The goblins dragged through the dense forest, their guttural voices echoing between the gnarled trees.
Their claws bit into my arms as they shoved forward, but I kept my face blank, refusing to show any sign of fear or discomfort.
After what felt like hours, we erged into a small clearing where a jagged cave mouth lood ahead.
The air reeked of rot and damp earth, and faint sounds, the clang of tal, filtered out from within.
The goblins barked at each other in their harsh, guttural language as they shoved inside.
As we got closer, faint murmurs and groans reached my ears, growing louder with every step.
The cave was dimly lit by flickering torches stuck into the ground.
The walls were rough and damp, their surfaces glistening with moisture.
The space was alive with the unsettling hum of goblin activity.
Dozens of them milled about, so sharpening crude weapons while others rummaged through piles of stolen goods.
The cave’s entrance was guarded by two hulking goblins, each clutching spears that looked like they had been cobbled together from scrap tal and bones.
Their sharp eyes darted over as I was shoved past them, their guttural growls mixing with the distant sounds of crying and muffled pleas.
Inside, the dim light revealed a grim scene.
People were huddled together against the rough stone walls.
So wore tattered military uniforms, their insignias barely visible under layers of gri, their weapons long since stripped away.
They where soldiers.
Others looked like civilians, likely from the outer settlents, n, won, and even a few teenagers.
They were dressed in worn, patched clothes, the type you’d expect from those living in the outer settlents.
Their faces were pale, their eyes wide with terror.
Their eyes darted around nervously, flinching every ti a goblin passed too close.
But one thing kept wondering, I didn’t see any awakened among them...
The goblins must have probably killed them on the spot.
Because an awakened would be difficult to contain, even to be killed by re goblins.
That must be the reason the goblins ambushed and kill awakened strategically.
Or rather yet...
There is a goblin or orc among them who has awakened powers too.
I was thrown to the ground near the group, my knees hitting the rocky surface hard.
My hands were still bound, the rough rope digging deeper into my wrists.
I winced but kept my expression neutral.
A soldier near , his face gaunt and streaked with dirt, glanced my way briefly before looking away.
No one said a word, the air was thick with despair and exhaustion.
I sat cross-legged, my hands still bound, and leaned back against the damp wall.
The goblins gathered near the entrance, their voices rising and falling in an incomprehensible rhythm.
They seed agitated, their gestures quick and aggressive.
One of them, a larger goblin with a scar running across its face, seed to be giving orders while the others scurried to obey.
The others nodded and scattered, so heading deeper into the cave while others lingered near us, their yellow eyes gleaming with malice.
I scanned the cave, taking in every detail.
The walls were damp, with moss creeping up from the floor.
The air was thick with the scent of unwashed bodies and fear.
A small fire burned in the middle of the space, its weak light casting flickering shadows on the walls.
The hostages were grouped together, but there was no unity among them.
So sat silently, their heads bowed, while others fidgeted nervously.
A woman in a torn blouse clutched a younger girl to her chest, her lips moving in a silent prayer.
Beside , a soldier whispered, his voice shaking.
"What do they want with us?"
I didn’t answer.
Because if I did... trust this guy will instantly die of a heart attack.
The goblins continued their guttural conversation, occasionally glancing at us.
One of them even pointed in my direction.
The air grew heavier as the minutes dragged on.
Then ca a sound, a low, rumbling growl that sent a ripple of unease through the hostages.
It was a sudden noise drew everyone’s attention.
The rumble of an engine echoed from outside the cave.
The goblins perked up, their guttural chatter growing more animated.
Monts later, a truck rolled pulled up, its headlights cutting through the dim interior.
The vehicle looked like it had been pieced together from scavenged parts, its fra dented and rusted.
It was a ramshackle thing, held together by scrap tal and patches, but it looked sturdy enough to serve its grim purpose.
The driver climbed out...
It was a Orc.
Its massive fra was hunched, its muscles bulging beneath its mottled green skin, and its beady eyes scanned the cave with an air of authority.
The other goblins fell silent as it approached, bowing their heads slightly.
The driver barked a command, and the goblins sprang into action.
They began herding us toward the truck, their rough hands shoving and pulling with little care for resistance.
It barked sothing at the others, its voice a deep rumble that made the smaller goblins flinch.
The leader responded with a nod, gesturing toward us.
One by one, the goblins began dragging the hostages to their feet, herding them toward the truck.
The soldiers were loaded into the truck first, their hands bound tightly behind their backs.
The civilians followed.
So weeping openly as they climbed into the cramped, dark space.
So resisted, their protests quickly silenced with sharp blows from the goblins’ weapons.
Others stumbled forward without a fight, their faces blank with despair.
When it was my turn, a goblin yanked up by my arm, its claws digging into my skin.
I stumbled as one of them pushed forward, catching myself just before falling.
I let it shove toward the truck without resistance.
The back of the truck was a tal cage, its bars thick and rusted.
The hostages were packed inside, their fear palpable.
I climbed in, settling into a corner as far from the others as I could manage.
The goblins slamd the cage door shut, locking it with a heavy chain.
Inside was stifling, the air thick with the sll of sweat and fear.
The walls were lined with crude iron bars, turning the space into a makeshift cage.
The truck lurched as the driver climbed back into the cab, the engine roaring to life.
I leaned my head back against the cold tal, closing my eyes for a mont.
As the truck’s engine roared to life, I glanced around at the other prisoners.
Most of them avoided eye contact, their heads bowed.
A few soldiers whispered quietly among themselves, their voices laced with hopelessness.
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