Two Worlds: Clash of the Guardians (Completed)

XIX - The First Kiss

October 8, in the year of 8845, Reminis Calendar (RC) 

Elli almost fell on the forest floor. Her entire body was twitching in pain, like it had caught fire. The fear when she was tossed by the lava returned to haunt her mind.

“Elli, are you all right? Is it that you aren't fully recovered?” Marko clasped a hand on Elli’s arm.

She shook him away. “I’m fine.” The pressure of his fingers on her skin made the invisible burn greater. What's wrong with me? She had constantly dreamed of Vadiraj and heard bizarre voices. An hour ago, her chest was yelling in pain as if it was prickled by thousands of needles. Now, her body was screaming in torment as if a burning torch was thrown on it. It must have something to do with him. 

Marko studied Elli while she struggled to look strong. Clueless, he said, “Just be careful when you walk. The leaves and twigs here don’t look natural. I’m afraid—"

Elli had tripped over a log and collapsed on the floor. Ropes shot out of the trees all of a sudden, binding around their legs. With a tug from the end of the ropes, they were sent to the air and hung in an upside down position. The bushes moved, followed by cunning applauses.

"Well, well, well, four Black-Borns and a pygmy, careful, but not careful enough." A green figure hopped out of a shrub. He was four-foot tall. His head was bald and his green eyes looked like ripe giant beans that were going to pop open. His teeth were like the surface of a chocolate that was chewed unevenly. Pusses scattered all over his emaciated body, which was only covered by a brown animal skin.

"Let us go, goblins!" Rooney grabbed the pointed ears of the beany-eyed goblin. He swung his hands and punched the goblin, but the creature grasped his hands with ease.

"This one looks tiny yet strong, Gwandibog. He can be our cleaner. They all look strong actually. We definitely need more than one helper. We haven't washed the dishes for weeks. The king's throne needs to be dusted too," he said to another goblin which was uglier than a troll. Gwandibog nodded in agreement and the beany-eyed figure walked towards Elli.

As if knowing the sense of urgency, the scorching pain disappeared, replaced by fear and disgust. Elli was now gaping at the ugly beany-eyed goblin as he poked a gawky finger at her cheek.

Beany-Eyed said, "I’ll present this precious to the king, and he’ll make me his lieutenant."

"No!" Gwandibog roared. "She is my prize. I’ll give her to the king. I’ll become the lieutenant."

“Okay, you take the other lady, and we’ll let the king choose. Whosever got picked up will be the lieutenant. Fair?”

Gwandibog grinned and he rummaged through their pockets. “Grab their wands and weapons, Green-Bean. They are nothing without those.”        

It was hard to move their bodies and retrieve their weapons in time. The goblins manoeuvered with a speed that their eyes couldn't follow. They watched with red eyes as their goods were looted.

"Well, well, well, we shouldn’t set a bad impression in front of our prisoners, Gwandibog. They might think us as thieves. Let's lock them up and we’ll wait for the king's decision.”

The latter nodded, and they stuffed the quintet into a net. The latter struggled, and the goblins struck them with their spiky bats. After making sure their prisoners were obedient enough, they dragged their prizes into a cave. A slanted sign with too-many holes hung at the entrance of the cave, reading, Goblins' Holes. The goblins dragged the net down hundreds of flights of stairs. Elli felt bumps building up on her backside throughout the process. Thirty minutes later, they arrived at an opening. The goblins halted before a cell and pushed them into it.