“So, what brought you over here, Kar?”

Maria heard Aina asking the question. They were in the middle of a forest, after Lord Navin had asked them about what they wanted to do, Aina had proposed to go for a stroll together before traveling to a new place, she had quickly gotten excited at the sight of the forest while it was getting dark, and wanted to run around and see if she could hunt something.

That’s when they had met Kar, as both he and Aina had selected a deer as prey in this clearing.

Now it had gotten dark and Navin made small globes of light to illuminate the area with a soft white light.

Kar brushed the corners of his eyes, cleaning away the tears. He had cried enough, to shed more tears would be a waste of water.

“I was thinking about what to do in the future. My tribe is facing great dangers and we have made strong enemies too.”

Kar spoke while he carefully stored the stone tablet and the scroll inside his bag. He was itching to return to the tribe and have some time alone to read this in a safe and private place, but he had to wait.

It wouldn’t be respectful to leave this Sage and his family so hastily after receiving such gifts.

“Enemies, from where? Will you be ok, Kar?”

Maria asked, it was the first time she addressed Kar, she was more prejudiced against Goblins than Aina, who was too young to know the horrible things that Goblins did and the bloody fights between the races.

Aina had never lost a friend to Goblins, so it was easier for her to be open-minded.

However, Maria was trying. And there were three thoughts that helped her in this endeavor:

First, Navin had said that Kar was a good Goblin, and said that Goblins were people too, not simple cruel monsters.

Second, Aina had extended her kindness to Kar, so Maria would try to be nice for the sake of her daughter.

And third, and perhaps the most important reason, Maria knew that Navin’s words about there being good and evil people in every race were true, not because he had spoken them, but because she had witnessed it herself. The people from her own village had attacked her daughter out of superstitious fear and had attempted to murder her; they hadn’t listened to reason and hadn’t given them a chance to prove innocence, that trial had been a lie, a formality for them to publicly mock her and gather to kill her.

They had been like monsters in human skin. That day Maria had seen the darkest side of the people she had considered friends and she herself had fallen into the deepest pits of despair, she had killed people that day and she had been ready to die.

That was the day their lives had changed and had met Navin.

If people could be so evil as to stone to death an innocent little girl, Maria had no problem believing that ‘monsters’ could be good and kind, capable of being friendly.

But she knew very well how despised Goblins were, they would be killed as soon as they were found. The little Goblin nodded his head vigorously.

“Yes, Madam. Goblins have enemies everywhere, but we are careful, my tribe is big and our Chieftain strong and I keep everyone organized.”

“Oh, you are important within your tribe?”

Aina asked curiously.

“I’m smart, so I make plans for the tribe, our Chieftain is an idiot, but he cares about the tribe, so he listens to me.”

Kar laughed a bit. it was the first time that Aina had seen a Goblin laughing, but Maria had seen them before, laughing when they killed someone. This laughter was different, it was softer and without the shrill tone she remembered, it was warm and a bit high-pitched, almost like a child’s laughter.

For a moment Maria wondered how old Kar was, but she didn’t ask.

“Kar, I know the path ahead of you will be hard, but I want you to always keep this in mind: don’t stray from the right way because then your dream won’t be achieved. Honor is one of the things that separate people from mindless beasts.”

Navin advised Kar in a serious tone. If Kar’s tribe resorted to pure violence and acts of depravity, then the other Species will retaliate against him and continue to hunt down Goblins with hatred.

To bring forth a change, the first that needed to change was oneself.

Kar looked at Navin and nodded.

“I will strive to follow the Sage’s wise counsel; I won’t give up until I achieve the dreamed future for my kind.”

“Good”

Navin nodded and pointed a finger towards Kar. A hand mirror appeared, it was silver and adorned with multiple runes, it’s crystal was spotless and reflected Kar’s face perfectly.

“Keep this with you. When you need advice or are in grave danger, call me with this. Just hold it and imagine talking with me, my face will appear there and we’ll talk.”

Kar stared at the mirror, then at Navin and back at the mirror. This thing could let him contact with this Sage at any time he needed? If such a great person was willing to lend a hand to him, if this powerful man would help his tribe, then everything was possible!

“It’s not to be used for every little thing; I won’t be taking control of your tribe. The future of Goblins must be built by Goblins, right? But if you find yourself needing my help or don’t know what to do to help your people, contact me. I can’t be with you all the time and make every choice for you, but I’m sure my advice will prove useful.”

Navin smiled at Kar. This was a minor thing for him, to lend his advice to Kar in the arduous task of guiding his tribe would cost him nothing, and that way Navin could make sure that Kar did not abuse the Legacy of Kharsfal while keeping Kar safe.

Kar knelt in front of Navin, grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground and let it fall slowly in front of him with a raised hand. This was a sign of great respect and gratitude among Goblins, it was sometimes used to express subservience to a superior Goblin, like one Chieftain to another.

Maria and Aina looked at Kar with a surprised expression, they didn’t know the meaning of that gesture, although looking at Kar kneeling on the ground was enough to infer that it was some form of showing respect.

“I thank the Sage for your benefaction and magnanimity. I will use this wisely, and prove to you that I’m worthy of receiving these gifts.”

Kar spoke in a firm voice, although he was shaking slightly, his gaze was unwavering.

Navin nodded at Kar, and the Goblin stood back up.

“I know that you won’t disappoint me. It has been a nice surprise to meet with you, Kar, but I think it’s time for us to part for now.”

Navin spoke and raised his head slightly to look at the sky, then he looked back at Kar.

“It’s getting darker now; go back to your tribe and read the scroll and the tablet. A new Path opens tonight to you, but the journey will be hard, just remember to never give up and maintain honor.”

Navin smiled and pointed at the silver mirror in Kar’s hand.

“And if things get too difficult, don’t hesitate to call.”

Kar nodded again and again in response to Navin’s words. He would definitely ask for advice, only a fool would turn his back from the help of such a powerful backer. Even if it was only a little guidance, such a thing was invaluable.

“Thank you, Sage. I will listen to your words faithfully and uphold honor for Goblinkind.”

Kar turned to look at Aina and Maria, he bowed his head.

“I hope we can meet again.”

Kar said in a soft voice, but perfectly audible in the silent forest. Aina smiled and shook hands with him again.

“I know we will meet again, silly. Try to convince all your friends to be Good Goblins like you.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Kar knew that not all Goblins will listen to him, but he would strive to change the mentality and customs of Goblins, at least Feneh will listen to him, and by extension the whole tribe, that was a start.

“Be safe, Kar. I know that humans have a very bad opinion of your kind, but we are not all bad people either, I think one day there will be peace between both races.”

Maria smiled at him and also shook hands with Kar, the sensation of his hand on hers gave her a bit of goosebumps, but she managed to control the subconscious response. She didn’t shake and didn’t let her expression change, instead, she placed another hand over their two connected hands, embracing Kar’s hand with both of hers.

“It may take time and effort, but it can be done.”

She gripped firmly his hands and then let go. It would be long before Goblins and Humans could live together in harmony, and that’s without mentioning other races. But one step at a time, it could be done.

“I will work hard in hopes that such day arrives soon, Madam.”

Kar spoke these final words to her and turned around, walking with firm steps towards the path that would take him back to his tribe.

Just as he was about to leave the clearing, he turned around.

He was alone on the clearing as if it had been all a dream. He touched his bag and felt the three new items there.

No, it wasn’t a dream, just something incredible. Something that was almost like a dream.

It was hope.

“Will Kar be ok, Master?”

Aina asked while sitting on her mother’s lap. They were floating in the sky on a gigantic black triangle made from metal, on the center of it was a wide and comfortable sofa where they were sitting.

On the ground, she could see Kar walking into the forest, he was going back to his tribe.

The metallic triangle moved and started to fly towards the East, deeper into Likia Kingdom’s territory.

“He will find many difficulties, but he will overcome them. He won’t be alone on that endeavor, he is a leader who will influence many Goblins to change their ways and establish a good relationship with other Species. But there will be a lot of challenges and battles before he can achieve peace.”

Navin answered by her side, he was sitting on the sofa next to Maria, steering the flying object.

“Goblins are hated by many races, not only Humans. It’s going to be very hard for him to change people’s minds. I wonder, how did such discrimination start in the first place? They have been hated for as long as I can remember.”

Maria commented. She had grown up in such an environment, and she had actually never questioned the notion that Goblins were evil creatures. The events of tonight were making her examine her memories and wonder about how Humans and Goblins had hated and murdered each other over so many years.

How had such horrible situation started?

“It would be hard to know exactly how this happened, such things are not the matter of a single day. Discrimination, hatred, and fear are not born suddenly, the mentality of people needs to be cultivated and molded, and such things require both internal and external factors.”

Navin answered while making a tray full of skewers with meat and vegetables on them. He took one while the tray floated in front of them, Maria and Aina took one each.

“I doubt either side remembers how this started anymore. Since it’s been so long. Seems very silly when looked at it that way, fighting and hating an entire race for something we don’t even know or care to remember.”

Maria took a bite of the meat in the skewer, but she didn’t have much appetite.

Next to her Navin replied.

“Neither side remember how it started, but they remember losing people in the conflict, they remember that a friend was killed or they were hurt in some occasion, so they tell the story and pass on that hatred and discrimination to the next generation, continuing the chain; then their children grow up under that custom and do not question it, until they meet something that serves as an example of their ideas being true, so they think that it must be right and then become the same as the previous generation, having a reason to continue the chain that they don’t even know how was started.”

“Can the chain be broken?”

Maria asked softly. She believed in Navin’s words, but to change the way that Humans, Elves, Beastkins, and so many other races thought was really something that seemed impossible for her.

That’s even without mentioning changing the Goblin’s mentality and behavior.

Besides, even if they stopped the discrimination, would Goblins be able to forgive all those years of pain inflicted by other races?

She didn’t want to think about such matters, but she couldn’t avoid wondering about it.

She had even said to Kar that he shouldn’t lose hope and work hard step by step to that goal. But once she thought about it, she couldn’t help wondering if it was just too big of a situation to handle.

Navin smiled.

“Yes, it can be broken. Believe me, we are in a new Era; one that will be defined by the breaking of chains and getting rid of oppression, not just in this world, but all across the Cosmos.”

Hearing those words from her Master, Aina looked at both of them.

“Don’t worry, Mom. There might be a lot of things to do, but as you said, we’ll do them one by one. We can’t go around telling people to be nice to Goblins, they won’t listen. But if Kar makes his friends be good, people will notice. And then we will tell people about there being good Goblins.”

She took a huge bite from her meal and swallowed quickly before continuing.

“You said there are lots of things to do. Well, we’ll do what we can, and Kar will do what he can.”

Aina finished her skewer and took another, then she smiled and pointed next to her mother, to the powerful Immortal Cultivator who had changed their lives and now had convinced a Goblin to start a campaign of turning all his race into good people despite the opinions of the world.

Navin recognized that smile, all his Disciples had shown him that smile, especially Adeline. Even Ethan had made that expression, less than a day ago.

It wasn't exactly a look of dependence, but more like the expression of a shrewd businessman calling out an important clause in the contract when it was convenient.

And he knew that he could only blame himself if a 12-year-old girl was making that expression now.

“For everything else, there’s Master.”

Really, he shouldn't spoil these children so much.