Astralyth Online

Chapter 28 – Goblin Fight

Madelyn glanced at her friends as they reached the edge of the field. The pungent stench of goblins filled the air, a foul mix that made her fox-like nose wrinkle in disgust. The creatures were scattered across the farm, tormenting the livestock and causing chaos. She took a deep breath, her sharp ears picking up the distressed bleats and whinnies from the penned animals. Turning to her friends, she asked, "Okay, what's the plan?" hoping they had some strategy in mind.

Seraphina's hand shot up eagerly, her face lit with excitement. "We go in, wands blazing! Quick, easy, and fun!" She grinned, practically bouncing on her heels.

Madelyn couldn't help but smile, but Davrus rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "Running in without a plan? That's a good way to get ambushed. Let's observe their behavior first. Figure out how they're moving, where their attention is focused. It's smarter to wait and take advantage of any gaps."

Jaemir nodded, adjusting his bow. "I'm with Davrus, more or less. I can pick them off from a distance, keep them distracted or thin their numbers before we all go in. Keeps things safer, and we don't waste energy fighting them all at once."

Madelyn considered their options, appreciating how each friend's approach fit their personalities perfectly. Her tail swished thoughtfully behind her. "Lily, what do you think?"

Lily shrugged, her gentle smile reassuring. "I'm good with whatever the group decides. I'll just stay close enough to keep everyone healed."

Madelyn took a moment, glancing back at the goblins who were tearing into barrels of supplies and chasing the frightened livestock. Her keen eyes caught sight of a goblin pulling at a cow's tail, making it bellow in fear. The sight ignited something within her—a protective instinct she hadn't fully realized before.

She could feel the weight of her friends' eyes on her, waiting for her to decide. "Alright," she said, her voice steady, surprising even herself. "Let's combine our ideas. Jaemir, you can start with a few long-range shots to see how they react. If it looks safe, Seraphina and I will move in. Davrus, you can handle any goblins that get too close, and Lily, stay ready to heal."

Seraphina's eyes sparkled. "Now that sounds like a plan!"

Jaemir gave a thumbs-up, notching an arrow. "I'm on it."

The group settled into position, Davrus standing protectively near Lily while Seraphina crouched beside Madelyn, clearly impatient to get started. Madelyn's heart beat faster as she gripped her weapon ring, her senses sharpening. The smell of goblins was stronger now, a sour odor that made her want to wrinkle her nose. But beneath that, she could detect the earthy scent of the farm, the hay, and the frightened animals.

Jaemir took aim, his bowstring taut, and with a steady breath, he released the arrow. It whistled through the air, striking the nearest goblin square in the shoulder. The creature let out a sharp yelp, stumbling back as it clutched at the wound, its high-pitched shriek alerting a few others nearby.

"Let's go!" Madelyn whispered to Seraphina, her excitement building. They dashed forward, keeping low as Jaemir fired another arrow, taking out a goblin creeping toward them.

Seraphina's hands crackled with energy, her eyes lit with excitement. "Time to show these goblins what we've got!"

Madelyn grinned, feeling her nerves settle as they approached the goblins. Her fox ears twitched, picking up every sound—the rustling of hay, the scuffling feet of the goblins, the distressed calls of the animals. She was in her element.

Madelyn sprinted toward the farm, her mind racing as she considered her options. What weapon would work best against a group of goblins? Her heart pounded as she envisioned cleaving through several of them at once, the thrill of wielding something powerful in her hands. She knew the weapon ring was versatile, and she'd already tried several transformations—but now was the perfect time to experiment with a larger, sweeping weapon.

Maybe something like a greatsword or a battle axe, she thought, picturing the sheer force it would provide. She focused, her hand tightening on the ring as she conjured the image of a battle axe in her mind, visualizing every detail—the weight of the weapon, the broad, curved blade, and the sturdy handle.

A warm tingling spread from the ring, and she felt the familiar transformation as it shifted and extended in her grip. A large battle axe materialized in her hands, its blade gleaming in the sunlight. It was heavier than her usual choices, but as she adjusted her stance, she felt a rush of confidence. This will do just fine.

Ahead of her, the goblins were reacting to the commotion, screeching and stumbling over one another. Jaemir's arrows whizzed through the air, picking off a few on the outskirts and keeping their attention scattered. Seraphina, a few paces ahead, grinned back at Madelyn, her hands already glowing with a faint purple energy as she prepared her spells.

"Nice choice!" Seraphina called, nodding toward the axe. "Bet they won't know what hit them!"

Madelyn smirked, her confidence growing. With a deep breath, she raised the battle axe, charging toward a small cluster of goblins that had begun to gather, clearly uncertain about which intruder to attack first. Their wide-eyed expressions only fueled her determination.

She swung the axe in a broad arc, its weight giving her strike a powerful momentum. The blade cleaved through the first goblin, sending it tumbling backward, and grazed another as it scrambled out of the way. The sheer force of the swing surprised even her—it felt as though the axe were an extension of herself, a natural tool in her hands.

The goblins shrieked, some scattering in panic, while a few braver ones gripped their crude weapons tighter, lunging toward her. She sidestepped nimbly, her movements swift and graceful. Each motion felt instinctive, her body reacting before her mind could catch up. She was a whirlwind of motion, her fiery red hair streaming behind her like a dancing flame.

Seraphina joined in beside her, flinging small bursts of energy that knocked the goblins off balance, their small forms tumbling and stumbling. Madelyn's fox tail flicked behind her, helping her maintain balance as she spun and struck, her senses heightened.

One goblin managed to get close, its beady eyes glinting with determination as it swung a jagged dagger. Madelyn parried with the axe handle, her reflexes kicking in as she followed up with a swift strike, taking it down before it could recover. The stench of the goblin was overwhelming this close, but she pushed past it, her focus unbroken.

She noticed Davrus wading into the fray, his shield raised as he intercepted another group of goblins, his sturdy form holding them back effortlessly. Lily stood a safe distance away, her hands glowing faintly as she prepared to heal any injuries, her watchful gaze flicking between them all.

Madelyn felt a surge of pride, realizing how seamlessly they worked together, each friend falling into their role as if they'd done this a hundred times before. With another swing, she sent two goblins sprawling, their shrieks filling the air. This is it, she thought, a thrill of excitement flooding her. Our first real fight—together.

Madelyn moved through the chaos like a whirlwind, her battle axe swinging in powerful, sweeping arcs. She ducked, spun, and leaped, every strike connecting with a goblin and sending it sprawling to the ground. There were definitely more than the twenty goblins they'd counted earlier, but she barely registered the extra numbers, too caught up in the thrill of combat.

Her fox instincts took over completely. She moved with a speed and agility that surprised even herself, her ears twitching to catch the slightest sound, her tail aiding in quick pivots and sudden changes in direction. She felt more alive than ever, each heartbeat echoing the rhythm of the fight.

One goblin lunged at her from the side, and she swung her axe around, catching it with a satisfying crunch. Another came from behind, and with a quick pivot, she took it down in one clean motion. The rush of battle sent adrenaline flooding through her veins. Her world shrank to the rhythm of her movements—the weight of the axe, the satisfying feel of her strikes, the endless stream of goblins that seemed to materialize in front of her.

But then, a sudden shout broke through her focus.

"Madelyn! Watch out!" It was Jaemir's voice, sharp with urgency.

She snapped her attention back to her surroundings, realizing with a start that she'd drifted too far from the others, surrounded now by a fresh wave of goblins. For a split second, her heart raced with alarm as she caught sight of Jaemir, arrows flying from his bow as he tried to cover her from a distance.

A few feet away, Seraphina was fending off another small group, her hands glowing with crackling energy. "Maddy! Stay with us!" she called, her tone more concerned than Madelyn had ever heard it.

Madelyn blinked, her breath quickening as she noticed just how many goblins were closing in on her. She had been so caught up in the fight, so lost in the rhythm of it, that she hadn't realized how far she'd ventured from her friends. The goblins around her had noticed, too, their small eyes glinting as they circled her, brandishing crude weapons.

"Right," she muttered, tightening her grip on her axe, her heart pounding for an entirely different reason now. She took a steadying breath, her gaze darting between her friends and the goblins closing in around her.

But just as panic began to creep in, she felt a calming presence at her back. Davrus had charged through the mob, his shield raised as he barreled toward her side. "Let's not make this a solo adventure, yeah?" he grunted, positioning himself protectively beside her. His solid presence gave her the boost she needed, and she grinned, nodding in gratitude.

With her friends rallying around her, Madelyn felt her confidence return, her focus widening to include the group once more. They were all in this together—and that, she realized, made all the difference.

With Davrus by her side, Madelyn found her footing again, her swings steadier, more controlled. The goblins, realizing they were outmatched, began to falter. Their shrieks of panic filled the air as they scattered, some dropping their crude weapons in their scramble to escape.

As the last few goblins fled into the distant trees, the group stood victorious, weapons at the ready, but none of them moved to pursue. They exchanged triumphant looks, each one catching their breath, hearts still racing from the excitement of battle.

Then Seraphina broke the silence with an enthusiastic whoop. "Yes! We did it! First group quest complete!" She pumped her fists in the air, her elation contagious.

Madelyn laughed, feeling a thrill of accomplishment coursing through her as her tail swished excitedly behind her. She felt alive in a way she hadn't felt in a long time. The sense of teamwork, the camaraderie—it was everything she'd missed and more.

Jaemir flashed her a grin, holding up his hand for a high five. "Nice moves out there, Maddy! You were like a dancing flame with that axe!"

Madelyn grinned back, slapping his hand with satisfaction. "Thanks! And your aim was amazing. You covered me more times than I realized."

Lily, her green skin faintly glowing from the adrenaline, came over and gave Madelyn a gentle fist bump. "You were incredible. I've never seen anyone move like that. It's like you were born for this."

Davrus gave a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Just don't go running off on your own again," he teased, his voice warm. "But seriously, you're stronger than you look."

Madelyn nodded, still a bit sheepish but glowing from the praise. "I got carried away. I guess my instincts took over," she admitted, her fox ears twitching slightly.

Seraphina bounced over, pulling Madelyn into a quick hug. "I think we've got a legend on our hands!" she said, laughing. "Madelyn, the Flaming Fox of the Battlefield! Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?"

Madelyn laughed, feeling her cheeks warm. "Only if you're all there with me," she replied, her gaze drifting over each of them. They had all fought together, had each other's backs, and that was what made their victory so satisfying.

The group fell into a round of laughter and cheers, exchanging fist bumps and high fives, their spirits high. The triumph wasn't just in defeating the goblins but in experiencing it together, their first quest a memory they knew would stick with them.

As they caught their breath, Jaemir slung his bow over his shoulder, flashing the others a grin. "Alright, so... who's ready for the next adventure?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.

"Always," Davrus replied with a smirk, adjusting his shield.

Madelyn felt a spark of excitement flare again, her earlier nerves all but forgotten. She looked over at her friends, her heart swelling with gratitude and pride. "Let's see what else this world has to offer," she said, her voice steady with anticipation.

Together, they turned back toward the village, laughter and chatter filling the air as they headed off, already eager for the next adventure awaiting them.

As they walked back toward the village, Madelyn finally took a look at her notifications. She hadn’t realized during the intensity of the battle, but the game had automatically tucked multiple 'Goblin defeated' notifications out of sight as they fought. With a thought, her profile appeared, and she felt a rush of excitement as she scanned through the details.

Profile:
Name: Madelyn Fae
Level: 9
Race: Foxkin
Class: [GL!TC#D_ER!@R] (Unreadable, glitching text)
Age: 16
Sex: Female

Vitality:
Health: 270/270 (+30)
Mana: 140/140 (+10)

Stats:
Strength: 21 (+2)
Constitution: 20 (+1)
Dexterity: 34
Intelligence: 18
Wisdom: 19
Charisma: 20

Madelyn’s eyes widened. She had leveled up eight times already since she started. The health and mana boosts felt like a satisfying reward for her first level ups, and the higher Dexterity explained why she’d felt so agile, almost instinctively darting through goblins with grace.

The glitching text under “Class” was still a mystery, but her instincts seemed stronger than any skillset she’d had before.