Dawn came without a gentle warning. There was no calm transition from night to day, just a shift in light over a scene that was already heavy. I opened my eyes before the sun had fully risen, guided by an uneasy feeling that didn't come from a specific sound, but from something more instinctive.
I stood up slowly, observing the camp still wrapped in silence. Some adventurers were already awake, others moved cautiously. It didn't take long for the group to notice that I was awake as well.
Liriel was the first to approach.
"You felt it?"
"Yes."
She didn't ask anything else.
Scarlett left the tent shortly after, adjusting her clothes as she analyzed the surroundings.
"It's different."
"It's closer," I replied.
Rai'kanna was already on her feet, weapon in hand.
"So finally."
Lyannis stretched casually, but her gaze didn't match the gesture.
"I was starting to think it would just be walking."
Elara closed her eyes for a moment, as if trying to sense something beyond the visible.
"There's movement ahead."
"How many?" I asked.
"I'm not sure… but it's not small."
Vespera appeared beside us without making a sound.
"Then we don't need to wait for them to come to us."
I looked at everyone.
There was no need for further preparation.
"Formation," I said.
The group reacted immediately. The lines reorganized faster than the day before. It wasn't perfect, but there was already improvement. Rai'kanna took the front firmly, positioning herself as the point of impact. Elara stayed in the center, with a wide view and ready to act. Vespera and Lyannis split the rear, watching for possible flanks.
Scarlett and Liriel stayed with me.
We advanced.
The terrain ahead was uneven, with small elevations and scattered vegetation. Visibility was sufficient, but not total. The silence remained strange, as if something was about to break at any moment.
And then it happened.
A dry sound.
Quick movement among the trees.
And soon after, they appeared.
Goblins.
But not like the ones we were used to.
They were more organized, equipped with better weapons, and didn't advance chaotically. There was formation. There was coordination.
"This isn't normal," Liriel said.
"I know."
They didn't attack immediately. They surrounded us.
Tested distance.
Waited.
"They're analyzing," Elara said.
"Then we won't give them time," I replied.
I took a step forward.
"Advance."
Rai'kanna didn't hesitate. She was the first to make contact, breaking the enemy formation with a direct impact. The sound of the clash echoed across the field, and soon the battle truly began.
The goblins reacted quickly. They didn't retreat as expected. They attacked together, trying to flank.
"Right!" Liriel shouted.
Lyannis was already there before the warning even ended, intercepting two enemies with fast, precise movements. Vespera appeared right after, eliminating another without giving room for reaction.
At the center, Elara began to control the pace. Precise magic, without waste, opening space and preventing coordinated advance.
Scarlett stayed by my side.
"They're too organized."
"Yes."
I advanced.
The first direct contact came quickly. A goblin charged with speed, but his movement was predictable. I cut him down before he got too close, and the body fell without resistance.
But another was already coming right behind.
And another.
They were testing.
Not just attacking.
I observed more closely.
Synchronized movements.
Attempts to surround specific points.
"They're following a pattern," I said.
"Then someone's controlling them," Liriel replied.
Rai'kanna carved a path ahead with brute force, but even she started to notice.
"They're not panicking."
"Exactly," I replied.
The fight went on for several minutes. It wasn't hard to win individually. Each enemy was weak compared to us.
But together…
And organized…
It changed.
"Takumi!" Elara called.
I looked in her direction.
More enemies appearing.
From behind.
"Reinforcements," Lyannis said.
"Or a second line," Vespera added.
I took a deep breath.
"Reorganize."
The group stepped back in a coordinated way, forming a more compact line.
"Rai'kanna, hold the front."
"Of course."
"Elara, containment."
"Understood."
"Vespera, Lyannis, flanks."
"Already on it," Lyannis replied.
"Scarlett, with me."
She nodded.
We advanced together.
This time, not just reacting.
But setting the pace.
The difference was immediate. With the tighter formation and coordinated movements, the goblins began to lose ground. They still tried to maintain their pattern, but they could no longer apply pressure.
I advanced once more, opening a direct path. Scarlett followed, covering any gap.
One last group tried to advance together.
They didn't have time.
I cut down the first.
Scarlett took down the second.
The rest hesitated.
And at that moment…
They broke.
Not in total panic.
But enough.
They began to retreat.
"Don't pursue," I said.
The group stopped.
We watched as the enemies disappeared among the trees.
The silence returned.
But now it was different.
The battle was over.
I looked around.
No one seriously injured.
A few minor wounds.
Nothing critical.
But that wasn't what mattered.
"That was… strange," Lyannis said.
"They weren't normal goblins," Elara added.
Liriel crossed her arms.
"They were being controlled."
"Or trained," Vespera said.
Rai'kanna looked ahead.
"Then this is just the beginning."
I nodded.
Yes.
It was just the beginning.
Because that hadn't been a difficult battle.
But it had been enough to show something important.
The enemy was evolving.
And the war…
Would not be simple.