It was like I was submerged deep underwater, unable to make sense of left and right or up and down. But within that, it allowed me to clear my mind strangely enough, enough to realize that I'd been too swept up by all of this. I couldn't forget, I didn't want this, and I still don't.
` If neither Oude, or 'Earth's owner' are planning to get me out of this mess, then I'll have to figure it out on my own. `
The brief image of two silhouettes appeared in my mind, looking down at me with warm smiles.
` No matter how long it takes. `
After that, my eyes snapped open, trying to get a good look at my surroundings, just what had Oude been trying to tell me before I made my decision? ` Ugh… So bright, where the fuck am I this time? Am I not in the forest? ` I raised an arm upward to shield myself, and what appeared to me was a thin, boney arm covered in green skin. ` Oh yeah… Goblin. That's what I picked. ` I had to reorient myself, regressing like that made me feel my brain had been rattled. I could only hope it'd get better with time.
Not keen on letting myself sit there and do nothing, I picked myself up out of my thoughts and took a lay of the land. I was right outside of a tall wooden wall, made up of logs that had been sharpened at the end. To my six was… Another forest? Or was it the same one? The trees looked about the same height, but then again, I was trying to compare it with two contrasting heights for reference.
Moving my attention back to the wall, I observed it with more attention to detail. ` Yikes. This place looks like a dump, sure there are walls, but there's also obvious gaps in them… At least there was an attempt? ` Getting a better grasp of my own body, I stretched for a second. It was comfortable, a lot more than I could say for the Slime. Weirdly enough, it felt like I had good control over my knife-like ears.
` I don't think pointy ears will help me survive, though. ` Now, it was time for the final test… Speech, could I speak as a Goblin? Would others be able to understand me? ` I could understand those three humans, and Oude too, so maybe it's some kind of instant translation… ` I swallowed my saliva, and called out, " Hey, is anyone in there!? "
My voice sounded objectively… Not great on the eardrums, the kind you'd expect from an evil wizard in one of those princess movies.
Stifling my breath, I waited, and waited, waited a bit more, I was beginning to lose my patience, did everything in this world need to take so long when it didn't involve me dying? I was about to open my mouth to repeat myself, that was until another voice called out in response. " Oye, what is it! You better not be some human- " The voice halted as it pushed open the large wooden gate.
It was another Goblin, about the same height as me, maybe a bit shorter, who seemed to be not much other than skin and bones. He paused, looking me up and down, before recoiling a step, " What the, where are your pants! By the shamans, why're you naked and alone out here? " I looked down, and… ` Oh fuck. He's right, I'm naked, why didn't I realize that sooner? ` I desperately tried to shield myself from his eyes, but it was definitely too late.
" Ahaha… I'm uh, new around here? I was attacked by humans and got separated from my tribe. " I had to hope that he'd buy that and maybe take me in, or else I'd be fodder for anything that sees me and thinks that I look worth the kill.
His face warped into one of disdain, " Of fuckin' course, because humans don't give us enough problems. " He grumbled before relenting and pushing the gate the rest of the way open. He gave me a grin, like this was some grand scene to be proud of. " Come on in, we'd never turn our backs on one of our own. "
I was thankful that Goblin culture appeared to make them quite generous to those of their own species, or else I would've been royally screwed and then some. " Thanks, what's your name, by the way? " I tried to fish for information, but it was quickly shot down by the Goblin. " No time for that, we still gotta get you some pants, remember? " He was right about that, it was pretty drafty down there, to put it lightly.
He led me to one of the poorly maintained thatch huts. I was surprised it wasn't riddled with holes like the big wall surrounding this place. Inside, there laid a pile of clothes, mostly worn down leather shorts and tunics. "Pick out whatever you need, it's not much to look at, but be grateful you have options at all."
I could certainly feign gratitude, but that didn't mean I was going to be overjoyed about having to wear shabby clothes like this. ` Still, it is better than nothing, I'll just find something that fits, after that, I can hopefully get more information about this place. ` I scrounged through the pile, tossing aside what looked too worn down, and threw on the first half decent clothing I could find.
Happy with my choices, I turned over to look at him, "Thanks… I really appreciate this, I gave up what clothes I had on the way here to avoid leaving any traces." He let out a small snort, "You don't need to thank me, if you wanna thank anyone, thank the shamans, or our Chieftain, since I have to bring you to him anyways."
I wasn't planning to fight against that, maybe this 'Chieftain' could help me learn more about the situation of this tribe and the relationship Goblins have with humans since from what this guy has said- ` Wait, is he ever going to tell me what his name is? Fuck, do I have a convincing enough name to give them? I don't think they're gonna accept that I'm 'Dante the Goblin'. `
It seemed like the Goblin shamans or maybe Oude herself was smiling down on me at that moment, because the Goblin who had been guiding me this entire time finally spoke up. " You mentioned wanting to know my name, didn't ya? The others call me Grain, all because I grew real quick even for a Goblin. So how's about it, what's your name? "
With Grain's name as a reference… That should allow me to think of something reasonable, right? Think, Dante, a Grain is connected to nature, they live right outside of a forest, they probably think I'm from said forest… ` I've got it! `
"My tribe, they used to call me Branch!" I gave a toothy grin, and received one in response, it was hard to miss just how sharp Grain's teeth were, were mine like that too? A quick running of my tongue over them told me that yes, that was indeed the case.
Nodding, he picked up the pace, "That's a good name, Branch. I'm sure your tribe had a good reason for it. But let's hurry up, we don't want to keep the Chieftain waiting, or else he might scold me… Again." He groaned, not slowing down or waiting for me to catch up.
It didn't take long for me to end up right on his tail, and I noticed that as we travelled further in, I was beginning to see other Goblins like us, thin, scrawny, and green. Most if not all of their eyes locked onto us, Grain gave them all passing waves, They waved back in turn, some had bodies covered in wrinkles, a shocking sight nonetheless, because I didn't think Goblins were a very long lived race.
Aside from the elderly looking Goblins, there were little ones too, with eyes so bright one might mistake them for a shiny gem of some kind, they stopped playing tag to look over at us for a moment with those wide eyes of theirs before going straight back to their game.
The atmosphere was… Warm, for a mere moment, it almost reminded me of home, the way that these Goblins received one another with open arms. Any of the previous fantasy depictions of them that were in mind had been promptly erased. ` It's not home… But they don't seem awful, either. `
A grin crept onto my face, but as quickly as it appeared, it faltered when we arrived at a hut that was noticeably bigger than the rest, built with sturdier thatch, the building with the best condition here… I don't know why, but that curbed my hopes ever so slightly. Did this mean the Chieftain was the kind to place themself above the rest of their tribe? ` But with how things have gone so far… I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. `
My steps felt heavy as I neared the entrance, Grain seemed aware of my nerves and slapped me harshly on the back, "Get in there, Branch! I'm right behind ya, he may look rough, and act it too… But I promise you, he's not all bad." Oh, that was just wonderful… If I were to believe him, that means the Chieftain is the 'tough love' kind of guy.
` What's the worst that can happen? ` I pushed aside the animal skin acting as a door, and almost instantly, I felt a weight bearing down on me, sitting on a makeshift throne of animal bones, wood, and thatch, there sat the Chieftain.
He was the biggest, most imposing Goblin I'd encountered yet. Tall, even compared to the humans I'd seen, scars littering his body as proof he'd survived trials and lived. And unlike other Goblins, his skin was remarkably darker, and he had defined musculature. One of his eyes raised as he took in my appearance, like he was judging me already.
"That's him, Branch… Our Chieftain, he's Gravel, a Hobgoblin."