Chapitre 36: Uncertain Outcome

As Jamie's open challenge rang out, the atmosphere shifted palpably. The seven self-proclaimed monarchs of reality exchanged glances, a mixture of anger and amusement playing across their faces. The golden-bodied goblin, still clutched in Psycho's grasp, watched the scene unfold with wide, tearful eyes.

Anger stepped forward, his face contorted into a sneer. "You've got some nerve, boy. Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"

Jamie met his gaze unflinchingly, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "I know exactly who I'm dealing with. The question is, do you?"

Shame scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're nothing but a lowly human, barely worth our time. We've killed creatures far more formidable than you."

"Is that so?" Jamie replied, his tone deceptively casual. "Then prove it. Show me this great power of reality you claim to possess and boast about it."

The air was filled with tension as the seven monarchs surrounded Jamie. They moved with a fluid grace that betrayed years of combat experience, their eyes glinting with malice and anticipation.

Happiness, his face twisted into a grotesque grin, was the first to strike. He lunged at Jamie with inhuman speed, his fist aimed squarely at Jamie's face. But Jamie was faster. In a blur of motion, he sidestepped the attack, causing Happiness to stumble past him.

"Is that the best you guys can do? None of you are even worth being emblematic of the power of reality you guys claim to be. Ya lot are nothing but lowly ass sucker's!" Jamie taunted, his voice calm and collected.

Enraged by Jamie's nonchalance, Sadness and Hatred attacked in unison. Their movements were a whirlwind of punches and kicks, each blow powerful enough to shatter bone. Yet Jamie moved like water, flowing around their attacks with effortless grace.

As the fight continued, Jamie's true strength began to shine through. He wasn't just evading their attacks; he was analyzing their fighting styles, identifying weaknesses, and formulating a strategy.

Weakness, true to his name, hung back, his eyes darting nervously between Jamie and his comrades. Jamie noted this, filing the information away for later use.

Psycho, still holding the golden goblin, watched the fight with a manic gleam in his eyes. His grip on the small creature tightened, causing it to let out a pained whimper.

The sound caught Jamie's attention, and for a brief moment, his eyes met those of the golden goblin. In that instant, something shifted within Jamie. The detachment he had felt earlier began to crumble, replaced by a fierce determination.

With renewed focus, Jamie went on the offensive. He moved with lightning speed, his fists connecting with devastating force. Anger was the first to fall, a look of shock frozen on his face as he crumpled to the ground.

Shame and Sadness soon followed, unable to match Jamie's superior speed and strength. Hatred put up a fiercer fight, his attacks fueled by rage, but even he couldn't stand against Jamie's onslaught.

As the battle raged on, Jamie's words from earlier echoed in his mind. He had promised to show them what true power was capable of doing, and he intended to keep that promise.

Happiness, his earlier grin replaced by a grimace of pain, attempted a sneak attack from behind. Without even turning around, Jamie caught his fist mid-swing and twisted, sending Happiness flying into a nearby tree with a sickening crunch.

Weakness, seeing his comrades fall one by one, finally overcame his fear and joined the fray. But his attacks were clumsy and predictable, easily deflected by Jamie.

Throughout the fight, Jamie remained acutely aware of Psycho and his captive. He knew he needed to end this quickly to save the golden goblin.

With a much more fierce burst of speed that left his opponents reeling, Jamie unleashed a flurry of attacks. His movements were a blur, his strikes precise and devastating. In a matter of seconds, Anger, Shame, Sadness, Hatred, Happiness, and Weakness lay unconscious at his feet.

Only Psycho remained standing, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and manic excitement. The golden goblin struggled weakly in his grip, its small body trembling with exhaustion and pain.

"Well, well," Psycho cackled, his voice high and unhinged. "Aren't you full of surprises? But you've forgotten one thing, my dear human boy."

With a cruel twist of his hand, Psycho pressed his blade against the golden goblin's throat. "One wrong move, and this little creature's blood will paint the forest floor."

Jamie froze, his mind racing. He had underestimated Psycho's depravity, and now the innocent goblin was paying the price. But Jamie wasn't about to give up.

"You're right," Jamie said, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in his muscles. "I did forget something. I forgot to mention that I'm not just any normal human."

Before Psycho could react, Jamie's form began to shimmer and change. His human disguise melted away, revealing his true form—a majestic wolf, larger and more imposing than any normal creature.

Psycho's eyes widened in shock, his grip on the goblin loosening just enough for Jamie to make his move. In a flash, Jamie closed the distance between them, his jaws clamping down on Psycho's arm.

The blade clattered to the ground as Psycho howled in pain, releasing the golden goblin. Jamie quickly placed himself between the small creature and its tormentor, a low growl rumbling in his chest.

Psycho, clutching his injured arm, stumbled backward. "What... what are you?" he gasped, fear replacing the manic gleam in his eyes.

Jamie shifted back to his human form, his gaze never leaving Psycho. "I am the protector of this forest," he declared, his voice ringing with authority. "And you and your kind are no longer welcome here."

With a final burst of speed, Jamie closed in on Psycho. His fist connected with the man's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious like his comrades.

As the dust settled, Jamie turned his attention to the golden goblin. The small creature was huddled on the ground, its tiny body shaking with fear and exhaustion.

Jamie approached slowly, crouching down to appear less intimidating. "It's okay," he said softly. "You're safe now. They can't hurt you anymore."

The golden goblin looked up at Jamie, its eyes wide with a mixture of fear and wonder. Slowly, hesitantly, it reached out a small hand towards Jamie.

As Jamie gently took the goblin's hand, he felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him. The detachment he had felt earlier was gone, replaced by a fierce determination to protect the innocent creatures of the forest.

"Come on," Jamie said, carefully lifting the golden goblin. "Let's get you somewhere safe."

As they made their way back towards the tribal grounds, Jamie's mind was already racing with plans. The threat posed by these self-proclaimed monarchs of reality was not so greater than he had initially thought.

Their anti-life weapons and ruthless nature should have made them a danger not just to the monsters of the forest but to the delicate balance of the entire ecosystem, yet something felt different while he fought with them; it was as if they were all considerably weaker, too weak indeed.

However, above all, Jamie knew that his actions today were just the beginning. He would need to gather more information, strengthen his alliances, and prepare for the future battles to come involving those monarchs of reality bastards, as he believed they should be far stronger than how easily he fought and defeated them, which was a niggling feeling within. But as he looked down at the small golden goblin nestled safely in his arms, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.

Whatever danger lay ahead, Jamie was ready to face them. He had made a promise to protect this forest and its inhabitants, and he intended to keep that promise, no matter the cost.

As they neared the tribal grounds, Jamie could see Fear and Morona waiting anxiously. Their eyes widened at the sight of the golden goblin, but Jamie shook his head slightly, silently asking them to hold their questions for now.

"Fear," Jamie called out as they approached. "I need you to gather the tribal leaders. We have much to discuss."

Fear nodded, immediately understanding the gravity of the situation. "Right away, master," he replied, quickly disappearing into the forest.

Morona stepped forward, her eyes fixed on the golden goblin. "Is it... okay?" she asked hesitantly.

Jamie nodded, managing a small smile. "It will be," he assured her. "But it needs rest and care. Can you help with that?"

Morona's face lit up at the prospect of being useful. "Of course!" she exclaimed, carefully taking the golden goblin from Jamie's arms.

As Morona hurried off to tend to the injured creature, Jamie turned his attention to the challenges that lay ahead. The encounter with the seven monarchs had revealed a threat far greater than he had initially anticipated. Their possession of anti-life weapons and their ruthless nature posed a significant danger not just to the monsters of the forest, but to the entire ecosystem.

Jamie knew that the coming days would be crucial. He needed to gather more information, strengthen his alliances, and prepare for the battles that were sure to come. The weight of leadership pressed down on him more heavily than ever, but he was determined to rise to the challenge.

As he waited for the tribal leaders to gather, Jamie's mind raced with plans and strategies. He would need to use every resource at his disposal, every ally he had made, to protect the forest and its inhabitants from this new threat.

The sound of approaching footsteps pulled Jamie from his thoughts. He looked up to see Sader and Srides returning, their faces grave.

"Jamie," Srides called out as they drew near. "We have news."

Jamie nodded, gesturing for them to join him. "Tell me everything," he said, his voice low and serious.

As Sader and Srides began their report, Jamie listened intently, his resolve strengthening with each word. The path ahead would be difficult, fraught with danger and uncertainty. But as he stood there, surrounded by his allies and with the weight of the forest's future on his shoulders, Jamie knew one thing for certain.

Whatever it is, they would face them together, and they would not rest until the forest and all its inhabitants were safe once and for all for good.