INTENSE NIGHT - AKI POV

Aki's penetrating gaze fixes on the shivering goblin as he calmly asks, "What's your name?" Despite the lingering pain from his broken ribs, he conceals it with unwavering determination and maintains a friendly tone, as if they were meeting for the first time.

For a moment, the goblin glares back at him, its eyes seething with hatred. Yet, instead of responding, the goblin averts its gaze, muttering incomprehensible words, "- magnificent, majestic, mystifying, might-"

"Mighty is already taken," Aki interjects, swiftly comprehending the goblin's intention. "By my fri-," he pauses, correcting himself. "-my companion, over there," he points to the tree where Landale and Yumi are currently resting.

The goblin continues to stare defiantly at Aki, its voice dripping with venom as it asks, "What do you want, human?"

Kneeling down to meet the goblin at eye level, Aki's voice brims with empathy as he assures, "I promise no harm will befall you if you answer my questions truthfully. But if you don't, I'll have to call Yumi, and trust me, you wouldn't want to disturb her rest."

"I'm going to use Detect Thoughts anyway..." Aki thinks, preparing himself for the potential mind probe.

Nervously, the goblin glances towards Landale and Yumi, uncertainty etched across its face.

"Don't worry. As long as you talk to me, Yumi won't intervene," Aki consoles the trembling creature. "It will be just you and me - I'll even help you come up with better alliterations."

The goblin still appears torn, wrestling with its decision. Sensing its inner struggle, Aki realizes he needs to push a little further.

"And, of course, it's in your best interest to help me. If the mission succeeds, I'll grant your freedom," Aki adds, hoping to sway the goblin's wavering resolve.

"That did it," Aki thinks, noticing a glimmer of desperation in the goblin's eyes. Though it may still harbor resentment, like all living beings, survival proves to be a potent motivator.

"Alright," it growls, its voice strained. "What do you want, you whimpering wimp?"

"First of all, no more alliterations, at least until we get to know each other," Aki says, rolling his eyes playfully. "Secondly, tell me your name so we can converse as equals."

---

A little over half an hour later.

Aki strides toward the towering tree where Landale and Yumi rest a few feet apart. Landale sits on an overgrown root, a distant expression on his face as orbs of magical energy dance around him, signifying his spell preparation. Meanwhile, Yumi leans against another tree, seeking respite amidst the dangers they face.

"Landale," Aki's voice carries authority. "Guard the goblin. I want to discuss the plan with Yumi."

The magical orbs disperse around Landale as he raises his eyebrows, briefly showing concern. He glances at Yumi but ultimately complies with Aki's request, leaving to watch over the goblin.

With an inscrutable expression, Aki observes Landale's departure. He knows he can't fully trust him, but the reasons behind his suspicions remain vague - even to him. While Landale's arrogance and his use of Detect Thoughts made Aki instantly dislike him - he knows it's not enough for the amount of suspicion he has for him.

"It's not just that. Last night, when Landale invaded my thoughts and I pushed him out, he left something, it was quick and I barely lingered. But I know the feeling, and if I'm not mistaken... It was hatred." Aki contemplates.

When Landale is out of earshot, Aki turns to Yumi, genuine concern in his eyes as he notices her fatigue. She takes slow, labored breaths.

"You look tired, Yumi," Aki observes, his tone filled with genuine worry.

"I'm fine," Yumi reassures him, though she remains still, leaning against the tree. "How did the interrogation go?"

"I got everything we need," Aki says. "Although you must move soon if you're to reach the goblin camp before the manticores get there."

"Don't worry, I'll be ready," Yumi reassures him. "What's the plan?"

"I'll tell you the plan later," Aki says, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Tell me about Landale - he's back to his usual self. Did you find out anything?"

Seemingly deep in thought, Yumi is silent for a moment. "I talked to him, but before I could delve deeper, you got in danger. Sorry, Aki," Yumi says apologetically. "Maybe the fight with the manticores brought him back to his senses?"

Aki takes a deep breath, unable to conceal his disappointment. "It could be, but I don't trust him, Yumi. Should we really continue with the plan? We could just hide or go back."

As she hears Aki's plea, Yumi's face darkens, and her tone turns serious. "You know we can't, Aki. If we go back, it will be considered a failure, and the kingdom will know. We'd be worse off than when we started."

Despite his anxiety, Aki can only bite his lip as he struggles to come up with a proper retort. He knows she's right.

"Aki, I know you trust me," Yumi says, sitting up straight and placing her hand on her chest. "I trust Landale. If not for him, I wouldn't have made it to you, and he also saved my life."

Aki raises his eyebrows, intrigued. "He did?"

Shaking her head, Yumi's disappointment at her own actions quite evident. "Yes, I stupidly tried to recover my mace, and one of the manticores almost got me. Suddenly, Landale was there, almost like he materialized next to me."

"Really?" Aki asks, his curiosity piqued. "Like he teleported? Are you sure?"

Yumi takes a moment to think, "Well, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I was too focused on retrieving my mace with the manticore's jaws inches away from me. Why?"

"I can't teleport," Aki replies, brow furrowed. "That's a higher level wizard spell."

"Well, I'm not too sure anyway, but the point is, he saved my life and yours," Yumi says, emphasizing the last six words.

As Yumi says this, she glances at Landale, a look of what seems like gratefulness on her face.

"Yumi, are you sure you trust him?" Aki asks again.

Yumi turns her attention to Aki, her gaze steady. "Yes, I do," she says, resolute.

Aki nods, "Then I'll trust him too."

"For the moment," Aki adds silently.

Aki turns toward Landale and shouts, "Landale, come here! Leave Azzle for a moment. He's not going anywhere. I'll explain the plan to you."

---

As the sun sets in the sky, Aki watches his two companions veer off the path, heading left, deeper into the forest. At his own behest, both of them had removed their heavy and light-colored armor, instead wearing a dark attire. A troubled expression graces his face as he hears Azzle, the goblin, sneering at him from behind.

"Scared, boy?" Azzle taunts.

"Terrified," Aki replies simply, his gaze still fixed on the backs of Landale and Yumi.

Once they are out of sight, Aki activates the Scrying Spell and Telepathic Bond. Both work flawlessly, and Aki breathes a sigh of relief, despite the nagging thought that Landale might have resisted the Scrying Spell.

"Stop it. Yumi trusts him - why shouldn't you? At least let it go for now." he reminds himself.

"Hey," Aki mutters.

"Hey, Aki," Yumi's voice responds.

"We can hear you," Landale chimes in, likely with a smug look on his face.

"I liked him better when he was nervous," Aki thinks, feeling slightly annoyed.

Approaching the goblin, Aki winces as he takes a seat next to Azzle, positioning himself so that the goblin can also observe the Scrying Spell.

"Azzle, let me know if they're heading in the wrong direction," Aki instructs.

"They're still far away anyway," Azzle says. "Just continue on that path, and by the time the sun has set, they'll see a huge sloping hill - our camp is below that."

Aki relays Azzle's instructions to Landale and Yumi.

"What if they fail? Are you going to kill me?" Azzle asks, a hint of fear in its voice.

"If your information is correct, no. But if they fail because of your information, then I'll cut you in to bits and, piece by piece, feed it to the manticores as a distraction while I save my companions," Aki replies, his tone resolute.

Yumi giggles at Aki's response, and Landale nervously asks if he was serious. Ignoring both, Aki remains focused on their task.

"Alright, alright, I'm just asking," says Azzle sheepishly. "No need for specifics."

---

Nighttime falls, Aki conjures a small, magical fire that dances and flickers, offering only a meager illumination of their surroundings. Yet, Aki knows this dim light is advantageous; he conjured the fire primarily to enhance his scrying image. Despite the persistent pain in Aki's broken ribs, he remains steadfast and vigilant, his keen eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger that may lie ahead for him and his two companions.

"They are near," Azzle's voice breaks the silence. "They should be able to climb the mountain now."

"Azzle says you should be able to see a path up the mountain," Aki conveys to Landale and Yumi.

"We see it. Shall we climb it?" Landale inquires.

Before Aki can respond, his senses flare up, and he spots dozens of figures heading straight toward them. "Hide! I see goblins heading your way," he urgently warns.

Wide-eyed, Aki and Azzle observe as Landale and Yumi swiftly dash to the nearest tree, expertly climbing up to find shelter. Unfortunately, the thick foliage conceals Aki's view of them, leaving him tense with worry.

"Wha- There are other branches!" Yumi's whispered exclamation is a mix of relief and annoyance.

"Sorry, I panicked," Landale whispers back, his fear palpable.

Frowning, Aki hushes the two, understanding the gravity of the situation; any noise could shatter their plan.

"Trap?" Aki thinks, giving Azzle an inquisitive look, only to be taken aback by the goblin's angry expression.

"Don't look at me!" Azzle protests. "I did tell you that goblins use that shortcut, you bumbling buffoons."

Aki holds his breath, intently watching as the group of goblins passes just below the tree where Landale and Yumi are hidden. Beside him, Azzle mirrors his anxious silence.

"H-hey!" Yumi's whispers. Thinking they've been caught or about to fall, Aki's heart skips a beat.

"Sorry!" Landale replies fearfully.

"What's going on? Please be quiet; luckily, the goblins didn't seem to hear you," Aki says, his eyes scanning for any sign that their hiding spot has been compromised.

"It's nothing," Yumi whispers.

Aki clenches his teeth, wishing he could be there with them, feeling powerless as he watches from a distance.

Tense seconds tick by, and finally, the goblins move on, their obliviousness a small relief.

"You can move now, but stay quiet; more goblins might come," Aki says, finally releasing his held breath. Azzle follows suit, heaving a sigh of relief beside him.

Landale and Yumi carefully descend from the tree. With raised eyebrows, Aki watches as Yumi raises her fist and smacks Landale in the back of the head, causing him to stumble.

"Ouch!" Landale exclaims, but he quickly regains his composure.

"I said, keep quiet!" Aki says, his frustration bubbling.

"By the stinking swamp, are they still making noise? Let me in that telepathic whatever, and I'll tell them off myself!" Azzle grumbles.

Ignoring Azzle's outburst, Aki focuses on Yumi's response. "Sorry, Aki," she mutters, her anger not directed at him.

"Move. Now. Time is of the essence," Aki commands, determined to put an end to any further distractions.

The duo sets off once more, Aki leading the way at a brisk pace as they ascend the hill. He observes Landale flinching whenever Yumi glares at him.

"Aki, those goblins might be coming here," Azzle warns.

"I know, but I'm not hiding. It's good for them to know I'm here," Aki calmly states. "Are they friends of yours?"

"Absolutely not, those are tedious troublemaking thick-"

"Good," Aki interjects. "Most of them are going to explode into bits when they get here. I'll leave a few survivors to tell the goblin boss that I'm here."

Azzle scrutinizes Aki's face, searching for any deception. Finding none, it grunts in approval, surprising Aki.

"You dislike these goblins?" Aki inquires, genuinely curious.

"N-None of your business," Azzle stammers, visibly taken aback by his own initial reaction.

"Hmm," Aki mumbles, raising an eyebrow at the goblin.

"Aki, turn off the Scrying Spell," Landale says, interrupting the two. "We're almost at the top."

Aki turns toward the Scrying Spell; Landale is right. They are about to reach the summit of the mountain, and torchlights from below become visible. "Alright," Aki says, turning off the Scrying Spell.

A few minutes pass by while Aki and Azzle waits for further news.

"Aki, we are here," Yumi says. Suddnely, her voice fills with dread. "We are too late, the manticores are here."

Eyes blazing, Aki turns to glare at Azzle, "They said manticores are already there."

Azzle frantically shakes his head as color drains from his face, "It's too early!"

"Aki, what should we do?" asks Yumi, her voice rising as Landale swears up a storm.

Sensing the mounting panic in the group, Aki takes charge, "Yumi, tell me what you see."

"The Goblin Boss is giving a speech. A dozen manticores and a lot of goblins surround him. He's still limping, so his legs are quite not healed yet."

"Where and what is the treasure?" Aki inquires.

"I don't know." Yumi says.

"It's the amulet the goblin boss is waving around," Landale says. "Aki, it's a powerful one. I could see why the manticores would want it."

Turning to Azzle, Aki asks, "The amulet?"

"Must be - it's the last treasure we have." Azzle confirms.

Aki closes his eyes, shutting off the world. Since he was a kid, this has been his best ability. He accesses his mind until the solution comes. The pain from his broken ribs is gone, and no sound enters his mind. He hears Landale's voice, but it's garbled, like it came from deep underwater.

In this state, Aki has no idea how much time passes.

Finally, he opens his eyes and says, "Then we have no other options but to wait. If Azzle is right, and I think he is, they won't attack until tomorrow. The goblin boss won't give the amulet to the manticores tonight, as he doesn't trust them to just leave after receiving the trinket. So it's pretty simple, wait for the goblin boss to rest, and then steal or destroy the treasure."

Yumi and Landale both answer, "Affirmative."

"Landale, I assume you have the Disguise Spell?"

"Yes," Landale mutters, a little bitterly. "Aki, we were actually practice partners when we-"

"Good," Aki interrupts. "Turn into one of the goblins and get close. Yumi, use Command to handle anything that might get in Landale's way."

"If no opportunity comes, come back here. We'll set up traps for them. We have removed their biggest advantage anyway." He turns to look at Azzle, who seems to be looking at him with awe. "We have Azzle, they no longer have the familial terrain advantage."

"Do you have any questions?" Aki waits. "If there is none, I'm severing the Telepathic Bond. Take this moment to rest - goblins love their parties."

---

ALLITERATIVE AZZLE, The Goblin

As night falls deeper, Azzle knows all too well that goblin parties can last a long time. With the scrying spell now off, there is nothing to occupy his mind anymore. Beside him, Aki remains unmoving, still clutching his broken ribs. Only his dark eyes move, darting and searching, waiting for the imminent arrival of the goblins.

As fatigue finally takes over, Azzle falls asleep, slipping into a surreal dream. In this dream, he finds himself surrounded by female goblins, all clamoring for more of his awe-inspiring alliterations. Amidst the bizarre scene, Aki stands beside him, clapping and cheering him on. In the background, the goblin boss is tied up in a cartoonish way, mouth gagged and unable to insult or emasculate Azzle anymore.

Suddenly, he wakes, startled by the familiar sounds of cackling goblins. With Aki's conjured flame extinguished, the forest plunges into darkness. Azzle looks around, briefly thinking that Aki has left him. But to his surprise, he spots Aki standing nearby, leaning against a tree. As Aki surveys the goblin ambush party, his dark eyes reveal neither fear nor anger.

Yumi is intimidating, but Azzle has never encountered a human like Aki. The fear Aki instills in him is unlike anything he has felt before. It feels as though the Leviathan itself is fighting, devoid of any moral judgment and emotion, just instinctual power. Yet, strangest of all, amidst this fear, Azzle finds himself genuinely wanting to help Aki.

Without turning towards Azzle, Aki says, "You're no use to us dead, Azzle. Fight with me or hide - decide."

Looking down, Azzle realizes that the ropes binding him are already loose.

---

Aki and Azzle swiftly dispatch the remaining goblins in their path. Azzle can't contain his glee, roaring with laughter as he hurls alliterative insults at the retreating goblins, who scurry away in fear. Perched atop a heap of goblin corpses, Aki watches their retreat with a satisfied nod.

"Azzle's alliteration shines best when he's throwing insults," Aki remarks. "I suppose such is the nature of the goblin-kind."

Using their Telepathic Bond, Aki tries to reach Yumi and Landale to warn them about the retreating goblins on their flank.

"Yumi?" he says.

"It's Landale, Aki," Landale's voice sounds strained, almost breathless.

"Where's Yumi?" Aki inquires, furrowing his brow.

"She's, umm, away. Trying to find a better vantage point."

"Better than the top of the mountain?" Aki asks incredulously.

"Oh. Oh, yeah," Landale responds with what seems like a moan.

"That doesn't sound like Yumi," Aki notes, puzzled.

"I agree," says Landale. "I actually told her it's a bad plan, but she has a way with her mou- I mean, words."

Aki massages his temples, exasperation mounting. "Try and call her back."

"Well, she's in pretty deep right now - Ouch!" Landale exclaims. "Sorry, Aki, an ant just bit me."

Ignoring the ant bite (as any self-respecting adventurer should, Aki notes), he continues, "That is way too dangerous."

"Don't worry," Landale says. "I'm keeping a close eye on her - she's pretty good at this."

Aki clicks his tongue, frustration rising.

"She's getting in deeper... deeper, oh gods, she's as deep as possible."

Aki turns gravely serious, "Landale, if Yumi doesn't start heading back to your position in the next few seconds, I'll personally make sure-" His anger rises as he envisions the risks Yumi is taking.

"She's back out!" Landale interrupts. "That was amazing! Aki, she's heading back."

Breathing a sigh of relief, "Well, finally some good news," Aki thinks, feeling his anger start to dissipate.

"When Yumi gets back, tell her Azzle and I took care of the goblins in our area. I let the others escape to inform the goblin boss of my presence."

"Great job! That's good news," Landale responds.

"That's not the point. The point is, you should be aware that there'll be goblins on your flank," Aki says, his tone reflecting his earlier frustration.

"Oh my god!" Landale exclaims.

As Aki fights the very real urge to scream in frustration, he mutters with clenched teeth, "There's no need to be afraid, just be cautious and hide. These guys won't be looking up the mountain; they're headed straight for the goblin boss."

He waits for a response, but none comes.

"Contact Yumi, I want her to return as soon as possible," Aki continues, trying to stay calm.

"I'm close," Landale says, gasping for breath.

"What!?"

"Sorry, I mean I'm getting close to her."

"You're moving too!?" Aki says, dumbfounded, his frustration resurfacing.

"No, just so I can - uggh!" Landale grunts.

"What on earth are you doing, Landale?" Aki asks, his anger simmering once more as he paces around.

"Just wait - I'm coming," Landale says, his voice filled with euphoria, causing Aki's anger to waver, momentarily replaced by confusion.

With his mouth agape in shock, Aki waits. Azzle has stopped shouting insults and now stands before him, mimicking his puzzled expression, which does little to ease Aki's frustration.

Finally, after several seconds, Landale speaks, "Aki, sorry about that. She's coming over now."

Not wanting to waste any more time speaking with him, Aki cuts off Landale and uses Telepathic Bond to contact Yumi.

"Hey, Aki."

"What were you thinking, Yumi?! That's far too dangerous!" Aki says, his anger flaring again.

"I'm really sorry, Aki. The goblins are still partying, and I got restless." Yumi says apologetically, causing Aki's anger to gradually subside.

Aki lets out a long sigh, calming himself down as there's no point in getting angry now.

"It's okay. You're fine now," Aki says, his concern easing, and his calm demeanor returning. "If they are still partying, you guys should eat and regain some energy."

"Actually, I just ate. My stomach is full," Yumi replies. Aki can hear her smacking her lips.

"Good," Aki says, still feeling a tinge of annoyance. "I informed Landale that Azzle and I dealt with the goblins in our location. The retreating ones will be on your tail, so be cautious."

"You were fighting?" Yumi begins, her tone tinged with anger. "Landale! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Never mind that," Aki interjects, growing tired of their bickering, and attempting to maintain his composure. "Contact me when you're ready to make your move."

"Alright, Aki," Yumi concedes.

"Good luck,"

---

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