My weary eyes creaked open revelling a familiar room filled with noisy green creatures. Oh, my head aches badly. It feels like I’ve been struck by a truck, I moan while grasping my head. I must have been brought back to the mansion while I was unconscious as I found myself placed in the usual confines of my cage. My body is still heavy from exhaustion, but I was slightly surprised. I expected to be severely bruised and battered from my previous fight. The swelling on my face has gone down substantially and the bruises on my unpleasing green arms have faded. I knew that I had been out for a while, but not days. While pondering through my thoughts, a deep gurgle emendated from my stomach. I rubbed my belly to ease the growing void, hoping that food would be brought soon.

The putrid stench of decay reached my sinuses. Food was coming, and the other goblins knew it too. Before long the clattering of keys and screeching of metal grabbed my attention. In walked a guard with a bucket in hand filled with meat that had been there for god knows how long. As he slowly made his rounds, he finally made it to my cage. A mixture of dread and glee filled me as he scooped up a ladle filled with filth. Just as he was about to drop it into my cage, he stop. He stared at me intently. A revelation must have hit him as his face changed to one of realisation. In turn, he reached to his side where a pouch was and brought out a tightly sealed metal box. Opening it up, his nose scrunched up in a look of disgust. He quickly poured the contents into my cage before putting it back and running out the room gagging.

I must say, I wished I could have followed him out. I squirmed over in the limited space to inspect what he had dropped. The pungent smell made my eyes water. To my dismay, it turned out to be worse than the feral slop he had given to the rest of the goblins. I grimaced as I looked down at what was meant to be my dinner. I grabbed a handful of it and watched as it oozed out from the gaps between my fingers. All I could do was close my eyes as I choked it down. I wheezed and gagged as it slid its way down my throat. After that experience, I refused to eat anymore. I’ll give it some time, you know what they say. Hunger is the best spice in life, I thought as my still weary body drifted off to sleep.

The next few days passed without incident. The only difference from before was the food I was given. After that day, the only thing I was fed was that vile slop. I never thought I would say this, but I miss my rotten meat. However, this was much more preferable than almost dying in a pit for others entertainment. There was one noticeable difference from my new diet. I didn’t feel like my stomach was trying to kill itself anymore. In fact, I have been feeling pretty invigorated lately. I must have gotten used to the rotten food they always feed us.

The peace didn’t last for long though. With each passing day, the noise of the room lessened as more and more goblins was taken away. It was only a matter of time before I had to return to that pit. So, in time, I found myself sitting back in that little cell once more waiting. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. A rusty dagger was left in the middle of the room. It did little to ease my nerves. If I am allowed a weapon, does that mean my opponent has one too? I don’t know how to use a blade. I just want to get out of here. It was clear that the gods did not heed my woes, as the door slowly swung open again. My stomach dropped as the light outside entered my eyes.

How do I even begin to describe what came out of the doors from the other side? I thought the goblin from the other day was terrifying. While akin to one, this green monstrosity was much worse. With its bulging abdomen, elongated arms and it wicked toothy grin, my heart was gripped in fear. I wanted nothing more than to run away. It was difficult to calm my mind from the onsetting panic. Yet despite my poor state of mind, I remember to use my ability.

The biggest thing that stuck out to me was its race. Why would they put me against a creature like that? I thought as I made my way into the pit with uneasy steps. I clasped the dagger tightly, watching its every move. It took it a while for it to notice me, my presence probably something beneath its concerns. But when it did notice, a grin spread across its face as it let loose a bone-chilling screech. It charged towards me without concern as I stood firmly rooted in place. I wanted to move but couldn’t. I felt its cry permeate through my very being, my soul. All that occupied my thoughts was an overwhelming fear. I was an easy target as it swung its arm into my stomach. The force sent my body flying, smashing into one of the pit walls. I wanted to get up and run, but my body refused to listen.

Its steps were carefree as they made their way to me. Grabbing my body with both hands, its jaws opened drooling from the prospect of sinking its teeth into my flesh. I don’t want to die, was all that repeated in my head at that moment. Right as its maw was to clench shut, I sunk my dagger into its eye. It threw me hard against the floor as it clutched its face in pain. I scurried off into a nearby corner, glad to still be holding onto my dagger despite the whole ordeal. My attention was solely attached to it. I couldn’t help but notice as its putrid green skin slowly change to an ominous faint red. An eye stared at me from the gaps between its fingers. Red veins gradually etched their way to its pupil, leaving it bloodshot.

It slams its arms onto the floor in a fit of rage before charging towards me. As its fist strikes my current position, Its attack seemed to be in slow-motion. I was shocked at how easily I dodged it, so was the hobgoblin. It stood there dumbfounded looking at the spot I had been. With the perfect opening, I ran and thrust my dagger into its leg. Having felt the sharp pain it sweeps its arm at me, irritation written all over its face. I simply ducked. Seeing the arm coming overhead I raised my dagger. A long gash formed across its right arm as it finished its motion. In a fit of rage, it lashed out with several other attacks. With each successful dodge, my confidence rose ever higher.

It had wounds all over its body and its breath was ragged. A deep crimson red fluid flowed from its wounded eye. It swung both its arms overhead, causing me to jump backwards giving it space. Cracks had formed on the ground where it had hit. In the brief respite, I decided to use inspect on myself. I have been performing far better than I know I should. In my last fight, I could barely move a muscle in time to evade the goblins initial attack. Yet here I am, easily dodging out the way of attacks that could kill me the instant they connected. I could feel the displaced air as the attacks passed by me. I was more than intrigued to find out what was going on.

When did I get buffed? But the hobgoblin didn’t give me much time to ponder on this thought. It let out another bone-chilling cry. Unlike last time, I was unfazed. I knew that in my current state that I could win. I will make it pay dearly for this humiliation. As it charged head-on, I got on all fours and crawled in between its legs. I quickly scaled his back and impaled his shoulder with my dagger. It yelled out in pain as it tried to throw me off with its lanky arms. With nimble movements, I evaded its capture as I proceed to add new holes to its back. In its final attempt to throw me off, it smashed its back against a nearby wall. Pain reverberated through my body as my grip loosened and I fell off.

Dread filled me as I looked around. Where did it go? I thought as I scanned the floor around me looking for my lost weapon. This moment of distraction nearly cost me my life. It barely hit my left arm. Yet, I couldn’t move it. I didn’t have time to think as I was forced to dash away as fast as I could to escape the hobgoblins swift attacks. Looking back up it I notice something sticking out of its back. How things change so quickly, I thought as despair filled my heart. In my final moment, before I thought all was lost, something peculiar court my attention. Every time it lashed out to strike, its movements became more sluggish. And that’s when I noticed the trail of red that followed the hobgoblins path. I smiled to myself, I can still win! And in due time I was right. After many more attempts to pulverise me, it finally succumbed to its wounds and collapsed to the floor. The red tinge of it skin faded back to its usual green. At that moment I rushed over, pulling out the dagger before thrusting it many times into its neck. I won, I thought as a smiled to myself. In my moment of basking in my well-fought victory, a long scrawny object in the corner of the pit court my attention. I looked at my left arm. Something was clearly missing.

<||> <||><||>

A hand covered in chubby flesh struck against a finely crafted desk, “Fuck, I thought things were finally turning around for me,” said Julius as he grabbed a nearly empty bottle of wine and tossed it at a nearby wall. As he sat there stewing in rage and self-pity, a man coughed behind in to garner his attention. Moving his body to face him, he spoke in an ill-spoken tone, “What do you want John?”

Long used to his poor temper, John shrugged it off as he spoke, “Why don’t you send that goblin welp to the next fight.”

Julius chuckled derogatorily at him, “You want me to send a goblin welp to fight a hobgoblin? Are you fucking with me?”

“No, I am not. At this point, you have nothing else to lose.”

With that final remark, the last straw snapped inside Julius as he flipped over his desk sending it smashing into multiple decorative ornaments. In an instant, Julius’s hand was firmly grasped around the neck of John. Every breath that escaped from between his lips was imbued with a chilling rage. A sinister aura emanated from Julius, “Have nothing else to fucking lose!?! Do you have any idea how much entering one of those matches cost? I already have the Emperor’s Chosen breathing down my neck and you want me to make that worse by throwing this match?”

With a face as stoic as ever, John replied, “You know that’s not what I meant. At this point, you only have a couple of adult goblins left. You need to regrow your stock, something that a welp can’t do. It needs to fight to evolve. And besides, you saw the last match. It's more cunning than its other kin. Given the added blade, I am sure things will go well.”

Julius stared deeply into his eyes, contemplating what he had said. With a deep sigh, he let go of John’s neck, “You better be fucking right, otherwise I am going to skin you like the swine you are.” Turning around and heading towards the door, Julius swivelled his neckless head to scan the room. “Oh, yes. I want this room clean by the time I get back, make sure it’s done,” was all he said as the door closed behind him. John stood there rubbing his neck, looking at the door he just left with treachery deeply rooted in his eyes.

The time for the goblin welp to fight was upon them, Julius was found sitting in his usual spot. He grimaced as he saw its arm tear off. Although, despite it debilitating wound it won the fight. He couldn’t help but smile as he jiggled his stomach in glee for all the coin he was bound to get. The creature he thought to be weak and pathetic turned out to be his golden goose. Julius turns to a nearby servant, “You, go get someone to staunch that goblins wound. I need it alive.” The servant quickly bows before leaving the room.

“What’s your plan for that goblin?” said John, who was standing by near the exit to the theatre box.

“Are you stupid, I am going to breed it of course.”

John looked at Julius with a look of disdain, “I know that. I was thinking, why not breed it with a high elf?”

Julius turned around with a look of surprise. “You’re joking, right? I don’t have anywhere enough coin to afford one, let alone a female. But…” – he rubs his chins as he contemplates what he said and speaks in a lowered tone – “ If I could get my hands on one I could breed a goblin rare and with that one’s genes…” A bright smile appeared on his face as he rubbed his hands together like a greedy merchant about to make a lot of gold. “What do you have in mind?”

“I know a famous slave trader who would be willing to loan out one of his elves. It won’t be cheap, but it's then better buying one outright.”

“Fine, I’ll manage the coin. Just get in contact with your trader and organise the deal.” Julius paused before adding, “Oh, and when you get your hands on it, send her my way first. I would like to ‘test’ out the product to ensure its quality.”