The Goblin Nation - 75 Separated

Spat, Root, and Mist rested on the soft glowing grass after an exhausting battle against the mysterious beast. Spat was completely naked due to his clothes ripping during his transformation from a small green goblin into a red conqueror. His body was larger, skin bright red, and his yellow goat eyes glow in the dark. Root and Mist got on their knees and embraced Spat while crying after the ordeal.

They tried to return to the cavern, but large boulders blocked the exit. The three decided to travel deeper and follow the original plan and meet the rest of the tribe halfway. “You think tribe safe?” Root asked while laying on the grassy carpet.

“Yeah, Mist know they ok.” Mist pumped her chest with confidence.

“We won’t know until we meet them,” Spat jumped on his feet. “And I’m growing anxious waiting here, so let’s move.”

“Spat just want show off to Mabel.” Mist teased Spat, who was visibly embarrassed by the comment.

Meanwhile, at the cavern, Rock stood by the wall created by the fallen rocks and divided the cavern into three rooms. He was yelling out to his brothers on the other side. “Are you guys hurt?” He asked.

“We’re good over here,” Stick responded. “Our mothers were shaken up a bit.” Their mothers were trapped with Stick and Smoke in the middlemost corner during the cave in. “That giant glowing stem shielded them from the rocks. No one got hurt on our side, thankfully.”

“How about Sun? Is he doing ok?”

“Yeah, Smoke is talking to him right now? He was riled up earlier, but Miss Mari managed to calm him down on our side of the wall.” Stick saw Smoke motioning him to come. “Hold up. Smoke needs me for something.”

“Alright.” Rock sat down on a boulder and leaned against the wall. The dead mushrooms beneath them were still illuminating the cavern. Dawn walked towards Rock and sat down near him while holding her baby close to her chest. Rock could see she was worried. “Is everything alright?”

“Everyone is ok, except Mabel.”

“What happened to her?” Rock’s eyes widened.

“A rock hit her in the head, and she won’t wake up.” Dawn wiped her eyes, “What do I do? How am I going to tell Spat what happened?” Tears started to flood out of her eyes.

Rock gently wrapped his arms around Dawn and comforted her, “It’s going to be fine. It’s not your fault. How about her son, is he ok?”

“He’s with her right now.” Dawn wiped her nose on Rock’s shoulders, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.”

“It’s alright,” Rock giggled, “Are you ok? How about our, I mean,” Rock coughed, “your baby?”

Dawn’s cheeks turned red. She didn’t expect Rock would consider her child to be his already. “He’s fine.” She said in a low voice.

She rested her head on Rock’s shoulders and closed her eyes. She remembered the days Mabel warned her about Sum and gave her relationship advice. Dawn thought she was just paranoid and jealous Dawn was in a relationship with a respectable and handsome hunter. But now she understood what Mabel meant. Instead of looks, Dawn should have focused on the character of her life partner, then maybe she wouldn’t have to go through so much pain. While Dawn was lost in her thoughts, Rock played peek a boo with the baby. Dawn couldn’t help but giggle every time Rock’s deep voice made baby sounds.

“I’m not interrupting, am I?” Stick on the other side of the wall. Rock and Dawn got startled and jumped on their feet. “Anyway, Sun said we’ll meet up once our paths merge. Just make sure you’re following the map.”

“Alright,” Rock said.

After some idle talking, Rock returned and gathered the rest of the tribe together while Dawn walked back and sat down next to Mabel. Flute and Tie waited by a rock slab, which acted as their pedestal. Rock climbed up and faced the crowds. Rock rubbed his head and tried to his nervousness. “Ok, so we got a problem. But it’s going to be ok. All we need to do is follow our path through that exit, and we should be able to meet up with the tribe. Well, not should but will meet up with the tribe. Now, if you need any help, Flute and her caretakers will assist you. Legions, I need you guys to be at your utmost best form. You guys did great this morning with how you protected everyone with your shield formation. Let’s keep that competence rolling. Alright!”

“Yes, Sir Rock!” The legion responded.

After the speech, the legions organized everyone and began their march. Rock was going to lead them, but Tie and Flute volunteered to be in the front. Tie, in particular, was worried and wanted to in the forefront to warn them as quickly as possible. There were cliffs and holes along their path that they must traverse, so Tie’s experience traveling in the cave will be beneficial for them.

With Flute and Tie leading the group, Rock decided to join Dawn while she watches over Mabel and her son. The boy clenched on his mother’s hand and struggled to stop his tears from flowing out his eyes. “It’s alright to cry kid,” Rock placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder, “What matters is what you do after you cry. Now, let’s get your mom out of this cave and meet up with your dad.”

“Dad ok?” The boy snorted his snot back.

“Hell yeah, his ok. Let’s go!” Rock lifted the kid over his shoulders. “Alright legions, help carry his mom for me.” Two legions carried their shield parallel to the ground and placed Mabel on it to carry her. They followed Rock’s lead and marched along with him. Once they entered the dark tunnel, Tie lifted her jar to light their way and Rock illuminated the back with his light spell.

The boy, away from the other goblins on the ground, let his emotions free, and cried out for his dad to come back. His wail can be heard by everyone but when they look at the source of the cry, they get blinded by the light coming out from Rock’s palm. Rock cried like this before and he understood the pain well. Hopefull, Mari can heal Mabel before Spat returns.

While their group marches through the murky depths of the tunnel, an unknown force stalked their path. A pack of monsters follows the goblin’s bright light shining in the darkness. People from the overworld called them the perytons, the sun eaters.