Chapter 87 – Stronger… Together
Chapter 87
Stronger… Together
Date : Day 8 of Grimleaf 1024 Aethellgard Concord Year.
The first rays of the morning suns crested the horizon. Casting mixed golden and silver rays across the landscape. The last of the goblin torches had been extinguished. And the quarry below had settled into a quiet atmosphere. The chaos of the night had faded. Replaced by an uneasy stillness.
The light peeked through the gap of their tent. Washing over Hyoren and Elise's faces. They stirred at the same time. Their bodies shifted in the sleeping bags.
Elise's eyes fluttered. Blinking away the remnants of sleep. Before fully opening. She smiled when seeing his face. Hyoren smiled back at her. Both of their eyes were a bit sunken. And there was a trace of dark spots below their eyes. An indicator of the busy night before.
"Morning, Hyoren."
Her voice was raspy. Hoarse from sleep.
Hyoren stroked her head which nestled in his shoulder. His fingers brushed through her silver hair.
"Good morning, Elise."
Elise then sat up. Followed by Hyoren. Morning had come. And they needed to work. There was not enough time for a morning cuddle. The day awaited.
They exited the tent. The cool and refreshing morning air hit their skin. They stretched. Their muscles protested. Then relaxed. The tension from the night's activities slowly faded.
Elise then took the Water Orb from their storage bag. Pouring water into the small basin they carried. The water was cool and crisp. Both of them washed their faces. Fixed their appearance. Tied their hair to practical style. The water washed away the sleepiness.
They stood tall after they were done. Traces of dark spots were still there. But most of the sleepiness was gone. Their eyes were clearer and focused.
"Let's eat then plan our next action, Elise."
Hyoren stretched his shoulders. Rolling out the stiffness.
Elise nodded. And then started cooking. She prepared the portable magic stove. The ingredients. The morning routine was familiar now.
Meanwhile, Hyoren went over the edge and sat. Observing over the Old Quarry. The settlement was silent now—just like when they arrived yesterday. But when he activated his Aethell Sense, he clearly could see differences. The magical signatures were different. More organized. More alert.
Watchtowers were manned with twice the number. The gate guard was more disciplined. And there was a small patrol inside their settlement. Ambushing was impossible now. Too many eyes. Too many guards.
Not long after, Elise sat beside him. Carrying simple but hearty soup and soft bread. The aroma rose from the bowl.
"Here, Hyoren. Breakfast."
She handed him a bowl. Steam curled from the surface.
Hyoren took the bowl from her. Feeling thankful. The ceramic was warm against his palms.
"Thank you as always, Elise."
They ate together. The warm food helped to chase away the lingering chill of the night. The soup was thick. The bread was soft. While eating, they started discussing their next action.
"As we discussed before. The night raid is a bust from now on, Elise."
His finger pointed at the perimeter of the quarry on the map. Tracing the lines. The positions.
"They already doubled the number on every sentry post."
He shook his head.
"And they have roving patrols inside the settlement itself."
He scooped a spoonful of soup. Brought it to his lips.
"We can't get close enough without being spotted."
Elise nodded in agreement. Her emerald eyes were thoughtful.
"So we adapt. We'll hit their foragers."
She bit a big chunk from her bread. Before taking in the soup to make it easier to swallow. The broth soaked into the crust. She chewed slowly.
"Exactly, Elise."
Hyoren pointed to the main path leading away from the quarry using his spoon. The trail snaked away from the settlement. Toward the forest.
"We can't hit them at home anymore… But they still have to eat. And they still have to scout."
He grinned.
"We can still pick their patrols and foragers. We'll find a new ambush spot. One they won't expect. We'll make them afraid to leave their own front door."
Elise looked up at him. Her emerald eyes gleamed with renewed determination. A spark of mischief.
"We lost the element of surprise for the night. But we can create a new one during the day."
She leaned closer.
"I love your brilliant mind, Hyoren."
Hyoren scratched his cheek. Embarrassed. A faint blush crept across his skin. He cleared his throat.
"That's right, Elise. They think the danger is in the dark. From the cliffs. We'll hit them on the open road. In the bright daylight."
He gestured toward the path.
"We'll make them paranoid about every shadow. Every rock."
He put down his now empty bowl. The ceramic clicked against the stone.
"We'll still become ghosts in the hills. Ghosts who are going to haunt them everywhere they go."
Elise smiled widely. Amused. Intrigued. She nodded.
"Ghost in the hills. I like the sound of that."
She then took Hyoren's empty bowl. And stacked it with her own bowl.
"We look for their foragers and patrols. We wait. And we kill every patrol that walks out of that quarry."
She stood up. Taking the dish to clean.
After their quick breakfast, they settled back into their observation post. The morning light now provided a crystal-clear view of the quarry below. Every detail was visible. The goblin settlement was a hive of activity. But it was a different kind of activity than the day before. It was no longer lazy and complacent. It was sharp. Nervous, but more organized. The goblins moved with purpose.
They watched for nearly an hour. The suns climbed higher. The shadows shortened. And then they saw it. A large group of goblins. At least twenty strong. Formed up and began marching along the perimeter of the quarry wall. They were armed. Moving with a purpose that was distinctly military.
"There, Hyoren."
Elise pointed.
"Finally they sent patrols."
Hyoren quickly looked at the quarry. His eyes narrowed.
"That's big patrol. Twenty goblins? Triple the number of last day's patrols. The Lord is either paranoid or careful."
He squinted his eyes. Furrowed his eyebrows. Studying the movement below.
"But wait, Elise."
Hearing Hyoren raise his voice, Elise tilted her head.
"What's wrong, Hyoren?"
Hyoren pointed his fingers. Tracing the path of the emerged patrol. The movement pattern. The direction.
"They didn't go to the main path to the forest like the last day's patrol. They're circling the settlement."
Elise's eyes locked on the big group of goblins. Tracking their movement.
"What are they doing?"
They observed them for a while. Until finally Hyoren saw it. The pattern became clear.
"They're perimeter patrol, Elise."
He lowered his hand.
"Look. They only circle their settlement. They never venture far. The Lord truly doesn't want more ambushes to happen."
Elise nodded.
“I see. You are right… but, if it was a perimeter patrol, we can’t hit them. They are too close to settlement, if we hit them, reinforcement will come.”
Hyoren grimaced, agreeing with Elise.
"Yeah..."
He exhaled, frustrated, but looked at Elise. His eyes still held determination.
"Let's wait some more. I still believe they'll send foragers sooner or later. There's no food to be procured nearby. They'll need to get food sooner or later."
Elise nodded. Agreeing with him.
On their ledge, both of them continued observing the goblin settlement. Patient. Watchful. Waiting for their next opportunity.
***
Both of them watched the quarry for a while. Patient. Observing. Waiting. Before something caught their eye.
Hyoren leaned forward to the edge. Squinting his eyes. New movement caught his eyes.
"Elise! Look!"
He called Elise. His voice was urgent but controlled.
"Another group came from the main gate!"
Elise nodded. Her eyes focused on the new group. Tracking their movement.
"Fifteen goblins..."
Both of them focused on the new group.
It was smaller. With the same composition as the patrols they had ambushed before—a few Fighters. A bunch of normals. And unlike the first group they saw this morning, this second group was moving out. Following the same general path as the previous day's scout party. Heading toward the forest. Away from the settlement.
"The Lord is smart, Elise."
Hyoren nodded in understanding. His mind was already working.
"The Lord decided to create two kinds of patrols."
He gestured toward the settlement.
"One large patrol to secure his immediate perimeter to prevent ambush. And one smaller scout party… probably foraging for food."
He looked at Elise. His mind was already working through the new tactical puzzle.
"The perimeter patrol is too large and too close to settlement for us to hit safely."
He shook his head.
"They'd be on us in a second. But the second group… That's still a viable target."
Elise's eyes glinted with excitement. Her emerald eyes caught the morning light.
"So, we do the same as yesterday?"
She turned to him.
"Using the same choke point to ambush them?"
Hyoren shook his head. Slow. Deliberate.
"No, Elise."
Elise tilted her head. She frowned slightly.
"Huh, why not, Hyoren? It was effective before."
He looked at Elise. A new plan forming in his eyes. His eyes glinted with excitement and cunning.
"We won't ambush them on the way out."
He leaned closer.
"They'll be too alert. We'll follow them. We'll see where they usually forage for food. Where they feel safe.We'll find their hunting ground. Their gathering spot. And we'll ambush them there."
He grinned. A predatory smile painted his face.
"They'll be careless. They think they're safe in their hunting ground. And we strike!"
Elise's lips curled into a predatory smile. Matching Hyoren’s one. Understanding dawned on her features. They now mirrored each other. Two lover who became predators.
"That's genius, Hyoren. We'll let them lead us to their own killing field. I like it."
She looked toward the path.
"It turns their own routine against them."
Hyoren nodded. His expression was serious. Focused.
"Exactly."
He stood up.
"We'll be patient ghosts. We'll learn their patterns. And when they get complacent again, when they think they're safe and far from the ghost in the quarry… That's when they'll make a mistake."
They started to move. Leaving their camp intact as they would come back soon.
Their ledge became silent watchers as two ghosts descended the slope. They were becoming shadows again. Trailing their unwitting prey. Ready to spring a trap in a place of the goblins' own choosing. The hunt was back on.
They moved quickly but steadily. And after a while, they finally could see the trace of the group. Groups of fifteen goblins skulking. Walking the main path in the forest. Their green forms moved between the trees. Careless. Loud.
Hyoren and Elise slowed down their steps. Careful not to make noise.
"That's them, Elise."
Hyoren pointed. His voice was barely a whisper.
Elise nodded. Her eyes tracked the movement. And she adjusted her bow.
"Okay. Let's trail them carefully and quietly, Hyoren."
They moved with the patience of true hunters. Keeping the forager team in sight but remaining far enough away to avoid detection. The goblins, their confidence seemingly growing the further they got from the quarry, were loud and careless. Their guttural voices echoed through the trees.
The goblins hunted small animals along the way like Mossback Squirrel and Horned Rabbit. Slung their carcasses on their skinny green backs. But they were still not stopping. The goblins still skulked toward their destination. Moving deeper into the forest.
The goblins kept following a game trail that wound deeper into the foothills. The terrain became more rugged. The trees thicker.
After an hour of careful tracking, their path led them toward a hidden valley. The forest opened up. Revealing a sanctuary below.
Hyoren and Elise found a new vantage point on a ridge overlooking the valley. And what they saw was a revelation. A treasure hidden in the wilderness.
It was a small and idyllic clearing. Dominated by multiple small sparkling ponds. The water was crystal clear. Reflecting the morning sky. Around the pond's edge grew a cluster of trees heavy with unfamiliar, purple-skinned fruit. And the ground was carpeted with bushes laden with bright red berries. Hyoren could even see patches of rainlumes—Elise's favorite—growing without care near the ponds.
It was a treasure trove of food. A natural pantry that explained how the goblin warband was sustaining itself.
Elise whispered. Her eyes wide with surprise. Amazement colored her voice. She breathed out.
"Look at those ponds… The place is so beautiful and serene."
She pointed with her finger. Tracing the landscape below.
"Those purple fruits are Sun-Melon trees. "And those bushes... that's Crimson-Whip berry."
She glanced at Hyoren.
"They're incredibly nutritious. That's a feast."
Then her eyes landed on patches of rainlumes. Her aura changed dramatically. A killing intent radiated from her. Her emerald eyes hardened. Her jaw tightened. She gripped her bow. Ready to pounce.
"Rainlumes! I will kill those goblins if they touch them!"
Hyoren smiled wryly. Elise always become rabid whenever her favorite fruit entered their equation. Her normally calm demeanor shifted.
He watched as the goblins, upon reaching the clearing, let out a chorus of gleeful shrieks. They immediately began their chaotic harvest. Some started climbing the trees. Others began stripping the berry bushes and rainlume patches. And a small group moved toward the pond's edge. He watched as one of them successfully brought down a Horned Rabbit that had come to drink. The creature fell with a pitiful squeak.
"So this is where they procure their food."
Hyoren's voice was cold and analytical.
"This is their lifeline."
He looked at Elise. A grim, decisive light in his eyes.
"Let's ambush them here."
He gestured toward the clearing.
"We cut off their food supply. And we starve them out. It's better than just picking off patrols."
Elise looked at his eyes. Her eyes focused. Her will was determined. Steely.
"Cutting off their supply is important too."
She turned back to the clearing.
"But now that I know they eat MY rainlumes..."
She gripped her bow tighter.
"I will deliver judgment to them personally."
Hyoren chuckled. A low, quiet sound. Then he coughed to clear his throat. They needed to plan their next action. Focus returned.
He quickly formulated the plan. His mind worked through the positions. The angles. The timing.
"Elise, you shoot and focus on the twelve normal goblins."
He pointed toward the clearing.
"Take them out as fast as you can. I will deal with the three Fighters first. Then help with the stragglers."
They moved into position. The familiar, deadly calm settled over them. Like a second skin. Elise found her perch. Her bow already in hand. She nocked arrows. Prepared. Hyoren crept down the ridge. Using the dense foliage for cover. Getting into a flanking position where he could intercept the Fighters. The hunt was about to begin.
***
They moved into position. The familiar calm settled over them. Elise found her perch. Her bow already in hand. She nocked arrows between her fingers.
Hyoren crept down the ridge. Using the dense foliage for cover. Getting into a flanking position where he could intercept the three Fighters. His boots made no sound on the forest floor. His breathing was controlled.
The goblins were completely absorbed in their feast. Their guard was completely down. They squabbled over berries. Climbed trees for fruit. Chased small creatures near the pond.
Elise let her first arrow fly. It struck a goblin high in a Sun-Melon tree. Causing it to fall with a loud crash. The body hit the ground with a sickening thud. The clearing erupted into chaos. Goblins shrieked. Scattered. Reached for weapons.
The three Fighters, who had been guarding the perimeter, spun around. Their rusty swords drawn. They saw their comrades dying and let out roars of fury. Their eyes swept the clearing. Searching for the threat. But before they could even form a plan, Hyoren was upon them.
He burst from the bushes. His spear a blur of motion. In the middle of his charge, he activated his throwing skill. His free hand grabbed his Cinder-maw dagger. Flame ignited along the blade.
"Precision Throw!"
The Cinder-maw dagger met its mark on the right Fighter. The flaming dagger instantly engulfed its head in fire. The goblin screamed. It forgot its charge. Running around in circles. Flailing. Until finally it slumped. Dead. Smoke rose from its charred head.
He then gripped his spear tightly. He met the first Fighter's charge. His Mithril-alloy Yari crossguard caught the rusted blade. Metal clashed against metal. The impact staggered the goblin. He pulled his spear. And swung it in a wide arc. Slashing its throat and ending its life. Blood sprayed across the grass.
The last Fighter, seeing its companion fall and the other burned to death, tried to flee. Its eyes were wide with terror. It turned to run.
But Hyoren had already finished his stance. His body was ready.
"Piercing Thrust!"
With a sonic boom, he closed the distance instantly. The spear pierced the last Fighter's heart. The goblin's eyes went wide. It crumpled. Lifeless.
He then gripped his spear again. Looking around the clearing. Searching for any goblins which were not dead yet. His eyes swept the area. But the battle was already over. Elise's arrow already met its last mark—on the twelfth goblin which had been charging at her. The shaft protruded from its skull.
It was over in less than a minute. Fifteen goblins lay dead in the clearing. Their feast interrupted forever. Blood soaked into the fertile soil.
Hyoren stood among the bodies. His chest heaving slightly. His spear dripping with blood. They had been outnumbered more than seven-to-one. But the fight wasn't even close. They had culled the forager team with ruthless efficiency. And they had once again emerged completely unscathed. Not a scratch. Not a bruise.
The clearing, once a scene of chaotic feasting, was now a silent tableau of death. The only sounds were the gentle lapping of the pond. The wind rustling through the leaves.
Elise approached him. Her cloak fluttered with her every movement. She stepped over the fallen goblins. Careful not to slip on the blood.
"Good work, Hyoren."
Her voice was calm. Measured. But then she stopped walking, widened her eyes, her body going rigid.
He smiled back at her.
"Good work, Elise."
Then he noticed her stillness. He tilted his head.
Her expression was strange. A mix of surprise and confusion.
"What's the problem, Elise? Why are you frozen?"
Elise finally looked up to Hyoren. A flicker of confusion still visible in her eyes. Her brow furrowed slightly. She touched her forehead.
"I just received the Voice of Aethell. I leveled up. And my Bow Mastery leveled up to five."
Hyoren beamed. His face lit up with genuine joy. He got stronger yesterday. And today, it was his lover's turn. He was happy. This quest proved to be a really good quest. They kept getting stronger.
"Congratulations, Elise, for reaching level sixteen!"
He clapped his hands together.
"Slowly but surely we become stronger!"
He then noticed her confusion. Her expression was still uncertain.
"Why the confusion though, Elise?"
Elise smiled weakly. She produced her guild card—looking at her status, checking if the level up was real—the numbers glowed softly in the light.
She then looked up at Hyoren. Her emerald eyes were puzzled.
"It's just… I didn't expect to level up this quickly."
Her pointed ears twitched.
"The experience from fifty-five goblins we killed should not be enough. Even if they're higher leveled than the ones in the Forest of No Return."
Hyoren met her gaze. Curious.
"Do you remember your experience before we went on this quest, Elise?"
She shook her head. Her silver hair swayed with the motion.
"I never really cared as I never really wanted to get stronger before."
She put her card back to her storage. The void easily took the card.
"Unlike now..."
She exhaled her breath.
"It was close to level up. But I think I would only level up after we finish clearing those three hundred to four hundred goblins… Not today."
She furrowed her brow.
"And my Bow Mastery also leveled up faster. It's already been years since my skill level went up. My current progress is too fast."
Hyoren tapped his chin. Thoughtful. Processing.
"Faster progress, huh..."
He nodded slowly.
"It should be celebrated. But if the progress went too fast without explanation, then we need to know the cause."
He went into deep thought. His analytical minds start to flaring again. Walking left and right. His boots crunched on the grass. His hand stroked his chin. Purposeless movement. Lost in contemplation.
Elise watched him with amused eyes. A small smile played on her lips. She crossed her arms. Waited.
After a few minutes of contemplation, Hyoren clapped his hand. The sound echoed through the clearing.
"Elise! I understand!"
He smiled widely. His eyes bright with realization.
"I think I know the cause. My blessing has taken effect since we officially became a party! Since we decided to form the Freedom Party."
Elise widened her eyes. Her posture straightened.
Hyoren held up his hands, asking her to wait for his explanation first.
"I did say before, right? Luminara and Noctynara gave me Divine Protection.It gives a twenty-five percent bonus to growth. It encompasses all things. It boosts the speed of leveling up. Skill level up. And skill gained. Everything."
He then gestured with his hands. They opened wide. Emphasizing his point.
"And it also affects my party members!"
His voice rose with excitement.
"The blessing was subtle. But it was strong. It will fasten not only my progress, but our progress!"
Realization dawned upon Elise. Her eyes widened. Her mouth parted slightly. Then she nodded slowly.
"I see… Now that explains it."
She smiled widely at Hyoren. Feeling grateful.
"So in the end, it's thanks to you, Hyoren… Fufu."
She giggled. Her voice was soft. Contented. Her emerald eyes sparkled with affection.
The blessing from the Twin Goddesses started to show its effect. The effect was subtle. So Hyoren and Elise did not notice them straight away. But now they knew. The blessing would make them become stronger faster. And together—as the Freedom Party.