章 70: Goblin Fortress
At the foot of the mountain was a pass, high rocky outcrops overlooking a narrow path. Mid-way through the pass was a bridge linking the two sides and a shoddily constructed wooden fortress loomed above it.
It was on this bridge Ra had teleported the group to, it swung and shook violently from the sudden weight and creaking sounds could be heard underfoot.
Ra was not bothered by this as he looked at the fortress with a thoughtful expression.
He nodded thoughtfully before turning to take in the appearance of the two kids.
The boy was young but quite strong, no level to speak of, however. The girl was much the same, although she had yet to revive after Ra tried to heal her. Healing wasn't something he was very good at to begin with, and the girl remained unconscious.
Without saying anything he began to walk toward the fortress with the little girl cradled in his arms, the boy followed obediently. Ra cast a side-glance at him and was impressed by the look of fierce determination present on his face. "Kid, what's your name?" The look on the boys face changed as he looked up into Ra's curious gaze with bright eyes. "Lord, this one is named Asytis," he said, and Ra could hear every bit of his 7 years in his unwavering voice. "And her?" he asked, gazing down at the sleeping girl in his arms. "Astrid..." the boy whispered, and his eyes grew wet and Ra could see how much he loved his sister.
"Astrid huh?" and he brushed away the thick brown curls that had fallen over the girls face, he was slightly surprised to find how much alike they were; but only slightly. With such a powerful bond between the two of them it only made sense for the two to be twins.
"Where are your parents?" he directed another question at the boy to distract him, However, this only served to make matters worse.
The boy glanced up at the fortress they were approaching leisurely.
"Goblins killed them," he whispered, and Ra shut his eyes and berated himself for asking such a stupid question. "Lord?" Ra's eyes flew open, the boy was kneeling on the ground, "Lord, are you going to kill these Goblins?" Ra nodded at him, "This place will be your new home, it will be well protected, I promise you." The boy shook his head, "Lord, let me help, please, allow me to have a sword." This did not shock Ra, in fact, this world could be said to have many similar occurrences across the continent, all over the world humans fought lesser creatures. Especially humans untouched by magic as these two were, having never grown up in mana-rich environments they'd never encountered the Dragon magic that would allow them to grow stronger. In the end Ra had to shake his head, "Goblins," he said in a cautionary tone, "are extremely dangerous, recently I've learned of Goblins far more powerful than the weak ones we'll find here, however, these are not to be underestimated." he warned, "Do you know why we haven't managed to wipe out the Goblins?" Asyitis shook his head, "It isn't for any reason you might assume, it isn't because they're strong, or particularly clever, nor is it an unwillingness on the part of those capable of doing so. Merely, it is their tenacity, it is their single-minded goal to exist in any way which pleases them." Ra said gravely. "They are not hard to kill, and they are bare-faced cowards when facing any opponent possessing skill, but when trapped they will fight with a ruthlessness uncharacteristic of their true nature, this is not a fight you are capable of taking on right now." he said gently, "If you want revenge, become stronger, but to become stronger- you must abandon your revenge."
Thick, pungent tears rolled down Asytis' face as he nodded repeatedly, Ra laid a hand on his head and rubbed comfortingly with his thumb.
"Come and watch big brother teach those Goblins a lesson," he said smiling.
Asyitis glanced up with reddened eyes, "Yeah!" and managed a smile through his sadness. "He's still just a kid after all," Ra thought to himself as he led the way into the fortress.
They were standing outside the huge wooden doors now, the doors were crooked and uneven, large gaps were present in the makeshift doors, the wood bound together by lengths of rope as if it had been hastily thrown together.
Ra extended a hand and brilliant white flame instantly consumed the door, not even ashes remained. He walked on and Asyitis followed in awe. Hundreds of Goblins rained down arrows from atop the fortress walls, but these were instantly burned into nothingness mid-flight. Goblins surrounded them on every side, holding small wooden bucklers and rusty, chipped metal swords that looked more like oversized daggers than anything else. The Goblins screamed curses in a strange language as they ran at him with weapons raised, but before they could take more than a few steps they erupted into flame and fell to the ground as charred burned-out husks. The Goblins had either pasty green skin, or earthen brown skin, the only traits they shared with one another was their blank white eyes, and their instant deaths at Ra's hand. Ra slowly made his way through every inch of the fortress, be it Goblin Male, Female, or Child; each was offered a death comparable to that of a King Flame Archfiend, dying in a flaming explosion. Having purified the fortress Ra began to change the structure of the place, making it stronger and more durable, so that Asytis and Astrid would be safe here even after he'd gone.
He turned to Asyitis, "Brother has to leave now, but you can contact me at any time if you need help," he said as he bent on one knee, he glanced around at the white-stone fortress he had created, "I think...we ought to give this place a name, don't you?" he asked beaming at him. Asytis nodded excitedly and began to give it some thought, then his eyes flew wide as he thought of something, "Then, what about White Flame Fortress!" Ra nodded, "That's a good name! From here on out this place shall be known as White Flame Fortress!" he beamed, "And you will be its Lord," he said clapping Asytis on the shoulder, "I know you'll make me proud." he said vigorously and gave his shoulder a small squeeze before he rose again. "Solara," he said, and Solara who had been flying high above White Flame Fortress swooped down and landed gracefully on his shoulder. "Be well," said Ra as he vanished in a burst of white flame. "YES SIR!" Asytis yelled after Ra had gone wiping away the grateful tears welling in his eyes.
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