My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 126: Tu'thrag

Logret's announcement was met with a deathly silence while the shadow cloud continued to settle. Kace was squinting towards the throne, trying to make out the figure that now sat upon it. As the shadow cloud slowly melted into the floor, the creature called Shadow could finally be seen.

Kace had to admit that the name Shadow was perfect for it. Since that was exactly what it appeared to be. Although it had the same shape and features as a goblin, it was, in fact, slightly taller. The creature would roughly reach up to Kace's chest in height and was slender in build. 

Its skin, if you could call it that, was literal shadows dancing around each other. It gave Kace the impression that his body was not a solid mass at all. Which would make physical attacks useless on it. Its clothes took the form of a light hood drawn over its head, its chest was bare while its waist had a modest pair of knee-length pants covering it. What looked to be a thick pair of boots covered its feet except its whole ensemble was made entirely of shadows.

The only reason Kace could tell that they were supposed to be clothes and not its natural body was that the clothing was somehow a darker black than its skin. The creature sat back in the throne before opening its eyes that peered out from beneath the hood. They were a shocking blue colour and seemed to give off a dull glow, upon seeing this Kace felt that it was unnatural even for this new life of his.

"So, you are the one I have been waiting for?" Shadow said with a voice that made one think of the deepest, darkest place they could think of. "You don't look like one of our kind."

Kace returned the creatures gaze with one of his own. He knew that the thing sitting on the throne before him was scrutinising him carefully. This was far more than he had bargained for! He had expected a group of rowdy goblins that only differed in looks. He had not expected to run into a monster that had actual power.

"You're right. Of course, I'm not a goblin." Kace replied calmly with a hint of arrogance. "Though you could say I am a part goblin."

"Part goblin you say?" Shadow's cold and indifferent voice said quietly. "I guess that will have to do."

Kace raised an eyebrow at this response that he had received. It was almost too easy. He had expected the creature before him to deny that it was even a possibility. 'Is it because of my Goblin Lord title?' Kace felt a bit more relaxed now after hearing these words. Even though he had no idea what this tribe of goblins wanted from him.

As he blinked, the figure of Shadow was no longer sat upon his throne, resting his eyes. 'Duck!' Sylvan roared furiously within his mind. His body reacted to Sylvan's warning before his mind could even properly process what had been said. As his head ducked down, he felt something sinister pass through the space that his neck had been in a split second ago.

Instead of standing back up, he quickly launched himself forwards and turned it into a roll to gain some distance. As he came back up into a standing position, he twisted his body to face where he had just stood moments early. Sylvan took the chance to manifest his weapon form in Kace's hand and prepared for battle.

"Not bad, you managed to dodge that one eh?" Shadow's voice was laced with killing intent.

'Where the hell did he get that?' Kace wondered as he eyed the long scythe that Shadow held at a horizontal angle to the ground. Part of its handle passed behind his back, obscuring it from Kace's view. 'Oh, no.' Sylvan said suddenly. 'I know what he is. In fact, if I'm right, I know what they all are.'

'Well? Care to give me that crucial information?' Kace kept his eyes fixed on Shadow while he conversed with Sylvan on the subject. 

'It's difficult to explain. If I'm right, this could be bad news for both of us. The only thing that makes me doubt my hypothesis is the fact they chose to speak with you and lure you out here.'

'Well? Just tell me what you think they are then. We can worry about the details later.' Kace argued even though he could clearly feel that the doubt Sylvan spoke of was genuine.

'Hmm, he gives off a similar feeling as a Tu'thrag. A creature that lives in the darkness between worlds. Or Shadow World if you want to call it that. The other one does not give off the feeling at all, but I still suspect that every goblin here is one in actual fact.'

'Explain it quicker or give me a way to kill it. I don't know how much longer he will just stand there!' Kace was ready to blow with anger. This was no time for a long-winded speech.

'Hmm, they feed on anything that happens to stumble into their world. From time to time a rift will appear, allowing them to cross over into our realm. They can't sustain themselves here for long, though. Their bodies aren't designed to exist in our realm, after all. Just as ours can not exist for too long in theirs. This tribe, however, has probably existed for centuries. I suspect that a group of Tu'thrag passed over only to find that the goblins were actually perfect hosts for them to stay here.'

'You mean that they are possessed? Like their minds are being controlled?' Kace narrowed his eyes at Shadow as he considered this. If possible, he would like to free these goblins from such a fate.

'No, what I mean is that a few of the goblins probably agreed to take them in willingly. Over time their bodies and powers have merged spawning a new hybrid race. The evidence of this theory is the one you are facing just now. He most likely has unlocked a greater potential for the Tu'thrag's gifts in his bloodline.'

Kace was shocked to hear this, so much in fact that he unintentionally blinked. 'Oh, fuck me! Where is he now?' He wondered as Shadow had once again disappeared...