J raised his hand. "They… they're in the cave. I… I came here to get help from you. We can't carry the captives on our own. A wheelbarrow or two should be enough."
The chief's face lit up. "Are all our children and daughters alive?"
J nodded silently.
Cheers erupted in the village. People hugged one another as tears of joy rolled down their faces.
"I can see my sister again!" a child cried.
"I… I can touch my little boy again," a mother said with teary eyes. "I… I can hear his voice again."
The air filled with hopeful chatter and joyful cries — and all of it crushed J's heart, as he imagined their reactions when they finally saw the truth.
A few villagers hastily ran off and brought out two wheelbarrows.
Many others wanted to go with J — even some of the children — but J shook his head.
"No. Not this many, especially not the children."
A few minutes later, around ten villagers followed him. Though small in number, their footsteps echoed like an army drill, their chatter carried by the wind far and wide.
But only J knew what was waiting for them. His breathing grew shallow as they neared the cave.
They reached the Goblin Cave.
Haruto and Star stood outside without a hint of warmth on their faces, both avoiding the villagers' gaze. In the corner, Nita stood silently, forcing a smile despite her trembling body.
J rushed to her, grabbing her shoulders. "Nita! Why are you standing up? You're supposed to rest, you know?"
Nita looked at her hands, her voice shaking. "How… how could I? After what I saw… if I stay unconscious, who'll calm the villagers down?"
She looked up with a faint smile. "Knowing you guys suck at things like this."
Haruto spoke softly "Thanks, for coming…. But I'd ask you to brace yourself, because the state the captives are in I don't know how you'll react."
Normally, J would've told them to stop crying and move on — but today, he couldn't.
After seeing the captives… after seeing the villagers' broken joy… not a single word came out.
Nita approached one of the villagers, her voice barely above a whisper.
"We… we're sorry we weren't able to save them all."
The villager, with a forced smile, teary eyes, and a trembling voice, replied,
"It's okay… you saved them from that hellhole. I'm sure if our daughters — and children — could speak right now, they'd thank you. You… you heroes risked your lives for people you didn't even know. For that, we owe you more than words can express."
Nita's chest tightened. The villager's gratitude only made the pain sharper — a reminder of the lives they couldn't save.
"But was it enough?" she though
t.
The villager gently placed a hand on her shoulder, then walked away, his sobs fading into the chorus of grief.
After some time, the villagers began carrying the captives to the wheelbarrows. Each step was heavy. Each step unbearable. Each step was a symbol of their failure to protect the ones they loved.
They walked through the peaceful forest, tears streaming down their faces. And before they realized it, they had reached the village.
With it came despair.
Sorrow washed over the village like a flood. Many — especially the children — fainted at the sight.
Those who stayed conscious rushed to their loved ones, desperately asking them to speak, whispering apologies and promises. The cries of the villagers were louder than thunder, sharper than any blade — And they cut through the heart.
Nita looked over her shoulders, Haruto was punching a tree as faint tears trickled down his face. Star sat under the same tree as she doodled on the ground, processing everything and what to do next and as for J, he looked over the villagers, a disappointed look on his face.
Was he disappointed at the villagers? No. Was he disappointed at himself? Yes, he was disappointed at himself because he can't help the captives, because he can't heal them, he can't erase their trauma.
Nita thought to herself. "There must be a way right? There must be a way to lighten up the mood, even if it's just a little bit."
She raced through different ideas than it hit her. "Maybe a song will help."
Nita steadied herself and took a breath, before singing.
---
The skies may be cloudy, the winds may howl,
But we stand together, we won't back down.
Through the darkest nights, we'll find the way,
In every heart, the dawn will stay.
Shine through the storm, like the sun on the rise,
With hope in our hearts and stars in our eyes.
No matter how hard the road may seem,
We're stronger together, we'll chase our dreams!
The fields may be empty, the rivers may dry,
But we've got the strength to reach for the sky.
Hand in hand, we'll rebuild what's lost,
Together we rise, no matter the cost.
Shine through the storm, like the sun on the rise,
With hope in our hearts and stars in our eyes.
No matter how hard the road may seem,
We're stronger together, we'll chase our dreams!
We're the light that will guide through the night,
With courage in our hearts, we'll win this fight.
The world may tremble, the world may shake,
But we'll stand as one, for each other's sake.
Shine through the storm, like the sun on the rise,
With hope in our hearts and stars in our eyes.
No matter how hard the road may seem,
We're stronger together, we'll chase our dreams!
So shine through the storm, and let the world see,
Together we rise, and we will be free.
---
Nita's song helped the villagers to calm down even if it's a little.
J and his friends stayed in the village for a few days. J, Nita helped around the village from making a wall around the village to feeding the freed captives. While Star did her best to heal the captives injuries, even though she healed their injuries and brunt mark she couldn't heal their lost limbs nor was she able to heal the psychological damage done by the goblins. Meanwhile Haruto scouted around the village killing any monster that was unfortunate enough to close his path. It didn't matter what type of monster if it was a harmless slime or an ork he killed them with no mercy.
And every time he said to himself. "I can't let anything like that to happen. No, I can't I… I won't let it happen."