Everything was dark. And then in an instant it wasn’t. Jacob took in the faint light of the crescent moon that shone overhead. The back of his head throbbed. His spit tasted metallic and salty. He spat onto the long patchy grass beside him and as he suspected it was blood. Then it him.
He stood up and gazed at the scenery. What was supposed to be buildings, asphalt, and cars screeching through the London night was now replaced by a forest that stretched over the horizon. He rubbed the back of his head.
“Where am I?”
He took a few steps wading through the shrubs, vines, and branches that stretched to the ground. The night was cold. His jacket brought little relief to him. After walking in circles for what he thought was a long time he felt frustrated. Frustrated enough to climb the tallest tree he could find and possibly find a way out. With each branch he maneuvered past and with each gaze he directed towards the ground he felt his instincts angrily reminding him of what such a fall could do to him.
Nevertheless he persevered on. And finally he was at the top. More trees dotted the landscapes. The night was barren of any signs of life. Only the howling of the wind stood out. Now Jacob had never been into astronomy nor had he ever paid much attention to the stars before however he was quite sure that the patterns that were sprinkled out into the dark skies were something quite new.
He laboured down. Making sure his instincts wouldn’t tell him I told you so. He had no knowledge of how to build a fire. So he found refuge in a clump of shrubs he thought were the warmest. As the night journeyed on he rubbed his body for warmth.
By morning he was jolted awake by something grabbing at his feet. The shrubbery made it hard for him to see what it was. When it finally got a hold of him he felt clammy, cold hands around the area his skin was exposed. It yanked him out. His eyes met little green creatures. They had elf like ears, sharp yellow fangs for teeth, and wore loin cloths. They stared at each for a moment in silence. Until one punched the air towards his direction. A strong force, which felt harder than a normal punch, threw his head back and everything was dark again.
He rose in a cell dimly lit by lanterns just outside the metal bars that enclosed on him. The floor was made out uneven stones haphazardly thrown together. It was clear whoever designed this had no intent for their prisoner’s comfort. He bolted towards the bars and shook them.
“Let me out,” he screamed. “Let me out,” his voice echoed.
Nobody answered. He flung himself back to the wall and slid down. Past a couple of rows of empty cells he made out a shape of another human. Or at least he thought. The man was leaning against the wall with a hat over his face. Jacob sought for his attention but the man did not stir.
Time seemed frozen. The flames on the opposite wall housed in a giant horn-shaped cone did not waver. They burnt continuously. Suddenly he could hear cackles bouncing off the wall and the sound of footsteps growing louder. He felt tense. A door creaked open. The green little creatures appeared. There were about ten of them. Each howling and pushing past each other. They walked past his cell and to the man with the hat. They opened his cell and pointed for him to get out. He did so.
Then they arrived at his cell. He stood with his back against wall. When they opened the cage door they pointed for him to get out too. But he shook his head. They pointed once more and he shook his head again.
“This is a fight you’ll lose,” the man in the hat said. “Do as they say.”
He hobbled his way to them. And soon the man in the hat and Jacob were shoulder to shoulder being ushered up the creaky and broken stairs.
The whole upper floor of their dungeon was dark. The only light came in through the high windows. They were herded out like cattle to a courtyard that was surrounded by crumbling walls. Three fat creatures resembling their captors stood. They stood much taller than their minions. And were dressed better too. They wore tattered suits with golden jewellery draped all over them. One of them had a black top hat.
They pointed to a huge cauldron which sat in one corner of the courtyard. The man in the hat began to undress and nodded to Jacob he should do the same. The man had a dark complexion and wore his hair in long black dreads. His body was etched with scars. He plopped into the cauldron.
Jacob took in his surroundings. Barely comprehending what had been happening. He felt a slight shove followed by high pitched barking from the creatures.
“Just jump in,” the man said. “It’s kind of warm. And it smells,” he cupped the water to his nose, “like mint. I love the smell of mint.”
Jacob did as he was told. When both men were in the cauldron they were pushed underneath the water. Jacob squirmed but couldn’t come up until finally the creatures let go. The man now had his nose pointed in the air whistling. The creatures had scurried off and were being directed by the much larger creatures to make a pyre.
“I’m sorry,” Jacob whispered. “I don’t understand. What’s happening?”
The man directed his gaze at him and smiled. “You don’t have to whisper,” he shouted. “They don’t care.”
“Okay,” Jacob replied. “I’m still not sure what’s happening?”
“You’re about to get eaten by Legion Goblins.” The man made a sour look on his face. “Is this your first time?” Before Jacob could reply the man continued: “of course it is, barely a few escape our predicament.”
“Have you escaped.”
“Seven times,” he smiled.
“Do you have a plan uh… I’m sorry I haven’t learnt your name.”
“Ramola. And no I don’t. This is the first time I’ll admit that these buggers have caught me out.”
Jacob’s eyes were frozen open. His lip shook and no word came out of it.
“Cheer up,” Ramola slapped him across the shoulder, “it’s an honourable death to be feasted upon by the beasts of Caelus.”
“I’m sorry who is Caelus?”
“What do you mean who’s Caelus,” Ramola leaned forward.
“Is he those Goblins’ master.”
“He is all our master,” Ramola’s laugh bounced off into the night. “Which kingdom do you hail from that hasn’t heard of Caelus.”
“That’s the thing. I don’t think I’m from this world.”
Ramola raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“I think I’m either dreaming or something that happened to me on a night out must have brought me here because where I am from these goblins are from fiction.”
Ramola narrowed his eyes and bobbed his head slowly. A grin flashed across his face. “Humour in the face of death. I love it. Say what was your name again?”
“Jacob.”
“Ja-cob,” he tried to sound out the words. “Never heard of that name before.
“Really?”
“Yes. Exactly which kingdom do you hail from again?”
“I told you,” Jacob hissed, “I don’t think I am from here.”
“Hmmm,” Ramola leaned back and stared at the night skies. “Poor lad has been so traumatised he’s forgotten about everything.”
“I am not…” Jacob was interrupted by the goblins telling them to get out. They did as they were commanded. They were told to lay down on two logs which they were tightly bound to. “So we’re not going to fight this,” Jacob said.
“We’re outmatched. See those three big fellas,” Ramola nodded at the well dressed goblins. “You have to kill them. And to kill them you have to have a well thought out plan and weapons. Preferably a lot of weapons. Or cheat your way out of a fight as most pushers do.”
They were lugged up above the fire fastened to a contraption that rotated them slowly.
Jacob couldn’t contain his laughter over the surreal situation. “Now they’re roasting us like pigs! What the fuck” Tears welled up in his eyes and his laughter soon turned into a coughing fit.
“Excuse me for interrupting your moment of joy,” Ramola chimed in. “It seems as if I’m about to achieve my eighth.”
“Your eight what?” Jacob replied and in a moment felt a powerful force blow him and Ramola across the courtyard. The ropes broke free. The goblins were sniffing about in the air. Ramola stood. And Jacob followed his lead. A thud sounded behind them.
A woman stood. She had dark skin, coily hair, and golden eyes. She had black pants with black boots on and a white shirt. Her suspenders held two guns while another waisted belt held another two.
The goblins came rushing towards them and she stomped the ground. A dome covered them. It was translucent with hints of coloured waves swaying back and forth around it.
“Well aren’t you the fool,” the woman said. “What? Is this like the fifth time I’m rescuing you from this exact same situation.”
“Fourth,” Ramola replied nonchalant manner. “The other times that was all me.”
The goblins were now scratching at the dome, blowing fire with their hands, others an invisible force that made a thunderous noise as it landed.
“What’s the plan,” she said. “I don’t have much Durata left to keep holding this thing.”
Ramola grabbed the guns from her waist. “Are these loaded?” She nodded as she grabbed the others from her suspenders. “As always,” he continued, “shoot these buggers out. Make a dash for it. And hope they don’t follow.”
Jacob huddled in the corner covering his private parts. He exchanged glances with the woman. He stuck his hand out. “I’m sorry, I’m Jacob.”
“I don’t think I want to shake that,” she replied. “Ja-cob?” she tried to sound out the name. “Strange,” she shook her head. “Zayanna. That’s my name. Zayanna.” She turned to Ramola. “The Vis Dome is breaking now. Are you ready.”
He flicked his gun from half-cocked to fully cocked. “Ready.”
The dome dissipated. A flash of light. The shrieks of goblins. And finally their bodies twirling to the floor.
“Run,” Zayanna commanded.
Jacob bolted behind them.