In the remnants of his consciousness, Travis found himself adrift in an endless black void. The space stretched infinitely in every direction, an oppressive emptiness that chilled him to the bone. He floated weightlessly, his breath shallow and labored, his mind a storm of confusion and despair.


    But then, a faint glow began to pierce the darkness. It flickered at first, like a fragile flame in the wind, before growing brighter and steadier. Travis turned toward it, squinting against the light, and his eyes widened as the shapes within it became clear.


    It was his family.


    In the warm glow, he saw his parents sitting in their modest living room, chatting and laughing as they always did. He was there too, sitting between them, his father’s deep voice rumbling with a joke, his mother’s gentle laugh filling the space with warmth. The sight brought a lump to his throat, and a small, wistful smile spread across his face.


    He reached toward the light, his fingers trembling as if afraid it would disappear if he moved too fast. The glow felt warm against his skin, the icy void retreating as it enveloped him. Desperation took over, and he grabbed it, pulling it toward him.


    The moment he did, the glow shifted, its warmth surging into his body. The golden light turned to crimson, coursing through him like liquid fire, seeping into every fiber of his being. His body convulsed, a roaring power erupting from deep within, reshaping him in ways he couldn''t comprehend.


    Then, in a flash, he was yanked back to reality.


    Travis’s eyes snapped open, and he gasped, drawing a sharp breath into his lungs. The cold night air stung his throat, and he blinked rapidly, his vision adjusting to the silver glow of the moon above. The familiar scent of the forest filled his nostrils, and the memory of what had happened came flooding back to him.


    Slowly, he pushed himself upright, his muscles tense but oddly uninjured. He looked down at his body in disbelief, running his hands over his torso and limbs. Every bruise, every broken rib, every drop of blood was gone. He felt... renewed. Stronger.


    Yet, amidst his astonishment, something else caught his attention—a pull, faint but undeniable. He could feel his sword. Though it lay discarded far from him, its presence was unmistakable, as if it were still an extension of his hand.


    Curiosity burned in him, and he raised his hand instinctively. As if answering his silent command, the sword shot through the air toward him. He caught it effortlessly, the cool steel humming faintly in his grip. Travis stared at the blade, marveling at the faint red glow that now pulsed along its edge like a living heartbeat.


    The sound of heavy footsteps pulled his attention back to the clearing.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The Goblin King stood in the center of the village, its massive club resting on its shoulder. It had been surveying the aftermath of its wrath, but now its glowing green eyes turned toward Travis, narrowing as it sensed something new. The mana that had disappeared moments ago now burned brighter and more ferociously than before, filling the air with an almost tangible energy.


    The towering beast let out a low, guttural growl, its muscles tensing as it turned fully toward its foe.


    But this time, Travis didn’t falter. He didn’t feel fear.


    He tightened his grip on the glowing sword, watching as the crimson light intensified, wrapping the blade in a fiery aura. The weapon hummed with a power he didn’t yet understand, but he felt its strength coursing through him, merging with his own.


    A confident smirk tugged at his lips as he stepped forward, meeting the Goblin King’s gaze.


    “This time,” he muttered, his voice steady and cold, “I’m not running.”


    The red glow from his sword reflected in his determined eyes as the moonlight bathed the battlefield, signaling the start of their final clash.


    The moment their gazes locked, the battlefield seemed to pulse with an undeniable tension. In an instant, both Travis and the Goblin King charged forward, their movements a blur of power and intent. Travis was quicker—his body a well-oiled machine, moving with speed honed through sheer willpower. He arrived first, his sword arcing downward in a sharp, decisive strike aimed directly at the Goblin King’s skull.


    With an impressive display of strength, the Goblin King swung its massive club, blocking the blow with an ear-splitting clash. The shockwave from the impact reverberated through the air, causing the leaves around them to swirl violently. The Goblin King grunted with effort as it pushed back, trying to gain control of the fight, but Travis was already in motion.


    In one fluid motion, Travis slid along the ground, his sword trailing behind him as he narrowly avoided the retaliatory strike. He smirked, feeling the gap in power between them, but more importantly, the surging power within himself that pushed him toward something greater.


    The battle continued as the two forces clashed again. Each swing of the sword and club sent a violent ripple through the air, creating shockwaves that sent nearby trees swaying and leaves spiraling through the air. Travis danced around the Goblin King’s wild attacks, his sword flashing in the moonlight. He struck quickly, his blade cutting deep into the Goblin King’s thigh, leaving a small but bleeding wound. The Goblin howled in pain, but there was no time to savor the small victory. The beast responded with ferocity, swinging its club with unrelenting force.


    * Crash! *


    The ground splintered beneath the sheer weight of the Goblin King’s attack. The shockwave from the club''s impact sent debris flying in all directions, but Travis was already in motion, his body moving as if guided by instinct. He spun on his heel and unleashed a devastating kick to the Goblin King’s face. The impact echoed like a thunderclap, sending the massive creature flying through the air, its body crashing violently into a thick tree. The force of the blow shattered the bark, sending splinters scattering into the air.


    For a moment, there was silence. The Goblin King lay slumped against the tree, dazed, its massive body heaving in the moonlight. Travis stood poised, his breath steady, eyes locked on the fallen king, an unexpected sense of satisfaction coursing through him.


    ''I guess I''m good at martial arts as well,'' he thought, a smirk creeping onto his face.


    But he didn’t wait for the Goblin King to rise. Travis moved with urgency, the adrenaline of the battle coursing through his veins. He sprinted toward the downed creature at blinding speed, his sword raised high, ready to strike. The Goblin King, battered but still very much alive, snapped back to its feet in a flash of movement. It roared in fury as it swung its massive club with deadly intent.


    Before Travis could land the killing blow, the Goblin King swatted him aside like a mere insect. The force sent Travis hurtling backward, crashing into a line of trees, his body slamming against the rough trunks with bone-shattering impact.


    ''Fuck, I’ll never get used to that,'' Travis thought as he struggled to regain his bearings, groaning in pain.


    But even as his body screamed from the force of the blow, Travis felt something stir within him. The pain didn’t weaken him—it invigorated him. It fueled his excitement, the thrill of battle running through his veins like fire. He grinned through the pain, his eyes gleaming with determination as he staggered to his feet.


    This fight wasn’t over. And it would be his victory.


    TO BE CONTINUED