The nameless Stonehide Chieftess strode through the cavern like a force of nature, her white hair flowing behind her like a banner of winter frost. Slung over her broad, armored shoulder was Byung's limp form, the goblin's body a broken, bleeding mess that dangled like a discarded rag. Blood trailed from his shattered face, dripping steadily onto the stone floor in dark red splatters. His green skin was marred with deep bruises blooming purple and black, his jaw hung unnaturally loose, and one eye was swollen shut, the other staring sightless at nothing. He wasn't moving—not a twitch, not a breath anyone could see. The Chieftess carried him with ease, her massive muscles not even straining under his weight, as if he were no heavier than a child's toy.

Maui stood frozen on the battlefield the moment she saw Byung, her dual swords hanging limp in her hands. Horror washed over her face like a cold wave, draining the color from her green skin. She dropped to one knee, the impact cracking the stone beneath her.

"Byung..." Maui whispered, voice cracking. Tears welled in her green eyes, spilling down her cheeks in hot tracks that cut through the grime and blood from her own wounds. He looked disfigured, unrecognizable—like something a monster had chewed up and spit out. His skull was misshapen, caved in on one side, and his chest rose in shallow, irregular heaves that suggested internal bleeding and broken ribs. She knew, deep in her gut, that even if he survived the night, he was damaged beyond repair. Brain battered, body shattered—he will never be the same again, never walk straight, never speak again as the goblin who had stolen her heart with his words. The sight gutted her, a pain sharper than any blade.

She hated that she couldn't protect him even after she made him that promise, he was dying right in front of her. She couldn't do anything to save him.

And the person who was responsible for this was standing right in front of her, she had to unleash her rage but Kraghul was simply stronger than her. However, she didn't care.

Rage boiled up, mixing with the grief until it overflowed. Maui surged to her feet, swords rising.

"You bastard!" Maui roared at Kraghul, spit flying from her tusks.

"Look what you did to him! You twisted fuck—you broke him! I'll rip your gods-damned head off and shit down your neck!" Maui's voice echoed off the walls, raw and feral, more anger than she had shown even for Naz's abduction. Byung was her everything—the little goblin who had turned her world upside down. Seeing him like this, a bloody ruin, ignited something primal. She didn't care about the odds; she would tear Kraghul apart with her bare hands.

Kraghul's eyes flicked from the Chieftess to Maui, then back. But the Chieftess held him now, her silent presence a gravitational pull. He knew her instantly—the nameless orc whose strength was on par with his father, the same orc his father had exiled and hunted but never caught. His smile faded, replaced by a wary snarl. Escape flashed in his mind; he glanced around to see if there was an opening he could use, but the Chieftess's guards had already sealed them, four female orcs blocking every axis. This felt like an execution ground—pillars like witness stones, the air thick with judgment.

Maui could see it in his eyes, the same look the orc had before taking his own life, Kraghul was frightened.

The Chieftess was handed her broadsword by one of her guards, the weapon presented like a holy relic on open palms. The blade was ancient, etched with years of slaughter that pulsed faintly, as if the metal itself remembered every life it had taken. She took it without a word, the hilt settling into her grip like an extension of her arm.

Kraghul knew he couldn't win this. Not against her. His axe rose, but his eyes darted for an out.

He bolted, feinting left then breaking right toward the opposite side before the Chieftess could execute him. The guard there moved to intercept—Kraghul grabbed a handful of loose gravel and hurled it into her face. She recoiled, blinded for a heartbeat. He shoved past, shoulder slamming her aside, and vanished into the dark. Who could blame him? This white haired orc was associated with death.

The Chieftess didn't chase. Her red eyes tracked his path, calm and certain. She knew these mountains better than her own breath. Blocking the routes home would be enough to keep him confined within this environment. The orcs down here? They weren't worth the effort anymore. With a single gesture, she signaled her guards: secure the mine, tend to the wounded and execute every other orcs present there.

The mine was liberated in that moment, Stonehide orcs moving with quiet efficiency to free the survivors and end any lingering threats. The Chieftess had no interest in any of this but the goblin on her shoulder was taking his last breaths.l

She dropped him to the ground with no care in the world, his body thumping on the ground as she stared at him before looking at Maui.

As the dust settled from his impact on the floor, Maui knelt beside Byung, her tears falling onto his broken face. The Chieftess approached slowly, slinging the broadsword across her back, and for the first time her mute gaze softened—just a fraction—as she looked down at the goblin who had somehow earned Maui's heart.

This was something she had never seen before but seeing it first-hand fascinated her.

There was nothing she could do for him, the damage was too much.

The battle was over.

But the cost… the cost was etched in every scar and tear. Naruz managed to get some strength to walk here but the battle was already over.

She heaved a sigh of relief the moment she saw Maui was okay but Naz was nowhere in sight.

Naruz already began to think of the worse possible outcome but seeing Byung also horrified her.

In the distance, the cry of a baby could be heard, Naruz was confused as the sound got closer and closer.

But the moment she saw who was carrying the baby, her jaw dropped.

"Naz...!?"

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