33 - Kicked

Kai

Kai jogged forward and tried to get around Thump, but Thump simply stepped in his way, using his bulk to block the archway between rooms. Kai tried to smile up at the large hobgoblin. “Hey. Sorry, just need to squeeze past.” He tried to do just that.

But Thump wouldn’t budge. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

“Oh, just need to check something upstairs. And, um, use the toilet.”

Thumps brows rose. He gestured to one of the new toilets that had just been installed. “There’s one right there.”

Kai felt dumb and got flustered. “I…wanna use the one outside. I know, crazy. I guess I just like my privacy, and these don’t have any yet. Excuse me.” He tried to push his way past. But it was like trying to move a fridge. Thump wasn’t going anywhere.

In fact, Thump barely seemed to notice the effort of Kai pathetically trying to reach past Thump’s knee, his body caught between Thump and the archway. Thump blithely continued, “Ah, I can understand. There is more fresh air out there. We’ll still have to work on the toilets in here. Find a better system.”

“Right. Anyway, if I could just get past…”

Thump looked down and gave him an easy smile, totally fake of course, so that it felt more like a shark grinning down at his prey.

Kai’s struggles weakened. He felt his stomach sinking. There was also this odd feeling stealing over him. He was also aware of how everyone else in the room was highly aware of the confrontation and was now staring: the female kobolds and goblins caring for babies, as well as Rush and the goblin rogue.

We spend our entire childhood with adults looking over us: parents and extended family, teachers, police. Everyone who is an adult is taller and possesses authority over us. They know more, they’re wiser, and they’re generally the boss of us. We get in the habit of listening when they speak and doing what they tell us to. We generally grow out of this feeling once we reach adulthood and can look other adults in the eye.

But that feeling we had as a child remains deeply entrenched, waiting. We might experience it again when confronted with someone bigger and taller than us, like meeting someone really tall or famous. It just kicks in, out of nowhere, and suddenly we’re a kid again in their presence. We become more insecure, we look up to them as a natural authority figure, and it’s easy to fall under their spell.

Kai hadn’t really realized it, but this had been happening to him, and it was part of why Thump had charmed him so easily. Despite his loss of trust in Thump, as Kai stood at the much taller and bigger hobgoblin’s feet, that sense of inferiority and weakness grew. Which is why, instead of putting up a fight, he was reacting weakly.

Thump bent over and used one of his large hands to effortlessly sweep Kai backwards into the room. He spoke loudly as he ushered Kai to the far side of the room, “You know, I respect you, Kai, I really do. Your enthusiasm and dedication to this community are admirable. That’s part of why I felt so honored when you put your faith in me and asked me to be the leader of this dungeon.”

His words shocked Kai. He hadn’t made Thump leader. But he was too stunned and too busy being ushered through the room that he couldn’t find his voice to object.

As they neared the private stairwell, Thump motioned with his head, signalling the rogue.

Without missing a beat, the rogue put a firm hand on Rush’s shoulder while also sharply waving at the women to get out of the room. Rush, looking confused, allowed himself to be escorted to the next room. The women hurriedly picked up their babies and hastened after. In seconds, Thump and Kai were alone.

Kai eyed the stairs. He had to get to the Admin Room.

Thump guided Kai with a firm hand of his own and placed himself in front of the exit. Kai wasn’t going to be able to make a run for it. He continued to smile, though with everyone else gone, it was less charming and had taken on a harder edge. His voice did too, “Kai, I think it would be a bad idea right now to elevate too many opinions regarding the leadership of this place. The dungeon is new, the community fragile. I think it’s important that we have a unifying and strong voice at the top.”

“Ok…”

“Now, I recognize that you originally came into possession of the dungeon, so I get that maybe you feel especially attached to it right now, maybe responsible.”

Kai did! It was his dungeon.

“But the thing is, the dungeon has grown. There are others living here now. A lot of us. It was one thing looking after yourself, that’s fine, and you should be proud. But now, I think maybe that’s a little too much responsibility to put on your shoulders. Especially when you have no leadership experience.”

Kai wanted to protest, but it was like the hobgoblin was in his head. And in the darkest places, bringing up Kai’s fears.

“Now you know I’m a full chief. I have a lot of command and leadership experience. My tribe looks up to me, and there are people back home who were so sad to see me leave. Begged me to stay, to rise up the ranks and really lead the goblin people, begged me. It was touching, but I had to go. Had to forge a new path. Of course, it makes sense that you’d recognize that. But I think we have a misunderstanding. When you asked me to become the leader of the dungeon, I did not ask for help running it. I did not mean to set that expectation.”

“But…it’s my dungeon.”

“It was. It’s not anymore. It’s our dungeon. All of ours. The kobolds, the goblins, even those little slimes you have. You can’t be trying to hold onto control like that; it’s selfish.”

Kai’s brain hit a bump in the road at that. It’s true that there was a community here now. Was he being selfish by wanting to stay in control, for wanting to remove Thump?

“That being said, the dungeon is young. And so are you! I think there’s plenty of time to grow into more of a role — we can all grow. But I hardly know you. Let me get to know you, get to know what you’re capable of. Let me learn to trust you. I mean this respectfully, and I hope you can see that, because I like you, Kai, I really do, and I want us to have a long, profitable relationship.” He renewed his smile. “Please share how you feel about this.”

Kai’s brain seemed not to be working right. He was confused. It would be good to talk this out with others, but he was alone with Thump. Somehow, he’d allowed himself to be isolated, which he saw as a red flag. “Maybe we could have this conversation with the others involved? Get more voices heard about who should be leader?” He glanced over at the archway and saw that it was packed with people watching but probably too far away to hear.

Thump grew serious and thoughtfully nodded. “You know, I’ve been speaking to people, lots of people, about this very thing, about leadership. I didn’t want to bring it up publicly, you understand, for your sake. I was thinking about you. I didn’t want you put on the spot or feeling embarrassed. Because the truth is, I’m very popular. Everyone understands what I bring to the battlefield; they see the ideas I have; they know how effective I am. They can see that I’m a real leader and they want that, they know it’s what’s best for them. I didn’t want you to hear that in public, to feel blindsided. Because they like you, Kai, most people like you. Nobody wants to hurt your feelings. Almost no one.

Kai thoughts spun. Was Thump really doing this for Kai’s sake? And what did he mean most people? Some people didn’t like him? Who? He’d just met the goblins. Did some of the kobolds not like Kai? Had he done something wrong? Offended someone? It couldn’t be Yellow Flower, could it? Or Rush? He was filled with doubt.

“Basically, what I’m saying is, that even though everyone wants me to be the leader of the dungeon, I don’t want you to feel that everyone’s against you. Don’t believe that. They want you to stay. I want you to stay. So I’m asking you if, even if you’re not leader, if you’d like to continue living in the dungeon with us.”

Kai shook his head in disbelief. “Of course I want to keep living here.”

“Good! Good. That’s wonderful. So happy to hear that. Because there will always be a place for you here, as long as you’re on board with what’s best for everyone.”

“Yeah, I want what’s best for everyone!”

He beamed at Kai, seeming genuinely happy. “That’s good to hear.” He clapped Kai on the back. “I’m glad we talked. This is good. See? We’re a great team. You keep growing, and I know you’re going to take on more responsibility in the future. Be a real leader one day. I believe in you.”

Kai was too fraught with emotion to answer. He felt strangely thankful to have the big hobgoblin’s approval. And he felt guilty about wanting to be in control of the dungeon. Maybe he’d been selfish without realizing it.

Thump turned and guided Kai back into the room. “Let’s get back to work. So much to do—”

An alarm went off in Kai’s head. He jerked in surprise. “Invaders!”

Thump was instantly serious. “Invaders?” He evidently hadn’t received the same kind of alert.

Kai nodded in horror. “I can’t… There’s an alarm and a buzzing going on in my head. It’s really serious!” He looked up at Thump with wide eyes. “Something or someone really dangerous is in the dungeon!” He wouldn’t be able to tell more until he got back to the Admin Room.

Thump marched to the archway, still escorting Kai. They paused in the archway and looked out. It seemed like just about everyone had gathered in the other Floor 4 rooms, likely drawn by the conversation between Thump and Kai. Many quiet conversations stilled at the sight of them.

Rush noticed the worry on Kai’s face first. “What wrong? Problem?”

Kai blurted out, “Enemies in the dungeon! Danger! We need to get ready!”

Kobolds and goblins were two species that were used to being preyed on by bigger and stronger things. So when someone called out danger, they didn’t sit around questioning it. That kind of thing got you dead, fast. Instead, they reacted more like birds. At the first hint of trouble, they took off.

Dungeon residents raced past Thump and Kai, going for the door to the private rooms. Only residents could go there, and they’d be safe. Or they should have been. Except when two goblin mothers tried to open the secret door, it remained a solid wall. Anxiety shot up all around the room.

Kai took a step toward the door but hesitated, expecting Thump to restrain him. But Thump made no effort at all to do so. So Kai ran to the secret door. He, too, tried to open it and found it locked shut. But why?

Yellow Flower came up, worry etched into her dragonic features. She gestured at the door. “Why?”

Kai struggled to answer, “I, I don’t know. It should be open to us.” He grasped for ideas. “Maybe it locked after enemies got into the dungeon. So we can’t just escape.”

She was confused and pleaded, “But…”

Kai could only shake his head. “I’m sorry. I don’t get it. I don’t know why it’s like this.”

Thump’s lips pressed together. He seemed disappointed. “You see? This is what happens when someone without experience tries to be in charge; mistakes are made.”

All eyes turned on Kai.

Kai felt a stab of guilt like a cold knife in his belly. Was this his fault? Was he going to get everyone killed?

Thump continued, “What’s done is done. No sense worrying over it or pointing fingers.” He raised his voice, and it was filled with the tone of command. “Everyone, listen up! Stay calm. Enemies are upon us. We are in danger. But I am here. As your new Dungeon Master, I bring a lot of experience, and I know that if we come together, we can survive this. Some of us may die. I’m sorry for that; the dungeon wasn’t set up properly before I came. It’s too late to change that.”

A few people cast betrayed looks Kai’s way.

His heart began picking up speed. He’d screwed up. Badly.

Thump raised a hand. “Women and children will hole up here. Warriors, anyone who can hold a weapon, form a wall. I am your Dungeon Master, and I will lead you through this. Have faith in me, and you will survive!”

Everyone sprang back into motion. Mothers bundled up babies and small children who were beginning to sense the turmoil around them and cry and wail in worry. Warriors dashed about, trying to find weapons.

Thump marched towards the stairs going up to the third floor. He had a very brave and heroic look to him. At the stairs, he turned back. “Everyone, make your stand here. I will see what we face. I might be able to handle it on my own. If not, I will need your help. There are traps, and they’re going to throw the enemy off. We need to be there to take advantage of that. I shall return when I have more information.

Kai ran over to Thump. “I’ll go to. Maybe I can get to the Admin Room from a different floor.”

Thump shook his head and frowned. “We can’t risk both of us going. There’s no telling what’s up there. I need you here, helping keep the others calm. If I fall, you’ll get your chance to be a leader sooner than expected.” Without waiting for a response, he dashed up the stairs, moving quite fast considering his fat belly.

Kai watched him go, still in a state of confusion and guilt. He strode back to the others. On Floor 4, the four rooms were in a row, like cars on a train. The women and children were in the furthest, the warriors in the second last, filling the archway and ready to sacrifice even their lives. Kobolds and goblins, side by side.

With no fighting experience, Kai felt even more useless. He had no leadership experience, no fighting experience. What the heck had he been thinking, trying to be the Dungeon Master? He probably wasn’t going to be much use defending these people either.

He looked down at his hands. He did have some pretty big claws. And sharp teeth. And he was fast. He felt a surge of pride. He wasn’t completely useless. He might be small now, but he could do his part. He needed to stop getting so down on himself and believe in himself more. He joined the ranks of the warriors, finding a spot next to Rush.

The kobold gave him a serious nod, as if recognizing him as a comrade.

Kai felt elated by the gesture. He didn’t know what was coming, but he would fight. Then he blinked.

He was no longer in the dungeon. He was in the forest above, standing on grass with oak trees towering overhead, and the sun beaming down. He wildly looked in all directions, disturbed and confused. “What the—?”

He spotted the hill and the entrance to the cave in the distance. He stared at them. Very gradually, pieces in his mind started to tumble together into dawning realization. His eyes slowly widened. “Did I just get kicked from the dungeon?”