“Remind me how we got into this mess again, Toda?” growled Jan as the group was surrounded by horny Goblins that drooled at the prospect of ravaging the females.

“Um,” came his reply, which transformed his features into a sheepish grin. However, it quickly faded away as two of the green-skins charged his position with the intent of skewering his body. Whereupon he did place his shield is front of himself, bracing for the impact that never came. For it was here that Lance had come to his rescue, by swinging down upon the creatures' arms, which were almost torn off completely by the clean edge of his sword. Thus, resulting in the creatures giving of a guttural scream as their brackish blood sprayed everywhere.

This led to the whole of the Goblins to charge the group with the full intent of slaying them, with only a minour desire of ravaging towards the females.

“Brace yourself,” called out Toda as he, Lance, and Jan defended the twins within the centre of their formation. Whereupon they did hack and slash at the Goblins and their pointed sticks.

Though there were some scratches given to the party, for the most part, they were performing admirably well from Karastak's vantage point. However, he held the desire to know why one male Human brought a collection of females with him on his jaunt through the forest. Of which was directed towards the little girl in his head, who then explained, “[Well, it's because they're a Harem Hero team in the making.]”

“A what now?” he blinked slowly, his mind short circuiting over what he just heard, “A-a 'Harem Hero Team'? The hell is that bullshit?”

“[Well],” she shrugged slowly, noting how his eyes flared with pure loathing for the term, and felt a tinge of fear before it quickly evaporated, “[W-well, they pop up every now and again, Karastak. Ever since the Harem King Aldemar came to this world two hundred years ago. He united the world by taking one female of every race, and produced offspring that way. Of course, that's how we got the Kindred race... Are you even listening to me?]”

Karastak was not, as he had quickly removed himself from the berry bush in order to stand tall and glared down upon the fight which was still occurring. However, the group below appeared to be fighting not green-skins, but blue skinned creatures with the same features as the Goblins, but stood at the same height as the male Human of the group. “[Hobgoblins,]” whispered Azazel with widened eyes, “[I didn't know this group was that large.]”

“What do you mean?” growled the pale-skinned man with some reserve.

“[It means, Karastak, that this group is about to crown a Goblin to be their Lord, but,]” she held up a single digit, “[if they're sufficient in size, that Lord might be crowned a King. If that happens... Well, a Goblin raiding party will consist of two hundred, as opposed to twenty.]”

“Huh,” he replied with a grin, “The more you know,” and took a deep breath.

*

“HOBGOBLINS,” cried out Jan as she spied the tall, blue-skinned Goblins rushing out of the cave with rusted, iron short swords in their hands. Only four dashed out, but she could see that there were more than a dozen at the entrance. Each of which were grinning as they licked the blades of their weapons with eager anticipation. For the thought of battle excited these Goblins more than the prospect of meat or copulation with the females present.

As such, Lanna gasped whilst raising her bloodied hands high into the air in order to intone, “>!” Whereupon a dome of golden light enveloped the group and a few straggling green-skins. Of which were quickly dispatched with a sword through their guts, or an axe cleaving through their skulls.

On the outside of the dome, however, the Hobgoblins were banging against the golden light with the pommel of their swords. Of which resulted in them screeching in a lower pitch of the guttural noises the regular green-skins chattered. This was then echoed by those within the cave, and they all swarmed out whilst causing the group to gasp and fear for their lives.

For there were over thirty Hobgoblins which appeared before their very eyes, and each had a pair of glowing, yellow orbs which desired their end. However, the fighters of the group only gripped their weapons and hardened their resolve, whilst the twins prayed to their Gods in order to find safe delivery from this battle.

After they finished their prayers, and just before Lanna's strength gave way which resulted in the disappearance of their dome, there came a scream which was very familiar to themselves. For it was that same one they heard earlier that day, but it was closer than before.

Above their position, next to a few berry bushed, was a pale-skinned man of two and a half metres in height, and wore a pair of dirtied and tattered pair of linen leggings. The rest of himself, on the other hand, was laid bare to the whole of the world. From the athletic build of his frame, to the snow-white and shoulder length hair, down to the blackened hands which ended in pointed claws. All of this and more was shone, but what really caught people's attention was his eyes. For they were glowing bright with his right being of violet in colour, and the left of crimson. What is more was his features, which, although were beautiful to behold, were now scrunched in such a way to denote a predator showing off how enraged it was.

Unfortunately for those below, they did not see the four prominent canines protruding from within his half open maw, as they were too enraptured by the rest of his form to note such a thing.

Instead, this beautiful and enraged being pointed towards the group of Adventurers, and screamed once more before vanishing from his position above the cave. Of which confused those present, until a few Goblins pointed in the air, screeching in their language. Unfortunately for it, the green-skin was immediately crushed right after with the being landing as though a knight had taken knee whilst slamming a closed fist upon the ground.

Once such an event registered, he stood tall and slowly walked towards the group, causing many of the Goblins to flee whilst the Hobgoblins backed away slowly with great uncertainty. However, one of them grew emboldened, and tried to lash out at his right side. Unfortunately for it, and those who stood witness, the Hobgoblin slowly withered into a mummified corpse just as the pale-skinned man caught the creature's arm in his large hand. This only occurred after his eyes flared, and only Anna could see the energy of the creature flowing into the tall man's parted lips as though it were naught, but a fine glass of brandy.

As such, it caused Anna to collapse where she felt a little liquid begin to leak from betwixt her legs. For she was one of the few within her community to have been given the opportunity to be sent to New Wair's distinguish school for Mages. Where she learned many things that were true, as well as those that were of legend. Such as a race of monsters which were far more beautiful than any other race upon the world of Terra, but also held a dangerous secret.

These were the Vampire races, and amongst this race was the rarest breed of Vampire. The “Lamia Meam”. A Soul Vampire which drained the essences of the living to fuel its never ending hunger and its want of immortality.

Unfortunately for herself, she did not think to remember that such a race was obliterated by the Gods and Goddesses of Terra. It was due to the fact that such beings were able to challenge those very deities as children, not to mention as adults, that they were removed. They even went as far as to make sure such a thing never occurred ever again, by having their followers hunt down the race of Vampires until there were only a few left upon the world.

As such, Anna had wet herself for nothing, but the danger was still present, as the beautiful man stood above the group, and now had Toda by his neck, lifting him off the ground. “Toda,” the others cried out as they watched the person of their affection being lifted high whilst choking as he could do nothing beyond stare into the glowing orbs of he who would be his death.

“Let go of him,” cried out Lance as he dashed forward, and plunged his sword into the man's left thigh. Of which caused him to swat the Human away whilst glaring at the offending object sticking out of his leg whilst a dark, ruby-like colour quickly beaded outwards whilst sticking to the linen cloth.

“That was very rude,” growled the pale-skinned man as he grunted whilst quickly pulling out the metal. After which he held aloft Toda, and drained much of his energy, resulting in his skin becoming withered and worn as though he aged fifty years. All the while, the blood of the being's leg ceased its leakage, whilst the rest of the blood fled the whiteness of the skin as though it feared to blemish its perfection with its colour.

“TODA,” cried out the others, each standing with uncertainty. For they had witnessed the monster of their worst nightmares age their friend by many years simply by holding him by his neck. Of whom was still being choked.

Before they were to act, however, this unknown turned towards the Hobgoblins and spoke their guttural language, surprising everyone present. What is more, the blue-skins responded with a few bobs of their head in response. Thus, resulting in them slowly inching their way around this unknown creature, and trapping the females with a ring of rusty ironed swords.

“If there is one thing I hate more in this world, it is a 'Harem Hero' squad. Especially one where such a male has no clue he had created one,” came the melodious voice of he who held their Toda by his life, “And now, I shall watch you all break, and revel in the fact that I have removed at least one more annoyance from this world of Terra.”

“N-no,” gasped Toda as he struggled feebly against the grip that held him by his neck, “P-please... let th-them go-o.”

“Hmm,” the monster cocked his head towards his right shoulder as though contemplating the request whilst listening to something only he could hear. After a brief moment of time passed, his glowing eyes snapped back towards the Human's and grinned a malicious grin which caused Toda's soul to quake with fear. “How about... no,” and promptly dropped his body upon the forest's floor.

After which, he charged towards Lance's position, which the other's cried out with his name, but it was too late. For the other male Human was already within the creature's grasp, and clawed at the perfectly white-skinned arm, but could not mar it with his nails. Whereas the others, after crying out towards their friend, knew that such a mistake is what cost them their lives. For the twins were immediately brought down to the ground, their robes being torn off their bodies before they were to be dragged back into the Goblin's den.

Jan, on the other hand, was having a difficult time. For the Hobgoblins had scored many a cut upon her flesh, and she felt something wrong within her body. It was here that she vaguely remembered that these blue-skinned pests had licked their blades before advancing. Of which was a toxin that paralyses their prey, and she was already feeling the effects. It was only after slaying one of the Hobgoblins, was the toxin able to take full effect, causing her body to fall forward. Thus leaving her to scream inside her mind as the pests tore away her hauberk and clothing before dragging her limp form back inside the cave.

Outside of the den, however, Karastak stood with annoyance as he used his other sight to glare at the Human who dared to stab his body with a sword. If it wasn't for Azazel's quick response of telling him he could drain the Human he held through his claws, he might have suffered a little longer. As such, his mind reeled from the pain until the newly absorbed energy did its work in repairing the damage the iron sword had caused.

Now, with the offender's through in his right claw, he stared at it with a perplexed look upon his features. For the flow of energy within the Human's body was very different than the withered male who was still gasping for air. As such, he reached out with his other clawed hand and gripped the chain hauberk of the Human. With a slight grunt, he slowly tore it away from the body just as the one they called Lance wept out a, “NO!”

Receding from his second sight, an eyebrow was raised as he spied a pair of small lumps upon the chest. Curious, and still gripping the Human's neck, he tore away the heavy leather leggings and small clothes to find not a member betwixt its legs, but a slit of flesh. “A female,” he muttered, somewhat amazed, “No wonder your energy circulation was different. Well,” his shoulders shrugged, “no matter.”

Turning towards one of the straggler Hobgoblins, he held out the one called Lance as though she were nothing more than a prize for the blue-skinned pest, “Oi. I've another one for you, but I want to watch, understand?”

Though the creature was somewhat more intelligent than a regular Goblin, it did not understand what he wished to view. However, upon seeing that the one he held was another female, it brightened considerably as it, and a few others, scurried over in order to grab her legs and body. Whereas Lance, on the other hand, upon feeling the creatures touch her in places she did not want them to touch, lashed out with her legs and arms whilst screaming incoherently.

After which, she was dropped to the ground whilst the Hobgoblins retreated with apparent fear upon their features. Quickly, the Human stood up, and searched for a weapon to defend herself with. Unfortunately, there wasn't one available, but heard a gasping sound to her right. Whereupon she did turn to find Karastak holding what was left of Toda by the back of his neck, who gurgled with fading eyes, and crushed it before her very own.

“N-no,” moaned Lance as she watched the lifeless body of her best friend fall to the ground, blood seeping out from the corner of his lips whilst his head and neck were bent at odd angles. Which led to her moving as though she were moving through molasses until she was upon his body. Here, she collapsed to her knees, and pulled his withered body up close to her small chest.

Whereupon she leaned back her head in order to release a mournful wail of sorrow, pain, and scorn. For her friend was murdered, and she could not join him. That is, unless she could pull the sword away from the Hobgoblin's hand that was a metre away and plunge it into the pale and beautiful man's stomach. Perhaps then she could die from the beast's wrath.

However, the creature called Karastak noticed her eyes flickering between himself and the Hobgoblin's sword, and grinned with realisation. For she was within arm's reach of his position, and quickly leaned forward just as she stood tall whilst turning towards the blue-skinned pest. Here, time seemed to slow down for the pair, as Lance stretched out her arm towards the rusted sword, the Hobgoblin squawked with surprise at the sudden motion, and the pale-skinned man's closed fist was brought down and up towards her abdomen.

The first to occur was the Hobgoblin reacting towards the lunging Human female, pulling back his sword; the second was of the female rearing back whilst squatting upon the balls of her feet in order to prepare a great leap for the object; and the third was of her leaping forward just in time to feel Karastak's balled fist connecting with her abdomen. Thus resulting in her body shaking as a ring of force wafted above her naked back, and she fell with whitened eyes and foam being coughed out of her mouth. All of which occurred within a span of a few seconds, but there was a fourth occurrence.

It was within Azazel's White Void Space, and she watched all of this in slow motion with widened eyes and a Cheshire grin upon her features. However, when the blow from Karastak connected with she who was called Lance, an all too familiar, and very annoying box appeared within the middle of her screen.

{Skill gained: Stunning Blow}

“[I thought I turned you off],” she growled to herself, and accessed her System in order to make sure such a thing never bothered her again. Afterwards, she noted Karastak walking behind a pair of Hobgoblins who were dragging the stunned Lance behind themselves. Each of which were not at all pleased to be followed by the pale-skinned man, and took great pleasure in watching him stumble every now and again, or hit his head against the ceiling of their den.

Unfortunately, their pleasure was short lived, as they soon came upon and opening which led them into a cavernous area full of torch light. Upon its walls were dozens of alcoves full of Goblins which chattered amongst themselves. To Karastak, such a thing reminded him of a honeycomb, and Azazel was forced to agree with himself, as she could not find a better description of it all.

From where the four were, there was a narrow path which winded downwards, and this is where the blue-skinned pests took their captive, but with one holding her upper body behind one, and the lower body in front of the other. Whereas Karastak simply gaped at the majesty of Goblin life, which wasn't much to speak about, but entertained himself nonetheless. After a few more moments of staring, his mind snapped out of its desire to wonder, and came back to the land of the living from the sounds of flesh pounding flesh, the cries of females in torment, and the putrid stench of Goblin life.

“Ugh,” he groaned, using some of his energy to disperse the negative strands which wafted up his nostrils, “It stinks in here.”

“[That's an understatement if I ever heard one],” commented the little girl in his head, whom gave him the image of her scrunching her own nose as she rested atop his head.

“Yeah, but you're not the one who has to endure it,” came his growling reply as his body slowly made its way down the path. Whereupon he noted a very angry and very red Goblin glaring up at himself at the bottom of the path he took. Of which wore a kilt made of animal hide and was flanked by a pair of Hobgoblins wearing rusted chain shirts and tattered, leather leggings. Both held a two metre tall pike, and leaned against them with abstract boredom. Though they appeared as such, he noted their muscles were quite tensed as though they expected the worst.

What is more, this red one had the appearance of some sort of leader, as it was wearing a crown of thorns upon its brow, and there appeared to be a horn budding in the centre of the ring. Which then caused Azazel to release a low groan of, “[They already crowned a Goblin Lord, and it looks like it'll be a King soon.]”

“Which means what, exactly?” he asked, not at all impressed with what he had seen thus far. Though, he did spy what appeared to be a large throne in the centre of the area, even if it was just skulls and filled covered with dirtied furs. Where he muttered, “Skulls for the Skull Throne,” before his eyes turned back towards the red-skinned Goblin who appeared to be full of vim and vigor, but not the cheery sort.

No. This one seemed to squawk and shout whilst hopping up and down as it pointed with a cracked claw at Karastak's direction. Which led to the Hobgoblins who held the stunned Lance to shrink away somewhat before responding in their guttural language, and yes, he did understand it, but it was far too broken to his senses.

“Why you bring white man?” growled the red-skin whilst it gripped the cheeks of Lance and pried open her mouth to stare inside for some odd reason. Afterwards, it hit the the upside their heads, causing them to release the woman. Whereupon it pounced on top of her body, and promptly slid its throbbing member between her folds.

Here, Lance did awaken from the stunning blow, and screamed as the Goblin Lord furiously pumped her body whilst sinking its claws into her flesh, drawing a few beads of bright blood which excited Karastak's senses. However, he quickly dismissed it as he noted the pikes being lowered towards his body. Not understanding the situation, he could only watch with rapt attention with his own hands raised from the pike wielding Hobgoblins.

Whereas the woman on the ground performed her best in fighting off her attacker, by lashing out with fists and shaved nails. Unfortunately, such efforts proved useless, as the red-skin loomed over her body and planted its vile lips upon her own. Afterwards, her attempts became weaker, until she collapsed. For the toxins within the Goblin Lord's saliva were far more paralytic than that of a Hobgoblin's. As such, she fell into a coma-like state, and could still experience all of her sensations, but was unable to act out.

Thus resulting in her body becoming limp as the Goblin continued to pump her body for a few more minutes. Afterwards, it's body stiffened, and he could see something large enter her body from the creature's own, and if it wasn't for Azazel's small voice of, “[It's an egg],” he wouldn't have known what it was. For the “egg” was as large as a regular adult Human's fist, and as round as any ball would be. Not only this, but it rested within the area in which a female's womb might reside. However, the moment such a thing bulged itself inside her, the Goblin's body resumed pumping Lance's once more.

Not at all understanding what was happening, he asked the little girl in his head for details. Whereupon she gave it, but only after he heard her retch for a few heartbeats, “[Well, you see, Karastak, when monsters like Goblins... breed...]” She excused herself for a few moments, then returned, but still felt ill, “[Ugh... When they... you know... do that stuff,]” he felt her waving at the red-skinned Goblin furiously pumping the limp female's body, “[they actually have one of two cycles. The first is to... ugh... implant an egg from their own body and into a host. It has to be a female, as they have wombs.]”

She shivered atop his head, and he felt as though Azazel would hide beneath his shirt if he had one available to hide under, so great was her discomfort with the whole situation. “[The second is to... fertilise... the egg. Sometimes it takes more than one to fertilise it... Afterwards, a clutch of Goblins are birthed within a few days, and the process starts over again.]”

“And the red-skin?” he asked, still desiring to understand more, but at the same time not wanting to keep pressuring her over a nauseating subject.

“[That one has both cycles, whilst the others have only one.]”

The moment she ceased speaking, however, was the exact moment the Goblin's body stiffened once more, but for longer. Afterwards, it pulled out of the female's body, its member coated in a slimy green mucus and bright blood. Even from his vantage, he could see some of the fluid and blood slowly pouring out of her as the Goblin Lord huffed and puffed before shouting at the Hobgoblins who brought her into their den. Of which both took up the female's arms, and dragged her body off towards a pen where many of their kind were grunting as their own bodies pumped themselves against the captive Humans and Dwarf.

It then teetered and tottered over to where he was at as though heavily drunk, and growled, “Me King. Me strong. You die here. Now,” and it tried to snap its fingers to get the pike-Goblins to stab at Karastak.

Of whom strode a few steps forward, his eyes squinting as he opened his mouth to utter, “Now see here-”

“[Karastak! Behind you!]”

“What?” his body turned whilst taking a step off to the side. Whereupon he felt fire race across his chest as one of the pikes scored a gash across his abdomen and up his chest.

“GRAH!” he cried out, his left hand upon the wound whilst the right grabbed the pike itself and wrenched it away from the Hobgoblin's grasp. Of which was pulled forward towards himself and saw with great fear as the pale-skinned man's eyes blazed with crimson, his face scrunched in anger, and his canines bared. What is more, its body was quickly drawn up towards those teeth, and tried to flee even as they bit into its own neck. Whereupon its brackish blood filled the mouth of its attacker, and painted the chest and abdomen of the pale man.

Of whom quickly spat out some of the blood, as the taste was just as foul as the den's smell, but felt his wounds close. After which, he took a deep breath and howled out his predatory cry, startling those within the den, and causing even the Goblin Lord to become fearful.

“Kill it!” howled the red-skinned Goblin, as it scurried towards its skull throne, “Kill it! Kill it! Kill it!”

And so every Goblin and Hobgoblin paused in their revelry and the like to slowly move enmasse towards a snarling Karastak. Of whom growled and snapped his arms out towards his sides whilst the claws upon his digits stretched forth. If one were to peer closely to such claws, they would shy away from the green liquids which were quickly beading upon their tips. For such a thing quickly dripped away from their master, and upon touching the ground, ate it away until they were full of the materials therein.

Unfortunately, none were able to spy such an event, as the Goblins and Hobgoblins took up their sticks, rocks, and rusted weapons in order to slay the white beast with the glowing, crimson eyes and strange clawed hands. For it was their Lord's command, and who were they to say no to it?