Chapter 276 – Re:D Moon

Day 10/11 (Cont)

Earlier

"RUN, Ee!" 

"I, HAH, I AM!!!"

"RUN FASTER THEN!"

Mi and Ee were running through the forest as fast as they could, their search for Sui having led them on a short but perilous odyssey through hell for the young goblins.

Last night, they followed what they thought was Sui's trail through the woods. Calling out her name had, instead of helping find her, led a pack of wolves directly to them. They narrowly avoided being devoured by them by climbing a tree. They had waited out the pack all night, and come dawn, they seemed to have given up and moved off. They climbed down, intent on returning home to tell Rou they had lost her and failed his request to watch over her, when they stumbled upon a Tri-horned horse that chased them even farther from the village. 

They managed to get away from the horse by rolling down a steep bank, losing their meagre weapons and getting heavily bruised and battered in the process. Injured and defenceless, they tried to make their way back to the mansion, but in their rush, they had gotten turned around and became quite lost.

Exhausted and hoping to find a place to rest, they took shelter in a nearby cave. It had smelled weird, but it was empty, so they lay down inside of it. That did not last long, as its owner, a large brown hind bear, returned to find two trespassers in its territory. Its roar woke them from a dead sleep.

The bear didn't chase them as they ran out of its den, seemingly content that they had left. Which left them wandering the wilderness for most of the day, wondering how in the world they would get back home. Nothing had changed by late afternoon; they were still lost and nearly starving, so they started scavenging for berries and grubs. 

That was when they ran into a couple of horned rabbits that had bad tempers. Those were now chasing them wildly through the woods, charging at them continuously, trying to impale them on their sharp horns.

"HAH, WHY ARE THEY STILL, HAH, CHASING US!" Ee shouted, the more muscular woman struggling to keep up.

"I don't know!" She replied, then dodged to the side as the rabbit charged past her again. "Just keep going!"

The rabbits were so persistent that they didn't even have time to try to climb a tree to get out of their reach; stopping would mean being skewered, and without Rou and his magic, there was no guarantee that they would survive such a wound.

This continued for another ten minutes, but it wasn't going well for them. After their initial burst of adrenaline subsided, their exhaustion set in. Their reaction speed became slower, and their reflexes diminished, allowing the rabbits to start leaving small wounds on their legs and asses.

Near the end of her stamina, Mi made a desperate gamble and changed the direction they were running. They barrelled through a patch of dense brush, hoping the rabbits would get their horns hooked up on the branches, and burst out the other side. They stumbled, the pair of them trying to balance on the other, then collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily. 

"Did, hah, we make it?" Ee asked through deep breaths.

"It looks like it." She replied, looking back at the bushes. The rabbits hadn't followed them through.

"Great... Remind me not to do this again. I think I would rather be digging holes than exploring the woods."

"Right now, I can't say I blame you. I swear everything is trying to kill us today." Mi replied, then looked over at her friend, "We kind of need the woods, though; we can't eat rocks."

"At least rocks don't try to kill me. We should find a tree to sleep in and try again tomorrow. The wolves will be out again soon."

"If they are not already." She replied, then stood up and offered Ee a hand.

"Thanks. AHHH! What is that?"

Mi looked over her shoulder at what Ee was pointing at and nearly peed herself. A towering monster loomed over them, holding a giant pick above its head. Before she could scream, it growled and swung the weapon at them. She pushed Ee out of the way and raised her arm to cover her face, knowing her tiny limb would do nothing to protect her from the impact to come. 

The pick slammed into her, and the last thing that went through her mind was thoughts of Rou and that they had never told him where they were going.

"Daughter, do you know where Ee and Mi are right now?" Jean asked, walking up to her. There was anger in her voice that made her tremble a bit. 

"No, Ma'am, I don't. I have been in here cleaning all day." Sui replied, sitting back on her heels. She was still scrubbing the grotto with the tiny brush they had given her, as she had been for what felt like forever. She was nearly done, but worried it wouldn't be good enough and that Jean would make her do it again.  

"They went out last night in search of you, thinking you ran away or did something stupid. Using a scrying spell, we found out that they are lost in the woods, injured, and in extreme danger."

"What?!? I need to go rescue-" She said, trying to stand up, but was firmly pushed back down.

"No. You get to stay right here and clean. The Lord has already left to clean up the mess you caused instead of relaxing in the evening as he should be."

"He has? Did he not want my help?" She asked, confused. She was strong, stronger than the other goblins, and could have helped.

"He didn't say, but he decided to take Kichi and the other Hobgoblins with him. He seemed quite distraught that they were in danger."

Other Hobgoblins? There are other ones now? I thought I would be the first to evolve after him.

"I didn't ask them to go look for me. I just... wanted to be alone."

"Did you tell them that?"

"No. I just said I wanted to get some air and fresh berries."

"That explains why they went to the woods to look for you. You know, the Lord was very concerned about you. He had asked them, your friends, to watch out for you. I don't know what he sees in you; you have been nothing but trouble since we were freed."

"I- We are from-" She said, stumbling over her words as she tried to remember. She had drunk herself into a stupor yesterday and knew she was angry about something, but had forgotten what it was she was angry about.

"Another world, I know. I have no idea what you did there to earn his goodwill and willingness to endure your bad behaviour, but that indulgence ends now."

"But I-"

"Don't make excuses, Daughter. Your drinking is a problem, and it isn't something he should have to deal with. We have the cleanest water in this home I have ever tasted. There is no need to be drinking as much alcohol as you do. That is something a drunkard would do, and unless it's a special occasion, I won't have my daughter fall prey to that vice. If you're going to become one of the Lord's wives, you should set an example for the others, and not one as a cautionary tale."

"His... wife? No... I can't... we are just friends."

"Just friends? Other than last night, when I pulled your drunken ass out of the rabbit pen, you have been in his bed every night. A man and a woman don't just sleep together because they are friends. If you are not courting, then you should sleep apart and not give him the wrong idea."

"But I like being beside him... He makes me feel safe. Protected."

"Then commit to him... show him you are more than just a friend. Otherwise, you are just cheapening the act for whoever ends up being your husband."

"I... he has multiple women in his life... I want him, but I don't know if I can share him." She said, remembering that much. She found she could remember more about John than about her own life for some reason.

"Being part of a god's harem would be a wonderful thing, wouldn't it?"

"A god? He isn't a god. Wait, is he?"

"He travels to different worlds, has magic unheard of, and is able to conjure a palace out of thin air. He might not be a god yet, but he definitely has a touch of the divine in him."

"So do I... I was a goddess... then I died. I died saving Mica and J-Rou's unborn child! Hah, I remembered..." She said sadly. Not for saving Mica, she would do it again in a heartbeat, but the memory of the sword entering her gut had returned. That was one memory she wished never to relive. 

"So that is why he favours you so. Tell me, Daughter, in this other world, did you sleep in his bed too?"

"Yes... When we had a bed. We also slept in a stable for a while. He would let me sleep on top of him so I didn't get poked by the straw."

"I see. What else can you tell me about our Lord?"

"Well... he would take care of me... made me feel safe when I was scared. Oh, we both have different names... but those are our true names, and apparently in this world we can't share them."

"As you shouldn't. Never say his true name in this world. If an enemy were to find out, certain curses and spells directed at him would become even more effective." Jean said, then looked down on her with a warm smile. "So, you two already know each other's true names? For non-humans, that is already tantamount to marriage in this world."

"What? M-marriage?"

"To know someone's true name is to hold power over them. When non-human females want to get married, they tell their mates their true names to show their submission to them. It's not the same for humans, as we are not given true names by the gods, but no matter what you were before, you're a goblin now." 

"But-"

"Fret not, daughter. If you don't want to submit to the Lord, I won't force you. It is just a shame that you're willing to throw away that opportunity for happiness. Now, what else can you tell me about him? Nothing secret, mind you, just in general. I just want to get to know who we are serving better."

Happiness? I am happy being around him... Is that enough, though?

"I guess that is okay... I... have holes in my memories though."

"That is fine, my daughter. Anything you can remember will be appreciated. Then, when we are done, you may continue cleaning and reflect on what you did wrong. I expect you to be truly repentant for your actions when the Lord returns and accept any punishment he gives you. I won't have the Lord think less of me because of my daughter's actions."

"Yes, Mother. I will."

"Hah, hold on, Mi, hold on... I'll get you to Rou... Hah, hah, hah," Ee said, jogging as fast as she could while holding Mi over her shoulders. She was hungry, thirsty, and exhausted, barely staying conscious after nearly a full day of being chased. Her mind started to wander as she plodded along.

When the monster struck Mi, it had sent her flying, the side of the pick making a sickening splat when it connected with the much smaller goblin. Ee struck immediately, punching the monster between the legs as hard as she could, causing it to bend over in pain. Rou had shown her how to do that, as a way to deal with males larger than she was.

Poor Kichi had taken such a strike during a sparring match, which made him drop to the ground and mewl in pain, so she knew it was effective. Rou had told her not to do that during training afterwards, but the damage was already done. Luckily, he had healing magic, so Kichi was back to normal in a few minutes.

She then grabbed Mi and started to run, not even sure if her friend was still breathing. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't stop to check; that beast was chasing them now, ever so slowly gaining on them.

"GRAWWW!!!" It roared from behind, causing her to stumble as her legs shook in fear. 

Never again! I'm just going to stay home and work on the farm, maybe dig some holes. Rocks and plants are safe... much safer than things like this! 

She had no idea how long she had been running; it was dark out now, the blood red moon high in the sky. She thought it was a strangely beautiful, romantic even. She would like to walk underneath it with Rou if she ever got the chance.

I must be going crazy. I'm about to die, and all I can think about is Rou. He is so smart it's crazy... and strong. Even with one arm missing, he can defeat anyone in a fight. Mi was right to get close to him even before he evolved. She is so much smarter than I am; it’s a bit intimidating. At least Sui is like me... though she does read... maybe she can teach me to read when we get back. The story she read to us explained so much about romance and making babies... Once I evolve, I'll ask Rou if he wants to have a baby with me. It sounds so exciting.  

"GRAWWW!!!"

"Ahh, crap... I almost forgot... I'm about to die." She said, tears running down her cheeks, her exhausted mind snapping back to reality. Her legs were turning wooden, unable to keep up more than a stiff-legged hobble. She wasn't going to put Mi down, though; if they were going to die, they would do it together.

"RAWWW- URK!"

"Huh?" She said. That was a weird noise the monster was making. She kept hobbling along, not wanting to stop to check. If she stopped, she might not be able to start again.

"Again!"

"GRAWWWW-gah-gah-grurgle!!!!"

"He is blinded. Go for the ankles, Kichi!"

Kichi? Wait... that voice...

"ARRRGGGHHH!!!!"

*Thunk*

"GUR-GALGAGA!!!!"

"Good. Kia, Aya, get in there."

"Yes, Rou!" "We got him!"

"Rou?" She said. Finally, she stopped and turned around to see what in the world was going on. It took a minute for her clouded mind to comprehend what she was seeing.

The monster was on its knees, its head covered in a ball of darkness, making noises as if it were underwater. Kichi, Aya, and Kia were hacking at its limbs with axes, causing it to thrash wildly. In front of it stood Rou, looking as if he were concentrating on something. His hand started to glow red, his arm vibrating with power.

"Back off!" He ordered. Then, a moment after the hobgoblins moved away, the ball of darkness dissipated, revealing the face of a pig-like beast. If a pig were ten feet tall and walked on two legs.

"Rupture!" He said, then stepped into the kneeling pig thing and punched it square in the face. Its head exploded, sending blood, bone, and brains flying across the small clearing they were in.

The other three hobgoblins cheered at the strike, while he just stood back and licked his lips once before realizing his face was covered in the beast's ichor. He then turned towards her, mumbling to himself for a moment before addressing her, "Crap... why did it have that skill? Are you two okay, Ee? Ee?"

Oh my... oh my... he is so powerful... and just like the hero in Sui's story, coming to his love's rescue with power and violence. He will be the perfect mate for me and-

"R-Rou!!! It's Mi!!! She needs help." She said, falling down to her knees, unable to stand any longer now that the danger had passed.

"Hold on!" He said, taking Mi off of her shoulders and laying her on the ground. He then started chanting, sending his magic into her limp body. "Middle Heal! Middle Heal! Cure!"

"Is she going to be okay?" She asked, looking down at her limp form. She was pale, but looked content, a peaceful look on her face. She took a ragged breath, then started to breathe more steadily. That was when she noticed her arm... or rather the lack of one. Her left arm was severed at the elbow, her skin healed over the nub from Rou's magic.

"She will be fine. She just needs some sleep and a lot of food when she wakes up. Here, let me heal you. We'll head back afterwards."

"I would really like that... this has been a terrible day."

"I have no doubt about that, Darlin'. Middle Heal!"

"Ahhhh!!!" She exclaimed as a wave of pleasure she had never experienced before hit her as the pain left her body. She would have fallen over from the shock if Rou hadn't caught her.

Is this... what love is? If it is, I love love.

"Here, climb on my back and hold on, I'll carry you both home. We can talk about what happened on the way back if you want, otherwise it can wait until the morning."

"Okay."

He checked with Kichi and the girls to make sure they were okay, then had them drag the corpse back with them. He then scooped up Mi in his arm and they began the trek home. The red moon lit their way, making her giggle uncontrollably, the healing magic having done nothing for the dehydration-induced delirium she was experiencing. 

"What's up?" He asked her.

"Oh... I just thought the red moon was perfect for a romantic walk through the woods, though this was hardly the way I thought it would happen." She said, then snuggled into his neck.

To her surprise, he started to laugh as well, the tension that was in his voice disappearing. "Yeah. It's the perfect night for a romantic walk through the woods. Right, guys!"

"It is!" "I think so too!" The other two girls said.

"Huh! Romance? What's that?" Kichi asked, sounding confused.

John just laughed. It made her happy that she could make him laugh, even if she wasn't sure what was so funny.

I really need a drink of water and to go to sleep.