Two interminable months have gone by since Isamu's agonizing death. Since then, the number of Goblins and Elves in Ozania has been on the decline because of the enactment of even more ruthless labor regulations and other oppressive laws. We now enter the POV of Kazz, maneuvering a black metal wheelbarrow through the labor field, its wheels creaking with a load of steel. As Kazz continues this grueling work weighty wheelbarrow, the heat radiating from the blazing sun has him on the brink of collapsing from exhaustion. Kazumi approaches Kazz and grasps the load with him, aiding him in wheeling it. "Don't worry, little brother, I won't let you fall."
Kazz and Kazumi trundle the wheelbarrow to the inventory section and place the steel into its assigned places. After sorting the metal, Kazz wipes away the droplets of sweat falling on his forehead. "That was helpful. Thanks, brother."
"Anytime, I'm just doing what Father wished before he died," As they exit the shelf room, the loud, blaring sound of an alarm from the speaker perched atop the wooden pole reverberates through the labor camp. Kazz exhales a heavy, tired sigh of relief, his body relaxing. "Finally, I'm glad today is over!"
Kazuki and Kazz step into the living quarters and see Kiyo wrapping a bandage around Mariko's injured hand. Kazz approaches them with a look of apprehension, his eyes comprehensive with worry. "Oh goodness, what happened?"
"She got pricked in the hand, sewing together some cloth."
"Why didn't you wrap it around her hand when she got pricked?"
"There's a rule against treating injuries while working on jobs; they say it slows down labor."
Kazumi's knuckles whiten in frustration as he holds his fists in a grip of rage. "Can these people get any crueler?!"
"Settle down, Kazumi, don't give into your anger. That isn't what your father wanted."
"Your right, Mother. I'm sorry. It's just that never mind… we have other matters to attend to," Kazumi meanders across the room with a creaky wooden floorboard standing out from the rest. Kazumi glances over her shoulder at Mariko. "Are we clear?"
Mariko uses Farsight to survey the area for any sign of intruders. "Yeah, we are."
"Good," Kazz takes out a crisp, white sheet map and places it onto the large, circular wooden table in the middle of the room. "Kazz, keep watch."
Kazz walks to the window, squinting to catch a glimpse of any potential intruders.
Kazumi's gaze settles on a Goblin of medium height, with short black hair, black eyes, and a silver earring with the word 'hope' dangling from one ear. "Tatsuda, how is that hole your team has been digging?"
"We got it dug 10 feet deep at our discussed location. The only problem is we can't dig it any deeper because the soldiers are becoming suspicious of activity. But I don't think it would be very hard for us to dig a deeper trench once we arrive there."
A short, stocky elf with a shock of spiky, undercut red hair, stormy gray eyes, and a Black Goat Necklace taps Kazumi on the shoulder. "I would like to add that an elf used to live in a string of huts on this planet not too long ago that was a goblin and elf community. They say it's around three miles north of here."
"Good Hiro, we were betting on that. Now we have an intended destination to go to."
Then, everyone shifts to the creaking sound of the door straining to open. "Is it an intruder?" someone asks.
Kazz looks outside and notices a tall, chiseled Elf with medium-length, wavy blonde hair, and deep brown eyes, carrying fabric bags with the rustle of cloth in the air. "No, it's another elf. We're alright."
"Good, let him in," says Kazumi.
A goblin unlocks the door, and the elf outside enters. "Our team gathered enough food rations to last us eight months here in this bag."
"Good job Watari. Should we go ahead and escape tonight?" asks Kazumi with a confident grin.
"Yeah, everything is aligned for us perfectly. Shall we get planning to prepare to escape?" asks Tatsuda.
"Yeah, I even got a plan in mind. We'll wait until the guards switch posts. Then we will head over to Tatsuda's hole. After that, we will use a couple of shovels to dig under the fence, and then we'll get out of here. Everyone got it?" asks Kazumi.
"Yeah," says everyone in unison.
"Alright, we'll head out at midnight. Be prepared, everyone."
When midnight arrives, they slip out of the barracks, their eyes adjusting to the darkness as they make their way to the hole dug by Tatsuda's team. When they arrive, goblins and elves swing their shovels in unison, digging a hole deep enough for everyone to crawl through. Watari steps back and makes a sweeping gesture with his hand, allowing people to pass. "Go ahead."
Kazumi's gaze flickers over to Mariko for a moment. "Is anyone behind us?"
Mariko uses Farsight to peer into the inky blackness behind her, her blue pupils glowing in the dark as she searches for any sign of Ozanian soldiers. "No, all clear."
"Good, let's keep going."
As they pass the fence, they hear leaves rustling under their feet as they begin a silent sprint.
"Don't you think we should have covered the hole?" asks Tatsuda.
"We had no choice. If we spent too much time trying to dig it, we would have likely been spotted by them," says Hiro.
"That hole and its burial are the least of our worries. Let's head on to that shack before any soldiers notice we're gone," says Kazumi.
After a seemingly endless run, they reach a small collection of huts, shacks, and cabins, their dry, rickety frames standing tall against the horizon. "We made it. About time," Kazumi bends over and grabs his knees, his breathing laboring as he tries to catch his breath.
As they enter the hide-out, they illuminate the huts and shacks with the flickering light of candles and torches. "Everyone, relax and get yourselves situated. For a moment, once we do that, we'll start coming up with a plan to keep these shacks sustainable," says Kazumi.
Tatsuda gestures to the cuffs in front of Kazumi, the cold metal feeling heavy in his hands. "First, let's get out of these cuffs."
"Agreed. Everyone come to me so we can break you out of these."
"But, wait? Won't they explode?" asks an Elf.
"No, Hiro and his members overheard them mentioning it's just a scare tactic for us to keep them on," Kazumi takes a pair of loppers and cuts everyone's cuffs free.
Watari's gaze lingers on Hiro, Kazumi, and Tatsuda. "Ok, all team leaders gather in the hut for planning," Hiro, Kazumi, Tatsuda, and Watari enter a shack to coordinate plans for sustainability.
"So, what should come first?" asks Hiro
"I say we should have two constant, round-the-clock lookouts in case danger comes," says Tatsuda.
"I agree, but how will we make these shifts work?" asks Kazumi.
"We should have two people each be on the lookout for 2 hours, and then we continue the cycle throughout the day."
"I agree with that notion, and as for food, people should have two meals per day. Luckily, we have the rations to spare that. And we'll also do daily hunts to keep our food stock in check," says Watari.
"Good plan, and Hiro will you send a couple of scouts out to look for more hideouts in case Ozania finds this one?" asks Kazumi.
"Yeah, but I'll need some rest. I'm tired. Can we do it tomorrow?"
"Yeah, we could use some rest. We'll discuss more in the morning," says Kazumi. Then, the loud thud of the door opening makes them whip their heads around to see what's happening. It's Mariko, her breath coming in shallow gasps and her face pale with fear.
Kazumi approaches Mariko and places his hand on her back. "What's wrong?"
Mariko takes a few deep breaths until she feels the oxygen fill her lungs. "Brother, Mom is in labor!"
"Oh shit, I'm coming!" Kazumi and Mariko dart out of the hut and sprint toward Kiyo, their breath coming fast and hard. During his watch, Kazz notices Kazumi and Mariko sprinting with urgency, and he knits his brows in confusion. Kazz runs alongside them. "What's going on? Why are you running like that?"
"It's Mom. She's in labor!" says Mariko.
"Oh, crap!" Kazz shoots a glance over toward an elf. "Keep watch for me!"
Kazumi, Kazz, and Mariko enter the room to see Kiyo lying on the single bed, her body covered in a light sheen of sweat. Kazumi holds her arm as he sits by her bedside. "Mom, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I just need a doctor."
Kazumi exits the cabin and stands on the doorstep. "Hey, is there anyone who has experience delivering babies?!"
Hiro dashes over to Kazumi, his feet brushing against the delicate grass. "I do, although I'm not all the way qualified."
"Whatever, just hurry and help deliver our little sister!"
Hiro rushes in, filling the room with the sound of his footsteps as he gathers supplies to help give birth. "Ok, Kiyo, just be calm and breathe, ok?"
"Ok," Kiyo inclines her head then, and then she feels a sharp pain throughout her body as she starts giving birth, her screams of agony filling the room.
"Push!"
Kiyo's screams grow more ragged as her labor becomes increasingly arduous by the minute.
"Her feet are coming through. Come on, keep pushing. You can do it!"
Kazumi holds Kiyo's hands, his worry over her condition increasing as she continues the grueling process of childbirth. "Just hold on, Mother."
Finally, after two long grueling hours, Hiro severs the child from her umbilical cord and hands her to Kiyo. Kiyo looks at her newborn with a loving, adoring gaze, marveling at the miracle of life. "My little angel, you're here."
"She's so beautiful," says Mariko
Kazumi stands up then, and he opens his arms wide to take his newborn sister in his embrace. "Can I hold her?"
"Sure," Kiyo cradles the baby in both hands and hands it to Kazumi.
Kazumi's eyes sparkle with delight as he gazes at his newborn sister. "Hey there, I'm your elder brother. Welcome to the world," Kazumi cradles his newborn sister within his grasp, feeling the warmth of her body against his own.
"Can I hold her too?" asks Mariko.
"Sure, here you go."
Mariko takes the newborn from Kazumi's arms, cradling her close to her chest. "Hey, I'm happy you can come. You'll love everyone in this family."
"I was wondering what we should name her. Do you guys have any ideas?" asks Kiyo.
Kazumi lets out a soft chortle. "I don't know. I never gave it much thought."
"Yeah, me either. I thought you and Dad had her name," says Mariko.
"I got it. We can name her Takashima," says Kiyo.
"Cool, we're naming her after Grandma!" says Kazz.
"Yes indeed, Kazz, yes indeed. Do you want to hold Takashima Kazz?" asks Kiyo.
"Of course!" Kazz takes Takashima in his arms, cradling her. "Hey baby sis, I'm your brother Kazz. Right now, we're in the middle of something bad, but hopefully, you won't remember it. We'll get out of her soon."
"Those are sweet words, Kazz," Kiyo's eyelids become heavy, and a wave of dizziness washes over her, making her lose consciousness.
Kazz nudges Kiyo's arm to coax her from sleep but to no avail. "Mother, are you alright?"
"…"
"Hey, Hiro, come here! Something is wrong with our mother!"
Hiro approaches Kiyo and notices blood leaking against the white sheets. "It seems she's lost a severe amount of blood from childbirth."
"What are you trying to say!?"
"If we had normal medical supplies, we'd draw blood from you guys and give some to her, but we don't have the equipment for that."
"What! So you're telling me she's going to die?!"
"I'm afraid so.."
Mariko and Kazz recoil in horror at the dismal news. "We already lost Father. I'm not losing Mom as well. I'm going to search for those supplies if I have to encounter hell to get them!"
"G-guys," Kiyo awakens, her voice barely audible and fragile. Mariko, Kazumi, and Kazz spin around, their eyes locking on Kiyo.
Kazumi walks back to Kiyo and holds her hand. "Mother, are you alright?"
Kiyo's eyelids flutter as the specter of death draws near. "I'm not going to make it, guys. I can feel myself about to pass on," says Kiyo.
"Don't you say that, Mom! We just lost father now w-"
"Kazumi, please listen, son. I need you guys to hear this before I pass on."
"Kazumi, you're so strong and will make a wonderful leader. I saw how you were taking charge of the escape situation. I have hope you'll be an important figure in Takashima's life as she grows."
"Mariko, you're a sweet person with a big heart. Share that love and care with Takashima and teach her compassion. Ensure she doesn't grow up thinking this environment is all there is."
"And Kazz, you're a magnificent combination of both of them. You have Mariko's heart and Kazumi's strength."
"I-I'm not strong mother. I'm weak... What strength do I have?"
Kiyo places her finger on Kazz's chin and gazes at him, her teary eyes full of hope. "You are strong, Kazz, a lot more than you realize. Just promise me you won't give up hope. Become the best person you can be, not only your siblings but this universe as well…."
"I will."
Kiyo looks at Takashima, her lips turning up in a warm smile. "Can you give me Takashima? I wanna look at her before I die," Kazz hands Kiyo Takashima and Kiyo's eyes beam with delight as she cradles her in her arms. "This is goodbye, my daughter. Just know all bad things will end. Keep the faith and stay strong," Kiyo's eyes brim with joyful tears as she takes one last look at her children. "I love you all more than anything....goodbye," Kiyo perishes on her bed, her last breath fading and her eyes lifeless.
Kazz, Kazumi, and Mariko release wails of sorrow upon seeing Kiyo perish.
Hiro walks over to Kazz and rests his hand on his shoulder, offering a silent show of support. "I'll get some men to bury her. My condolences," Hours after Kiyo's death, she's buried in a grave surrounded by valuable items.
"You three take it easy. Losing two parents is hard. Let me know if you need anything," says Tatsuda.
Kazz, Kazumi, and Mariko mourn the memory of their parents, huddling together as freezing rain pours over them at Kiyo's burial ground.
Kazz's stomach gurgles and growls, a clear indicator of his hunger.
"Are you hungry, Kazz? I can make you some soup if you like?" asks Mariko.
"Yeah, that'd be good."
"Come on, let's go," Mariko holds Kazz's hand and guides him toward the kitchen. Mariko turns her head, her eyes meeting Kazumi's. "Are you coming, Kazumi?"
"No, I'm fine. I'll stay here for a little while longer."
"Ok, take your time."
Mariko and Kazz head for the kitchen, leaving Kazumi standing in silence at his mother's burial site. "Don't worry, Mother, I'll protect them…." Kazumi drops a flower as a token of remembrance onto Kiyo's burial site as he departs.