. There is no way he did not mind my escape. A human, escaping the Queen’s prison. His anger surpasses his logical thinking for the most vital second of this fight.

  The destructive spell hits me midair, as the only thing standing between me and certain death is the Varknife. Blago’s weapon withstands the initial blow, absorbing part of the energy inside it. My arms catch fire on certain parts, but I hold my own against Zamayular’s magic long enough for my plan to work.

  Julie releases her own magic, finally able to use it. She creates a defensive dome, this time originating from her own body, instead of raising it from the ground.

  Zamayular realizes his own mistake too late, the force of the dome’s activation strong enough to blow away the arm holding Julie. He is sent flying, landing violently on the ground, skidding with enough blood loss that it trails all the way from his original position.

  The purple hobgoblin screams in pain, looking at Julie with lethal intent. His objective changes from capture to obstacle removal in the blink of an eye, realizing that he has to go all out to beat her. He raises one arm, lightning running between his claws. The muscles flex, as magic particles gather in front of him in an orb of blue, pink and black magical lines, all tangled with one another.

  I shout, throwing the charged Varknife at Zamayular. One distraction freed Julie, who gives me an opening.

  He reinforces himself with his magic but it is not enough. The thrown knife pierces through his defense, his own magic blowing him up, sending bits and pieces everywhere. Some fleshy clumps land against Julie’s dome, which disappears as soon as the hobgoblin’s parts fall on the ground.

  Zamayular is no more and the Queen’s Guard is weaker for it.

  Julie covers herself with a faint blue light, her magic pushing her forward at incredible speed. This is new.

  “Meuko, befo-”

  For the first time since knowing her, Julie sends her warm, healing magic from a distance, as a globule of green light disperses into a curtain, covering me. The arcane fires covering me are quickly put out and all my wounds heal simultaneously.

  Tiaj’s magic has given her newfound potential, strengthening her own energy. Julie’s legs slide on the ground, glowing with energy. I follow right behind her, even if her speed is greater than mine in this moment. I am still tired but I have to do all I can.

  Meuko stands up, her body pressed against a large rock. This woman is incredible. One of the goblins our other two allies are fighting breaks off its group, lunging at Meuko.

  Julie sends another globe, this time fiery red, enveloping Meuko and healing her in an instant. Meuko, pleasantly surprised, simply grabs the enemy goblin by the neck and separates the head from the body, passing out right after the kill.

  I slide over a dead body, grabbing the bow and the arrows. It might be pretty short for me but I am used to bows now.

  With the newfound ammunition, I start taking down a couple of goblins, helping Sylvar and Snaray.

  Julie uses her golden rope, using one hand to guide it against the goblins, while sending healing globules at our elf and our allied goblin with the other.

  “Keep one alive.” I say, checking on Meuko. “Come on, woman. Move.”

  I check her pulse. Steady, at the proper pace that Julie showed me. Good. Great. She is just passed out from the exhaustion.

  The rest of the goblins are quickly overpowered, between Sylvar’s chain of attacks and Julie’s overpowering magic. Snaray grabs a pink goblin and ties it down.

  They do not have the time to even turn around and retreat, body parts flying everywhere. Heads are smashed across rocks, torsos are cleaved in half, entire limbs are blown apart.

  The deafening silence of the combat’s aftermath is broken by Tiaj’s exhausted panting. I used the entirety of his magic so even he contributed to this fight. I have to admit that.

  “So, how do we proceed from here on?” Tiaj asks.

  I wonder how.