"Hehe."
The one-eyed goblin grinned, his single eye gleaming with malice as he licked his cracked lips. His voice was a low, guttural growl, dripping with cruel amusement. "Your mother will be giving you some brothers soon. When the time comes—"
Swish!
A small stone shot through the air, grazing his cheek and leaving a faint red mark. The one-eyed goblin froze, his grin faltering as he turned to lock eyes with Kaito. The child stood there, his small frame tense, his green hands clenched into fists. His eyes, however, were anything but childlike—cold, sharp, and filled with a murderous glare that sent a shiver down the goblin's spine.
"Damn it!" the one-eyed goblin roared, slamming his fists against the iron bars. The sound echoed through the cavern, sharp and metallic. "Open the door! I'm killing this brat today!"
His bloodshot eye burned with rage, his gaze locked onto Kaito as if he could tear him apart through sheer will. The other goblins shifted uneasily, their laughter fading into nervous murmurs. They had seen that look in Kaito's eyes before, and it never ended well for those who crossed him.
"Enough!"
The voice cut through the tension like a blade, sharp and commanding. The goblin shaman, Sha, approached slowly, his staff tapping against the stone floor with each step. His presence was enough to silence the others, his authority unquestionable. He stopped in front of the one-eyed goblin, his piercing gaze boring into him.
"This has been investigated," Sha said, his voice calm but firm. "One of the females who was caught yesterday is responsible. She's already escaped."
He turned to the one-eyed goblin, his expression stern. "Instead of bullying a child, maybe you should go find her."
"But—" the one-eyed goblin started, his voice trembling with frustration.
"What? Are you questioning me?" Sha's tone was icy, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"N-no," the one-eyed goblin gritted his teeth, bowing his head in submission. His fists clenched at his sides, but he knew better than to argue with the shaman.
"Then get moving!" Sha barked, his voice echoing through the cavern.
"Yes," the third goblin chimed in quickly, eager to avoid Sha's wrath. "Let's go find her."
As the goblins shuffled away, Sha glanced back at Kaito. The child stood there, his expression unreadable, but his eyes still burning with that same cold intensity. Sha sighed inwardly. This kid caused a lot of trouble... but maybe that meant something. Maybe this one would survive.
Once they were out of earshot, the one-eyed goblin turned to his companions, his face twisted with rage. "Second brother, is that really it? We're just going to let that brat get away with this?"
"What else can we do?" Goblin Two replied, his voice low and cautious. "Sha's not someone to mess with."
"I'm not letting this go," the one-eyed goblin snarled, his eye gleaming with malice. "That elf will be taken to the breeding house soon. That weird goblin brat? He'll lose it. When he makes a move, it'll violate the rules. Then... we finish him off."
The one-eyed goblin's lips curled into a cruel smile. "No... I want to cripple him first. Break his limbs... and make him watch us tear his mother apart."
Goblin Two chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with sadistic glee. "Good. Let's go find a few females to practice on first."
"Yeah, good idea," the one-eyed goblin said, his voice dripping with anticipation. "I remember we caught a fresh batch recently..."
"Hehe..."
Their laughter echoed through the tunnels, a chilling sound that sent a shiver down the spine of anyone who heard it.
That night, before bed, Kaito lay quietly beside Rosentine. The room was dim, the faint glow of the torchlight casting long shadows on the walls. Rosentine brushed his hair back with her fingers, her touch soft yet heavy with worry. Her ruby eyes glimmered with warmth, but there was a sadness in them that never quite went away.
"Rosentine, Arzen," Kaito whispered in clumsy Elvish, his voice barely audible.
Rosentine's breath hitched, her hand pausing mid-stroke. She looked down at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "Yes," she said softly, her voice trembling. "Rosentine, Arzen... that's my name."
"Mom..." Kaito repeated, as if memorizing it, his voice filled with a quiet determination.
Rosentine smiled gently, her hand resting on his head. "I wish..." she began, her voice trailing off. Her gaze drifted to the wall, lost in thought. Maybe... maybe one day they could leave this place. Maybe she'd see her home again. Even if it seemed impossible, that tiny hope kept her going.
For Kaito, all that mattered was that his mother was with him. But he knew she hated this place. And that was enough reason for him to want to leave.
Kaito knew what to do. If those goblins wouldn't let her go, he'd kill them all.
That night, as Kaito started to slip away, Rosentine's hand tightened around his wrist. Her grip was firm, almost desperate.
"No... don't," she mumbled in her sleep, her voice barely a whisper. "Don't do anything reckless."
"It's okay, Mom," Kaito whispered back, but her grip didn't ease. She held him like she was terrified he'd vanish, like he was the only thing keeping her anchored to this world.
In the end, Kaito lay back down. The one-eyed goblin could live a few more days.
"Mom..." Rosentine murmured in her sleep, tears clinging to her lashes. "My baby is so beautiful... all elf children are..."
Kaito's chest tightened at her words. Mom thinks I'm beautiful? He smiled faintly, curling closer to her. For a moment, the world outside their small room didn't exist. It was just the two of them, safe and together.
Days passed. Rosentine nibbled on dry bread, her movements slow and mechanical. She stroked Kaito's hair absentmindedly, her mind elsewhere. The bread was stale, the taste bitter, but it was all they had. She barely noticed the flavor, her thoughts consumed by the ever-present dread that hung over them like a storm cloud.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A knock at the door—loud and heavy, like the toll of a death knell. Rosentine flinched, her body trembling as the color drained from her face. Her hands shook, the bread falling from her grasp.
The goblins were here.
They didn't need to say it. Everyone knew why they'd come.
Kaito sat up, his hand drifting to the dagger hidden beneath his clothes. His eyes were sharp, his body tense, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. If they thought they could take her... they'd pay for it. Every last one of them.