121 Returning Home

It was a wet sunny day when Sun and his brothers reached the sight of the great plateau that protected the Razin tribe from the northern goblins tribes. It was a sign they were getting closer to their tribe. Shuja stayed behind with the Maston and began teaching the women archery hunting skills. Their tribe was mostly relied on spears and shields due to their isolation forcing them to use more defensive tactics. Cossack had far more trouble with his tribe. None of them were experienced fighters, with only one victory on their name. Cossack lived in an agrarian society, and the nomadic lifestyle will be a challenging obstacle to overcome.

Violin and Mari waited outside in front of the gates. They were growing worried and impatient for the brother's arrival. They were supposed to return yesterday, but they did not come. Violin wanted to send scouts to search for the missing boys, but Flute intervened, believing it would be a waste of time. Violin ridiculed Flute for the lack of empathy, but Flute argued that there's no need for a search party because they will come back. "There's one thing I know the brothers for other than fighting. And that will never break their promise." She told Violin.

One of the guards standing above the gate spotted movement among the bushes. "Something is coming!" He yelled.

The guards stood in a line in front of the women and formed a shield wall in case of an attack. A pair of cat ears poked through the leaves, which surprised Mari and Violin. At first, they thought it was a wild animal hiding in the bushes, but they resembled Cyrus's ears.

But it couldn't be Cyrus. She barely left the hill, only leaving the boundaries of her hill with Mari. The goblins were on high alert as this unforeseen threat inches closer to them. When the beast reached the edge of the shrubbery, a long pause followed. The silence was making everyone nervous.

Suddenly, the two beasts jumped out and roared at the goblins. Mari and Violin shrieked, which startled the guards. But they eventually calm down when the two beasts laughed. "Wait, they look familiar!" The lookout yelled.

Sun and Smoke emerged from the shadows while Rock and Stick continued to laugh. "Hilarious, you really scared them, guys." Sun tried to say in a sarcastic tone, but he could not help but giggle at the end of his sentence.

"Sun!" Mari ran through the line and embraced her son. When she let go, she flicked his forehead, "You're late!"

"Sorry, mom. Some things happened along the way." Sun pulled Rock and Stick to him, "But look! Rock and Stick transformed! And Stick got some of his mom's traits."

"Yup, cat ears and all!" Stick turned around and showed off his ears and tail.

"Amazing," Mari said in a low voice. "You inherited the qualities of a beastkin race. Usually, humans don't inherit beastkin traits, but halflings with beastkin and elf parents will inherit the beastkin side."

"I guess it's the same for goblins." Rock chimed in.

While the brothers were talking to Mari, Violin looked high and low for Cossack, but she could find him. She was beginning to feel restless. "Sun!" She called out, "Where is Cossack? What happened to him?" Her heart began to race violently while she waits for an answer.

"You would not believe what happened." Sun put his hands on her shoulder, "But nothing bad happened to him, I promise." Rock and Stick coughed when they overhear Sun and his attempt to calming her down. They were certainly more awful things that Cossack had to endure during their journey.

"They coughed when you said that. Are you lying to me?" Violin grabbed his collar.

"Well, I mean, he did get hurt just a bit." But Rock coughed once more. "Rock, stop coughing!"

"Is he dead?" Violin cried.

Smoke walked up to them and intervened, separating the two. "He didn't die." Smoke assured her.

"He almost did," Stick said.

"But he didn't!" Sun quickly added, "In fact, he got back up on his feet like it was nothing. And he even tamed a horse and became the Chief of a herding goblin tribe near Artio's home country."

The brothers walked back to the tribe, telling Mari and Violin their crazy journey. They told them about the tribe made up entirely of women living on top of the trees. A nomadic tribe that lived in the plains that crossed the forest's western side. And the infamous mercenary company that almost killed and enslaved the goblins living there and saved Artio, who was kidnapped by their leader.

Mari was fascinated by these goblin tribes and their culture. Sun asked if she ever heard of those tribes and others like it, but this was her first time hearing of them. This might be due to the more popular depiction of the savage goblins that the more peaceful ones, such as the Orgut tribe, are not well known by those outside the region.

Along the way, Sun noticed the fields growing, and the goblins that tended the crop bowed at the presence of the brothers before returning to their work. Once they reach the center of the town, a large crowd formed around the Glass Garden. And at its doors were five red goblins standing in salute to the brothers. "What the?" Smoke exclaimed.

When they arrived at the doors of the Glass Garden, one of the red goblins bowed to the brothers and entered inside. When he came out, another goblin followed him. But this one was no ordinary goblin. The goblin had gray hair and white feathers growing below his ears and were crystal blue. He resembled the brother's current appearance. "Our venerable leaders, Chief Sun and Chief Smoke. The Legions missed you dearly." The goblin gave his salute.

Sun stepped forward, "Spat is that you?"

"Yes, indeed!" Spat said while maintaining a serious tone and facial expression.

"At ease, soldier. Now tell me. how did you transform?" Sun's eyes gleamed with curiosity.

"Well, it's not that special."

"What do you mean not special? Transforming is a big deal, especially since it's unique for our kind. Once we learn more about it, the sooner we can get the rest to transform!"

"It's just that," Spat was visibly anxious.

"Alright, fine, you don't need to tell me." Sun turned to the five red goblins standing in a line, "Who might they be?"

"They are the five lieutenant I've chosen to lead our Legion squads! And as you ordered, I will be acting as the captain of the platoon."

"I see," Sun stared down at one of the goblins. "Well, what are your names? You don't expect me to wait, do you?"

"I am Parma," A goblin with beautiful blond hair yelled.

"Skydas reporting!" The redhead goblin followed up.

The goblin next in line yawned, "And I am Bord." His bald head reflected light towards Sun's eyes.

"And you seemed tired, Bord." Sun looked annoyed by Bord's nonchalant attitude. "You know, the best way to keep your energy up is work. Give me fifty push-ups right now!"

"Yes, sir!" Bord dropped on the floor began to do as he was told with the diligence not seen in lazy goblins. This contrast was intriguing to Sun, and he kept a mental note to keep an eye on him.

The next goblin was a fat one with a blond mustache and short hair. "Have I seen you somewhere before?" Smoke walked up to the goblin and examined him.

"My name is Skild, and I was the guard posted on Bona that warned you about the dangerous purple grass."

And finally, the red goblin that brought Spat out introduced herself, "I am Bi. And I am in charge of the 1st legion." Her long curly brown hair covered half of her face, blocking her right eye.

Sun walked up to Bi, "And do you know that the 1st Legion answers directly to me?"

"Yes, sir," Bi stood and straight, looking directly at Sun's eyes.

"Then tell me, how did Spat transformed into his current form?"

Spat was mortified by the question and tried to motion to her to be quiet, but Bi's loyalty was as rigid as a rock. "Spat transformed during a night ago in Mabel's passionate embrace. The entire tribe ran to his hut with buckets of water when they saw the bright blue flame coming out the windows. But when our tribesmen opened the door, they saw Spat and Mabel performing,"

"Ok, that's enough information." Sun placed his finger on Bi's mouth. "Sorry, I didn't mean to touch you. Is just that you didn't look you were going to stop." Spat's ears turned redder than the red goblins' skin. He blessed Sun in his heart for stopping Bi from revealing more of that night but also cursed her for answering the question.

"You transformed while you were having sex?" Rock yelled.

"Rock!" Stick smacked in the head for embarrassing Spat further.

Sun continued asking them questions about their transformation. Their stories differed greatly, but they all shared the same theme. They overcame their fear, personal or not, and transformed into red conquerors. This transformation proved to the rest that they were the strongest among the legions and deserved the spot as lieutenants.

Spat also told Sun that a full report is waiting on his desk back at the church. Sun was eager to review the results after meeting with the lieutenants. Afterward, the brothers went on their separate ways. Sun headed to the church with Bi acting as his close aide. Rock went to see Dawn, who was working on the fields with Mabel.

Finally, Stick and Smoke went with Mari to the barn to show Cyrus Stick's form. When they arrived, Cyrus ran to Smoke and jumped in his arms, wrapping him in her tight embrace. Then she saw Stick, and her body froze like a statue as if she was a troll petrified by daylight. "Mom?" Smoke's voice brought her back to reality, and she released him from her arms. "It's Stick. He transformed recently, and he looks like,"

"You look like her," Cyrus slowly walked to Stick and touched his face. Her hands trembled on Stick's cheeks.

"Ms. Cyrus, are you ok?" Stick saw in her eyes regret, loneliness, and fear.

Cyrus's legs lost their strength, and she fell on Stick's shoulders. Her tears broke through her eyes and flooded her face, and it fell on Stick's shoulders. She hugged Stick, her fingers digging deep through his sweater as she attempts to pull her weight from the earth.