Marionette

Chapter 10

"Wow, these trees are massive!" exclaimed Azi, standing beside me in formation. 

Indeed they were. They did not call this place the Tall Forest for nothing. The trees were taller than most buildings I had seen in Rome. Truly surreal. 

Reaching the forest took three days of marching through the countryside. We had spent three days and nights outside the safe zone, but thankfully, only easy monsters had tried to attack us, and we defeated them without breaking a sweat. 

Yui was among the Archers at the back of the formation, so we had hardly talked since we left camp. She would come and find me each night we set up camp, though, and that was when we would exchange a few words. 

"Sarge, are we seriously going to fight Goblins?" asked Azi. Even though he had already seen so many crazy things, he still could not believe Hobgoblins existed here. 

"Yep, and just call me Marco," I replied, looking dead ahead. 

It was noon, but the forest before me was dark. Sunlight could not penetrate those thick, gigantic leaves. 

"Do we know what monsters lie within the forest," asked Azi, "besides the Goblins." 

They were Hobgoblins, but I did not care enough to correct him. 

"Nope." 

I then turned to face the others behind me. 

"Listen up, guys!" I shouted so everyone could hear. "We're going in the forest to find the Hobgoblins' hideout. This is unfamiliar territory, so stay sharp!" 

"""Yes, sir!""" they all replied as one. I was not used to that "sir" stuff, and I kept telling them to just call me by my name, but they kept ignoring me. 

"We have eleven days left to complete this mission!" I continued. "This forest is massive, so we can't waste time! Maintain formation, do not lose your cool, and protect the Legionnaire next to you!" 

"""Yes, sir!""" 

At least their spirits were up. 

After that, we marched into the Tall Forest and spent the next two days in darkness.

 

Some of the others wanted to light fires, but I told them not to do so, as it could betray our position to the enemy. 

It was a tricky affair. Every little noise would cause panic, but no monster ever attacked us. We pressed onwards, as our lives depended on this mission's success. The others were not aware of this, though. I spared them the grim details to keep them focused. 

Six days had passed since we left the camp, and this mission had commenced. Our progress had been abysmal. The way things were going, we would all lose our heads. 

There was no other way. I had to do it. I had to contact the Demon's Shield. 

-You there? I tried to communicate with him telepathically as we walked in the dark, stumbling all over the place. 

-Always...

Creepy. 

-Can you find the Hobgoblins?

-Of course, I can; I already know where they are. I can smell these disgusting little creatures from miles away, and let me tell you that you're nowhere close to finding them.

-Can you guide me there?

-Yes, but you won't like what you'll discover... hehehe...

-I'm running out of time. I DON'T CARE! Just take me there.