Dwarfkind is massacred. The elves; extinct, save for a few that have been forced into slavery as birth mules. The goblins, un-relentless in their march of murder, now rule the world of Tellistlinòn.
All of humanity is dead. All but one, lone, forgotten human, living in a far off region known as Spuspsotbostu; the Spotted Hills.
This is his story.
Awakening atop a snow-covered cherry tree, the lone human yawned. It was morning already.
He knew little more about the world around him than he did his own name. A strange name at that. Urist. He knew it only by the inscription carved into his basket. Urist Suttorish.
Urist stood and stretched, taking a few steps forward from the branches. Unfortunately, a slick of ice caught his foot, and he came tumbling down. Blood spurted from his new injuries. Tears poured from Urist's eyes, but he rose back to his feet. This was not the first time he suffered a fall like this, and even scars can fade with time.
Urist walked a short distance from his sleeping tree, and climbed down a small hill. There it was; an opening within the snow, concealed by thick branches. He climbed through the opening and fell, landing on his feet. The burrow, although small on the outside, was several feet taller than even he was, and stretched on in a twisting passage. The only light Urist could see was a small flicker coming from further in the cave.
There stood a great behemoth, resembling less a dingo and more a frenzied hyena. It towered over Urist, covered with shaggy fur from head to toe, with lips forever distorted into baring its teeth. It was Mocuricuro; Urist's adopted mother.
"Morning, Mother," said Urist, as he tossed down his spear and walked to the back of the cave. The best equipment could always be found there; Urist never knew how Mocuricuro found such strange equipment, or how they were often too small for him to wear, or even how she 'crafted' a perfectly forged bronze spear and dagger for him, but he often wondered. Stepping over the many gloves and breastplates, Urist walked to the corner where an object caught his eye. A crown, made of rock and bone.
Brushing the strange object aside, he gathered the shiny, silver trinkets that littered the floor from Mocuricuro's latest haul, bandaged his wounded hand with scraps of troll fur, and returned to speak with her. To his surprise, she spoke first.
"Urist," said Mocuricuro, turning her head to the side, "Have you ever dreamed of traveling beyond these hills? Seeing the world I've forbidden from you?"
Urist thought about it for a moment. He once had wondered what other creatures lived beyond the hills, having only known himself, the occasional small animal or bird, and Mocuricuro. Still, the thing he most craved was tranquility. He wished to live a quiet life, one without worries of danger or what creatures lurk past the river.
"Yes. I have."
Mocuricuro nodded. She knew it was time. "Then... fight me."
This caught Urist by surprise, and he stumbled back. "W-what?"
"Fight me, Urist. Fight and slay me. If you can do this, then I know you're ready. This is why your parents entrusted you with me, and this is why they gave me the gift of speech. So that I may train you, and prepare you for the upcoming war!"
"What war? What are you talking about? You told me long ago, when I had asked you, that you never knew my parents. That they dropped me off here, at this cave, before you had returned."
Mocuricuro laughed and snarled simultaneously. "You are a smart creature, Urist. You should know that no animal speaks as I do, and yet you never wondered why?" Before Urist could utter a response, Mocuricuro lunged for him. "Enough! Fight me or die, human child!"
The cut dug deep into Urist's skin. He had no desire to harm his own mother, but... if it was true that she lied to him all this time, then he would fight. At the very least, he would fight until he could get answers.
He drew his spear and thrust it forward. Mocuricuro ducked, but this was just as Urist wanted. The spear tip cut into her tail, and she roared in response, jumping back. Urist wouldn't go down quite so easily.
Recovering from the injury, Mocuricuro ducked another of Urist's stabs and struck him with her paw. Her claws tore into his lip, drawing fresh blood.
"Enough! You must kill me, or I shall do the same!" said Mocuricuro, as she prepared for another lunge.
Her claws extended for a killing strike, Urist was left with no choice. He flinched and rose his spear into the air. The giant dingo's head slid through the bronze spearhead, cutting through artery and bone and impaling the beast.
Mocuricuro collapsed on the floor; limp. Tears seeping from his eyes, Urist withdrew his spear and approached her, hoping for some sign of life.
"Y...you did good, Urist."
Urist pressed his hands onto the wound, hoping to stop any blood loss. "No... no! Don't do this. Why? Why did you make me do it?"
"Because," she said, losing consciousness, "you're the only one who can stop them. I wish I could tell you more about your parents. They loved you so, so much."
Crying, Urist nodded. "Past the river, right? That's where I need to go?"
Mocuricuro nodded in turn. "Son, I think... I'm going to take a nap."
Then, she was gone. Urist was alone once more with nothing but his tears and scars. He took the crown, among other oddities, and left the cave. He was truly alone, but rather than sadness. he felt... emptiness. Then, determination. He needed answers on his parents, and why they abandoned him, and why they told Mocuricuro to train him. As much as he preferred the tranquility... he had a mystery to solve.
And so, he began the journey forward. Past the river... just as she told him to go.
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Topic: World of the Goblins (Read 2120 times)