I Can See Evolution Paths

Behemoths slammed both fists against the barrier. Titan Boulder Apes pounded on it repeatedly. Crystal Serpents unleashed crystal spikes and Fire Lizards breathed flames over it.

Every attack crashed against the barrier.

Boooooooom!!

Yet not a single crack appeared.

Inside the barrier, golden light quietly washed over every Goblin. Hunters. Healers. Children. Elders.

One Goblin Hunter suddenly froze. "Wait," he said.

Another rolled his shoulder. "My injuries," he said. "The pain is disappearing."

A wounded Healer looked down. The bleeding from her arm had already stopped.

Golden light continued flowing through their bodies. It didn’t completely heal them. Instead it strengthened them.

One Hunter slowly clenched his fist. "I feel stronger," he said.

Another nodded. "So do I," he said.

The Hunters exchanged looks. Then one of them smiled. "Let’s test it," he said.

He rushed forward. Several Hunters immediately followed. They charged through the barrier without resistance.

The Beasts roared. Battle began again. Steel clashed. Blood flew. The Hunters quickly realized they truly were stronger. They fought with renewed confidence.

A Hunter sliced across a Crystal Serpent before jumping backward.

Suddenly, "Pull back!" a Goblin Healer shouted.

The Hunter blinked. But he trusted her. He retreated. The moment his back touched the barrier, golden light flowed into his body. The deep cuts across his chest immediately stopped bleeding. His exhausted muscles relaxed.

The Healer smiled. "Feel better?" she asked.

The Hunter blinked. "Much," he said.

She laughed. "Good."

Then she pushed him. He stumbled straight through the barrier.

"Huh?"

He turned around. He had just walked through it. The Crystal Serpent lunged after him.

Booooooooom!! Its head slammed into the barrier. It bounced backward.

The Hunter stared. The Healer pointed toward him. "You can go in," she said. She then pointed toward the furious Crystal Serpent. "But they can’t."

Silence.

The Hunter slowly grinned. "Again?" he said.

The Healer rolled her eyes. "Go," she said.

The Hunter laughed. "Heal me first," he said.

The Healers immediately began restoring everyone’s injuries. One finished and waved him away. "Next!"

The Hunter charged back into battle.

Soon every Hunter began abusing the barrier. A Goblin Hunter drove his spear through a Fire Lizard’s shoulder.

Before the beast could retaliate—

He sprinted backward and the instant he crossed the barrier. Golden light flowed into him and his aching muscles relaxed before his breathing steadied.

He grinned. "I’m back!" He immediately rushed out again.

Another Hunter replaced him.

Then another and then another.

The barrier became more than protection. It became their miniature fortress that allowed them to constantly strike the beasts before rushing back to get healed and protected. The beasts slowly realized these Goblins weren’t getting weaker anymore.

They were becoming harder to kill.

Meanwhile the Beasts grew increasingly furious, attacking the barrier over and over, every strike useless. For the first time since the siege began, the Goblins began pushing the Beasts backward.

"Push them out!" A Goblin Hunter roared.

The other Goblins answered together. "GET OUT!"

Dozens of Hunters exploded out simultaneously.

Crystal Serpents were driven backward.

Fire Lizards crashed into walls.

Even Titan Boulder Apes stumbled beneath the sudden assault. And Behemoths were forced to step back from the slashed across their legs. For the first time since they were cornered, none of them felt afraid.

...

Golden light faded from the palace.

Vedas smiled gently. "Sorry for being late," he said.

Athena let out a long sigh. "Honestly," she said. "You and Arthur. You both really enjoy making everyone worry." She folded her arms. "I hope you’re ready to apologize to Eden."

Vedas’s expression softened. "I definitely owe her one," he said.

He gently patted Mara’s trembling shoulder. Mara immediately dropped to one knee, her forehead touching the floor. Every instinct inside her screamed the same thing. Protect him. Serve him. Follow him.

"Goblin Rider," she said, "greets the King."

Athena blinked. "Mara?"

Mara didn’t move. She didn’t understand why she was kneeling. She simply knew this was how she should greet her King.

Vedas chuckled softly. He walked toward the ancient crown. Instead of placing it on his own head, he placed it on Athena’s.

Golden lines immediately spread outward, across the palace, across the city.

Athena’s eyes widened. "I can see everything," she said.

The battlefield. The walls. The civilians. The Hunters. The ancient defenders. Everything.

Vedas nodded. "The golden lines connect the entire city," he said. "You’ll be able to coordinate everyone. And your voice can travel through them."

Athena blinked. "The pressure?"

Vedas smiled. "I deactivated it," he said.

Athena laughed. "Of course you did." She studied him for a moment. "You’re leaving."

Vedas nodded. "How can I stay here while everyone else is fighting?" he said. He looked toward the city. "Besides, there’s something I want to try."

Mara immediately raised her head. "My King! Allow me to accompany you!"

Vedas shook his head. "Guard Athena," he said. "That is your duty."

Mara straightened immediately. "Yes, my King!"

The palace balcony shattered beneath his feet, and he launched into the air, golden feathers spiraling behind him. His eyes swept across the city and how much damage has been done to it since he first was encased in the cocoon forty minutes ago.

Some buildings were rubble.

The wall had been breached.

Beasts were rushing through the streets and causing havoc.

Then, far across the battlefield he saw Arthur clashing with a Thunderbird Chief. And then he saw him looking up.

The two partners made eye contact.

Neither spoke or waved.

Only multiple images flashed into each Vedas mind.

Arthur rushing to him, then another image of him opening his arms, and the next image of him hugging him tightly. And then an image flashed into Arthur’s mind of Vedas opening his golden arms. Then another image of him hugging him tightly, and then him opening his mouth.

None of the images spoke any words. Yet they both instantly understood, they were happy to see each other. And even the emotions rushing between each other was filled with pride, joy, and determination.

Arthur smiled and then Vedas smiled back. Then both immediately returned their attention to their own battles. Arthur continued fighting the Thunderbird Chief while Vedas continued his descent toward the city.

Vedas landed near the center of the city and the stone exploded beneath his feet. He slowly drew his sword for the first time, golden light running across its blade.

He raised it toward the cavern ceiling.

[Dawn Descend]

A pillar of golden light crashed down from above. Nobody could see through it. Only silhouettes. One. Five. Twenty. Dozens. More and more figures appeared.

The light slowly faded.

Revealing the sight of Goblins and Direwolves.

It was the Crownwall Tribe.

All of them blinked in confusion while the Direwolves began growling as they glance left and right in concern. Then the Goblins instinctively looked toward the golden figure standing before them.

Vedas smiled. "It’s been a while," he said.

Silence.

Then Suri’s eyes widened. "Vedas?" she said. She rushed forward. "Is that really you?" She had imagined this reunion countless times but none of them looked like this.

Vedas nodded. "I’ve become the Goblin King," he said.

Silence fell in the area and nobody breathed.

One Goblin rubbed both eyes. "...Chief?"

Another Goblin slapped himself. "...I’m dreaming."

A third Goblin suddenly laughed.

Then another and soon the entire tribe erupted.

"A Goblin King!"

"Our Chief became the Goblin King!"

"I knew Chief Vedas was special!"

"No!"

"I knew he’d become incredible!" "

I didn’t know he’d become a legend!"

Even the Direwolves began howling toward the cavern ceiling. The sound echoed throughout the ancient city.

"R-Really?" Suri trembled before asking softly.

"Yes, did you expect anyless?"

"No... I always believed even though I didn’t know why..."

Vedas smile faintly. "You have gotten stronger, Suri."

Suri’s lips trembled as tears slowly rolled down her face. "I’ve been working really hard." She quickly wiped her eyes.

"I got much better with my spear."

"I can even beat two of the Goblin Hunters now." She puffed out her chest proudly. "I also reached Level Twenty."

"And..." She clenched her fist.

"I even defeated a couple of Orcs that attacked our village." Her smile became even brighter. "I helped train the new recruits too!"

"I wanted everyone to be stronger before you came back."

Each accomplishment she listed...

Made Vedas’ expressions soften a little more and slowly he reached out. His golden armored hand gently rested on top of Suri’s head.

Despite the cold metal...

The touch felt unbelievably warm like Suri was being wrapped beneath a blanket on a winter night.

Vedas gently ruffled her hair. "I would say I’m proud of you..." He smiled. "But I expected nothing less... From my very first subordinate."

Suri’s entire body trembled and bit her lip. Then a smile brighter than ever spread across her face.

The entire tribe themselves were still shocked.

Gruk slowly reached toward Vedas but his hand stopped halfway. He didn’t dare touch him. "...You... really became one."

Two months ago, they had only seen the spirit of a Goblin King and talked about it around a bonfire. Now he stood before one.

Vedas smiled. "I kept my promise."

Gruk completely broke down as his shoulders shook. For years he had dreamed about a Goblin King and now he was standing before one. His knees slowly gave way, tears streaming down his face.

"My King," he said, lowering his head. "You... You really plan to remake the ancient kingdom?"

"Yes... My evolution is only the first step. And just like we all said before in the village." Vedas gripped his sword tighter. "We will create a Kingdom even better than theirs."

Gruk covered his mouth. To think the new Goblin King would be the one who had saved them from the Hobgoblins and the Great One. The one who gave them all hope back when they were close to giving up.

Gruk could do nothing more than be thankful he had lived this long to see such a beautiful miracle.

"This city is the Ancient City of the Dawn Kingdom." Vedas said.

Gruk eyes widened before quickly saying. "D-Don’t tell me–"

"Yes, it was created by the Goblin King in the past... It’s an inheritance meant for the current generation of Goblins."

All of the Goblins around gasped and began glancing around in disbelief.

Vedas slowly drew his sword, golden light shining across the blade. "Today it calls for us." He began walking toward the city. "I’m going," he said. "If you wish to fight beside me, come."

He never looked back and didn’t wait for an answer.

Behind him every Goblin roared.

Every Direwolf howled.

Then One Goblin raised his weapon.

Then another and then another. Soon hundreds of golden weapons filled the air.

"My King!"

"My King!"

"My King!"

The chant spread like wildfire and even the Direwolves began howling between the voices. The sound rolled through the streets as if they were announcing their King.

Vedas smiled and without stopping, he pointed toward a nearby pile of ancient golden equipment. "Equip yourselves," he said.

One Goblin Hunter slowly picked up a golden sword. The instant his fingers wrapped around the handle... The blade lit up and then vibrated gently as if welcoming him.

His eyes widened. "It... It recognizes me."

Another Goblin picked up a spear and golden runes awakened.

Then another and another.

One elderly Goblin slowly picked up a golden spear. His hands trembled. "I... I’m too old. You shouldn’t have summoned me–"

Vedas glanced toward him. "I need all of your help."

"A-Are you sure?"

"Of course. Let this be your final fight."

The old Goblin suddenly stood straighter and his grip became firm. "Yes... My King."

Soon every ancient weapon held by the Cronwell Tribe began to shine as though they had accepted and welcomed the Kingdom’s new defenders. Then all of them fell behind Vedas without a moment and waited for his next command.

No one hesitated.

No one questioned him.

Vedas’ golden eyes shifted through the city. There was smoke rolling across the streets, and the sounds of battle echoing everywhere. Silver crystals continued spreading and Crimson flames continued burning.

Far away, beasts roared.

Vedas tightened his grip on his sword. "Let’s reclaim our city," he said.

He took one step and then another.

Behind him the Crownwall Tribe followed without hesitation.

One step.

Two.

Three.

The Direwolves began growling.

Four steps.

And five steps.

The Goblins tightened their grip.

Then Vedas broke into a sprint and every Goblin exploded behind him. The Direwolves howled and the Golden feathers erupted into the sky.

Smoke rolled through the city as the sound of beasts and shouting continued echoing out.

Fire continued burning.

Crystal continued spreading.

Buildings continued falling.

Then golden armor emerged from the smoke.

One Goblin.

Fifty.

And then over a hundred with a King walking at the front they would follow anywhere. None of them knew how this battle would end. But every one of them believed they would follow him to the end.