Chapter 2: Local Heroes

Chigaru follows Khel to the far end of the workroom.

Knowing well enough - already - that his companions are more then capable fighters and so far there is only sight of pathetic and disgusting goblins in the enemy ranks... Li couldn't help, but to run towards Lonjiku Kaijitsu apparently dead and tortured body to examine it.

For some bystanders it might have looked like Li was mourning the dead nobleman... but unfortunately the truth was that his face showed constantly changing expressions of: years of exile from his homeland, the sense of failure and unfulfilled duty he had carried all this time, and now the loss of the only trace of Misaki he had found in over a year. So with desperation evident in his movements he began to check the corpse and called out loud in a hollow, hopeless voice: "Grimwulf! Is this Lonjiku Kaijitsu!?!"

Grim steps over to Li, taking in the gruesome sight of the man's body encased in glass, face forever contorted in unimaginable pain. Even through the distortion he can confirm that it is indeed Kaijitsu.

Hearing the desperation and rage in the ever even keeled investigator's voice surprises the halfling, but just for a moment. The rage once again smothers all other emotion and thought. Placing his hand on Li's shoulder, "Come, let us show them how we treat such monsters. No mercy."

Li lowers deeply his head for a moment over his chest, as he would fall in deep thinking state. Closes the eyes for a second. And freezes for a moment. Causing a little surprise in Grimwulf that apparently began to be overflown with rage once again.

But then he rises his head again and opens his eyes. They are changed. They are no longer the inquisitive, but cordial eyes of royal investigator that believe in the right and purpose of his duty. They became cold. Like iron. Cold iron, reforged countless times, in the furnace of many defeats and disappointments. But also training and discipline. The cold that was ready to act... with soulless precision and... indeed... no marcy. Or - in fact - any other sight of human emotions. There is only one thing in Li's mind right now.

Retribution.

Li rises from his crouching in front of Lord Kaijitsu's body. Slowly looks at his katana, that he was holding in his right hand all this time. Dirty from blood of previous goblin. Then is slowly turning his gaze straight into Grimwulf eyes. Makes a slow nod with his head. Without saying another word. Then without any previous indication, suddenly runs towards the stairs that lead to the basement and... sounds of more goblins. To surprise of his friends, his steps seam to make no sound on the stone floor. He runs in complete silence. Silence only known to Death herself... when she comes to take someone in the middle of a night.

Chigaru dashes to the table next to the door Saldrina entered and jumps onto it. "Don't rush in alone! The space is too tight to fight effectively!"

Li's "calm rage" doesn't make him think about strategy or reason. He has one focus now: slashing... ending the existence of those foul creatures, that are capable of such atrocities.

He runs straight into crowded room, then around the western goblin, just to stand in the middle between goblins trying to harm Saldrina. In the split second his foot touches the ground to take a stance... Li begins slashing around with his katana.

Wess heads over to the rest of the group, still eager to be in the middle of the action.

Khel watched as Li charged forward and obliterated some of the goblins but then got swarmed by more. Knowing that he will get overwhelmed by them, Khel rushed forward, took out his staff sending a flaming bolt at one of the goblins.

Seeing Li dash ahead, he runs after him. Upon hearing the man cry out in pain, the halfing lets out a roar and swings at the goblins surrounding his friend.

Saldrina attempts to steel herself.

Chigaru hears biff, bam, boom, pow, aaaiiieee, aaarrghhh from the room beyond and assumes the goblins are losing. He shouts encouragement to his teammates. "You can do it! Aim low, block low! And don't get backed into a corner!"

Saldrina flings a firebolt at green.