Chapter 160:

“It seems such a waste to rebuild the bridges after you’ve destroyed them,” Vonkal spoke softly to Anton. “Such a waste of time and manpower. But I understand the alternative is to allow the Goblins to over-run the entire Mainland.”

Anton looked at the southern tip of the Green Moon Clan Island from the coast of the mainland, the faint dawn light scattering over the cliffs and trees. The receding sea revealed the destruction Anton had caused on the land bridge. A large hole had been carved into the stone path, large pieces jutted out of the sea nearby. The gap was wide and deep enough that the Goblins would drown if they dared to cross, unless they built a bridge, not that they had. So far at least. Anton also destroyed the bridge within arrow range from the shoreline for that very reason.

Anton nodded. “At least the fire didn’t last that long…I was actually worried it might destroy half of The Shadow Isles.”

Vonkal laughed. “The trees will recover. Just as they always have. Though I won’t deny that some people are very, very upset.”

“Better that they live to see another day.” Another Dark Elf said. “I know that my people will.”

Anton had been joined by a number of Island Dark Elf leaders, or at the least their representatives. Verona, Kal and Cetina were more than a little put off by how some clans had first sent young women, for obvious reasons. They continued to keep their guards up while the Dark Elves skirted around something, each unwilling to ask the question first.

“In a couple of days The Shadow Isles will be secure and then we’ll be leaving.” Anton folded his arms. “Then we’ll be out of your hair for good. Unless something terrible happens.”

“But what will happen to us once the crisis is averted?” A female Dark Elf leader asked. “When the Mist Walker Elders regain control.”

Not likely…

“Are you expecting some sort of retaliation?” Anton asked. “They gave Gerin control of their military. I know that you’ve all despaired at how poorly they’ve actually performed.”

The Dark Elves didn’t refute him.

“So what’s the problem?”

That’s actually something we haven’t worked out yet. Is Gerin going to surrender his authority? He only has control over the armies, nothing more, and only until the Goblins are defeated…If he becomes the ruler will that benefit us and the Dark Elves? He seems more than competent, at military matters at least, and it wouldn’t be hard to make it seem like the elders are continuing to give orders…Maybe give the clans more independence so they don’t question it? So long as it doesn't turn out like Qaiviel

Verona lightly jabbed his side.

“We have heard that you are offering land to fifteen thousand of the DuskReaver members,” Vonkal said softly. “Is this true?”

“Besides the Green Moon clan.” Another Dark Elf added.

“It is. But, given the state of the war and how difficult rebuilding will be we’re probably going to have to negotiate the number down.”

The Green Moon weren’t a part of the original deal, and I don’t like the idea of fifteen thousand DuskReavers that might just be hiding agents just waiting for a signal from Gerin.

“And your people have suffered so many losses.”

“C-Could that offer be extended to us?” A female Dark Elf asked.

“It could.” Anton nodded gently. “Though you must understand that Atros isn’t that well developed yet. It could barely take in the Green Moon Clan survivors. I anticipated the settlers would come in slowly to allow us to build up and adequately cope with such an influx. What sort of numbers are we talking about?”

“The Shadow Isles are simply too small for the Dark Elves,” Vonkal said. “We need new lands…Also so that our race doesn’t go extinct the next time this happens.”

“Hopefully it doesn’t.” Verona chuckled. “Though your lands are very nice I would like to feel the sun on my skin again.”

“That’s…” Kal smiled and trailed off. Verona had inadvertently brought up a Beast-kin saying that, unfortunately, originated from the Seocurian’s preferred method of executing their unruly beasts; crucifixion in the harsh Seocurian sun.

Anton patted Kal’s shoulder. “So what sort of numbers? But, be aware, that they will be beholden to the wishes of Atros first and foremost, not that we’ll be doing anything foolish or mistreat your people.”

The Dark Elves glanced at one another.

“Two thousand?” Vonkal asked. “There are many people in my clan that would be glad to settle somewhere else. Somewhere with lots of free land, and where we are not obligated to follow the whims of the Mainlander Elders.”

“Lots of Goblins too,” Anton said. “Our lands aren’t entirely safe yet. I’m planning to expand the safe areas but it will take time.”

“Your people have experience in defending themselves though,” Cetina added.

Vonkal laughed. “That they are…So?” He turned to the other Dark Elves. “What about you? I’ve already said my piece.”

The other Dark Elves agreed on the same rough numbers. If they turned up at once there would be more Dark Elves than humans or Beast-kin, though the Dwarves would overtake them all very soon.

“I think that’s agreeable.” Anton turned to the land bridge. With the water low enough the Dark Elves began to move wooden bridge components across. It wouldn’t withstand the rising tides but that was an easy fix. With a portal on both sides, it would be extremely easy to move soldiers and supplies.

“Though the people we were to receive were part of coming here to help the DuskReavers.” Anton continued. “Are you planning to just lose two thousand without any compensation? I will, of course, return if needed, but I have many, many more things to accomplish.”

“And not enough time to do it.” Kal murmured.

“I don’t think that will be a problem.” Vonkal smiled. “So long as we can come and visit, from time to time of course.”

Vonkal glanced to Kal, specifically her ears.

“Many of our cities are over-populated. Not that you’d think that.”

“I honestly wouldn’t. If anything your lands seem sparse…but I think you know how many this place can safely hold.” Anton frowned. “But, Vonkal, if you think that you can come to Atros and interfere with any of my Beast-kin, no matter who they are, you might as well take a swim right now.”

Vonkal looked to the roiling seas, the waves throwing up great plumes of white foam as they crashed into the near vertical cliffs. He laughed but didn’t refute anything.

A whistle rang out from the front of the Dark Elf lines. The Bridges were in place and the Dark Elves were advancing once again. Jaguar Riders ran at the front, charging up the length of the land bridge with the regular infantry close behind.

“Our time’s up.” Anton waved the Dark Elves away. “Let’s get this darn mess over with.”

---[]---

The Goblins offered almost no resistance once they reached the Green Moon Island. Only a few, sparse Goblins peppered the forests and cities. Otherwise, it was completely abandoned, something that made everyone extremely unsettled. Anton doubted the Deformed Red would just give up. As they pushed further, however, resistance began to grow. At first, it wasn’t significant but soon they were fighting hundreds at a time, huge clusters surging through the stony undergrowth, all coming from the Green Moon fortress that loomed in the distance. Though they had little difficulty in pushing through the Goblin infested cities and towns they encountered their first real obstacle at the base of the fortress. A wooden layered defence surrounded the outer wall, manned by thousands upon thousands of Goblins armed with slings and crude bows. Beyond those, the breaches in the fortress had been crudely repaired with large logs haphazardly thrown together. Most interestingly Kal’s smoke stone had been destroyed, either the stone itself destroyed or the magic. Either way, it was somewhat unsettling; a Blue was present. Or something worse.

Anton approached Gerin, leading the battle from a safe distance. “Do you want this fortress in one piece or not?”

“What…What do the Green Moon have to say?” Gerin nodded to the fortress. “This is still their lands.”

“They said they’ll stay in Atros. Don’t think they’ll be returning anytime soon, especially after how we discovered they had hidden boats. But I don’t think they have much use of this fortress now, especially after the Goblins have defiled it…And that we both know they’re using it to hide their raiding ships.”

“I hope you’re keeping an eye on them.” Gerin focused back on the fortress. “Criminals tend not to change.”

“What do you do with Dark Elf criminals?” Verona asked.

“Depends on the crime.” Gerin shrugged. “Theft, not much. Maybe some lashings and forced labour. Murder, hanging.”

“Simple and effective. Are there many criminals here?”

Gerin laughed. “There are a lot less pirates now.”

Gerin’s eyes scanned the fortress, watching his own warriors pick the Goblins from the wooden walls. However, there appeared to be no end to the Goblins; the moment one fell another simply took its place. Again the Goblins played to their strength, seemingly limitless numbers. But they knew that they could not infinitely reinforce their lines. Eventually they would break.

But that Red has to know this. Surely. They can’t win by staying on the defensive forever. So what’s it planning?

“If you could burn down the wooden walls.” Gerin pointed to the crudely repaired breach in the stone wall. “Then it would make things a lot easier.”

“Unless that’s what he’s waiting for.” Anton mused. “I doubt that Red is dead. And until we know for sure…Well, that might just be what he’s waiting for. Us crawling through the narrow confines and ambushing us. That fortress is designed to repel invaders with minimal manpower, how dangerous do you think it will be teeming with Goblins.”

“We could keep luring them out,” Kal said softly. “But that will take time.”

“Time we…” Anton smiled. “I guess we do have time. Quite a bit of it too. It’s not like we have another war going on.”

Gerin nodded. “I’d still like to have this done soon. The sooner the better, the less of my people die…”

Anton gave a curt nod and summoned six large Lightning Crows. Though he could only summon one at a time it was extremely good practice, especially in a very noisy and distracting environment. With a single sentence, the Lightning Crows flew into the air to rain down their destructive attacks onto the Goblin lines. Their defences had nothing planned for aerial attacks and were easy prey. Anton continued to fight down the slowly building surge, creating and discarding a Marble Spear just to make sure. With each Large Lightning Crow throwing off three lightning bolts at a time the Goblins were quickly whittled down.

“See?” Verona laughed, throwing her head back into Anton’s chest. “Easy. Too easy, really.”

Anton agreed. It was too easy, or perhaps the Red was simply out of resources. It was certainly possible but Anton didn’t buy it.

“Allow me to destroy that barricade.”

The wooden barricade exploded in a shower of sparks and splinters, evidently not enchanted against a Lightning Lance.

Gerin turned to a subordinate. “Order two battalions to breach the fortress. Make sure they’re Mainlanders.”

The Dark Elves approached the outer walls with hesitation, always on the lookout for any sign of a trap. As they advanced, the Large Lightning Crows still above them, they found absolutely nothing. Occasionally they found the odd Goblin still alive but those were quickly put down. The Dark Elves reached the edge of the wall and momentarily turned their attention up to the arrow slits. Convinced they were empty, Anton’s Lightning Crows continued to fly over the fortress, the Dark Elves dived through. Verona drew a breath before the Lightning Crows began to attack again. The Mainlander Elves streamed back through the breach, many dropping their swords as their boots slipped on the loose stones.

Anton readied a small army of Large Fire Imps as something scampered out of the breach. These were Goblins, not that Anton thought it would be anything else, but these ran on all fours, keeping their light purple body just above the stone. For a horrifying moment Anton thought they were an army of the assassin type purples but their skin was mottled, great white patches covering their skin. Their faces were also not tight and drawn up in a twisted parody of a smile, rather a slathering madness. The Dark Elves didn’t hesitate and riddled them with arrows, sinking deep into their flesh but only stopping them with shots to the head. Anton anticipated a surge of charge up his tail, like the Stitch Soldiers, but he felt nothing. Absolutely nothing even as hundreds of the Mottled Goblins fell.

“What have they been up to now?” Anton asked aloud.

He created a line of tethered flame rings and released them just before the stone walls. The seething tide of Goblins darted away from the rapidly glowing ground, some even straight up the smooth stone wall. Anton clicked his tongue as only a few were caught by the flame.

“This is going to take a while.”

Those clambering up the walls turned back the moment the flames died down, but it gave the Dark Elves the chance to regroup. The fire also destroyed the remains of the wooden defences, giving the archers an unobstructed view. Hundreds upon hundreds of Mottled Goblins fell to the Dark Elves. Anton summoned another two small Lightning Crows and set them to work. As the minutes dragged on, the Dark Elves’ quivers’ began to run empty but the Mottled Goblins numbers refused to relent. A worried look spread through their lines as those at the front began to yell for arrows to be brought forward.

“I can handle this.” Verona manoeuvred Anton’s hands to her waist. “Just hold on.”

“Hang back you two,” Anton yelled to Kal and Cetina, his hands gripped tightly onto Verona’s waist as the Jaguar leapt forward.

Verona summoned her blood shards and threw them forward. The Mottled Goblins scurried away from the shards while continuing to charge into the barrage of arrows. Verona’s shards were faster but her frustration was clear. She broke the blood into tiny slivers to throw them in great waves through the Mottled Goblin’s charge. Anton threw a few small lightning bolts and a wave but he couldn’t help much, at least the lightning was fast enough to strike the Mottled Goblins before they could react. As Anton readied a Lightning Ring his eyes were drawn deep into the Green Moon fortress. The Mottled Goblins continued to pour out of the many breaches from the central building of the fortress but some stopped the moment they reached the outdoors. Their claws pawed at their faces, pulling away some thin slime covering their bodies. Those already attacking, now forming great piles from their corpses, were not. More and more Mottled Goblins stopped and tried to clean themselves before plunging into the assault.

“Just hold on a bit longer!” Anton yelled to the Dark Elves. “I think they’re about to run out.”

It was small comfort to the Dark Elves; their hands shook from repeatedly drawing the bows, their eyes grew worried as they mentally counted down how many arrows they had and knowing they were starting to run low.

Anton created a Lightning Ring one after another, throwing them randomly throughout the open courtyard of the fortress. Slowly the Mottled Goblins’ numbers dwindled until they simply ceased. The last few Mottled Goblins were slick with a strange mucous. Finally, they too fell and the entire battlefield turned silent. No one was willing to speak a word for some time, all attention was focused towards the breach.

“I’ll send the Fire Imps first!” Anton yelled to Gerin. “Send the soldiers in after.”

Gerin nodded and began reorganising their forces. Verona kept her blood shards hovering as Anton motioned for her to bring one of the corpses close. It was a Goblin, perhaps more malformed than normal, but apart from the mottled skin, it appeared nothing more than a large discoloured Yellow. However he began to notice subtle differences; their shoulder and leg joints were strange, far more suited for something lying prone than standing upright, the claws were shorter but far stronger and sharper. None of the Mottled Goblins wore any clothes, even the lowliest Green Goblin wore something over its groin, even if it’s nothing more than grass or ragged pieces of cloth.

“Like they were just born and thrown into the assault.” Anton mused. Verona shot him a look. “I don’t think anyone here would know anything…”

He looked to the Fire Imps breaking through the inner breach, almost instantly his tail began to tingle with a charge.

“The Goblins aren’t done yet!” Anton yelled to Gerin. “Make sure everyone keeps their wits about them.”

Gerin nodded again and continued disseminating orders.

“Can I put this down now?” Verona asked. “Unless you want to keep it?”

“Just toss it.”

Verona was more than happy to toss it onto the pile. Anton threw a small fireball onto the heap and began to burn the bodies. They didn’t ignite so he had to maintain the magic. Kal and Cetina approached as the previous Dark Elf attackers slowly moved forward, salvaging their arrows and delicately moving across the stones slick with blood.

“Imagine if we’d been caught out in the open with these things.” Anton mused, waving towards the piles of Mottled Goblins. “It would have made a lot more sense to use these inside the forests than in the fortress.” Anton squeezed Verona’s waist. “You told me about the Goblins jumping down from the trees. Can’t imagine these things leaping at me.”

Verona nodded. “That means…That means they only just got them.”

“Still no sign of the Red.” Kal mused. “That worries me.”

Anton nodded, turning to the inner breach. His Fire Imps illuminated the way, their flaming forms casting orange light over the normal Goblins fighting within the fortresses walls.

“We’ll find our answers inside.” Anton patted Verona’s side. “Better not let them go unaccompanied in there. I don’t want to find out how dangerous those things are inside a corridor.”

---[]---

The floors of the interior of the fortress were slick with blood and flesh. The summons Anton had sent forth eviscerated the Yellow and Black Goblins in the tight corridors. However Anton, just behind a leading force of Dark Elves, could tell they were still fighting hard. The jolts racing up his tail was more than enough of an indicator. They fought through they tight confines, fighting more and more of the Mottled Goblins that attacked with nothing more than their claws and rage. These Mottled Goblins, unlike those outside, were very wet and slick. Anton didn’t like the implications.

“Don’t shoot.” Anton leant over the Dark Elves and threw another fire lance.

The Goblins evaporated, he accidentally hit one of his fire imps, not that it appeared to mind, and cleaved a path. While he could hear the fighting around them, in the numerous other passageways, there was a new noise. They were close to the inner dock but he could hear something different to the gentle lapping of water and the groan of wood grinding against stone. In fact, he shouldn’t be able to hear anything from there. And yet…

“Kal? Any ideas?”

Kal closed her eyes and focused. “I can hear something…It sounds like someone’s drowning. I think. It’s hard to say. I don’t really know what I’m hearing.”

“We took all the Dark Elves,” Cetina said softly.

“And all the ones we’ve found so far have been dead.” Kal readied her bow. “Even the women.”

Slowly they advanced, soon Anton could hear it too. It wasn’t drowning per se, but definitely a gurgling. The Green Moon’s sleek boats were still inside the dock, a faint light rained down upon them. If the Goblins were able to sail ships they’d be in serious trouble.

A leading Dark Elf lowered his bow. “What is that?”

He pointed to the boats. Goblin corpses, their stomachs ripped open, were piled high onto the boats. With the gentle rocking a Goblin slipped free, their blood acting as lubricant, and slipped into the water with the tiniest splash. They spread out and secured the area, only a few Black Goblins remained in the dock which was quickly disposed of. None of the Mottled Goblins anywhere to be seen.

Anton turned to the Fire Imps. “Kill any Goblins within your range.”

The Fire Imps ran towards the passageways leading away from the docks. This place was safe and secure, hopefully.

Anton moved to the edge of the inner wharf, not willing to step onto the boats. “What happened to these things?”

His stomach churned to see such horrific injuries inflicted on these horrible creatures. The Goblin’s womb had been ripped open, the rest of their body remained relatively intact. Their organs had clearly been compressed, they were far higher up their bodies than normal, were otherwise fine. Their faces, usually sneering and hateful were forever contorted in unimaginable pain; their claws were broken off leaving bloody stumps for fingers, Anton found their broken claws scattered over the floor. Strangely they congregated one and five meters apart, meaning they were kept five meters apart while…this happened to them.

“They’re female,” Kal said. Her eyes darted over the visible corpses. “All of them…I think we know where the mottled Goblins came from.”

One Goblin lay on its front. Its crotch was exposed, definitely a female.

“Caesarean?” Anton mused. “Definitely not…not in the way I’m thinking.”

Verona summoned her shards and picked up a Goblin corpse. The stomach’s skin had simply stretched beyond any hint of integrity and torn from the strain, parts of the flesh were thin and almost like gossamer.

“So…How did they manage to make this?” Anton rubbed his chin as Verona brought the corpse closer. “Whatever it was it did a number on them. I actually feel a little sorry for them.”

Verona raised a brow.

“Just a little.” Anton winked.

“I can’t imagine a hundred babies ripping out of me.” Verona shuddered. “Little disgusting monsters clawing at my flesh.”

“I can’t see anything.” Anton bobbed his head around the corpse, Verona rotated it according to his gestures. “I-”

Something fell from the dead female Goblin. It was attached to her groin, hidden by the pieces of loose bloody skin. A male Goblin flopped dead onto the ground, the creature's body had been broken in disturbing ways. Even more disturbingly the flesh on the Goblins front was…melted. The two creatures had fused, somehow. Verona spun the female around but didn’t find any extra attached to her.

“I honestly have no idea anymore,” Anton grumbled.

“There’s something in its stomach.” Kal sniffed deeply, wrinkling her face at the overwhelming stench of blood. “It smells like earth and yet sweet?”

“Cetina? Can you find a bucket or something?”

“Sure.”

“What…” Verona looked at a floating shard. “Oh, that’s disgusting.”

Cetina returned with a small wooden crate, the junk contents lying on the floor behind her. Verona sighed and cut the stomach free from the Goblin. The moment she cut it free Anton’s nose recoiled, the rotting smell of the Goblin’s stomach was too much to bear. Kal began to dry heave, Anton ushered her away as Verona, holding her nose tight, placed it in the crate. Cetina wasn’t doing much better but she was holding up.

“How many more?” Verona held back a cough.

“Just this one.” Anton covered his face with his sleeve. “I don’t want anything to escape.”

Verona tossed the body back with the others, causing another three to slide loose from the mountain. She, after forcing down another dry heave, cut the Goblin’s stomach and spilt the contents. Anton expected green, Goblins could easily subsist on grass, but found a vile black liquid coating the green. A small puddle of a black and white liquid slid off the small piles of grass, the colours refusing to mix as it tumbled over itself.

“Can you get that?” Anton asked.

Verona glumly nodded but obeyed. After forming the blood into a bowl she scooped the vile black liquid up. Anton passed over a glass Mana vial. Verona grumbled as it slowly poured in, the mixture still refused to mix.

“How did the Red get this?” Anton asked. “Can’t ask him though...”

Anton clicked his tongue. The lack of the Red Goblin, and its Black bodyguard or any sort of leadership troubled him greatly. There was still one island remaining but he doubted that was worth anything. They had escaped. Somehow. And to where?

Those people Verona and Kal found, the amulets around their necks…They probably took them. But to where? It’ll take us a long time to reach Soulthor in Graterious. And we just don’t have the time. Perhaps Ferula could investigate?

Regardless they had not seen the last of them.

“Could you get three more?” Anton passed Verona the empty glass vials. She grumbled but did as she was asked.

With all four filled the other Dark Elves arrive in the dock. They appeared initially relieved to see, figuratively, the end of the battle. Realising what the piles of bodies were it faded, replaced with retching, not all of it dry.

Gerin, Ceccitol and Tuccac finally arrived. They too looked utterly shocked and disgusted by what they found.

“By all the gods.” Ceccitol held a hand over her mouth. “What is this?”

Anton glanced at the vials. “I wish I knew. I doubt you knew anything about these mottled Goblins. Or…This?”

Ceccitol and Tuccac shook their heads, Gerin held his flat.

“We should burn this…Abomination.” Gerin spoke very softly.

“I would like the ships though.” Anton put the glass vials away. “Since they belong to the Green Moon clan, and they work for me now.”

“After all this?” Tuccac asked. “I don’t think you’d be able to remove the blood.”

He glanced at Verona.

“Sorry. I can only control the blood that I let. Not just random puddles. Otherwise, I’d be too powerful.”

Verona directed her shards to start collecting the bodies into a great pile. She looked to him, motioning for him to create a flame but he was a little worried. If the strange liquid reacted badly to flame who knows what they could unleash. Best to let the creatures rot.

“Someone see if they can get the door open,” Anton told a nearby Dark Elf. “Then we can sail these things out and…Be done with this place once and for all.”

Verona dropped the last pile of goblins onto the stone of the inner wharf. “Right. That’s all done now.”

“The last Island will soon fall to the Dark Elves.” Anton patted down his cloak. “And they’ll soon have complete control. The war is essentially over. But that leaves one question.”

“So what happens to you?” Anton turned to Gerin. “And what happens to us?”