The male goblin trembled as he spoke, his voice a mix of fear and desperation. His small frame was battered, bruises and bloodstains marking his once-green skin. His wide, pleading eyes looked up at Kaito, the only source of hope in his despair.
"Please... I beg you," the goblin stammered. "That female goblin is my partner. We both love each other very much. But the others-they've always hated us. They call us weak because we chose love instead of living like them, full of cruelty and violence."
His voice cracked, and he lowered his gaze, shame and frustration etched on his face. "Today, they crossed all limits. They attacked me, beat me senseless, and dragged her away. I tried to stop them, but..." He looked down at his trembling hands, his claws dulled from the fight. "I was too weak. I couldn't protect her."
Tears welled in his eyes, his voice breaking as he continued. "I can't do anything now. They're stronger, more vicious, and there's no one to stop them. I'm helpless, forced to watch as they... they..." His words trailed off, a sob escaping his throat.
For a moment, he seemed lost in his grief, his head hanging low. But then, as if summoning the last shred of courage within him, he looked up at Kaito. "You're strong. You can stop them. Please, help me. Save her. I'll do anything you ask. Just don't let them hurt her anymore."
The desperation in his voice was undeniable, and his plea hung in the air, heavy with emotion. His love and helplessness were laid bare, a stark reminder of the cruelty of his world-and the power Kaito held to change it.
Kaito looked down at the trembling male goblin, his expression unreadable, his piercing blue eyes cold yet thoughtful. The goblin's desperate plea echoed in his mind, but Kaito remained silent for a moment, calculating.
Finally, he spoke, his voice calm but carrying an edge of indifference. "I'm not a hero," Kaito said, his tone sharp yet steady. "I don't go around helping everyone who cries for it. In fact, I don't care for most creatures like you."
The goblin flinched, lowering his head in despair.
"But," Kaito continued, his voice softening slightly, "I can see you're not like the rest. There's something pure about your intentions. You love her, and that's rare in a world like this." He stepped closer, towering over the goblin, his presence both intimidating and oddly comforting. "And right now, you're utterly helpless. You've reached the bottom, haven't you? No strength, no power, no way to fight back."
The goblin nodded, his tears streaming freely. "Y-yes... I have nothing left."
Kaito sighed, almost as if he were annoyed by his own decision. "Fine," he said, his voice firm. "I'll help you. Not because I'm good or noble, but because your cause interests me. Don't misunderstand—this isn't charity."
The goblin's eyes widened in a mix of relief and confusion. "Anything, anything you ask for! I'll do it!"
Kaito's lips curved into a faint, enigmatic smile. "Good. But remember this—I don't do favors for free. You'll owe me, and when the time comes, you'll repay me in full. Now, show me where they've taken her."
The goblin scrambled to his feet, his face alight with hope, and led Kaito toward the clearing where his partner awaited her fate.
The Goblin's Redemption
Kaito stood still for a moment, observing the battered goblin before him. The creature's desperation hung heavy in the air, a raw mixture of helplessness and unyielding love for his partner. Kaito had seen countless beings break under less, yet this frail goblin still clung to hope despite the odds.
With an unreadable expression, Kaito tilted his head and smirked faintly. "It's okay," he said, his voice calm and composed. "You're ready to create a ruckus now."
The goblin looked up at him in confusion, not understanding the full meaning of his words. But Kaito offered no further explanation. Instead, he turned away, his coat fluttering lightly in the breeze, and walked to a nearby stone. Settling himself down, he sat cross-legged, exuding an aura of complete detachment from the chaos he was about to orchestrate.
As he closed his eyes, Kaito's mind entered a state of focus. The air around him shifted subtly, growing heavier, more charged. Tendrils of dark energy began to emanate from his body, curling and coiling like sentient shadows. With his unmatched power, Kaito reached into the goblin's essence, connecting with his soul.
The goblin gasped as he felt an overwhelming force surge through him. His bruised and broken body began to mend. Wounds closed, his thin arms grew stronger, and a newfound vitality spread through his veins like wildfire. His small, weak frame transformed into something formidable, radiating strength and confidence.
"What... what is this?" the goblin stammered, staring at his own hands as they pulsed with newfound power.
Kaito's voice echoed in his mind, calm yet commanding. "This is your chance to prove your worth. The power I've given you is not permanent—it's yours only for this moment. Use it wisely, or it will fade. Save your partner. Show them what love can do."
The goblin clenched his fists, the energy surging within him filling him with courage. He turned toward the clearing where his partner was being held, his heart pounding with a mixture of rage and determination. No longer was he the frightened, helpless creature who could only watch as his love suffered. Now, he was something greater, something unstoppable.
The goblin roared, a sound so loud and powerful it echoed through the forest, startling birds from their perches and making the ground tremble slightly.
In the clearing ahead, the group of brutish goblins paused in their cruel torment of the female goblin. She was on the ground, bruised and defiant, her fiery eyes glaring at her tormentors despite her weakened state. They turned toward the sound of the roar, their laughter fading as confusion and apprehension crept into their expressions..