“What the hell!” I screamed in my head.

  “Sorry, I didn’t account for the lightning being that attracted to you,” Rabbit replied.

  As I strode confidently out of the cave, the lightning crackling around me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the brilliant plan I had devised to intimidate the Goblins awaiting my entrance. By activating the lightning at the very end of the tunnel, I had created the illusion that it had no effect on me whatsoever, leaving them awestruck and fearful of my perceived invincibility.

  Rabbit, my cunning and resourceful ally, had suggested that I use a sword to channel most of the energy away from my vital organs, directing it down my arm and along the side of my body. This tactic allowed me to walk through the storm unscathed, while simultaneously presenting a formidable and seemingly impervious front.

  He claimed to have forgotten that the lightning was attracted to me. So after I walked out of the tunnel and lowered my sword, I was struck by lightning once more, this time in the back. Although I was highly resistant to electrical energy, Rabbit had warned me that taking too many strikes could prove fatal in the long run.

  That final, unexpected bolt of lightning not only hurt me physically but also wounded my pride a bit. Nevertheless, the overall effect of my entrance remained the same. The Goblins before me continued to regard me with a mix of fear and awe. Despite the unexpected setback, I stood tall, determined to maintain my position of strength and authority.

  The latest lightning strike had dealt a final blow to my already damaged clothes. It was frustrating to lose another set, and if I had realized beforehand, I wouldn’t have used one of my last pairs. Frustrated, I looked up and scanned the crowd that had gathered to witness my entrance. I saw their astonishment clearly etched across their faces. However, their shock quickly turned to reverence.

  Almost as one, they dropped to one knee, bowing before me in a gesture of respect and submission. Their unified action spoke volumes. I knew they were not a uniform group of people, but they all respected my strength at that moment. I was just glad they didn’t realize it was a farce.

  One of the female Goblins said, “Master, please follow me. Bubble and I have much to discuss with you.”

  Wait, was that Sparkle? She was very distinct, but I couldn't see her face since she didn't look up.

  Since I was slightly weakened and wanted a chance to heal without fighting, traveling with such a large entourage would be dangerous, as they might change their minds and attack if I showed weakness. I was wary that anyone could come out and stab me at any time. Given that I wasn't currently wearing my armor, I felt particularly vulnerable. While my transformed skin did provide a layer of protection akin to armor, I had no desire to test its limits against an unexpected attack.

  In light of these concerns, I decided to approach the situation cautiously and try to limit my exposure. “Very well, the others may go. I left no one else alive.”

  I made sure to declare that everyone else was dead, intending it as a threat to anyone who might consider attacking me. Of course, I didn't kill them, but these people didn't need to know that. For all they knew, I had.

  Looking around, I knew this was the crucial moment. If any among them had planned to ambush me, they would likely strike at the moment we were about to be separated. On the other hand, if their intentions were innocent, they would have no issue with departing. I held my ground, not advancing even a single step until all but three had moved away.

  I couldn't help but notice the glances cast in my direction by several of the men as they left. Their expressions were difficult to decipher, a mixture of emotions flickering across their faces. Were their looks filled with reverence or resentment? It was hard to say, as their gazes shifted too quickly for me to be certain.

  The three figures remaining before me were small women. I recognized Sparkle from her beauty, but the others looked normal, although worn from the fight. They each clutched their daggers tightly, drawing a sense of comfort and security from their weapons.

  Contrary to my hopes, they didn't sheathe their blades, making me wonder what kind of night they must have experienced to feel the need to keep them at the ready. The bloodstains on their clothing only served to raise further questions. Whose blood had they shed? Had they been hunting down others or merely defending themselves?

  What troubled me more than the knives was their referring to me as ‘master’. I surmised that they had been conditioned to address their husbands or any authority figure in this manner, so I chose not to make an issue of it. However, it struck me as contradictory to the very purpose of our struggle to liberate them.

  If they still considered anyone as their master, it would undermine the freedom we sought to achieve. Of course, I understood that society couldn't function without people listening to and following others, but the key was to ensure that they had the choice to obey or defy. It appeared as though they had been given no alternatives, forced to either comply with orders or suffer dire consequences, such as being locked in the stockades and burned to death.

  As the women led me along the path, we wound back through the spiral and into the city. Once we were clear of any immediate threats, I took the opportunity to dress. Oddly, the women watched as I put on my clothes. They had already seen me completely exposed when I emerged from the lightning chamber. My clothes had burnt to a crisp once more, but I still found it natural to turn away when changing. Despite this, they continued to stare, perhaps unused to such modesty.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  During the walk, we didn’t talk, but I did discuss next steps and strategy with Rabbit. I had plans for this city, and while I didn’t know if they would all work out, at least I had a good position to bargain with.

  I believed that they might be willing to allocate an unoccupied section of the city for my use, considering the assistance I had provided and the authority I held. It was unlikely that they would refuse my request. However, what promised to be more challenging was securing peace with the Dwarves. Integrating them into the city would require careful negotiation and diplomacy, as well as addressing any concerns or prejudices that might exist between the two groups.

  The issue wasn’t that the Dwarves were inherently mean or more inclined to fight than the Goblins. Instead, it stemmed from the Goblins' deep-seated beliefs about the Dwarves. According to Goblin lore, they genuinely believed that Dwarves consumed children. It was a piece of disinformation likely perpetuated across generations due to their prolonged territorial conflict.

  I had succeeded in liberating the Dwarves, but I knew that the Union would not simply relinquish their claim over them, and they would undoubtedly expend considerable resources to seize the Labyrinth City. Consequently, the Dwarves would be faced with the difficult decision of either fleeing or banding together to protect their home.

  From my conversations with Bass, it seemed unlikely that the Dwarves would ever willingly abandon the city, leaving me uncertain about the best course of action. If the Goblins and Dwarves could not find common ground and unite, maintaining the city's separation would hinder its defense. Moreover, this division would prevent each side from utilizing the resources available on the other side of the city.

  This long-standing separation had prevented outright warfare and provided a temporary peace. However, with the Union's looming threat, a united front was necessary. Neither the Goblins nor the Dwarves could withstand the Union's might alone, and even together, they faced overwhelming odds. Yet, as the Union prepared to claim the Labyrinth City, unity became not just beneficial but essential for survival.

  I just had to convince both sides of this.

  As I followed the female Goblins, we reached the room where I had slain their leader the previous day. Approaching it was not easy. Outside the room, hundreds of Goblins were everywhere. Some sat on the stairs, while others sprawled across the floor of the upper walkway. Below, I saw Goblins lying on the ground, their clothes stained with blood. They appeared alive but in pain, surrounded by others who looked utterly exhausted.

  As I made my way through the dense crowd, every Goblin's gaze was fixed on me. I remained alert, my eyes darting from one face to another, searching for any sign of hostility or danger. Amidst the sea of green-skinned Goblins, my attention was suddenly drawn to a distinct figure. It was Blanket, unmistakable with her dark, burn-scarred skin contrasting sharply against the lighter hues around her. Even from a distance, the marks of her past ordeal were vivid, making her stand out starkly in the crowded room.

  I felt compelled to approach Blanket. She clung tightly to her surviving children, her arms wrapped protectively around them. I couldn't help but notice that the children in her embrace appeared to be very young, and I wondered if they were hers or someone else’s. As I drew closer, the look in Blanket's eyes told a story of pain and loss, yet also of a fierce determination to protect those she still had. Her resilience in the face of adversity was a testament to the strength of a mother's love.

  The Goblins were roughly two-thirds the size of a typical human or, in my case, an Elf. Contrary to my initial expectations, all of the Goblins I had encountered thus far resembled small, green humans. Some bore the features of wide-eyed, innocent children, while others had more adult-like appearances.

  The largest child in Blanket's embrace was nearly two-thirds her size, which led me to believe she hadn't been able to recover her eldest daughter. This child could have been her second-born, the one who had been handed over to the Goblin leader as retribution for Blanket's defiance when she attempted to escape with her daughter. As I observed the scene before me, I couldn't help but feel empathy.

  “Are these your children?” I asked, unsure.

  "Yes, these are my daughters, Fur and Shine. You saved them," she said, running her hands through the hair of the taller one. A wave of nausea washed over me as these girls were pure and innocent. Judging by human years, the eldest appeared to be about 12, and the younger around 9. The thought of how they had been treated not only sickened me but also filled me with anger.

  No matter what I had done, I could never truly rectify the injustices inflicted upon these children. My role in securing their freedom was a small comfort, yet the stark reality of their suffering weighed heavily on my heart.

  Blanket caught sight of the turmoil etched on my face and rose from her seated position, gently disentangling herself from her daughters, who remained huddled together on the cold stone floor.

  As I bent down to talk to her, she put her arms around me and said, “They will survive. Thank you for your help. You have saved us all.”

  The overwhelming sense that my efforts fell short weighed heavily on me. I couldn't rewrite history or bring true healing to these individuals, even with my greater strength. But as the thought crossed my mind, I decided to do the one thing I could. I stepped back from Blanket and cast Minor Healing on her. Her skin was blackened and cracked from burns all over her body, except for her face, which her hair had partially shielded. The spell didn't restore her vibrant green hue, but it did lighten the darkness and alleviate some of the damage. My magic might not have been potent enough to mend the deepest wounds, yet it provided a small measure of relief, and that was better than nothing.

  “Thank you once again,” Blanket said as tears ran down her face.

  “Why didn’t anyone heal you sooner?” I asked.

  “All of our healers are working on the injured,” she answered. “Many of those who fought today and were near death have pledged allegiance in return for their life. Sadly, we didn’t have enough healers to save all those who wanted to live, but right now, everyone who is alive is stable. My injuries are minor and wouldn’t kill me for a while. Others needed the attention first.”

  “How many men came over?” I questioned.

  “I don’t know. I have been with my children to comfort them.” I looked over her daughters’ faces. They seemed horrified, either from the bloody night or from the torture that they had been subjected to before all of this. “You should go in. I am certain they will want to settle things with you. Once again, thank you, master.”

  The pressing matter of being addressed as 'master' required attention, but it was not the right moment. The sight of those anguished faces left my heart shattered, and I was overcome by emotional exhaustion. All I yearned for was to retreat, find rest, and bask in blissful ignorance for just a while longer. Nevertheless, I compelled myself to shift focus. I may have had plans, but they were not as important as fixing this city and its people.