Hybrid's Dominion

 ***Chapter 7: Encounter***

The morning sun casted long shadows over the ruined goblin settlement as Paul and Alfred prepared to leave.

The surrounding's, bore a grim reminder of the previous night's battle.

Paul strapped his greatsword to his back, his golden eyes scanning the horizon.

Alfred scurried around, gathering what little supplies they could salvage—a few small sacks of dried meat, 2 waterskins, and a small pouch of herbs.

"Master," Alfred said, his voice hesitant as he approached Paul. "Where are we going?"

Paul glanced down at the goblin, his expression unreadable. 

"We're heading deeper into the wilderness," he said. "I need to find someone and if possible, find out the solution to this issue of the beasts."

Alfred nodded eagerly, though his wide eyes betrayed his nervousness.

"Alfred will follow you, master. But… the wilderness is dangerous. More dangerous than before."

Paul grunted, adjusting the strap of his greatsword.

"I know. But danger is part of the journey. Stay close, and don't do anything stupid."

With that, they set off, leaving the ruined settlement behind.

The forest was dense and unforgiving, the underbrush thick and tangled.

Paul moved with purpose, his senses alert for any sign of danger.

Alfred trailed behind, struggling to keep up with Paul's long strides but determined not to fall behind.

As they walked, Paul couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. 

The forest was too quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife absent.

Even the wind seemed to hold its breath. 

He glanced over his shoulder at Alfred, who was panting heavily but still managing to keep pace.

"You holding up, Alfred?" Paul asked, his tone softer than usual.

Alfred nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yes, master. Alfred is fine. Just… not used to walking so much."

Paul smirked. "You'll get used to it. Or you'll get left behind."

Alfred's eyes widened, and he quickened his pace, nearly tripping over a root in the process.

Paul chuckled, the sound low and rumbling. Despite the goblin's clumsiness, he was starting to grow on him.

---

By midday, they reached a clearing where the trees thinned, and the ground was covered in soft moss.

Paul decided it was a good place to rest. 

He sat on a fallen log, pulling out a strip of dried meat and tearing off a piece. 

Alfred sat cross-legged on the ground, nibbling on a smaller piece.

"Master," Alfred said after a moment of silence, "why do you want to know about the Shifters?"

Paul chewed thoughtfully before answering.

"Because they're a threat. If they're behind the attacks on your settlement and others, then they're a danger to everyone in this wilderness. And if I'm going to find who I am looking for out here, I need to know what I'm up against."

Alfred nodded, his expression serious.

"Alfred has heard stories. The elders of my tribe used to say the Shifters are servants of something much worse—something ancient and evil. They call it the Abyss. The Shifters do its bidding, corrupting beasts and driving them to attack."

Paul raised an eyebrow. "The Abyss? What do you know about it?"

Alfred shook his head. "Not much, master. Only that it is feared by all. The Shifters are its hands and eyes, but the Abyss itself… it is something far greater. Something we cannot see."

Paul frowned, his golden eyes narrowing.

If the Shifters were just the proxies of something far more dangerous, then the wilderness was even more treacherous than he had thought.

He needed to find his father soon—and fast.

---

As they continued their journey, the forest grew darker and more oppressive. 

The trees twisted into grotesque shapes, their branches clawing at the sky like skeletal fingers.

The air grew colder, and a faint, acrid smell lingered in the breeze.

Paul's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his greatsword.

"Stay close, Alfred," Paul said, his voice low. "Something's not right."

Alfred nodded, clutching a small dagger Paul had given him for protection.

They moved cautiously, their footsteps muffled by the thick layer of moss covering the ground.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees, sending a chill down Paul's spine.

From the shadows emerged a pack of rabid beasts, their eyes glowing red and their teeth bared in snarls.

But these were different from the ones they had faced before. Their bodies were more twisted and deformed, their movements unnaturally jerky.

At the center of the pack was a massive beast, its fur matted with blood and its eyes burning with malevolent intelligence. And standing beside it was a figure—a Shifter.

The Shifter was tall and gaunt, its body covered in tattered robes that seemed to shift and writhe as if alive. 

Its face was obscured by a mask of bone, and its eyes glowed with the same eerie light as the beasts.

It raised a clawed hand pointing at Paul, and the pack charged.

"Alfred," Paul said, his voice calm but firm, "stay behind me."

The goblin obeyed, his hands trembling as he gripped the dagger.

Paul drew his greatsword, the blade gleaming in the dim light.

The Shifter let out a guttural laugh, and the battle began.

The fight was fierce and chaotic.

Paul moved like a whirlwind, his greatsword cutting through the corrupted beasts with brutal efficiency.

Alfred stayed close, using his small size and agility to try and dodge attacks.

Despite his fear, he fought bravely, proving his worth as Paul's servant.

When the last beast fell, Paul turned his attention to the Shifter.

The creature hissed, its claws slashing through the air as it lunged at him.

Paul dodged, his greatsword slicing through the Shifter's arm.

The creature let out a shriek, its body writhing as it began to dissolve into black smoke.

"You cannot stop what is coming, hybrid," the Shifter hissed, its voice echoing as it faded away.

 "The Abyss will consume you all."

Paul watched as the Shifter disappeared, his golden eyes gleaming with determination.

"We'll see about that," he muttered.

---

That night, they made camp in a small cave with Paul rolling a large stone to cover the front of the cave, the fire casting flickering shadows on the walls.

Alfred curled up near the flames, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. 

Paul sat nearby, sharpening his greatsword and staring into the fire.

"Master," Alfred said softly, "what will we do tomorrow?"

Paul looked at the goblin, his expression unreadable.

"We keep moving," he said. "We find answers.

"And we prepare for whatever comes next."

Alfred nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.

 "Alfred will follow you, master. Always."

Paul chuckled, the sound warm and genuine.

"Get some rest, Alfred. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."

As the fire crackled and the night deepened, Paul's thoughts turned to the Shifters and the challenges that lay ahead.

The wilderness was vast and dangerous, but he was no longer alone.

With Alfred by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope—a hope that at least, together, they could face whatever darkness awaited them and Hopefully he could find his father amidst this chaos.