Realm of Monsters

Chapter 11: All Alone

Karen studied the strange goblins features. It was different for sure, but shed never think it belonged to a freak. In fact, shed say he was quite handsome, in an exotic kind of way. But it was his eyes that really caught her attention. The lilac irises enveloping the vertical slit pupil. His pupils were always contracted to thin lines, as if prepared to fight at any moment, perhaps he was. But, it was something that laid deeper within, that drew her attention. It was raw, untainted, pure. It was pain.

I like your eyes, I think theyre pretty.

Stryg's eyes widened at the compliment. No one had said that before. For a brief moment she saw his pupils form into an oval. She glanced away, You know, like a girl. I mean youre as short as a girl, and you have no facial hair. I think you might be able to pull it off.

His pupils reverted to slits, Are you mocking me? Did she want to fight? Did he have the energy to? His muscles still ached every step he took.

She pulled her head back, scrunched her eyebrows, and made a half smile, Relax, it's just a joke.

...Hm. He backed down.

I do like your eyes though. She reached for his shoulder playfully.

But the moment was gone. Stryg stepped away. Karen lowered her hand.

Hey, how did you get so fast? She opted to change the topic.

What do you mean?

This morning, I saw you running. Ive never seen a goblin run that fast.

He grit his teeth, he was one of the slowest in the entire tribe. I dont know what youre talking about.

Dont play dumb. I saw it for myself. You ran like a vampire, it was pretty cool.

I dont know what you saw. Last I checked I got last place in most of my tribe's races.

Wait, wait. Youre saying that people in your Blood Tooth tribe-

Blood Fang tribe.

Yeah, sure, whatever, you're saying that your tribe has a lot of people faster than you?

Yep.

I call bullshit. Unless you guys have some secret magic technique to make you as fast as vampires.

Vampires? What exactly were they anyway? Most of them are faster than me and theres no magic technique. We just train everyday in order to survive in the forest. He looked at the abundance of food on display throughout the stands. But, I guess you guys dont need to. Youve all just gotten fat and slow.

Hey, now youre mocking me. She furrowed her brow.

Youre the one who thinks Im fast.

She doubted he was considered slow among his tribe. Sure, most people here didnt train everyday in the wilds, after all they lived in a damn city. But even if they had, shed doubt they could come close to his speed. He was just lying about his agility. She recalled how he had looked when he admitted he to being a freak. Perhaps he didnt see it that way. She paused in her steps.

Why were you running anyway?

...I failed to join a tribe. Or gang as they called it here. Whats the difference?

Karen was confused. He wanted to join Jaxs gang? Then why did he break his nose? Gangs are just groups people make up to get some things done is all. You shouldnt join any theyre not very good people.

Is it because theyre weak?

She gripped her skirt, No, it's because theyre criminals. Sometimes innocent people just get caught up with them, because they have no choice. But, gangsters are bad people. They beat others up who are weaker than them and take their belongings. Simply put, they bully the weak.

That sounds pretty good to me.

What? No, thats literally the meaning of a bad person.

Why? Its the right of the strong to take what they want. If someones weak they should expect to bow to the strong, anything else would be strange.

"What in all the Realms are you talking about? So, if youre weak you should just roll over and be someone else's bitch?

No, he looked at his hands, Im saying if youre weak you should strive to get strong. And if you cant, then you should roll over and be someones bitch.

Why would anyone do that? What was wrong with this guy?

The weak need the strong to survive. The strong have a right to what they want, thats just the way it is. If the weak try to resist they simply get crushed. Stryg knew that from personal experience.

Well maybe thats the way it is where you came from but here-

Is it different here? He asked in surprise. So many things were different in the city. Perhaps hed have a better chance in this place.

Karen thought of the powerful houses who lived in the inner district. The lords and ladies who ruled this city. She thought of the poor populace who had to obey them, lest they be enslaved, or worse sent outside the walls to become fodder for the shades. She wasnt sure what to say. No, I guess not. Karen frowned.

Oh. I see Stryg said. Of course things werent different. The world was cruel no matter where you went.

Even if this place has its problems it doesnt mean it should. People dont like the way things are here. Someone has to do something. Someday, someone will, hopefully, Karen said.

Someone once told me that it doesnt matter what others think, if they cant stop you, then they dont matter. You take what you want. Who cares what the weak want, Stryg said.

Wow, sounds like a tyrant, Karen said with a stony face.

It doesnt matter what you think of him, or what anyone thinks for that matter. He got what he wanted.

So, what happened to this powerful tyrant? He became the leader of your tribe or something?

No, he died.

Nice, so powerful, Karen rolled her eyes.

Stryg ignored her. But while he was alive he got what he desired, surprisingly. He just wasnt strong enough, so he got killed. No one was strong enough to survive what we faced...

Stryg had simply been able to escape. He had left Ostroz and the rest behind to die. Because he had been too weak to help them. He wasnt the moons chosen one. He was just some random goblin who had gotten lucky under the circumstances. Not that he would have made a different choice if faced with the lamia again, mind you. His own life came first, and if he was being honest, he didnt care much for the goblins that had died. But that didnt mean his failure stung any less.

Well, Im glad one more bully is dead. World could use less of those.

He wasnt a bully, but he was cruel and merciless to those he fought. I mean all goblins compete to be the strongest. The goal is to make others submit to you, whether in a hunt, a challenge, or in bed. Its our way.

What a charming tribe you got going there. She said in a deadpan voice.

Yeah, it was great. He missed home, too bad he was an exile hundreds of miles from the village. But, what Im trying to say is that he had been nice to me when he didnt have to be. When he wasnt expected to be.

Oh. He was your friend... Im sorry for your loss.

He wasnt my friend. He was a bastard, honorless. He was just a little better than the others I guess. Besides, goblins dont have friends. Were all in a battle to make the rest yield to us. To rule over the rest. There is no room for friends. How could she not understand that? The world was cruel and the only way to survive was being more cruel. At least, thats what the Mothers had taught him.

She smiled sadly at him. Everyone needs a friend. Even a power hungry possibly sadistic goblin.

He stared at her, Nope.

She shook her head, Well, this it. She pointed at a food stall.

Fiery Chicken, huh. He looked at the small sign hanging above the stall.

How did you know what it's called? Wait, you can read!?

He shrunk back, Yeah, not great I know.

What do you mean not great? You know how many people would kill to get a chance to learn how to read?

Yeah, sure. And Id love to learn how to dance like a vulture.

What is wrong with this guy? Karen thought.

Stryg walked up to the stall and the woman behind it. So, what do we do now? Small woman, where is the food?

There was no food on the table, only circular wooden boxes.

Dwarf. The woman glared at him.

What?

Im a dwarf, you imbecile.

Stryg hissed. The dwarf raised a wooden spoon.

Karen decided to table the topic for now. She stepped in between the two. Sorry, Auntie Agatha. Hes new to Hollow Shade. I dont think he knows any dwarves.

Karen dropped a couple of copper coins on the table. Two servings of chicken dumplings please.

Agatha eyed the two goblins, but swiped the coins up anyway. You better teach him some manners, or Ill whoop him black and more blue then he already is.

Karen bowed her head, Sorry, will do.

Stryg saw her sign of submission. This dwarf was stronger than her. Karen was trying to protect him. He decided to let the insult go. He simply wasnt sure how strong this dwarf was.

Agatha opened the wooden box and pulled out a couple of large dumplings. She handed one to each of them. Stryg watched the exchange with great care. So, it was a bartering system, he surmised. The coins were given in exchange for food and entrance to the city. He had heard as much from a few goblins in the tribe, but he was pleased he could now confirm the stories.

Thank you Agatha, Karen smiled.

Its my pleasure. Now be sure to stay out of trouble. She glanced at Stryg, Especially with that one and make sure to say hi to your folks for me.

Will do. Karen was filled with guilt as she nodded. She was dating a gangster and was a pickpocket, it was a little late for staying out of trouble.

Stryg took a tentative bite from the steaming dumpling. He had never tasted something so good. The flavors practically exploded in his mouth. There was definitely salt in here, but there were so many other tastes as well. What was this incredible delicacy? He scarfed the food down in the blink of an eye. Was this food magic, he felt like life was returning to his deadened limbs.

Karen laughed as she looked at Stryg who was salivating at her dumping. You can have it. I can eat something at my house.

Stryg grabbed the dumpling before she finished talking.

Youre welcome, Karen grinned.

Ive never had something this good. What is it called again?

Chicken dumplings. Yeah, auntie Agatha makes the best dumplings around.

Well, Im glad I got a chance to try some. When I didnt see any food on the stall I thought we might have to eat the small woman.

Karen chuckled, Youre ridiculous you know that.

Yeah, I thought itd be hard to kill her with so many people around. Im happy we didnt. Now, I can go back and eat more of her dumplings later.

Karens smile fell, What? Youre not serious right?

He blinked at her innocently. It was a desperate move he admitted. He didnt like eating goblins anyway, dwarves probably didnt taste much better.

She laughed awkwardly, Well, lets get something to drink at least. Theres a shop right around the corner that sells minotaur milk.

Minotaur?

Yeah, you know? They look human for the most part, except for the horns, downward fur covered ears, cloven feet. Beastkin. Ring a bell? No? Well, dont worry about it. Their milk is amazing though, youll love it.

If the dumplings tasted this good, Stryg could only imagine how flavorful this milk could be.

Karen? A voice called out.

Oh no, Karen whispered.

Hm? Strygs thoughts of food vanished as he saw Jax standing in front of him. He wasnt alone. Leroy and five other goblins stood behind him.

You really found him, Karen! Well done, Leroy said.

Stryg looked at Karen in confusion, Whats going on?

Its pretty simple, idiot. My girlfriend found you and brought you to me. Jax tried to smile through the bandaged face, but failed as he winced in pain.

No, its not like that. I swear I didnt know they would be here, Karen looked horrified as she tried reaching out for Stryg, but he jumped back.

You dont have to lie to him. Get behind me Karen. Hes dangerous, Jax said.

Stryg hissed.

Youre a freak, Jax said.

No, hes not. Stryg, Im sorry, I didnt mean for this to happen, Karen pleaded.

Stryg was a moron. How could he have been so trusting. His exhaustion and hunger had clouded his mind. The goblins had already begun to surround him. His back was to a wall, Karen had played him for a fool, and he was the idiot who had fallen for the trap.

Leroy, Jax commanded.

On it, Leroy grabbed Karen by from behind the waist and pulled her away.

Let go of me Leroy! Run Stryg! Run! Karen cried out as she thrashed around.

Youre not going anywhere, Jax pulled out a knife. Youre all alone now, your gang isnt here to save you.

THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM