Chapter 3: Goblin
Leon's sneakers scuffed against the uneven stone steps as he followed Saria down the narrow staircase, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure she could hear it.
The air grew colder and damper with each step, carrying a faint stench of rot and metal that made his nose wrinkle.
Saria moved ahead, her black ponytail swaying slightly, her sword clinking with each step.
Her face remained an unreadable mask, her dark eyes fixed forward as if the oppressive darkness didn't faze her.
Leon envied her calm; his hands were clammy, and his stomach churned like he'd chugged a week-old energy drink.
"So, uh," he said, his voice echoing faintly in the stairwell, "when you say 'prisoners,' you mean, like... actual monsters? In cages?" He tried to sound casual, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him.
"Yes," Saria replied, her tone flat, not even glancing back. "Goblins, imps, kobolds. We keep them for study and other purposes. You'll need to pick out the one from your vision."
Leon swallowed hard, his mind flashing to the snarling green goblin from the vision—scarred, toothy, and way too real. "Right. Pick a goblin. No big deal," he muttered, mostly to himself.
Just like choosing a Dokémon. Except, y'know, it might eat my face.
He forced a nervous laugh, but it died in his throat as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
The basement was a cavernous space, lit by flickering torches that cast long, jittery shadows. Iron cages lined the walls, each holding a snarling, hissing creature.