#goblin slayer fanfic

[bakaiju]

Slayers

Interlude 3: of A Hero facing Something Worse

[thatcher-thonkin]

If you are interested in a “fanfic”, to which involves said tags then just click the link

[wilchur]

Daydreaming bg3 scenarios is my full time job at this point and I've had this phenomenal idea on my walk the other day. It's not really a headcanon since it has little basis in canon and directly contradicts some game events and plays with the lore like it's play-doh so more of a AU/fanfic idea, but...

It always struck me as inaccurate for Durge to be referred to as a "Bhaalspawn" since they're literally a PART of Bhaal made into a separate person in an act of (very confusing) divine creation and it really downplays just how powerful and dangerous they are. Especially since I fully subscribe to the idea that Durge is NOT a mortal, but that's simply not in the game due to just how OP it would be to play an unkillable Dame Aylin-esque character and the definition of a Bhaalspawn is "mortal offspring of the dead god Bhaal". So what the hell are they?

The Slayer. Or at least they're a direct vessel for it, more like.

No, really. Hear me out. Have you noticed how Gortash refers to Orin as "The Slayer" in that bit of dialogue when she puts a dagger to Ketheric throat? Except she's not? Not yet at least because the dialogue does not change depending on if you're still the one who has Bhaal's favour or not and she doesn't get it until you piss of Dad enough for him to go "fine have it your way, ungrateful brat". Plus I don't think The Slayer has been used as a shorthand for "Chosen of Bhaal" anywhere else sooo... Does he assume it's a feature of the position since he knew Durge had command over the form before their disappearance?

That's what birthed the first worm in my brain leading to this unhinged infestation, but it's not all -- there's THE URGE itself.

The game fucks it up SO bad on the whole front because it's reluctant to take choice away from the player, which is maybe understandable, but absolutely WRECKS the narrative that it's something to be afraid of. There's what? Alfira and the squirrel? Those are the only unavoidable consequences of having these supposedly violent and divine compulsions baked into every cell of your damn body. Saving your partner from a gruesome death by your hand needs a dice roll of 15, for fuck's sake! It was harder to convince a bunch of goblins to not turn me into an arrow pin cushion. Durge themself has been scared shitless of it their entire life and you're telling me the thing mostly boils down to dialogue choices? That just won't do for me, sorry. In the game The Urge's source is also never really explained beyond "of course you have unstoppable violent compulsions, you're 100% Bhaal's flesh and blood" which is fucking BORING and doesn't make sense to me because as far as I know Bhaal loves murder because that's his domain as a god, he was not a compulsive killer as a mortal so why would it be something that's passed down? No, The Urge is a fucking Slayer thing!

"It also had the ability to incite attraction in others, and remove any negative feelings they felt, or compel an urge to slay in any intentionally malevolent being, whenever it chose."

To be fair this is from a 2e sourcebook, but COME ON. Didn't it strike anyone else as weird that young Durge is mentioned to have slain an entire PALADIN ORDER before making their way to the temple if you're playing as an oathbreaker? Like, HOW? Slayer form bay-be, that's how.

(Can you tell by now I'm not normal about the idea? Yeah.)

All living creatures learn the best from their own mistakes and I think that letting The Slayer take over would be Bhaal's version of letting your incessant kid touch the clothes iron because they just refuse to leave it alone. Bad parenting, but it's Bhaal we're talking about lmao. "Oh you don't want to kill? No biggie, fuck around and see what happens then. I'll wait." is way fucking scarier to me than him just forcing Durge's hand with the butler basically being like "Heads up, master. Your father is pretty mad and your Urge is hungry so you might commit a murder tonight!" right beforehand.

Just the mental image of Durge thinking "I've done it! I've saved Isobel!" and then having the starved Slayer rip itself out of them like it does out of Orin when Bhaal forces her to transform... You see my vision right? RIGHT? And then the beast gets slain because what else is there to do and since Durge is immortal they just come back to themself instead of becoming goo (which is a game mechanic already since their sis is not so lucky, rip). The drama and angst potential is INFINITE. The sheer raw power of THAT being the "Bhaalspawn" reveal because if Isobel is alive that means Jaheira must be there like "what the FUCK are you exactly??" and no one can pretend that Durge is just Bhaalspawn+ like they do in the game. Do they kill anyone? People are bound to be at least heavily injured, especially since they've JUST fought Ketheric's bossfight and are not rested and at full potential.

GOD, I am rotating this thing in my head so fast the friction is bound to make my brain melt.

[paulythide]

One Shot details!

So, while I work on the next chapter of the White Lion of the Red Keep, I want to ask and add more details to some of the more prominent options of the future one shot.

For example,

Idea F)-(Tensei Shitara x Galadriel (Overlord) Should it be more interesting if Galadriel was reborn there instead of Rimuru? Because I think it would've been a bit more interesting. Maybe, when Galadriel was reborn, she would've been forced to live in the same cave Rimuru was and slowly absorb the world's magic slowly, without her knowing because she is spending time with Veldora. Then she goes out, and that's where the fanfic began.

Another idea is for her and Rimuri to simply appear together in the same cave. I think this is good too. Rimuru, Veldora and Galadriel could have a sort of hilarious friendship. So, while Rimuru is levelling up, Galadriel would be already op and begin to experiment with that world's magic, perhaps, even level up herself. I don't know. Slime's world mechanic is kind of weird, not going to lie. But it is quite amusing to think about.

Idea >D)-(Mushoku Tensei x Galadriel (Overlord) Now, I think there could be different versions of this, but one of them is. Obviously, Galadriel is born there instead of Rubeus, and the dynamic of the entire series changes. Now, Galadriel could be born full op, but just in the body of a child and growing up, or gradually unlock her power.

Or, she could be born as Rubeus' twin. I don't know about this one, but again. It will change the dynamic of the series.

Idea>B)-(High School DxD x Galadriel (Overlord) I have been watching the series, and honestly, I just can't get into it. It's not for me. But I get the appeal, and the history is not really that bad. I guess it is not for me. Nevertheless, I just think Galadriel could take the place of Issei. I hate that guy, truly. But she would not be the pawn.

I'll let your minds continue with this.

Idea >G)-(Naruto x Galadriel (Overlord) Honestly, it's not really that bad if I think about it. I'll have to deal with just the Naruto fans. But I think it would be an interesting take. Galadriel, a Demonic entity, befriending Naruto with the Nine Tails. I don't know, I can of like the idea.

Idea >H)-(Bleach x Galadriel (Overlord) Now, the two versions are fun to think about. Galadriel just trying to learn more without bringing too much attention to her while also proving to be a sort of "new threat" since her Reiatsu is so strange and unique.

Galadriel, as a new Shinigami recruit, just shocks everyone and shows she has the Reiatsu of a Captain.

Or, Galadriel doing her best to not get the attention of Aizen, who thinks of her as a sort of unique Arrancar.

Funny both and interesting.

-The Game of Thrones or Dance of the Dragon ideas remain the same. But I think I have enough Game of Thrones fanfictions going around. So, yeah, I don't think I'll use them.

There are some people who want me to use I'm a Spider, so What? Well, I'll have to read the novel since the anime doesn't give me much to work on yet.

Also, some of you asked me if I would write an Overlord Fanfic, where Galadriel and Ainz met. Well, it's an interesting concept. Others asked me why I didn't put them together. Well, the original idea I had years ago was to make Galadriel, Ainz's little sister or twin sister.

But decided to just go with Galadriel solo. Well, the idea is still there.

-Also, some asked me about other works.

-Noblesse x Overlord (Now, I like this too! I remember reading the entire webtoon of Nobless for almost two weeks non-stop. I love it. So, it's out there to consider, eh?"

-Goblin Slayer x Overlord (Mm, intriguing.)

-Knosuba x Overlord (Do you want Galadriel to lose her mind with that useless goddess? Do you want her to go full genocide in that world?! Yeah, I thought so...)

-Shokugeki No Soma x Overlord (What...? I don't know even... how would that work? I mean, I am all in for intriguing ideas, but this is weird... but funny. I won't lie!)

-How not to Summon a Demon Lord x Overlord (Galadriel's harem history.)

-Kuroko no Basuke x Ovelord (Demiurge's wearing Laker's uniform.)

So, those are the details and other crazy ideas lying on there, from people's PM and hell.

See you all soon, and keep telling me what you would like to see!

[quartzguts]

i am the worst at remembering to do these, sorry for taking so long >////<

tagged by @thebeingofeverything

9 Fandom Peeps to Get to Know Better

3 Ships You Like: HAHAHA JUST THREE ok we'll go with my last few major OTPs: askefinn (vinland saga), ardynoct (ffxv), ignoct (ffxv)

First Ship Ever: hmm i guess like... shadamy...? maybe?

Last Song You Heard: inbred by ethel cain (iykyk)

Favorite Childhood Book: probably the goose girl by shannon hale. i reread it not too long ago and it holds up pretty well from an adult's perspective

Currently Reading: technically still on the silence of the lambs because i just. stopped reading it. like a year ago. also there's about 1000 fanfics i need to read, so

Currently Watching: the dangers in my heart and goblin slayer season 2 (editing to add urusei yatsura and technically dungeon meshi, but i haven't watched the last like... five or six eps)

Currently Consuming: water

Currently Craving: uhhhh.......affection........?

Tagging: any mutual who wants to do this!

[miyamorana]

Miya’s 2023 Fanfic Recs Part 5

Here are all the cool, complete fics I’ve read this year. Separated into 5 posts because there’s nearly a hundred of them.

PART 5: CROSSOVERS (11)

Batman/Lois & Clark/MCU (1)

Boku no Hero Academia/Encanto (1)

Boku no Hero Academia/Harry Potter (2)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer/MCU (1)

Hades/Harry Potter (1)

Harry Potter/Merlin (1)

Harry Potter/Stargate Atlantis (1)

Julie and the Phantoms/Spider-Man (MCU) (1)

Julie and the Phantoms/Voltron: Legendary Defenders (1)

MCU/Teen Wolf (1)

Part 1: Boku no Hero Academia (33) Part 2: Other Anime and Cartoons (20) Part 3: Television (16) Part 4: Video Games, Movies and Books (16)

Fandoms: Batman/Lois & Clark/MCU Title: New World, Same Old Problems Author: RavenclawAngel Pairing: None Rating: Unrated Word Count: 43,309 Series: Part 1 of Steve Rogers: Man out of Time and Place (Words: 93,680 - Works: 3) Summary: The battle in Siberia does not go as planned. Now Steve Rogers has to face his sentence: Exile to Earth B. Let him be somebody else’s problem from now on, according to General Ross. For his part, Steve isn’t sure what to make of his new home or its inhabitants, but it’s better than camping.

Fandoms: Boku no Hero Academia/Encanto Title: Of Quirks and Miracles  Author: Starlight (Fandom_Eclipse) Pairing: None Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Word Count: 7,280 Summary: Mira-bella

So dinner was a total disaster and I ruined Isabela’s engagement, but on the plus side I found Tío Bruno!

He apparently spent the last decade living in the walls of Casita with the rats. So that’s a thing.

Midori129

I’m sorry, he *what*

When Abuela’s quirk starts to fail, Mirabel asks for help on an online quirk forum. She receives it in the form of a certain Midoriya Izuku. Neither are entirely prepared for what’s about to happen, but at least they’ll have a friend with them.

Fandoms: Boku no Hero Academia/Harry Potter Title: The Last Black Author: Toboe1087 Pairings: Aizawa Shouta/Yamada Hizashi, Kaminari Denki/Shinsou Hitoshi Rating: Teen Word Count: 93,904 Summary: Of course a goblin would be the one to tell Harry that he had a surviving family member. His life never made sense, so he really shouldn’t have expected assuming the Lordship of the House of Black to be easy. And of course the last surviving Black wouldn’t make Harry’s life easy, either.

Fandoms: Boku no Hero Academia/Harry Potter Title: New Friends, New Heroes Author: Blueseabird2 Pairing: Aizawa Shouta | Eraserhead/Harry Potter Rating: General Audiences Word Count: 3,018 Summary: Harry goes on a vacation with Teddy and there is trouble that isn’t Harry’s fault. But Teddy gets to show off and Harry gets a new friend so everything’s great! Hermione will be so proud of him.

Fandoms: Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Marvel Cinematic Universe Title: Collision Author: Crunchysunrises Pairing: None Rating: Teen Word Count: 6,087 Series: Part 1 of Personal Assistants, Superheroes, and World Save-age (Words: 22,911 - Works: 3) Summary:  Five times that Buffy runs into Tony, four conversations they have, three times Buffy admires Pepper’s shoes, two times Tony offers Buffy a job, and the one time that she accepts.

Fandoms: Hades/Harry Potter Title: Littlest Master Author: The_Dark_Elf Pairing: Thanatos/Zagreus (background) Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Word Count: 10,416 Summary: Prophecy was an odd thing, and the Fates not as all knowing as they had once seemed. Still, Thanatos was finding it difficult to believe this child would one day be his Master.

Or

Thanatos isn’t entirely sure how he got a mortal son.

Fandoms: Harry Potter/Merlin Title: The Immortal and the Revenant Author: RileyWilliamsJr Pairing: None Rating: Unrated Word Count: 153,326 Summary: As usual, Merlin has utterly failed in keeping a low profile by inadvertently getting himself dragged into a mess of a situation that appears to have something to do with a seemingly unkillable snake man, a toad woman, an order of phoenixes, and a boy named Harry Potter who, he quickly finds, is equally bemused by his current predicament. When he discovers how lost the boy is, he resolves to help him and his friends get rid of this dark lord–as well as their malignant (and worse, ineffectual) new teacher.

Fandoms: Harry Potter/Stargate Atlantis Title: Ad Astra Per Magicae Author: zathara001 Pairing: None Rating: Teen Word Count: 31,845 Summary: John Sheppard’s posting to Antarctica gets more interesting than he’d expected when he recognizes part of what they’re working on as being similar to the Ancient Runes he’d once studied with his cousin Harry Potter.

Fandoms: Spider-Man (MCU)/Julie and the Phantoms Title: Double Tap to Like Author:  breakaway71 Pairing: Michelle Jones/Peter Parker, Julie Molina/Luke Patterson/Reggie Peters Rating: General Audiences Word Count: 17,247 Summary: Peter Parker and Reggie Peters each have their own reasons for feeling lonely, so when an Instagram post draws them together, it’s easy to fall into an unexpected friendship. Maybe it’s a little unconventional, but what other kind of friendship is there when you’re a superhero, or a ghost?

Fandoms: Julie and the Phantoms/Voltron Legendary Defenders Title: Second Skin Author: breakaway71 Pairing: None Rating: General Audiences Word Count: 591 Summary: Lance doesn’t always feel like Lance.

Fandoms: MCU/Teen Wolf Title: Frost Bite Author: Nyxelestia Pairing: past Steve/Bucky, background relationships Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Word Count: 173,129 Series: Part 1 of Winter Wolves (Words: 330,543 - Works: 5) Summary: The last living relative of Bucky Barnes seems to be a normal teenager in a quiet and weird little town in California.

The keyword being ‘seems’.

“You’re Captain America!” the boy shouted in disbelief.

Steve smiled and nodded sheepishly. He glanced at the sheriff, whose eyebrows were also going up as he looked Steve over, and then looked back at the boy.

“Yeah, I…I am. The original one,” Steve added, focusing on the boy. “Your grand-uncle…Bucky Barnes was my best friend growing up, and his family practically adopted me when my own died. I…I always planned to come back to his family, even after he died. When I…woke up, a few months ago, I looked for his family. And that’s…well, you.”

Stiles’ mouth opened and closed as he gaped in shock.

[joestarbuckss]

Hi....If you don't mind, can I ask, what are your top 10 (or top 7) favorite media (can be books/ manga/ anime/movies/tv series)? Why do you love them? Sorry if you've answered this question before......Thanks....

I don’t mind this question at all :)

Long answer under the cut!

Books:

The Hunger Games Series

The ACOTAR Series

For the Wolf + For the Throne

This is How You Lose the Time War

1984

The Fault In Our Stars

I read fanfic on AO3 about every day, it’s not often I read physical books

Looking at this list, the underlying theme for most of them is romance. I have a preference for fanfics because I can pick characters I already like and choose what I want to read. They have tags for anything and I can pick how long of a fic I wanna read. It’s just convenient and I can do it on my phone so I have reading content anywhere I go!

———

Manga:

Toilet Bound Hanako Kun (this is the only manga set I fully own)

Danganronpa (not just the manga but the game and show too, I love it!!)

Steel Ball Run

Jojolion

Bungo Stray Dogs

Vanitas No Carte

Blue Period

idk if this counts but I read bl manhwa (ex Pearl Boy, Painter of the Night)

I haven’t read a whole lot of manga. Most of what I’ve read has been online. I have a few manga from BSD Beast, Danganronpa, CSM, etc. The only manga I have loved with an absolute passion is TBHK. I am in love with the story and art style so I had set out to collect all the books! I recently just got the last one I needed for my set :)

———

Anime:

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

Haikyuu

Bungo Stray Dogs

Chainsaw Man

Demon Slayer

Mob Psycho 100

Banana Fish

Cowboy Bebop

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K

Short Romance Animes give me LIFE (ex TONIKAWA, Horimiya, OHSHC, My Happy Marriage)

I have seen a lot of anime so it was very hard for me to not make this list longer. My all time favorite is JJBA. Honestly it has changed my life. It was the first anime I really got into and now everything is a jojo reference. Haikyuu, MP100, Saiki K and Cowboy Bebop are just easy shows to watch. They have good arcs and fun characters but don’t make we want to d!e (I’m looking at you JJK and CSM). Banana Fish is incredibly sad but I simply reject canon events and make my own truth. Actually I do this for just about every show with major character deaths lmao. All of my faves live, says me.

———

Movies:

The Twilight Saga

Anything featuring Steve Carell (esp Get Smart)

Howl’s Moving Castle

The Hunger Games series

The Star Wars Saga

Harry Potter (4th and 7th are my faves)

The Labyrinth

If you take nothing else away from this list, PLEASE watch The Labyrinth! Teenage me had absolute brain rot of David Bowie and his grey leggings (who approved that costume lmao). It is just so fantastical. I wanted to be the goblin queen SO BAD. Anyways, read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and then go see the movie next month!!!

———

TV Shows:

Criminal Minds

The Office

Pretty Little Liars

New Girl

Only Murders In The Building

Outer Banks

Any True Crime Shows

As far as shows go, I either love mindless comedy or crime shows. OMITB is a delightful mix of both.

———

I hope this answers your question!! Feel free to message me with any questions, suggestions or even just to chat :)

[ghostfriendly5]

Shadowrun/Goblin Slayer Fanfic -The Fighter’s Saga FINAL CHAPTER

Ao3 Link, FNN Link

Words: 250,000 (32/32)

Rating: E, most chapters M

Summary: Fighter, Warrior, Wizard. Three Shadowrunners walk into Calfree. Through love and war, their grit and their dreams, they are there to change the world.

FINAL CHAPTER - Eight years later. War and peace, love and loss, hope and a choice.

Adapted from a playthrough of Antumbra Saga by Cirion. With tremendous thanks for their work on AS, the Caldecott Caper and Calfree in Chains, without which this story would not have been possible.

[zoozvie]

About This Blog

Hi again, I’m Vivi 22 years old. {she/they pronouns}

I’m using this blog to read fanfic, write some drabbles, and post some of the prompts that have been sitting in my folders forever. Also, my ao3 is piratebootyxx .

NOTE* if you send me an ask/request, I'll add it to my WIP list and post it completed under your ask. So don't worry if I don't respond right away!

Content

This blog supports shipping characters and characters x readers, from a lot of different fandoms.

Some include:

Attack on Titan, Haikyuu, Demon Slayer, Spy x Family, Sk8 the infinity, Goblin Slayer, Black Butler, JJK, My Hero Academia

I reblog a ton, you will find fics for characters in their respective fandom. There’s a chance if you’re looking for a ship or an x reader, you’ll find an “n.sfw” tag for it too. Because I reblog nsfw I highly encourage minors to not interact with my page, or at the very least block the tag “n.sfw”.

If not, I will block You.

The prompts

I would love it if someone wrote a story inspired by what I posted! For the most part, I write down what I want to read but haven't found someone else post.

If you want to write using one of my prompts, I won't be upset if you'd like to change something about it. Any OC (or their gender), or vision you have can absolutely be used instead.

*I'm not demanding to be credited for a fanfic idea, but I would love to read it if you post something relating to a prompt I've made. So please tag me!

[peachmercury6]

Metamorphosis {Goblin Slayer x OC}

Pairing: Goblin Slayer x Fem!OC

Summary: Em is a mage with a past she either repressed or cannot remember. When she foolishly joins a porcelain ranked group to defeat goblins, things go awry until she meets Goblin Slayer.

Words: 2,747

Chapter 1: The Cave

“Em, you must run. Forget about me,” the woman said, her hands on Em’s face. “Just run.” Em shook her head in response which only made the woman more frustrated. “Remember what I said before…? How running away doesn’t help matters? Well, this time, it does.” She removed her gloves from her hands, caressing Em’s cheek.

Em woke up, drenched in sweat from her forehead to her neck. She started trembling. Just remembering that night specifically made her ill. She sat back in her bed, trying to process the nightmare for a moment. I haven’t dreamt of her in a long time, she thought, remembering the woman’s face well. Her mother.

She had long black hair, like Em’s that she wore in a bun most of the time. During the night of the goblin invasion, she forced Em to run away while she stayed back, despite protesting she wanted to stay with her mother. In the end, the only thing she remembered was the fire in the village, and the sound of people’s screams getting further away. Water Town did not help her. They only brought her to an orphanage.

Em decided enough was enough. She leapt straight out of bed that morning. Her Mentor, who sipped on her tea, waited for her at the kitchen table. “Morning, my ugly one,” her Mentor said, as she finished the last bit of her drink. She scowled, hating when she was called that, but it was how the damn woman was since she started training Em. “You know what today is?”

“No,” Em said, leaning against the wall, and crossing her arms.

“The day I set you free.”

Em blinked. “Wait… you’re –”

“You want experience? Go out and become an Adventurer.” Her Mentor pointed toward the door; a smile etched on her lips.

“You – I thought you said I wasn’t ready.”

“Did I? Well, we will have to see about that.” Em was a little confused. The other day her Mentor lectured her about how Em was not ready to engage in combat. “You know how spells work, don’t you?” Em hesitated but nodded. “Then get a move on.” She was practically shoved out the door with a small baggage of potions for health, and mana.

She might have just said ‘don’t let the door hit you on the way out’, Em thought, sighing. Her best bet was to head to Water Town, since it was the closest, but it was still an hour away. She kept looking back at the home she lived in with her Mentor, watching as it grew further and further away. It was once a silo before it became their ‘home’. Maybe she should not have looked back so often but apart of her wished her Mentor would have come out and told her she was joking. No such luck.

Em made it to Water Town in one piece. Her stomach was growling, as she had not yet eaten since she was kicked out with such haste. She’d need to go on an adventure and earn money on her own. Perhaps it wasn’t as bad as she thought.

She walked into the Guild Hall, surprised to see so many Adventurers in a line, or in a group talking to each other about the current quests on the board. She wasn’t even sure what she was supposed to do at first until she noticed a girl with long blonde hair – no older than fifteen, approach the counter, saying she wanted to become an Adventurer. Maybe I do that? She thought.

She stood in line, waiting for her turn. It went by slower than expected, but she did eventually get to the front, where she was greeted by a young woman with blonde hair, wearing a side braid over her shoulder. “Hello there! How can I help you?” the woman asked, smiling.

“I… I… was wondering how I become an Adventurer?” Em said, a bit shyly. She could hear a few laughs from people behind her, but she ignored them.

“Oh, wonderful! You just need to fill these forms and then I will review it.”

Em nodded. She filled out the form quickly enough, making sure her writing was legible enough. She handed the form back the woman. “Ah, your name is Em?” She nodded. “And you’re… a mage I see. Where did you learn your skills?”

“My mentor taught me fire and lightning magic,” Em said. “I have been learning since I was twelve.”

“And how old are you now?”

“Twenty.”

She nodded again. She got up from her desk and came back with a tag. It had the words ‘porcelain’ engraved on it. The woman explained everything, from what the ranks meant on the necklace to how Adventurers rank up within the Guild. “And if you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate. You can call me Guild Girl.”

Em smiled at her. “Thank you, Miss.”

Now she needed to figure out what quest to take on the board. She looked at it for a bit, not sure if she should fight a dragon or if she should start with fighting rats in the sewers. “What a choice to make,” she muttered, scratching her head.

“Hey – you!” someone said behind her. Em turned around, seeing a boy with brown hair with a sword behind him. He was wearing good armor for his rank. “Are you porcelain, too?” Behind him was a girl with black hair in a ponytail, and a red-haired mage with a wizard hat on her head. The same blonde girl was also with them as well.

Em nodded. “I am. Why?”

“We need more people in our group, would you like to join us?”

“Sure, but what are you guys?”

“Warrior,” he said. He pointed to the black-haired female. “That’s fighter, and beside her is Female Mage, and… Priestess, right?” He glanced at the blonde-haired girl, who nodded at him.

“You guys have a mage? I am also a mage.”

The female mage scoffed at her. “You are a mage?” she said in disbelief. “I never saw you in the academy!”

“I didn’t train in the academy,” Em replied, now a bit annoyed.

“But you know magic, right?” Warrior asked.

“Yeah, I do. Fire and lightning. So far.” Female Wizard rolled her eyes. Em ignored her.

“Well, more the merrier. Welcome aboard… uh – what’s your name?”

“Em.”

They approached Guild Girl, handing in their quest. Apparently, Warrior wanted to fight goblins as it was the easiest of all the quests. Guild girl seemed a little hesitant for some reason but told them the information they needed to know.

There is five of us. How bad can it be? Em thought.

*

The group was merry although Priestess seemed a bit nervous. Em understood her anxiety, especially if this was also her first quest in the Guild Hall. Fighter seemed to be on good terms with Warrior and Wizard. Did they know each other before? Why would they need two porcelain ranks to help them? You could never be too careful…

They entered the cave without hesitation. Wizard and Priestess both had torches to light up the dark cave.

At one point Warrior and Fighter were talking when they stopped in front of a strange construct in front of them… What appeared as a banner with a skull on top of it or… a totem? Who or what the skull belonged to; nobody knew. “A goblin sex toy?” it was Warrior who spoke.

Em raised her eyebrow at the term. “What the hell is a goblin sex toy?!” she exclaimed.

He shrugged. “Who knows.”

Wizard was becoming impatient. She urged the group to keep going, even nudging at Priestess who was muttering a prayer. Em stuck close with them, trying her best not to panic despite the weird totem they just saw.

The stench in the cave was getting worse as they went further into it. Em could not put her finger on why, but it smelled familiar. Like corpses. Like… death. A flashback to her running from her small village and looking back at the flames. Em shook her head, although it sent a chill down her spine.

“Quit staring into space,” Wizard snapped at her. “Or you’ll get us all killed.”

Em quickly got out of it. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, just keep moving.”

Priestess was looking behind them frequently. Wizard glared at her, frowning. “What? Is there something on my face?”

The young girl shook her head. “N-No, I thought I heard something behind us.” Em turned around, stopping her movements. She listened to what Priestess might have heard. Several sounds of… something running towards them.

“Now listen,” Wizard said. “We’ve been going straight as an arrow since we entered this cave, right? What could possibly be behind us?!”

Em’s eyes widened, spotting several goblins behind them. All of them raced towards the group in a matter of seconds. Before she could react, Wizard conjured a fire spell aiming directly at the goblins, but it was too late. Goblins pushed her down. Priestess backed away, screaming, while Em followed her. The goblins destroyed Wizard’s staff without batting an eye. What do I do?

One of the goblins stabbed Wizard in the stomach, causing her to scream in agony. No. I have to do something. “Stay away!” she screamed, conjuring a fireball in her hands and throwing it at them. However, the fireball bounced off the cave ceiling. Any other fire spell might hurt Wizard in the process.

Em pushed the goblins off Wizard or at least tried, to, only for them to come after her as well. Just in time, Warrior jumped in, swinging his sword at them, and cutting at least one or two Goblins. Either way, they were distracted by him. Em rushed to Wizard, kneeling beside her. “It’ll be okay – “Em tried to say. “Priestess, can you heal her?”

Priestess nodded, as Fighter urged her to use her magic quickly while she helped Warrior fight the goblins. Em held Wizard’s hand tightly. “Don’t worry, you’re safe – we will protect you,” she said, but even she was not sure of her own words.

She glanced at Warrior fighting the goblins. He was really going at it, but when he swung his sword, its tip hit the cave’s ceiling. The goblins didn’t even hesitate. They butchered him as he laid there screaming for mercy. Em covered her mouth, trembling in fear with Priestess.

“You three run!” Fighter shouted.

Em knew Wizard would die if she did not receive any healing. She took out one of her healing potions, using it on the injured Wizard. That, and combined with Priestess’ magic, it could work and live to see another day. “O Earth Mother abounding in Mercy…” Priestess began chanting, as Em squeezed Wizard’s hand.

Fighter was already on the goblins, punching and kicking anyone that came her way. She was a formidable fighter, and she seemed angry from Warrior’s death. But was it enough? All Em could do was watch as Fighter attempted to kick a much bigger, and stronger goblin, only for it to stop her foot in motion. The goblin sent her flying into the wall, rendering her weak as the rest of the goblins tore her clothes off.

She shouted at the three of them to run. Em didn’t know what to do. She helped Wizard up with Priestess. Wizard appeared weak still, on the verge of death. Priestess laid her down, trying to chant another spell, when something hit her in the back.

Em used the flames from the torches they carried, watching as the flames were absorbed through her fingertips without hurting her. She made sure each goblin got a fistful of flames to the face. But it stopped abruptly, and she was thrown to the ground, a goblin’s hands around her throat. She gasped for air, her hands grabbing a solid item beside her. A rock. Perfect. She hit the goblin choking her in the head.

But now she and Priestess were in the corner, unable to do anything as more and more goblins approached them. She held the young girl’s hand tightly. “I won’t let them hurt you,” Em said to her.

Priestess cried out for her as Em approached the goblins, shouting for her to get back. She was ready for them. In a matter of seconds one of the goblins attacked her, pushing her against the wall and rendering her unconscious.

*

I can’t do anything. Em was surrounded by complete and utter darkness. Was she dead? She looked around. Where was Priestess…? And Wizard? And Fighter? No… were they all… dead? She called out for them, but nobody answered her. There were no goblins either. She was alone. Em felt a hand touch her shoulder and she jumped, seeing her mother, exactly as she saw her before her death. “You need to wake up.”

“Mother?” she whispered.

“It’s not your time.”

And she woke up, this time not alone. Priestess kneeled beside her, tending to Wizard’s injuries, but she heard another voice – a deeper voice. There was a man dressed in complete silver armor, urging Priestess not to bother healing Wizard. Priestess protested but Wizard seemed to be able to agree with the armored man.

“Please… kill me,” Wizard whispered.

“No!” Em exclaimed, to both Priestess and the armored man’s surprise. “There’s still time – we can save her.”

“She’s too far gone,” the armored man said.

Em glared at him for a moment. She didn’t know who he was or how he found them… but she was not going to allow him to kill Wizard.

“She’s been poisoned,” he continued, and without further words, he used his own sword to plunge it into Wizard’s body. Em jumped, shocked by what he just did.

“Why the hell did you do that for?!” Em exclaimed at him. “Who do you think you are?”

“Goblin Slayer,” he replied.

Em looked to Priestess, wondering what happened while she was out. “He saved us,” Priestess told her. “The Goblins are gone now.”

“Yes,” Goblin Slayer replied nonchalantly. Em stared at Fighter, who had her clothes completely ripped off. Em took off her cloak, placing it over Fighter. What happened to her? Was Fighter… Em’s eyes widened, as she put two and two together. She heard stories of what Goblins do to women, but she shrugged it off as a mere urban legend to scare children. What is going on? She thought.

She clenched her jaw as Priestess explained more about the situation. Em helped Fighter up to her feet, slowly guiding her out of the cave with Priestess and Goblin Slayer. She couldn’t believe he killed Wizard without any sort of remorse or second thought, but he did save her, Priestess and Fighter. “Are you okay?” Em asked Priestess, even though inside she knew the girl was far from okay.

“I’m fine,” she replied. “I’m glad we made it out.”

“Me too.”

Goblin Slayer was quiet the whole journey back to Water Town, and if he did respond, it was usually a one worded answer. “You have experience in fighting goblins?” she asked him, wondering if he would talk to her.

“Yes,” he said. “For about five years.”

Priestess seemed amazed by it, her eyes widening like a child meeting her idol. Em was impressed but she tried not to let him know.

In Water Town, Priestess made sure Fighter got the help she needed, while Em and Goblin Slayer headed back to the Guild Hall. Guild Girl smiled at them at first. “You… you’re back,” she said to Em. “Where are the others?”

Em sighed. “They didn’t make it except for Priestess, Fighter and I.”

Guild Girl nodded, her smile faltering. “I’m sorry. You completed the quest, right?”

She pointed at Goblin Slayer, who towered over her. “Thanks to him, yes,” Em said.

“I’m glad,” she said. She handed them their payment, which wasn’t a lot but enough for Em to finally eat something.

She parted ways with Goblin Slayer, not paying much mind to him, although she was grateful for what he did for her in the cave. She wished she had been conscious to at least help them fight off the goblins but it was too late. The damage was done. Maybe we will meet again one of these days, Em thought, deciding to head back home.

She had a bone to pick with her Mentor.

[saranootnoot]

With the party now formed, they become official guild members and get their first quest, which is to deliver produce to the nearby town of Phandelin

Halfway through the trip however, they’re ambushed by a group of goblins who are thirsty for their blood

The party stands their ground though, but shit goes wrong when both Sora and Trevor get knocked down. But suddenly, a large, 8ft tall man in black armour emerges from the forest and defeats the rest of the goblins before promptly healing the group

He introduces himself as Victor, a travelling demon slayer with a dark past and 2 brothers who have gone missing, and he agrees to join the party

They eventually make it to Phandelin and drop off the goods before staying a night at the local inn. The next day, they’re approached by a woman named Sister Geraele, who gives them a task of getting a comb and giving it to a banshee in exchange for protection over the town, as they have been facing many attacks recently

So they agree and make their way to the banshee, when suddenly they find a group of druid women who are being attacked by the onceler

Reigan being a hero, tries to intervene, but alas he meets the end of his journey when the onceler cuts him in half with his axe, killing him instantly

Now down a party member, the group continues on their journey until they meet a group of travelling merchants, along with their guard, a young halfling man named Galaxy and his pet beaver Isaac

To which Astral then purchases Galaxy for 200g, making him a new member of the party

If this becomes a whole fanfic or comic.. please let me know, bc I will read it. I love this so much..

[bakaiju]

Slayers Chapter 12: Looming Threat

Summary: The Doom Slayer is summoned to the capital where he learns that the End of his stay in this world is reaching its end.

Enjoy the chapter!! You can also read it here: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13104259/18/Slayers

[larkawolfgirl]

I could also definitely see Nagisa trying to introduce Saki to some of the manga she reads/anime she watches. On a related note, a running gag I came up with for my Kanojo mo Kanojo plays d&d fanfic is that Nagisa’s tastes in anime and manga tend to skew towards things that are either considered trashy or controversial by coincidence. She doesn’t seek them out for trashiness or controversy, she just randomly like controversial and/or trashy anime & manga. Thus, her main exposure to the fantasy genre is the infamous Goblin Slayer anime (which is surprisingly wholesome when you get past the first episode). Naturally, this leads to Nagisa not getting that certain series she likes are deconstructions of fantasy, so she ends up with some … odd expectations on how d&d works. Rika meanwhile is trying to turn it into a livestream to little success (and the dm’s ire).

I like all of that. Nagisa isn't the sort of person who would try to analyze the content she consumes, so I can definitely see her unknowingly having a specific taste in content. Nagisa could go thinking her role is to take down the regime or something instead of defeating the campaign's big bad.

Rika would definitely stream it to the disinterest to many of her viewers. It would be funny if the people who did try to watch the stream couldn't handle the chaos that ensues between the group.

[linnfoster]

Getting to Know You

Tagged by: @memendoemori

Three ships: Well BG3 has consumed my life so my heart and mind are currently ruled by Astarion/Tav, Gortash/Dark Urge, and Gale/Astarion. Like, you don't understand. I quit writing fanfiction ENTIRELY ten years ago and yet here I am, writing an Astarion/Tav fanfic and planning a Gortash/DU fic. This game has changed my brain chemistry.

First ship: Uhhhhh I think it was Daisuke/Hikari from Digimon 02. I know my first fanfiction ever was for that ship. I was 11 when I wrote it. The first ship I remember being really into was Cid/Vincent from FFVII-- which was quickly usurped by my obsession with just... so many ships from Guilty Gear.

Last Song: Pompeii by Bastille

Last Movie: I feel like I watched something after D&D: Honor Among Thieves, but I sure can't remember what it was...

Currently Reading: The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison, Angels Before Man by Rafael Nicolas, King of Hell by Morgan Dante (I also keep checking out Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir and The Hidden Palace by Helene Wecker, but haven't actually cracked them open yet.)

Currently Watching: Nothing but I am preparing for a Madoka Magica rewatch with my spouse and a friend. (I don't watch TV that much oops.)

Last thing I wrote: Ch. 6 of my Astarion/Tav fanfic, Starcrossed, Starfalling.

Currently writing: Aside from Starcrossed, I am neck-deep in edits/revisions for my debut novel, Iron Spirit. With any luck, I will be working on its sequel, Iron Slayer, for NaNoWriMo. Well, part of it anyway. I suspect it's going to be a 100k+ book like IS1 and, as much as I would LOVE to, I don't think I could write that in a month lmao. (Would be really cool though.)

Tagging: @starfallisle @capriciouslibrum

[verrottweil]

as snow to fire

intro to this wip multi-chap thing i’m writing. this piece in particular is gen.

inspired by and dedicated to the amazing artworks here. please check them out, you won’t regret it!

can also be read here

main characters: spearman & goblin slayer

.

They made it back to the Guild just in time. The storm's finally caught up; the rain rattles against the building, and the wind is a madman's howl through the streets. It's hard to tell whether it'll be over in a few minutes or will last the whole damn night. Spearman wipes the sweat and grime off his face with the back of his hand, wincing when he catches the gash on his cheek.The blue-dyed leather of his glove comes back blood-stained. Shit. Must've peeled the scab off. Witch tuts disapprovingly and rummages around in her pouch, then hands him a perfumed handkerchief. Her lips curl into a lazy smile. Indulgent.

During the trek back to town Spearman daydreamed about how he’d report back to Guild Girl and how cool he’d look, now he has to stand there at the counter with a hankie pressed to his cheek. Unless...

Turning to his companion with puppy dog eyes, Spearman wheedles, “You have one spell left. Can't you work some magic on me, for a job well done?”

Witch raises a brow and while pretending to mull over his request, she daintily crosses one leg over the other. The candlelight flickers over her features, her generous cleavage. With a tilt of the head, she regards him and answers unhurriedly, “If I were to. You would lose your mark of heroism. No?”

Catching Guild Girl shuffle through a stack of papers from his peripheral, Spearman deflates a little. Witch rolls her eyes and lights her pipe. Maybe Guild Girl would fuss over him for a change? He pokes his tongue to the inside of his cheek, pressing his palm harder to the cut. She always bends over backwards for Goblin Slayer when he gets back from a quest. Resentment rears its ugly head at the thought. Spearman doesn't have the energy to pretend he never noticed how badly she crushes on Goblin Slayer. The fight with those bandits took a lot more than he anticipated.

It would be nice to have Guild Girl smile at him like she means it though.

The massive wooden door opens with a shuddery creak. Spearman groans when he sees Goblin Slayer in the open doorway-- after five years, he recognizes the silhouette of that dirt cheap helmet immediately. A spray of rain gets blown into the hall. Goblin Slayer and his party file inside, striking a more pitiful sight than usual, soaked to the bone and stupid tired from their adventure. Speak of the devil. They shuffle over to the front desk, their shadows crooked on the floorboards.

With a huff, Spearman watches how Guild Girl perks up considerably. “I don't get it,” he whines, clenching his hands into fists. “What's so special about him?”

It was strictly rhetorical. So he certainly didn't expect his companion to reply: “You could try to find out… maybe? He is perhaps more, than he seems. At first glance.” When she notices she has his attention, Witch takes a puff of her pipe-- thin wisps of faint purple smoke float to the ceiling. She adds coyly, “Now is a good time, as any. Don't you agree?”

“Wanna bet there are just more goblins at second glance?” Spearman mutters derisively, shifting his weapon from shoulder. No response. He glances at the front desk.

Still, there's gotta be something worthwhile about the guy.

Guild Girl's dropped everything now Goblin Slayer's in front of her. Her hands are flat on the countertop as she listens captively to Goblin Slayer's report, no doubt standing on the tips of her toes to catch every word. Humming to himself, Spearman concedes Witch has a point. After all, for the entirety of Spearman's adventuring career Goblin Slayer has been this 'goblin-obsessed weirdo’ on the backdrop, and he never really bothered to get to know him better. Witch tips her head back and regards him with narrowed eyes. A long shadow falls over the slope of her throat.

Handing the bloodied handkerchief back, Spearman makes a face and says aloud, “Okay, okay, I guess you're right... Hey, you up for a drink?”

The corners of Witch's mouth curl into a smile. She rises languidly from her seat, with the grace of a cat stretching under the midday sun. Together they head over to the front desk. Goblin Slayer's party doesn't require much convincing; the prospect of drink, food and the tavern’s grand fireplace easily tides them over. Only Goblin Slayer himself remains hesitant. Spearman figures the guy had probably planned to get back to that farm right away.

“Gah you can't be serious, Orcbolg!” High Elf Archer exclaims loudly, hands on her hips and eyebrows furrowed.

Before she can berate him in earnest, Dwarf Shaman pitches in, “Come now, Beard-cutter. You've walked through the same storm as us. It's better to sit this one out. And you might as well fill your stomach while you're at it.”

Even Guild Girl nods in agreement at the dwarf's words. Cornered, Goblin Slayer tenses up, making this soft, confused sound that Spearman would've never heard if he hadn't been standing so close to him. The heavy rainfall drowns out most noise.

“I see,” Goblin Slayer murmurs. Water drips down the expanse of his chest piece, and the fur of his collar's wet, weighed down. Dried blood on the buckler around his arm. His leather boots caked with mud. Other adventurers always turn up their nose when they see him in his gear, but he's downright sorry-looking now.

Spearman snaps his gaze back to the visor of that cheap helmet when Goblin Slayer slowly says, “Alright.”

.

The tavern's awash with warmth. The padfoot waitress flits between tables on nimble feet, the skirt of her uniform bellowing around her legs. Rookie and veteran adventurers are clustered in groups of four or five. Chattering excitedly or raising their tankards in a festive toast. Spearman greets those he knows and leads the exhausted party to the table closest by the hearth. The firewood crackles pleasantly. Soot papering the stone foundation. Lizard Priest takes the head of the table. His hulking form cuts an impressive figure; the priestly garments he wears are wet-stuck to his scales, like a second skin. Dwarf Shaman and High Elf Archer settle down on each side.

“--And I'm telling you that it doesn't count, you stubborn dwarf!” She shrieks, shrill, while the dwarf bursts out laughing. Spearman wasn't really following their argument, about the merits of dwarven crossbows or something; most of his attention had been focused on Goblin Slayer and Priestess. It's oddly endearing, watching this girl hover around the guy like a tiny mother hen.

Her sounding staff gleams with raindrops, firelit. She holds onto it tightly when she chastises him. “You shouldn't have flooded the outpost.”

“The river was close by,” Goblin Slayer replies, carefully unbuckling the worn leather clasp of his shield.

Priestess puffs out her cheeks. Some strands of honey blond hair are plastered to her face. “Can't you be a bit more considerate? You know she doesn't like it when you use fire, water or poison in fights… What if-- what if you altered the river's course?”

“Not by much,” he murmurs in response, placing the scabbard of his sword down in front of the fireplace. The glow of the flames washes over his back like an orange wave. “Give me your cloak,” he then says, holding out his hand.

“Ah, right!” Priestess exclaims, quickly shrugging off the oversized, coarse cloak. Goblin Slayer spreads it out to dry on the floorboards.

Spearman watches the exchange with a smile. He places his spear against the wall and turns to the table, intending to take the seat next to Witch. Their eyes meet, and she smirks, her eyes half-hooded. The tip of her pointy hat droops sideways when she props her elbow on the tabletop and rests her chin on her knuckles. Her gaze falls on Priestess, who blushes under its intensity. Huh, cute.

Witch addresses her directly. “Won't you come sit.” Here she pats the spot next to her. “I would like to hear. About your adventure. Would that be… alright? I am sure, you must have much to tell.” She remarks gently, her voice lilting like a lullaby.

“Yes!” Priestess stutters around the y, grabbing the skirts of her robes with two fistfuls. “I mean of course, that wouldn't be a problem at all.” The skin peeking above her thigh highs a bright red from the cold.

With a sigh, Spearman settles down onto the bench, leaving space for Goblin Slayer. The wood groans under his added weight.

They order soup with full wheat bread on the side, roast for supper with pears and wild cranberries, a platter of grilled winter vegetables for High Elf Archer, and an assortment of cheese for Lizard Priest. The padfoot waitress serves them tankards of rich grape wine. Spearman listens attentively to Dwarf Shaman’s and Priestess’ retelling of their adventure, interspersed by High Elf Archer’s indignant squawks whenever the dwarf makes a joke at her expense and by Goblin Slayer’s remarks. He hasn’t bothered removing his helmet. The torn red ribbon sticks flatly to the metal.

“So what did you guys do?!” High Elf Archer asks, pounding her tankard onto the tabletop -- Lizard Priest gingerly picks up his plate and shoots her a look. Always excited to hear about “real” adventures that one. Her cheeks flushed already.

Spearman takes a big gulp from his drink, wipes his chin and answers, “Cleared a bandit camp. On the mountain pass way up north.”

From the corner of his eye he gauges Goblin Slayer for a reaction. The guy remains impassive, giving no indication he’s heard him speak up in the first place, spooning mouthfuls of food through the slits of his faceguard.

Turning back to High Elf Archer, Spearman continues, “There must’ve been a dozen of ‘em, right. Burly. Tough. Armed to the teeth.”

“Tell us what happened!” She eggs him on loudly, grinning wide. Her companions nod in agreement; all eyes suddenly trained on him.

Basking in the attention, Spearman recounts the events of the day. How they trekked through the tall grass, the frozen ground like rock under their heels, and cautiously made their way to the encampment on the bluff overlooking the mountain pass. They smoked out the bandits. Set the wooden fortification ablaze with a simple fire spell. When he gets to the fight, Spearman becomes animated, gesturing wildly to emphasize certain parts, sometimes bumping into Goblin Slayer next to him. He took on ten bandits at the same time. Only one got to him, socked him in the face with a gauntleted fist.

Lizard Priest folds his paws together, eyes squinted half-shut, and offers, “I could heal that cut for you if you so pleased, milord Spearman.”

Spearman’s caught of guard for a moment. Witch flashes him a knowing look, and he declines casually, “Nah… Wouldn’t want to lose my battlescar.” He turns to Goblin Slayer and asks with a wink, “How else would people know I’m an adventurer, right?”

“You look like one,” Goblin Slayer deadpans in response. To Spearman’s surprise, the other members of the party start laughing, as if the guy just cracked a joke.

Unsure of how to react, Spearman tips back the rest of his wine. A bit too fast, because it clogs at the well of his throat, the taste sticking to his palate like honey. He swallows, curt. Tries not to acknowledge that Goblin Slayer is still watching him. His head angled to the side, the fire’s glow lining the back of his helmet with a streak of gold. Did he offend him or something? The tavern turns rowdy when two adventurers start an armwrestling competition at the bar. Spearman peers at the gathering crowd past Goblin Slayer.

High Elf Archer slams her tankard down on the table in cheer and hops off the bench. “Let's go watch!” She commands, half-drunk. Dwarf Shaman strokes his beard and slips out of his seat as well, keeping his cup of fire-wine in hand. Satisfied, the elf turns to Goblin Slayer and says, “Orcbolg, you too!”

“It stopped raining,” he says matter-of-fact.

Lizard Priest casts a glance over his shoulder, at the lead-stained window behind him and hums in acknowledgement. “Indeed it has, milord Goblin Slayer.” His paws are pressed together again, eyes scrunched shut, like a cat's when petted. “I believe you would prefer to take your leave then?”

It dawns on Spearman that Goblin Slayer had been looking past him, not at him. His lips press into a thin line.

“Oh,” Priestess exhales, almost inaudible over the pleasant crackling of the firewood and the shouting match near the counter. Her hair's dried, frazzled around the cheeks. In need of a good brush. She regards him intently when saying, “Please be careful on your way home.”

“I will,” Goblin Slayer promises, getting up from the bench under a barrage of complaints from High Elf Archer. Her voice crowding out the drunken struggle at the bar.

He drops a leather bag of coin onto the table and fetches his weapons.

Spearman crosses his arms in front of his chest, bouncing his leg impatiently. His expression pinches up when Witch bumps her foot against his ankle and levels him a look. Her eyes gleam under the brim of her hat, the smile on her face duplicitous. After years of fighting back to back, they learned to communicate by body language alone. With a tilt of the head Witch nudges him onwards. He heaves a sigh, surrenders. And then slams his fist onto the table, getting up.

High Elf Archer startles at the unexpected sound. Her lecture brought to an abrupt ending. Dwarf Shaman takes a gulp of fire-wine, peering up at him from underneath thick bristly eyebrows when he stands at full height.

Spearman sheepishly scratches his nose and announces, “I figured I'd come with... All this wine is getting to my head y'know, and I need some fresh air.” He jerks his head in Goblin Slayer's direction and asks, “You don't mind, do ya?”

Goblin Slayer bows his head, caught in the firelight, and mutters, “Do as you wish.”

The hollowed-out sound of his voice would scotch any attempt at accompanying him, but Spearman just grins. He then looks over at Witch and catches Priestess shaking her head helplessly next to her. When she notices him staring, she gives him a self-effacing smile, as if to say you get used to it. It serves to boost his confidence even further.

Taking his spear in hand, Spearman says brightly, “Right! Lead on, then.”

.

Thawed-out and wet, the muddy underground sucks at their boots; the wind whips mercilessly against his bare cheeks. The cut on his cheek throbs from the cold. Spearman wipes at his watery eyes and follows Goblin Slayer's shadowy form down the dirt road, both moons looming behind a slumber of clouds. In the first month of the new year, the weather always fluctuates between bitter frost, and cool and rainy. The candlelight from the lanterns around their hips sloshes unsteadily with every step. It spills over the mud like oil.

Spearman licks his dry-cracked lips. They haven't exchanged a single word since leaving the tavern, and the silence rings between his ears heavier than the wind around them. He'd wanted to breach the subject conversationally. Why goblins? Don't you care about anything else?

But the cold leaves him wrung-out, with the sound of his voice dying stillborn past his teeth.

After another few minutes of walking, Spearman wagers a gamble. He's the frontier's strongest, gods be damned, and he's faced worse than a talk with a fellow adventurer. Balling his hands into fists -- closed tighter than a padlock, he strides up to Goblin Slayer. His squelching footsteps echoing bravely in the dark.

“So,” Spearman begins, his breath a wet fog. “What's your deal, anyway? With goblins, I mean. You never wanna move on to bigger game?”

Goblin Slayer looks at him from over his shoulder, a courtesy for him, and replies curtly, “No.”

“Well why not?” Spearman presses on, courageous. “You could if you wanted to, y'know. Remember when we handled that sorcerer in his big white tower? Lil’ bit more practice and you'd be a great scout.”

“Not interested,” Goblin Slayer answers, pulling the threadbare cloak up to his chin, drawn tight over the span of his back.

The few trees near the road rustle their branches -- aspen, birches, a dried-out oak. A harrowing sound.

Spearman combs a gloved hand through his hair, exhales through his nose, loud like a bull. He makes another ditch effort. “You've got two cute girls in your party. Aren't you even a little bit interested in one of them? And with Guild Girl smiling at you like…” He trails off, swallows. Sounding too sour for his own ears. “And what about that farm girl? You went out on a limb for her farm, and okay, there were goblins too, but don't try and--”

“Not every farm gets saved.”

He snaps his head up, gives Goblin Slayer a surprised stare. The wind like a whiplash against his skin. Goblin Slayer's lantern lights up his belly, his chest, but leaves his helmet to the dark. Just a glint of metal.

This guy, Spearman thinks, why would he say something like that all of a sudden. Inarticulate, he manages, “What?”

“Not every farm, not every village gets saved,” Goblin Slayer says slowly. “Mine didn't.”

They stop walking. The hemline of that threadbare cloak bellows in the wind; Spearman can hardly differentiate the outline against the dark. He shifts his spear from shoulder. The weight of his weapon a comfort. He tries to peer between the grates of Goblin Slayer's visor, trying to glimpse his eyes. They were reddish, weren't they?--he remembers from that celebration at the Guild, when he took his helmet off and…

“We’re already far from town,” Goblin Slayer turns towards the frontier town, towards the lights in the distance. You should head back remains unsaid.

The dismissal stings, worse than his cheek does, but his curiosity grows voracious, threatening to pull the tell me out into the open. Spearman falters. Wants to do something outrageous like reach out to him, grab him by the shoulders and rattle him a little, shake the whole confession out of him. He blinks, owlish.

“Right,” he mutters lamely, forcing a grin. “Guess I should get going then… See ya!”

Goblin Slayer remains unmoved, holding onto the rusted handle of the lantern tied around his waist. The candle wobbles on its iron perch. “Yes,” Goblin Slayer says then, simply assessing him. "I will probably see you at the Guild."

Spearman rubs the back of his neck, takes a step backwards. Another one. His foot sinking into the mud. He awkwardly balances his spear against his shoulder, not wanting to dirty the weapon, and turns to the opposite direction. The red moon peeks through wisps of clouds overhead. He takes a steadying breath and treks homewards, feeling the wind beat against his back like children's fists. His stomach in knots.

For the first time, he's looking forward to seeing Goblin Slayer again.