Chapter 16: The First Kill
The goblin’s yellow eyes locked onto Astrael’s hiding spot, its jagged grin widening as it took a step forward.
Every muscle in Astrael’s body screamed at him to run, but his legs refused to obey. Every muscle in Astrael’s body screamed at him to run, but his legs refused to obey.
Astrael’s breath hitched. ’Move now. ’
The moment the goblin lunged, Astrael rolled sideways, barely avoiding the club that smashed into the rock where his head had been.
Fragments of stone sprayed his face. One grazed his cheek, drawing blood. He stood to his feet, his sword trembling in his small hands.
The goblin hissed, saliva dripping from its fangs. It circled him, the leg dragging against the ground. It’s hunched form moving with unnatural agility. Astrael matched its steps, keeping its back to the cave wall.
The creature’s beady eyes never left him, its long, crooked nose twitching as it sniffed the air.
’It can smell me.’
THUMP!
The goblin feinted left, then swung right. Astrael barely raised his sword in time, parrying clumsily. The club crashed against the blade with a metallic clang, sending a jolt of pain up his arms.
He gritted his teeth, gripping the hilt tighter. The goblin laughed, sensing his fear and weakness.