Chapter 1.5 - The Pitfall of Riders

The pit was deeper than it looked. Twenty feet of falling, stone and dirt cascading with them, then the ground slammed up to meet them.

The world rang in Lyle’s ears. His chest ached with each shallow breath. His first thought wasn’t pain, or panic. It was protocol.

He fumbled for the orb on his belt and crushed it. The red crystal ignited, rolling across the cracked stone until it flared like a flare beacon. Emergency call dispatched. Rescuers. Other guides. Even the stationed soldiers. They would come now.

Only then did Lyle lift his head, coughing dust.

The camp was a wreck. Beatrice lay sprawled on her side, staff clutched uselessly against her chest, unconscious. Naomiel and Nisha were both down too, groaning faintly but unresponsive. Nasha tried to push himself up, his left arm twisted unnaturally, his face white with pain.

Edmund stood or rather, swayed. His back was torn and bleeding, rocks still clinging to his shredded cloak. He’d thrown himself over the others, shielding them from the collapse. Somehow he was upright, though his knees buckled with each step.

“Damn it…” Lyle hissed through his teeth. They were in no state to fight. He barely was.The dust shifted. A low growl rolled across the chamber.

From the haze stepped three massive dire wolves, their yellow eyes gleaming. Mounted on their backs were hunched figures green-skinned goblins clad in crude leathers, but not like the fodder above. These carried steel-tipped spears and wicked grins.

Goblin Riders.

“Shit…” Lyle’s throat went dry. “Goblin Riders are level thirty… and those wolves at least twenty-five. What the hell are they doing here? This den is raided regularly. They should know better than to stay ”

There was no time to finish the thought. The riders had spotted them.

Lyle uncorked a light elixir and downed it in one gulp, the bitter liquid burning down his throat as some of the pain dulled. He staggered upright, dagger drawn. His free hand flung a pouch of potions toward Nasha.

“Take these. Heal yourself, heal the others. When you’re done hide.”

Nasha caught it one-handed, sweat pouring down his pale face. “I understand. We can’t help now. Good luck, Lyle.”

“Luck’s a luxury.” Lyle tightened his grip on the dagger. “Survival’s enough.”

The wolves snarled. One rider barked guttural commands. Then the first goblin leapt from its mount, dagger flashing, as the wolf lunged low to bite.

Two enemies. Same moment.

Lyle reacted on instinct. His dagger snapped through the air, embedding in the goblin’s chest and staggering it. He lunged forward, grabbed the goblin by the wrist mid-fall, wrenched its own knife free, and spun with the momentum.

Steel sank into its throat.

The goblin gurgled. Lyle kicked its body upward, using the rebound to vault higher. His boots struck the cavern ceiling, giving him just enough force to dive down, driving the stolen knife into the wolf’s neck.

Blood spurted hot over his hand. The beast convulsed beneath him, its death throes cushioning his fall.

But not enough. Its fangs snapped as it collapsed, tearing into his arm before it died. White-hot pain lanced up his shoulder. Blood ran freely, slicking his grip.

“Damn it… already ” He staggered, clutching his wound.

The other two riders advanced, confident now, their wolves circling. But these goblins weren’t like the rabble above. They raised ropes of braided leather studded with metal. The tips crackled with arcs of electricity.

Lyle’s eyes widened. “Magic whips? Being used by goblins?!”

One lash cracked across the floor, sparks bursting as stone scorched.

He danced back, forcing his body to move despite the pain, weaving between strikes. He had to keep his footing, had to stay between them and the unconscious. His eyes flicked back once, confirming yes, the others were hidden in the shadows now.

That heartbeat of distraction cost him.

The whip snapped around his shoulder. Agony ripped through his body as electricity surged. His muscles locked, back arching as he bit down on a scream.

The second lash caught his leg. Another surge. His knees hit stone. His dagger clattered from his hand.

The goblins barked laughter, wolves growling as they closed in, step by step.“Damn it…” Lyle panted, vision swimming. His body felt like lead.

A stone caught his eye. With the last of his strength, he kicked it forward. The rock clattered against a Rider’s wrist, just enough to loosen its grip.

A blur of metal flashed from behind him.

Edmund.

Bloodied, staggering, but still alive he had ripped one of his gauntlet blades free and hurled it.

“Use it!” Edmund rasped.

The weapon landed by Lyle’s hand. He grabbed it, the weight familiar even as it cut into his aching arm. With a grunt, he surged forward, stabbing through the distracted Rider’s chest.

The goblin shrieked and collapsed, its wolf thrashing beneath it.

“One more,” Lyle muttered, his breath ragged. His legs shook, his vision blurry. The last Rider lowered its spear, wolves flanking. They lunged together.

Lyle raised the blade, teeth clenched. If this is it at least I’ll

A volley of arrows rained down from above, peppering the wolves. They yelped, staggering.

“SUPPORT HERO, YOU DAMN IDIOT!”

Aiwell dropped into the pit, cloak snapping, bow still in hand. He slid to Lyle’s side, catching him before he collapsed.

“You fought three Goblin Riders alone?! Do you have a death wish?!”

Lyle coughed weakly, his bloodied lips curving into a faint grin. “Guess… I just did what I had to…”

“Shut up.” Aiwell shoved a light elixir against his mouth, forcing him to drink. “You’re not dying here.”

The soldiers surged in behind, forming a shield wall around the unconscious nobles, hiding them from view while they finished the wolves.

Lyle’s head lolled against Aiwell’s shoulder. His voice was barely a whisper. “My… party. They… okay?”

“They’re alive, so shut up and recuperate,” Aiwell snapped, eyes fierce.

A weak chuckle escaped Lyle’s lips. “Thank you… Cotton Candy Head.”

And then he went limp.

Five hours later Den Entrance

The world returned in fragments: cool air, muted voices, the ache of bandages pulling tight. Lyle opened his eyes to see the cavern mouth above him, daylight spilling in.

“You awake, idiot?” Aiwell’s voice snapped him back fully. The blue-haired guide sat nearby, arms crossed, scowl etched deep.

“What… happened?” Lyle rasped.

“You fought three Goblin Riders,” Aiwell said flatly. “Three. Do you have any idea how suicidal that is? Even veterans won’t take them alone. What were you thinking?”

“I just… did what I had to do,” Lyle answered with a weak smile.

Aiwell groaned, rubbing his face. “You’re impossible. And when your mom finds out, she’s going to kill you faster than those Riders ever could. Don’t think I’m covering for you either. Come up with a damn good excuse.”

Lyle paled. “That’ll hurt worse than any Rider bite…”

Before Aiwell could retort, a guard knight approached. “Lyle Lodemmer, we need your report ”

But Alfonse de Vacci, the butler, stepped forward. His cloak was torn, but his bow was sharp, his dignity unshaken. He bowed deeply.

“Mr. Lodemmer. My masters owe you their lives.”

“Please, I just did what a guide should ”

Alfonse held up a small velvet pouch. “They insisted these be given to you. The crests of their houses. With these, favors will be granted should you ever need them. Even… this one.” He revealed the insignia of the Imperial Emeritos line, then tucked it back.

Lyle’s eyes widened. “No I can’t. I’m not a noble ”

“You are their hero,” Alfonse said firmly. “Refuse, and you shame their gratitude. Accept, and you carry their trust.”

Reluctantly, Lyle took the pouch. “Then… I’ll treasure it.”

Alfonse smiled faintly, then drew another insignia from his own chest. A blade etched in silver.

“This one is from me, from House de Vacci. We are sworn as hidden blades to serve. Consider this my personal vow to you. Please, Mr. Lodemmer… don’t let the taint of this world corrupt your pure heart.”

Lyle swallowed hard, bowing his head. “…Thank you.”

As Alfonse stepped away, Lyle leaned back against the stone wall, groaning. “Figures… now I’ve got paperwork to deal with. The real nightmare starts now.”