Eight months have elapsed since Kiyo's death during childbirth. Over the course of eight months, the goblins and elves have established a peaceful and well-run community, all while staying out of sight from Ozanian forces. We now go into the POV of Kazumi, staring at a map on a wooden rectangular table illuminated by a light that shines through the cabin window. As he glances at the map, his concentration becomes broken by the sensation of Hiro barging in through the door, making a loud crashing sound. "Kazumi, I have good news!"
"Damn, Hiro, you scared the shit out of me! What is it?"
"We found a new outpost not too far from here, and it's far better than the one we're at now."
"Really?!"
"Yeah, here, look at the pictures!" Hiro rustles through his black wool trench coat pocket, and then he displays the picture of the new camp to Kazumi.
The scenery in the picture causes Kazumi's lips to curl up into a broad grin. "Wow, this looks amazing."
Hiro walks to the map and places his finger on the location of the new outpost. "It's a 4-mile walk, and from what my scouts say, it's uninhabited. So, what do you think we should do? Should we go on ahead to the outpost?"
"Yeah, this is far too good to pass up. We'll start the meeting. Gather everyone into the main cabin."
"Got it."
Kazumi emerges from the cabin and hears the laughter of Kazz and Mariko as they play with Takashima under the shade of a tree.
Mariko beckons to Takashima with a wave of her hands. "Come on, walk towards me, Takashima."
Takashima grins playfully and walks into Mariko's embrace, her little legs keeping a steady stride. Kazz lets out a low chuckle. "It's quite a relief for her not to fall and cry this time," says Kazz
"Yeah, she learned how to walk a lot faster than you did," says Kazumi.
"Shut up," Kazz tosses a stick playfully in Kazumi's direction.
"Relax, I'm just kidding."
"What brings you here, Kazumi?" asks Mariko.
"We got some good news, so I need you guys to come to the cabin."
"What is it?" asks Kazz.
"You'll see..."
After everyone assembles in the cabin, Kazumi pins the large map he was observing earlier to the wall. "Thanks to Hiro, we found a new outpost right here."
"How long of a walk do you think it will be?" asks Tatsuda.
"It took us about three hours to get there at a steady pace," says one of Hiro's scouts.
"When are we going to start this move?" asks a voice in the crowd.
"We've already begun stocking most of the supplies for the move. All we need is an hour or two, and then we can set foot. It's better to get there before nighttime hits. That's when beasts like to roam in these forests," says Watari.
"Alright, let's put it to a vote," says Kazumi.
"All those in favor of going to the new location in thirty minutes, raise your hand," seventeen out of twenty-five people raise their hands.
"Looks like we're going to move outposts. We'll start packing and prepping," says Watari.
"Those of you who don't agree with the move, please give us a reason," says Tatsuda.
"I don't think going right now is a good idea. We've just got settled here not too long ago. Moving now would be tiring," says a voice.
"Yeah, and what if this new place is a trap?" asks another voice.
"I think it's best if we get moving. The longer we stay in one place, the more vulnerable we are to get captured," says a voice.
"You all bring up fair points; however, If we stay here too long, I'm sure Ozanian guards will find us. And I promise this new area is safe. No Ozanian guards roam there," says Hiro.
"You know what? I think it's best if we move now. Kazumi has a point. What if they find us tonight? We wouldn't want to be standing around doing nothing," says a voice.
"I agree. We have to keep constant movement to circumvent Ozanian detection," says Watari.
"Now that we've reached a conclusion, does anyone else have any other issues?" asks Kazumi.
"…"
"Good, Watari, Hiro, Tatsuda. Go stock the rest of the supplies, and let's get out of here."
"Got it," said Watari, Hiro, and Tatsuda.
After Watari and his team gather the supplies, everyone marches onward to the newer outpost in the distance. Kazumi looks back at everyone, the flickering light from the torch illuminating his way. "Follow my lead," They trudge through the treacherous forests for an hour, the sound of cracking twigs and rustling leaves accompanying their journey until a beep from Kauzmi's watch causes them to stop. "Let's take a quick fifteen-minute break."
Mariko wrinkles her nose in disgust at the pungent, rancid smell wafting from Takashima's diaper. "Good, because Takashima needs to change her diaper."
While Mariko changes Takashima's diaper, she hears Kazumi's footsteps getting closer and closer, causing her to peer her head up and meet his gaze. "What is it, brother?"
"I just wanted to thank you and Kazz for taking care of Takashima while I and the other leaders focused on what we needed to."
"You don't have to thank me. I'm doing what Mom and Dad wished us before they died. The same goes for Kazz too."
"Yeah, what's that little guy doing, anyway?"
"He's using the bathroom in the woods. He was holding it the whole time we were walking."
"Just like old times, he always caused us to be late for things because he couldn't go at home."
Mariko and Kazumi share a laugh, then Kazumi makes his way toward the deeper parts of the forest.
"Where are you going?" asks Mariko
"I'm going to scare him. I'll be right back."
"Don't scare him too bad!" Mariko lets out a gentle laugh and then resumes tending to Takashima.
"Now, where is that little guy?" Kazumi looks around the trees and bushes, his eyes darting from one side to the other, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kazz. Finally, Kazumi sees Kazz urinating behind a tree. He tiptoes toward Kazz and steps on a twig, the crack of it alerting Kazz of his presence. Kazz whips around in alarm at the sudden sound. "Who goes there?!"
"…"
Kazz hears a twig snapping again and moves closer to investigate. "C-come out! I-I'll beat you up if you try anything!"
"Boo!" Kazumi leaps from the bush, causing Kazz's body to jerk in surprise.
"Hey, don't do that. You scared the hell out of me!"
Kazumi's stomach muscles tighten as he laughs uncontrollably. "I got you good."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll get you back later."
"Are you done using the bathroom?"
"Yeah, did you come here to get me?"
"Yeah, break time is almost over."
"Ok, I'm coming."
Kazumi and Kazz emerge from the trees, the bright sunlight blinding them after being in the obscure area. As they return to the crowd, they see the people readying their packs for the next leg of their journey. "Ok, guys, break time is over. Let's make one last push to get there."
At long last, after a two-hour hike, the goblins stumble upon a set of cabins that gleam with a newer, more luxurious design. "We made it. It's about damn time!" said Kazumi.
"How odd, I didn't anticipate us arriving at sunset," says Hiro
"Don't sweat it, Hiro, the only thing that matters is we made it," says Kazumi
"Now that we're here, I'll get some people to set everything up," says Watari.
"I'll help you out," says Tatsuda.
"I'll be right back. I have to use the bathroom," Hiro trudges off into the forest, the leaves crunching beneath his feet.
"Hey Kazumi, come over here!" says Kazz. Kazumi walks over to Kazz and Mariko, who accompany Takashima. "Takashima can talk now. Watch!" Kazz lifts Takashima toward Kazumi. "Say, brother."
Takashima points at Kazumi. "Brota."
Kazumi's face lights up with a dazzling smile as he claps his hands in celebration. "Wow, that's incredible. When did you guys figure out she can talk?"
"Just now, when she saw you over there, she pointed at you and said it."
"So what now? Will this be our permanent outpost?"
"Maybe, but I'm not worried about that right now. All I want is to relax from that long walk."
"Yeah, me too."
Mariko lifts Takashima and cradles her head against her shoulder. "I'll go put Takashima to sleep. Do you guys want anything to eat?"
"No, I'm too stuffed on the snack rations we ate during the trip."
"Same here for me."
"Alright, you two take it easy. Once I place Takashima to sleep, I will also sleep."
"Ok then, Goodnight," says Kazumi.
"Goodnight," Mariko enters the cabin with Takashima, the door shutting behind her, echoing in the distance.
Kazumi's lips curl up in a mischievous grin as he looks at Kazz.
Kazz tilts his head in confusion, his brow wrinkling in bewilderment. "What are you looking at me like that for?"
"Did you say "snack rations" because you don't like her cooking?"
Kazz's eyes crinkle as his laughter bubbles up. "Yeah, after trying that soup eight months ago, I don't want to try anything else she cooks."
Kazumi throws his head back and laughs, his body trembling as he leans into Kazz. "You're funny, Kazz!"
Kazz and Kazumi's conversation enters a moment of silence until Kazz smirks as he looks toward the cabin, breaking the tension. "Dibs on the top bunk!" Kazz darts to the cabin, his feet barely touching the ground as he sprints.
"Oh no, you don't!" Kazumi chases after him, his long legs eating up the distance.
Tatsuda shakes his head in amusement, his grin widening as he watches Kazumi and Kazz race. "That Kazumi. Although he's a good leader, he still has that immaturity."
"Yeah, speaking of leader have you seen Hiro anywhere?" asks Watari.
"No, why?"
"He's been gone an awful long time. Do you think something happened to him?"
"He probably got lost. That's what happened."
Tatsuda and Watari both share a laugh and head to other cabins.
"Goodnight, Tatsuda."
"Goodnight, Watari."
We now go to the POV of Hiro, lingering in the woods with a pager held up to his mouth. Hiro's finger hovers over a red button before pressing it, and a loud beep follows.
"Who is this?" asks Kyoko.
"I'm one of the runaway Goblins. I'll tell you our location if you negotiate with me."
"Ok, name your negotiation, and we'll meet you there," The page ends between Hiro and Kyoko.