NOVEL WEB Chapter 6: Chapter 5
Soldiers marched out of the treeline, their polished armor gleaming menacingly. At their front, Lady Steeljaw rode, her cold eyes scanning the battleground.
She raised her sword, and the soldiers surged forward, their cries echoing fiercely through the trees.
"Positions!" I shouted, my voice barely audible over the chaos. Goblins scurried into their hidden posts, watching anxiously as the first wave charged toward our decoy defenses.
The front soldiers burst through the initial barriers, expecting resistance but meeting only empty air and straw-filled scarecrows. Confusion flashed across their faces, but it was too late.
"Now!" I shouted.
Hidden traps sprang to life. Ropes tightened swiftly, nets and pitfalls caught dozens of soldiers, cries of surprise and frustration filling the air. Goblins swiftly moved in teams, hurling clay pots filled with pungent mixtures, causing soldiers to cough and stumble in confusion.
Gresh and his warriors fought with cold, methodical precision, cutting down soldiers attempting to break through our lines. Bonk and Guk defended fiercely, raining debris upon attackers from rooftops, their laughter ringing defiantly even amidst the chaos.
Lady Steeljaw moved forward, her gaze fierce yet uncertain as she navigated the confusion. Suddenly, she stopped, eyes widening slightly. Before her stood a small goblin child, arms outstretched protectively over an injured elder goblin. The child trembled but stood firm, eyes meeting Steeljaw's gaze unwaveringly.
"Monsters...yet you defend each other," Steeljaw murmured, her expression unreadable.
"They're beasts, my lady! Don't hesitate!" barked her lieutenant aggressively, moving to strike.
Stepping swiftly between them, my heart racing painfully in my chest, I raised my voice with false calmness. "If you step forward, you'll trigger the deadliest trap we've set. You'll lose your life, lieutenant."
The lieutenant hesitated, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "You're bluffing, you miserable traitor."
I smiled coldly, my eyes locked onto his. "Care to wager your life on that?"
He glared, wavering visibly before finally shouting angrily, "Fall back! They have sorcery!"
Soldiers retreated cautiously, eyeing our defenses with wary suspicion. The goblins cheered, elated by our temporary victory. But I knew better; this was far from finished.
As if sensing my unease, Elena quietly appeared beside me, unseen by others. Her face was grave. "They won't retreat easily this time. Humans driven by fear rarely do."
"I know," I whispered, dread settling heavily inside me.
She vanished swiftly back into the shadows as another war horn blew sharply, far more chilling than the first. Soldiers, now regrouped and reinforced, marched out once more. Catapults rolled into position, their threat unmistakable.
My heart sank as I prepared for the true assault to begin. The real siege had started, and our battle for survival was only just beginning.
I quickly shouted orders, directing goblins into tighter defensive formations, reinforcing weaker barricades with whatever debris we could find. The younger goblins shivered fearfully in hiding spots, eyes wide with confusion and fear, seeking comfort from their elders.
Bonk grumbled loudly, carrying large stones. "Why humans hate goblins so much, Taku?"
"Fear," I said grimly, assisting him. "Fear blinds them. Makes them forget we're just like them—trying to survive."
Riri, breathing heavily, rushed over again, eyes gleaming with determination. "Taku! The eastern barriers—they won't hold long. Should we retreat inward?"
"No," I answered quickly, mind racing. "Have Gresh move reinforcements there. If we lose that line, we lose everything."
She nodded, immediately shouting instructions to runners who bolted off swiftly through the chaos. Gresh and his warriors moved fluidly, their presence strengthening the faltering lines dramatically.
The fighting intensified rapidly. Goblins began suffering injuries, their cries piercing the chaos. My chest tightened painfully as I witnessed their pain, helplessness washing over me.
"Hold!" Gresh shouted, voice hoarse but resolute. "Hold or we lose our home!"
His words steeled the resolve of nearby goblins, renewing their vigor momentarily. Yet, fatigue and despair edged ever closer.
Lady Steeljaw, fighting fiercely yet visibly conflicted, suddenly caught my eye through the fighting. "Why? Why fight so hard for monsters?"
"They're not monsters!" I shouted angrily. "They're living beings, with families and dreams just like humans! Look at them, Steeljaw! Are you blind to their suffering?"
Her sword lowered momentarily, her face a picture of turmoil. "Humans have suffered too, at monster hands."
"Not here," I countered fiercely. "Never here."
Steeljaw hesitated, conflict tearing through her resolve visibly. Her lieutenant, seeing her wavering, shouted harshly. "We must finish this, Lady Steeljaw!"
The moment passed, her eyes hardening again with bitter resignation. The soldiers regrouped around her, readying themselves once more, their ranks now fully reformed and disciplined.
My heart pounded loudly in my chest, sweat stinging my eyes. "This is it," I whispered, despair briefly flickering through me before I crushed it ruthlessly.
Another loud war horn sounded, its sharp echo promising violence and destruction. Soldiers moved forward with grim purpose, catapults prepared to unleash devastating attacks.
The goblins braced, exhaustion clear in their slumped postures yet their eyes remained defiant. Even now, amidst ruin, they fought on, their spirit an indomitable force despite overwhelming odds.
As the siege resumed in earnest, I understood painfully that mere words and clever traps wouldn't save us now. We needed something more, something deeper than tricks or bluffs.
We needed to show strength—not the strength of swords or sorcery, but the strength born of resilience, unity, and sheer stubborn will to survive.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward once again, facing the advancing army head-on. Around me, goblins readied themselves for the battle of their lives, ready to face whatever the world threw at us next.
I glanced around quickly, my eyes falling on Bonk as he fiercely hurled a large rock, knocking soldiers aside. His strength amazed me, though he was clearly exhausted. Nearby, Riri worked tirelessly, running messages, dodging arrows, her determination unwavering. Her bravery was astonishing—far beyond her small size.
As arrows continued to rain down, I saw one speeding directly toward Riri. Without thinking, I lunged, knocking her out of the arrow's path. We landed hard, breathless.
"Taku!" she gasped, her eyes wide with gratitude and fear. "You saved me."
"We save each other," I replied softly, quickly regaining my feet and pulling her upright.