65 Jacks Signal (1/2)

Maynard had effectively drawn out the other two goblin captains and was in the middle of a 4 v. 1. He had consumed a few potions and elixirs already, so he was beginning to feel the side effects of consuming too many too soon. His muscles and skin that were constantly being healed grew sorer from each potion. Forcing himself through the pain and discomfort, Maynard continued his stand.

The goblin captains were at a loss when facing the obstinate samurai. They were giving it their all but were still unable to kill him. In the meantime, a couple of captains were near the point of fatigue from injuries and keeping up with the crazy ronin that seemed to be addicted to potions and elixirs.

”Master, how much longer?” Brunar shouted amidst the incoming goblin reinforcements.

The two young samurai were lucky to not need too many skills for the lower leveled guards, but anyone would grow tired after constantly hacking through muscle and bone with no end. Their countless hours of training and practice allowed them to hold strong in the face of over two dozen goblins. However, they were exhausted and would soon be desperate in front of the incoming reinforcements without using skills.

”Just wait! I'm sure—” yelled Maynard.

Suddenly, a fiery flash swept over part of the city, strong enough to be seen over the wall. The warm, red light washed over the battlefield for three seconds, warming the hearts of the samurais and sending chills down the goblins' spines.

At first, all they saw was a pillar of flame, but terror clutched at the goblins' heartstrings when a fox pounced into the air. The fox was made of living flames and was three times the size of any goblin. Even its eyes were made up of black hell flames.

Everyone present felt a primal sense of fear take them over. The goblins froze, their instincts telling them to run.

Brunar and Troni had already seen Bowser transform, but they weren't ready to see such growth in the strength and size of the transformation. It took Brunar a second to shake his nerves and smile at the appearance of this powerful ally.

Troni was like the goblins, showing genuine fear. He wasn't afraid of Bowser as Jack's beast companion, but he struggled to accept having such a fearsome beast as an ally and not an enemy like in legend.

Maynard felt a tinge of fear, but it wasn't enough to keep him from using this distraction to his benefit. Whilst the captains flinched at the sight of a Hell-flame Fox, Maynard used ”Sudden death” in succession with ”Blood thrust.”

Before the weakly guarded captain could retaliate, the blood-red glow of Maynard's blades passed through its gut. The captain stiffened and fell hard on the ground as Maynard removed his katana.

Suddenly, Maynard disappeared once again. Returning to their senses, another captain managed to block one katana while the other penetrated cleanly through its waist, from right to left. Avoiding death, the captain shrunk back away from its killer.

Not waiting for Maynard to attack again, the remaining two captains charged Maynard while the other did its best to tighten the leather armor around its torso in hopes to slow the blood flow.

”That all ya got?” laughed Maynard. ”No more holding back!”

Brunar had already sliced a goblin guard's throat by the time Maynard shouted his latest order. Yelling as he finally began to activate his skills, Brunar yelled with each swing of his katana. ”It's. About. Time!”

Troni refocused himself and did the same as Brunar, launching skill after skill into the now frightened reinforcements.

*****

”Man, how many rooms are there in the inner palace?” Rydel spoke to himself within the confines of a small dark room. He had exhausted his daily uses of ”Predator sense” and was forced to hide and search the old-fashioned way. ”What's that?”

Rydel heard low thumps from the other side of the door. The thumps grew louder each time, until they sounded like they were deep, heavy footprints that shook the door as they passed by. It soon grew quieter as the footsteps passed in the direction Rydel had come from.

'Hey Maynard, they were inside…' thought Rydel, doing his best to remain calm and steady his heartbeat.

'That's what I was afraid of,' replied Maynard.

'What are you talking about?' asked Jack.

Rydel explained, 'The trolls, they were inside the palace. One just walked past where I was hiding and it probably about to exit the palace.'

'How many are there?' asked Jack, wanting to plan accordingly.

'I have no clue kid, but I'm guessing there's more than one,' answered Rydel.

'Be careful, try not to get tangled with one before you accomplish your part of the mission captain,' stated Jack.