"Tough times not only make you stronger, but you grow from those experiences. The same is true with fighting. You have to lean into it."

  Cub Swanson, Mixed Martial Artist

  Milly and Rain followed the river that ran up the valley towards the closest mountain. Its peak rose majestically into the air, a cool air billowing down from its peaks and licking at their skin. They followed a well-worn deer trail along the water, which made their travel smooth.

  Milly continued to scan the forest, looking for any unusual tracks that led into the forest as Xavier had taught her yesterday. Finally, Milly spotted one. A trail of crushed moss and broken branches that led up a trickling stream to a small cave at the base of a rocky outcropping.

  They moved quietly along the trail, and quickly found what they were looking for. There were five of them - creatures resembling the goblins from the plains, only these were light brown with bark and branches weaved together for armor. Instead of spears, they carried tree limbs as clubs. Despite the physical differences, they had the same sharp fangs and murderous glare plastered across their faces.

  Camped at the entrance to the cave sheltered on the right by an eight-foot-high slope, they sat lazily around a campfire. Meat was skewered on pointed sticks roasting over the fire, and the camp was filled with high-pitched chirps and grunts as they argued with each other.

  “Are you sure about this, Milly?” Rain whispered nervously, clutching a rusted dagger as they lay in the moss and watched the goblins.

  “We need to start somewhere, Rain,” Milly answered, clutching a rusted spear in her hands. “And this is a pretty good place to start. We can do this.”

  “But how do you know they are…” Rain began to ask, until there was a snap at the edge of the camp.

  The goblins hooted in pleasure. The largest one, its weaved armor adorned with tiny skulls, walked into the trees and returned a moment later with a small black squirrel struggling in its grip.

  Milly and Rain watched in horror as the goblin tormented the squirrel, loosening its grip just enough for the animal to believe escape possible, only to tighten it again just to hear it squeak with fear. It repeated the game over and over, until the squirrel finally stopped struggling.

  Its fun over, the goblin placed the squirrel’s neck between its sharp teeth and slowly crushed the life from it, the squirrel’s final cries echoing across the camp. Its life ended in a hideous pop as the goblin bit down. It spat the severed head at the smallest goblin, who grunted in protest.

  Rain gasped, drawing the attention of the largest goblin. Its malicious gaze scanned the trees, and Milly and Rain held their breath, unmoving, until it lost interest and skewed the squirrel's body on a sharpened stick to roast.

  Milly glanced at the steep hill that ran along the side of the camp, which led to a narrow ledge overlooking the cave.

  “Rain, do you think you could climb up that slope, quietly?” Milly asked, forming a plan of attack.

  Rain looked at the slope and nodded. “Yes, I think so. My dad used to take me rock climbing. Why?”

  Milly opened her inventory and quietly placed five spears on the ground. She passed three to Rain. “You’ll be safe up there. Here, take these spears and position yourself on that ledge. I’ll move over to that boulder. When you hear me whistle, jump up and draw their attention. Chuck these spears at them. If you run out, start throwing rocks. I’ll use the distraction to run in and take them by surprise.”

  “Milly, there are five of them. You can’t be down here alone.”

  If this were yesterday, I'd agree with her. But i'm stronger now, and these goblin's movements seem slow. Almost lazy. We can do this.

  “I'll be okay, Rain,” Milly assured her. “Xavier and I hunted these creatures all day yesterday and we got this down to an art.”

  Rain looked worried, but slowly nodded and started moving to the slope. Milly watched as she ascended, wincing at every shifted stone that dislodged along the way.

  It was a few minutes before Rain was in position. Milly’s heart raced. For all her bravado, she still felt the fear within her, but she was learning to hide it.

  Rain gave her the thumbs up, the three spears laid at her feet. It was time. Milly stayed low and quiet, moving behind the boulder only a few paces from the closest goblin.

  Milly whistled, and Rain popped up with the first spear in hand.

  “Hey, goblins. Look up here,” Rain shouted as she hurled the first spear at the closest goblin. She gave a squeal of success when the spear struck its shin. The goblin gave a yelp of pain, and ripped the spear from its leg with a look of shock and hate in its eyes.

  Milly dashed from cover, a spear in each hand, and closed the distance to the nearest goblin. She caught her first target by surprise, her new strength sending one spear straight into the goblin’s chest. She could feel its point shatter the creature's ribs and pierce its heart before erupting out the other side.

  Milly let go of the spear in surprise as the goblin fell forward dead, startled by her own strength and speed.

  The two goblins closest to Milly dashed towards her, clubs swinging wildly. Milly deflected the first club with her bare hand, stopping it in its tracks and pushing it to the side to throw its owner off balance. The impact sent a shock through Milly’s arm but she kept her attention on the enemy. The goblin stumbled sideways, and Milly twirled like a dancer and planted her second spear through its back.

  Milly felt a mix of elation and guilt as she realized the goblins were no match for her newfound strength and agility. She caught the second goblin’s club with her bare hands, wincing at the sting as it slapped her palm. She ripped it out of his hand and struck it in the head with its own weapon. The creature was thrown backwards and landed a few paces away, its skull crushed.

  In less than thirty seconds, Milly had eliminated three of the five goblins, their bodies collapsed at her feet. Her breath was heavy with the effort and her stomach queasy from the dead around her, but she choked it down and stepped towards the largest goblin with its armor of tiny skulls.

  Rain watched in amazement as she saw Milly make short work of the creatures. The goblin that Rain had struck with the spear hobbled over to join the largest to defend against this new threat. Rain shouted a warning to Milly and threw her second spear at the goblin. The spear struck it square in the back. It gasped, blood erupting from its mouth, its hands clawing desperately at the air.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  “Yes!” Rain shouted triumphantly.

  Rain threw her final spear to finish it, but the goblin collapsed just as the spear landed two feet short.

  There was only one goblin left.

  “Ok, just you and me, big guy,” Milly muttered as she threw the goblin club aside and drew a rusted sword from her inventory.

  She was ready to charge when she saw Rain slide down the slope, rusty dagger in hand and nearly stumbling twice on the way down. She reached the ground a few seconds later, on her feet with trembling knees. She gave Milly a sly smile and held the dagger out towards the goblin. The largest goblin was flanked, its head darting side to side with a look of outrage.

  "Rain! No, watch out!" Milly shouted in warning.

  The goblin smiled at Milly with vicious, pointed teeth, then turned and charged at Rain, its weapon raised high and ready to bring it down on Rain’s head. Milly ran as fast as she could, sword at the ready, trying to close the distance.

  “I’m not going to make it,” Milly cried. She held her breath as the goblin swung wildly at Rain, looking for blood.

  Rain stepped carefully to the side and allowed the powerful swing to glide past her. As it stumbled, she buried the blade of her dagger into the goblin’s neck.

  The goblin collapsed to the ground, its hands clutching at the hole left in its neck. By the time Milly arrived at Rain's side, it was laying in a pool of its own blood, its death imminent.

  “Rain, what were you…I mean how…” Milly stammered, astonished.

  “I had eight brothers, remember? They made sure I knew how to defend myself. I have fought against bigger,” Rain said, trying to sound composed, though her voice was shaky. “And I’m a butcher’s daughter. I’ve been handling knives since I was six.”

  She flipped the dagger between her fingers and accidentally dropped it. She picked it up, her face red with embarrassment.

  “Well… um… good for you Rain,” Milly whispered, impressed. “I think you…”

  A fist-sized rock struck Milly’s back with a wicked crack. The breath was knocked out of her lungs and she fell hard to the ground, rocks opening bloody cuts along her arms as she landed.

  “Milly!” shouted Rain, rushing over to her side.

  From the cave emerged a sixth goblin. The monster that towered a foot over either woman. The club in its hands was five feet long and thick, with branches snapped off for makeshift spikes. It was dressed head to toe in hide and its shoulders were protected by a pair of deer skulls. It stepped towards them slowly, cautious but unafraid.

  “You fucker,” Milly cursed, spitting out a mouthful of blood and stumbling to her feet. “You are going to pay for that.”

  She struggled to take more than shallow breaths, piercing pain in her lungs.

  Suck it up, Milly. You need to finish this.

  Rain picked up a spear and hurled it towards the monster, but its point bouncing harmlessly off the goblin’s armor. The goblin chuckled, then roared as it charged towards the two women.

  Milly could feel her heart pounding in her ears. Her mouth tasted of iron. She should be scared. She should run away. But she knew Rain was behind her, and she could not leave her to the mercy of such a monster. She pushed aside the pain and returned the goblin's hate-filled gaze.

  I need to finish this quickly. One move. I just needed one move.

  Milly dashed forward to meet the goblin half way, the cracking fire between them. The goblin swung its massive weapon in a horizontal swing towards Milly. Milly jumped five feet vertically, high enough that the weapon passed under her feet. As she landed, she cleaved her sword through the goblin’s arm. The club, and the arm attached to it, continued its momentum and flew into the fire.

  The goblin howled in pain and rage, but Milly did not give it time to recover. She spun in a circle, sword moving from ground to sky, and sliced into goblin’s neck. The sword stuck in bone and flesh as it lost momentum three quarters of the way through. Milly let go, and retreated three steps, gasping for breath.

  The goblin stood in place, eyes staring forward in disbelief. What remained of its severed arm hung limply at its side, blood pooling on the ground below. It fell, and the impact severed the last of the flesh that held head to neck. Milly watched as its head rolled and came to stop at her feet.

  Rain rushed over to her, shaking and covered in sweat. “Milly! That was…you were…holy crap, you were amazing!” she praised excitedly. She looked at Milly, who swayed on her feet. “Mils, are you okay?”

  “I… um… just give me a…,” Milly said, before she rushed over to the edge of the forest and vomited into the moss. The roast beef that had been so delicious half an hour ago now covered the ground below her as she heaved again, until her stomach was empty.

  Milly lowered herself to the ground, gasping. She could feel the bruising on her back and the cuts across her arm, and though she had a broken rib. She tried to shut the pain out, as she drew upon the power within her and willed the healing magic to flow. The pain began to slowly fade, though the nausea in her stomach did not.

  Rain sat herself next to Milly, holding her hand in comfort. “Are you okay, Mils? Was that from your injuries, or because of the goblin head?”

  “A bit of both,” Milly replied, trying not to think about it. “I'll be fine. I just need some time to heal myself.”

  She breathed a shallow sigh of relief as the pain started to fade. It felt easier and faster to heal with the boost to her magic granted by the gown. She could judge her magical reserves better as well. She had energy to fix her broken rib and the bruising on her back, but the cuts on her arm would need to wait. She didn't want to completely drain herself as she had when Xavier was hurt.

  Rain sat next to her in silence, holding her hand, as she patiently waited for her to finish. It was a slow process, and Rain kept a watchful eye on the forest.

  “I got careless,” Milly admitted, stopping once she started to feel magical exhaustion settle in. She let the healing fade, wincing from the tightness in her back as she stood. “I forgot to check the cave. If I were with Xavier, he would never let me hear the end of it.”

  “We survived,” Rain countered. “Isn’t that the most important thing?”

  “Yah, I guess it is,” Milly said, feeling jealous at Rain’s endless optimism. “Rain, I barely survived my first battle. I froze, like a deer in the headlights. The bravery you showed today…I’m jealous.”

  “It doesn’t matter where we start, right? Just where we are right now. Did you see yourself? You were amazing! I can't wait to be as strong as you are.”

  “Speaking of which…” Milly said, willing the battle results screen to open.

  "What is this?" Milly asked, opening her inventory and pulling out the key. It was the length of her hand and made of rusted iron.

  “Hey, I got one too!” Rain said excitedly, holding her own key with excitement. “And it said I leveled up three times!”

  “That’s incredible, Rain. You deserve it,” Milly said as she put her attribute points into toughness. As the increase took hold, Milly felt her skin grow more resistant, and the pain she was feeling diminished. She felt less tired than she had a moment ago, and the stinging in her legs had lessened.

  Is that what toughness does? Fuck, that feels good. I should have invested more earlier.

  She looked up, and saw Rain spinning in circles and jumping around like an agile cat. She wrapped her arms around a boulder and tried to lift it. It didn't budge.

  “Oh well, I guess I am not that strong. Yet,” she laughed, “But this is incredible! I feel like a whole new person.”

  “Now you just need to pick your talent. There are thousands to choose…,” Milly started.

  “Oh, I already did that,” Rain said chipperly. “Look!” She plopped herself down next to Milly and opened the description.

  “I was lying in bed last night and thought about what you said last night. About there being tea ingredients out here in the wilds. My talent map appeared as I thought and it showed me this one. It's perfect.”

  “It is very you, Rain,” Milly agreed.

  Rain held up the rusted key. “So, what do you think we do with these?”

  Milly’s eyes darted to the cave entrance. “Perhaps we'll find out in there.”