Chapter 09 Luck and Intuition

Caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, Kaka convulsed in fear, emitting a terrified squeal that pierced through the air like a dagger.

 "Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Run! Little Hermit, run! Reeeeeeee! To the cave, to the cave!" he cried out, his voice trembling with panic.

Driven by sheer instinct and the primal urge for survival, I reacted without hesitation, my movements a blur of desperate scuttles as I bolted toward the shelter of our cave. Kaka followed closely behind, his spindly legs pumping furiously as he raced to keep pace with me.

With a desperate lunge, I hurled myself through the narrow entrance of our shelter, scraping my skin against the rough edges of the cave walls. Kaka followed suit, his trembling form barely squeezing through the opening as the wolves snapped hungrily at his heels.

Huddled together against the back of the cave, we watched in terror as the first wolf lunged towards our makeshift barricade, I could feel my heart leap into my throat, my whole body trembling with fear. But then, with a sickening crunch, the wolf impaled itself on the sharp spikes, letting out a gut-wrenching howl of pain as it thrashed in agony and blood oozed from its wounds. Despite the destruction of my feeble barrier, a surge of relief washed over me as the injured wolf fled, its anguished cries fading into the distance as it retreated deeper into the shadows of the forest.

But our victory was short-lived, as the second wolf circled to the side of the cave, its eyes gleaming with hunger and malice. With a low growl, it launched itself at the entrance, its jaws snapping hungrily as it tore through the remains of our barricade. 

With only its head able to squeeze through the opening, the wolf snarled and barked ferociously, its fangs snapping dangerously close to our trembling forms.

But despite its relentless efforts, the wolf's attempts to reach us were futile, thwarted by the confines of the narrow entrance. With fear burning in his eyes, Kaka sprang into action, seizing the flint he had found earlier in a tight grip.

With a swift motion, Kaka struck the flint against another nearby rock, sending a shower of brilliant sparks cascading through the air. The sudden burst of light and heat caught the wolf off guard, its vision obscured by the blinding glare as the scorching sparks singed its fur.

With a pained squeal and a yelp of agony, the wolf recoiled, its instinctive retreat hindered by the temporary blindness inflicted by the searing sparks. Disoriented and frightened, the wounded beast stumbled backward, its movements clumsy and erratic as it collided with a nearby tree, its anguished cries echoing through the forest as it vanished into the shadows, its tail between its legs.

Breathless and shaken, Kaka and I watched in stunned silence as the threat of the wolf receded, the flickering embers of the sparks casting dancing shadows across the walls of our sanctuary. With the immediate danger of the wolf now passed, Kaka and I slumped against the cool, damp walls of our cave, our hearts pounding in our chests from the adrenaline-fueled encounter.

"Aye, little Hermit," Kaka chattered, his voice trembling with fear.

 "We were close, too close to the jaws of those foul creatures. Yes, we were! If we had strayed just a bit farther from the safety of our cave, we would have been naught but scraps for those cunning wolves. They are clever beasts, lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting prey like us. Yes, they do! We must be wary, little one, we must. For danger lurks around every corner in this cursed forest. It does!"

Trembling with fear, I stammered out my words.

"K-Kaka, w-what... what do we do now? When those beasts return, will we be safe? I-I... I don't know where to go, Kaka. If the forest is so treacherous, where can we find refuge? Are we truly doomed to live in constant fear, always on the brink of death?"

With a gentle yet firm embrace, Kaka enveloped me in his comforting arms, holding me close to his chest. His touch was warm and reassuring, calming the tremors of fear that coursed through my frail body. 

With each tender kiss he planted on my wrinkled forehead, Kaka whispered words of solace and encouragement, "There, there, little one. Do not be afraid. Keep faith, my dear Hermit. No matter how dark it may seem, there is always a glimmer of hope. Be brave, little one. Everything will be alright. Kaka is here, Kaka loves you very much. I will do all I can to protect you. Yes, I will."

With a gentle embrace, Kaka enveloped me in his comforting arms, pressing me close to his warm chest. He peppered my wrinkled head with tender kisses, his touch a soothing balm against my fear. Kaka's words washed over me like a warm blanket, offering solace in the face of my fear. 

"Listen, little Hermit. We have a few paths we can tread, a few choices," he began in his gentle, soothing tone.

 "One option is to seek out another goblin breeding farm. I know they're harsh places, filled with cruelty and suffering, but not all of them are as terrible as the ones we escaped from. In my long years of life, I've seen some farms that were... bearable, if you can believe it."

I shuddered at the thought, memories of the horrors we had endured on our previous farm flooding back to me. The endless days of pain, the cruel overseers, the constant fear of punishment - it was a life of misery and suffering.

My gaze flickered towards the entrance of the cave, where the darkness loomed like a silent threat.

 "I don't want to end up like the others. I don't want to feel any more pain. No farms, Kaka please, no farms."

As if sensing my inner turmoil, Kaka placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, his touch a silent reassurance. 

"I know it's a risk, little Hermit," he said softly, his voice filled with empathy. 

"But it's a risk we may have to take if we're to survive in this cruel world. But do not lose hope, it is just one of our options."

"Another option," he continued, his voice growing more animated with each word, "is to venture out of the forest depths. We could seek out the open plains, where the sun's warm rays can kiss our skin and the ground stretches out before us, vast and unyielding. We could find ourselves a spot in the open plains, maybe by a cliff, and carve out a cozy little cave for ourselves. Out there, the predators are fewer, and we might just find some peace. We could even try our hand at farming, and grow a few crops to sustain ourselves. Nothing fancy, just a small crop field, a few berries, and potatoes."

Kaka paused for a second before continuing, "Though the risk of encountering humans looms large."

"But... but how do we even get there, Kaka? The farm is all we've ever known. We... we wouldn't survive the trip. Out there, in the forest, we are nothing but prey. The predators will find us, and they will tear us apart, piece by piece. We're just goblin slaves, Kaka. We are not goblin warriors. We're nothing but slaves, born to serve and suffer."

 "I know it's frightening, little Hermit. But staying here, stuck in this endless loop of ouchies and serving, ain't no fun. We might not be big, tough goblin fighters, but we ain't just no slaves either. We've been through stuff that'd make even the bravest goblins wet their pants, and yet here we are, still holding on to hope."

Taking a deep breath to steady his trembling voice, Kaka continued, "Yes, the forest is dangerous, and the journey will be fraught with peril. But if we stay here, we're gonna be as good as mashed mushrooms anyway. Out there, we at least got a teensy chance. And maybe, just maybe, if we are lucky enough, we can make a new life for ourselves, one where we are free as birds."

  "I-I know you're right, I do. But... but the thought of leaving this place, it got my knees knocking like two scaredy cats! What if... what if the forest eats us alive? I ain't sure I got the guts for it, Kaka. I'm scared, I am. I-I don't know if I can do it, Kaka. I'm just a l-lil' goblin, not some brave warrior. But... but I trust ya, Kaka. If you say we've got a chance out there, then... then I'll follow you, no matter how scary it gets."

Kaka tightened his warm embrace around me, drawing me closer as if to shield me from the harsh realities of our world. With a heavy sigh, Kaka spoke, his voice laced with a mixture of hope and hesitation.

 "My plan to go to the open plains, little Hermit, it... it was our best chance at finding peace but..." Kaka's words trailed off. 

After a short pause, Kaka continued, his grip tightening ever so slightly, "I had hoped for us, for my hatchlings, to find happiness there. To build a life free from fear and suffering." His voice faltered, the weight of our losses pressing down upon his broken soul.

 "Now, with all of the other hatchlings lost..." Kaka trailed off, unable to voice the ache in his heart.

I could feel the tremor in Kaka's embrace, his body wracked with silent sobs and his eyes watering with tears. 

 "Maybe," Kaka cried out fighting back tears and the sorrow, "maybe there's another option. Something... something we haven't considered yet." His words hung in his throat as sorrow and despair threatened to consume him.

"Maybe," he paused, his expression turning more serious, "maybe we could seek refuge among other races. The cat people, the lizardmen, or even doggos - they're not like the cruel goblins we've known. They might offer us shelter, a chance at a better life away from the horrors of the forest. They harbor no ill will towards us goblin slaves. Unlike the wicked goblins who have tormented us, these other races may show us kindness and mercy."

"But Kaka," I stammered, my voice quivering with fear, "how will we find these other races? And even if we do, what guarantee do we have that they will welcome us? We are but lowly goblin slaves. Despised and cursed by all. What if they turn us away, or worse, betray us to the same fate as our cruel masters?"

Kaka's gaze softened, a fleeting expression of compassion crossing his weathered face.

 "I understand your fear, little one," he murmured, his voice tinged with empathy, "but we cannot stay trapped in this cave forever. We must be willing to take risks if we are to find freedom and a better life. As for finding the other races, we will rely on luck and intuition. I have heard tales of their settlements scattered throughout the forest, hidden from the prying eyes of the evil goblins."