Chapter 133 Giving Chase

They finally reached a safer area by the small river, and it seemed that the monsters had given up on pursuing them. Several hours had passed without any sign of their presence. It was the perfect opportunity to rest and check on Hermit, as it had been a while since they had heard any sound from him. 

"Listen up," Larry addressed the group, his voice tired yet strong. "We'll set up camp here for the night, by this small river. It will provide some protection from behind, so we'll only need to worry about defending from one side. If the monsters decide to show up, we can defend much easier." Exhausted and lacking the energy to complain, everyone agreed to the plan.

Suzuka dropped the barrel to the ground and used it as a makeshift seat, trying to catch her breath. Larry approached her with concern in his voice and said, "Helen, what are you doing? Don't forget you have Hermit in there. Give him some air, let him out of there we need to check on him." Realizing her forgetfulness, she hurriedly responded, "Oh! Yes, Hermit! You're right." She get off the barrel and removed the lid. As soon as the lid was off, a nose-burning stench of filth and decay filled the air.

They peered inside and saw Hermit lying in his own piss, feces, vomit, sweat, and blood. He was completely covered from head to toe with filth and maggots wriggling on him, the result of a whole day of travel sealed in the toilet barrel without breaks for nature's calls. The goblin's breathing was asthmatic and wheezing, a consequence of suffocating for so long in the stench of his own filth.

Larry was horrified by the sight before him and shouted, "Oh my god, what have we done? Poor Hermit, he didn't deserve this."

 However, before he could say anything else, Suzuka interjected, "What, this? Don't worry, Larry. Leave it to me, he looks just fine only a little dirty, that's all."

 With those words, she swiftly grabbed the barrel with Hermit still inside and rushed to the river. She dipped the barrel into the water, then forcefully closed the lid and vigorously shook it. After a few strong shakes, she opened the lid and splashed the dirty contents onto the ground. The goblin fell out of the barrel. Suzuka grabbed him by his legs, shaking him vigorously like a wet towel in an attempt to dry him off.

After a few more shakes, she turned to Larry, a triumphant smile on her face, and declared, "See! Good as new! He's perfectly fine." David chuckled in the background while looking at a comedic scene but Larry's voice grew stern as he warned, "What are you doing? Be careful, you could kill him. Can't you see? He's not breathing; you've drowned him." 

Suzuka glanced at the goblin and delivered a punch to his solar plexus, causing him to violently cough up the water he had inhaled. She then dropped him to the ground, leaving him gasping for air, flailing and writhing in misery.

"See? Just as I told you, he's perfectly fine. Look at him go, full of energy. It's the liveliest we've seen him since we first encountered him and even his broken back is healed," Suzuka proclaimed with an air of casualness. 

Her rough treatment of Hermit stemmed from the mistreatment she endured from Bill the Minotaur when she was lost in the forest and sought refuge in his cave. Over the course of a year with Bill, his crude and tactless behavior had influenced her, resulting in her own rough mannerisms.

Larry's voice grew increasingly angry as he addressed Suzuka, "Be more careful with what you're doing! He's a living creature, just like you and me. Don't treat him like a mere ragdoll. He's injured, weak and old. He has nobody left, he is all alone here. Show some delicacy when dealing with him. I don't know how you managed to stabilize his critical condition, not once but twice, but if you continue tormenting him, he won't survive mentally."

Before Larry could even finish his lecture to Suzuka, David couldn't contain his resentment towards the goblin and abruptly interrupted their conversation. "You've got to be kidding me, Larry. Show delicacy? Show that thing respect, out of all things? That damn goblin should be kissing her feet for receiving any kind of treatment. We should put an end to it and move on, quest or not. He's the monster here. I can't believe you, Larry. We lost a party member because you wanted to keep a goblin pet or something. I bet he would have killed that freak on the spot. But what am I kidding he was your friend."

Larry, for the first time in his entire life, snapped at David. "Shut your goddamn mouth, boy! I've had it with your constant bullshit. Always complaining, always nagging, always screwing things up. It's always good old Larry who has to fix the goddamn mess you've caused. Grow the fuck up already, for fuck's sake, man! Do us all a fucking favor and try doing one thing you can't screw up. Just go, sit your damn ass on the ground, and do nothing, say nothing. Maybe, just maybe, you won't manage to screw that up. But I highly doubt it. Now, get the hell out of my sight, and don't you dare mention Drogath again. He was my friend long before I even met you, so you don't have the right to talk shit about him to me."

David had no words to reply to Larry. He lowered his head and walked out of sight, finding solace by sitting on a rock and starting to light the campfire. Larry stood there, his gaze fixed on a distant point, lost in deep thought. Suzuka approached Larry, expressing her admiration, "Damn, Larry! It was about time you gave him a piece of your mind. That was great." Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, she continued, "Listen, Larry. I apologize for being harsh with Hermit, but he seems to be alright now. Just look at him. He's awake and showing signs of sanity."

Larry gradually returned to his usual calm demeanor upon hearing the news of Hermit's improved condition. He expressed, "Well, I'll be damned! The goblin actually endured all that torment."

 Larry and Suzuka walked over to where Hermit lay, and Larry extended a helping hand to lift him up from the dirt. Hermit, weak and pathetic, trembled in Larry's arms like a little child lost and scared. His mouth spasmed as his eyes flickered open. In a voice cracked by suffering and sorrow, he stuttered, "W-w-what h-h-happened? W-w-where... a-a-am I? H-hh-hurt's s-so much."

Larry reassured Hermit, speaking with genuine care, "You're safe now, Hermit, buddy. We've escaped the clutches of those monsters, and soon we'll reach safety. Hang in there, you're almost there. Just a little longer. You can do it. I believe in you."

Suzuka struggled to suppress her amusement at Larry's sentimental display toward a goblin. But her amusement didn't show on her face. Hermit's breathing gradually returned to normal, his eyes fully open, and his mind cleared from the fog of oxygen deprivation. "Oh! It's you, Larry," the goblin cried. "What have I been doing? My memory is clouded. How did we end up here? I can't seem to remember." 

After shaking his head a few times, he began to recollect the harrowing memories and said, "The darkness, the unbearable stench, and the unimaginably disgusting taste in my mouth... I recall being confined within a barrel," he muttered, the fragments of his ordeal piecing together.

 "It was a suffocating, agonizing experience. I was tossed and jostled relentlessly, trapped within the confines of that barrel. I remember the tormenting journey, lasting what felt like forever. And then, suddenly, I plummeted downward as the barrel opened, hurling me out into the open air. I landed upon a pile of rocks within the cavern."

Hermit took a moment, rubbing his face and eyes in an attempt to recall the events that followed. He opened his eyes once again, surveying his surroundings, and there he saw him. David, his tormentor.

 The goblin recoiled, falling backward while yelling and crawling away.

 "I remember! He... he harmed Hermit! He shattered my bones, he inflicted pain upon me!" he cried out, the memories flooding back with a surge of emotion.

Larry reassured him, "You don't need to worry about David anymore; he will not harm you again. I will make sure of that. Today, you can sleep next to me, and I will keep guard, ensuring no one sneaks up on us." 

Hermit hastily scurred on all four toward Larry and jumped into his embrace. Then hugged him with his trembling tiny arms with all his might. He let out a heavy breath and begged, "I trust you, Larry. Thank you. Larry. I will lie down with you. Please, protect me, I feel tired and in pain. I need rest. Please don't let go of me! I will do anything you ask of me!"

Larry carefully spread out his sleeping bag, ensuring a cozy and comfortable surface for himself. With a tender touch, he arranged a makeshift bed for Hermit, using soft sheets to create a warm and inviting nest. As he settled down on his side, Larry couldn't help but smile as he watched the goblin waste no time crawling into his embrace, seeking the same comfort and security one would find in the company of a beloved pet.

Hermit nestled close against Larry's chest, his small frame fitting perfectly in the crook of his arm. In this tender moment, the goblin sought solace and reassurance, finding it in the closeness and warmth they shared. With a few wriggles, Hermit adjusted his position, finding the perfect spot to settle in and relax, his worries momentarily put at ease.

With delicate fingers, Hermit clutched onto the soft sheet, wrapping himself in its comforting embrace. And in a gesture of trust and vulnerability, he reached out for Larry's hand, intertwining their fingers. His voice, filled with a mixture of fear and longing, trembled as he whispered, "Larry, please... Hold me tight. I'm scared, but with you, I know I'll be safe. Please, don't let go of me."

As Larry extended his compassion to Hermit, David watched with resentment, a vomit raised in his mouth from disgust. Meanwhile, Arin stood guard alongside Suzuka, until the morning light came out. 

When the time came to leave, Hermit awoke right on schedule, finding himself refreshed and rejuvenated. The healing abilities within Suzuka's half-monster blood had worked their magic, restoring vitality to his weary body.

With a spirited jump, Hermit expressed his excitement, but Larry quickly cautioned him, saying, "Hey there, buddy! Don't get too carried away. You might end up hurting yourself. Save that energy for the journey."

Hermit dashed towards Larry, brimming with energy. He clung to his side hugging his leg tight, seeking protection. He pleaded, "Please, no barrel. Hermit can walk. I feel good, I can walk." 

Larry observed the spirited goblin and relented, saying, "Alright, little buddy. I can see you're feeling good, and it seems like a fine day to stretch your legs. Just stay close and don't wander off. We'll keep you safe."

 The goblin expressed gratitude with a cheerful voice, saying, "Thank you, I will. Anything is better than going back in the barrel. Thank you, thank you, Larry."

Suzuka led the way, with Larry and Hermit following behind. Arin took the third position, and David trailed at the back. The town was within their reach, with only a few hours separating them from the safe zone. Their spirits soared, and with home almost in their grasp, they momentarily let their guard down.