Chapter 30 Selfless Act

The night was rough, and the exhaustion from the day's work overwhelmed me. I collapsed from overworking, my body unable to bear the strain any longer. When my eyes fluttered open, I found myself enveloped in a warm embrace. To my astonishment, the adventurer had pulled me into his cage through the gaps between bars, shielding me from the night's cold in his warm embrace.

The kindness of his gesture pierced through the layers of despair that had enveloped my heart. Tears flowed uncontrollably down my cheeks, and I let out a sorrowful whimper, the sound akin to that of a newborn baby. Desperately, I tried to wipe the tears away, but the flood of emotions engulfed me.

In the comforting warmth of the adventurer's embrace, I squirmed, overwhelmed by conflicting feelings of gratitude, sorrow, and disbelief. His selfless act touched a chord deep within me, stirring emotions I had long buried beneath the weight of my suffering.

As I squirmed in his embrace, I fell to the ground and scuttled away. I needed to find Kaka. I burst into the shed where he lay, diving into his arms, sobbing and whimpering. Kaka stirred from his rest and, without a word, held me tight. He embraced me with a warmth and tenderness that felt like home. I cried myself to sleep in his arms, the weight of the day's torment pouring out in those moments.

Kaka's embrace was both a refuge and a reminder of the fragile hope we clung to. Amid our suffering, small acts of kindness and love became our lifeline. The adventurer's unexpected care and Kaka's unwavering support were flickers of light in our dark existence.

Morning came, bringing with it the harsh reality of our situation. Kaka and I were jolted awake by the slam of our shed door. An orc and a goblin guard entered, the guard carrying a wooden box, while the orc stood by the door barking orders.

"Listen up slaves! It’s been a few days now, and I think your shitty caretaker should at least get a little work around here," the orc growled. 

"You said he was responsible for raising the hatchlings, so I brought him a fresh batch of them. Look after them!"

With that, the orc left, and the guard tossed the box onto the ground, knocking it over and spilling the hatchlings. The guard sneered before leaving the shed.

"Better keep them quiet and out of trouble, or you’ll all be in for it."

The tiny goblin hatchlings tumbled out, sprawling across the dirt floor like beans scattered in the wind. They squealed, chirped, and clicked in their language, frightened and disoriented, some clearly in pain from the rough handling. Their cries were shrill and desperate, each one a knife twisting in my heart.

In their panic, the hatchlings darted in all directions, but Kaka quickly whispered gentle words in a soothing, caring voice. 

"Shh, it's alright, little ones. Come here," he coaxed, his words a balm to the terrified creatures.

Despite his pain and exhaustion, Kaka's nurturing nature shone through. The hatchlings, drawn to his comforting presence, instinctively gathered by his body and hid behind him. They nestled beside Kaka, huddling close to his body for warmth and protection. Their tiny hands clutched at his ragged skin, seeking solace in his presence.

I watched in bewilderment. Not even a month ago, I was just like them - tiny, vulnerable, and terrified. Now, I was a towering figure in comparison, but the memories of my fear and confusion were still fresh. I knew exactly how they felt because I had been in their place not long ago.

Kaka's calming presence worked wonders, and the hatchlings soon stopped their frantic movements. They clung to him, their tiny bodies trembling with fear. I felt a surge of protectiveness towards them, mirroring the care Kaka had shown me when I was in their position. Despite the dire situation, we needed to be their guardians, just as Kaka had been mine.

Kaka’s voice, though still quivering from fear, softened as he leaned down to the hatchlings, his tone becoming warm and tender. 

“Shh, little ones, shh... don’t be scared, now. Kaka’s here, yes, Kaka’s here to protect you. No bad things will get you, no, no. You’re safe, so safe.”

I knelt beside Kaka, my own voice shaking as I tried to mimic his gentle tone. 

“Yes, yes, sweet little ones... you’re safe here with us. We’ll watch over you, we will. No harm will come to you, not while we’re here. We promise.”

Kaka nodded, his expression softening further. 

“That’s right, we’ll keep you safe. The night is dark, but you’re safe with us, yes. No need to cry, no need to fear. We’ll stay right here, close by.”

The hatchlings huddled closer together, their fear slowly giving way to a fragile sense of comfort. Kaka continued to murmur soothing words, his voice now barely above a whisper.

 “Close your eyes, little ones, just close your eyes. Dream sweet dreams, happy dreams. We’ll be here when you wake, we will.”

We worked together to create a small, makeshift nest for the hatchlings using whatever scraps we could find. The hatchlings huddled together, slowly calming down as they felt the warmth of our care. Despite his injuries, Kaka managed to smile at them, his nurturing instincts taking over.

"I’ll do my best to take care of them, little Hermit. Just look at them, tiny and innocent little gobbies, they are so beautiful. Just look at these tiny faces and these big, meaty ears flapping in the air, they are precious. These little gobbies, they’re like the sweetest blessings, aren’t they? So beautiful, so pure." Kaka whispered to me, his voice strained with pain.

He reached out with a trembling hand, gently brushing a finger across the soft, green cheek of one of the babies. The little one cooed softly, its big, round eyes blinking up at him with a trust that melted his heart. Kaka smiled. A rare, genuine smile that brightened his worn features.

“Just look at these tiny faces,” he continued, his voice filled with affection.

 “So full of wonder, so full of life. They haven’t seen much of the world yet and haven’t faced its hardships. They’re untouched by all the bad things out there, and it’s our job to keep them that way, to protect them from it all.”

Kaka chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on the babies’ ears, which twitched and flapped with every tiny movement. 

“And these big, meaty ears... flapping around like little wings. Aren’t they just precious? So full of character, so full of personality already. Each one of them is special in their own way.”

I nodded, my heart swelling with admiration for Kaka’s good nature. Despite everything we had endured, he still had the strength to care for others. It gave me hope and reminded me of the importance of our bond.

As the day wore on, I continued my work in the fields, my thoughts constantly drifting back to Kaka and the hatchlings. Each time I passed by the shed, I glanced inside, reassured by the sight of Kaka tending to them. 

While working in the crop fields, I kept a close eye on Slasher, tracking his every move in secret, ready to scuttle back and warn Kaka of his approach. To my surprise, he didn’t come by our shed for several days. Instead, he looked busy with other tasks. I saw him going around the breeding farm, briefly chatting with most of the guards. He even stopped by the adventurer in the cage and talked for a few minutes, always in a secretive manner. It was clear that he was up to no good, but I didn't care. I was only happy that he left us alone, giving us a much-needed respite from his torture.

With Slasher occupied elsewhere, I was able to focus on my work and check on Kaka and the hatchlings during breaks. Kaka was weak but managed to take care of the little ones, whispering comforting words and ensuring they were fed and warm. The hatchlings, in turn, seemed to bring him a sense of purpose, helping him endure his pain.

 As I worked in the fields that day, I kept my head down, toiling tirelessly while the memory of the adventurer’s kindness lingered in my mind. I kept an eye on the other slaves, looking for any sign of an opportunity to escape or any allies who might help us. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but the glimmer of hope was enough to keep me going.

Later that evening, after my grueling work was done, I cautiously approached the adventurer’s cage again. As I approached, the adventurer noticed me and his face lit up with a warm smile, the kind that made the shadows of the evening seem a little less intimidating. He knelt to my level, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he didn’t want to startle me.

 “Hey there, little freak,” he said softly, his voice soothing and gentle, like the first soft rain after a long drought. His words were still strange to my ears, but the tone carried a warmth that made me feel safe.

I took a cautious step closer, my heart beating a little faster. His smile widened, and he reached out a hand, not to strike or push me away, but to gently pat my head. The touch was light, comforting, and so different from the rough hands I was used to. I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch, feeling a small wave of comfort wash over me.

“There you go,” he murmured, his voice like a soft melody.

 “See? I’m not going to hurt you. I'm your friend, little freak.”

His words were simple, but they carried a sincerity that melted away some of the fear that had built up inside me. Then, to my surprise, he began to rub gently under my chin, his fingers scratching just the right spot. A giggle bubbled up from deep within me, escaping before I could stop it. The sound startled me - when was the last time I’d laughed like that?

The adventurer chuckled softly, clearly pleased.

 “You like that, little freak? Huh? Let’s see if I can make you even happier.”

Before I knew it, I found myself lying on my back, the adventurer’s hand moving to my belly. He started to rub it with slow, gentle motions, and I couldn’t help the joyful squeaks and giggles that followed. It was a simple gesture, one that made me feel like a cherished pet, and for once, I welcomed it with all my heart. The rough world around me seemed to fade away, replaced by this small, precious moment of kindness.