Chapter 7: "If i am to grow, you have to let me go"

The sound of blaring horns shattered the peaceful atmosphere of the throne room.

Star jolted upright from where he had been sitting beside Gorzod, reading an old tablet about the kingdom’s history. His heart slammed against his ribs as goblin warriors shouted in the tunnels outside.

"What’s happening?" Star said panicking. His mind reeled at all the possibilities of the incoming threat.

"My King!" A captain red haired goblin burst through the doors, breathing hard. "Surface intruders! They broke through the eastern tunnels! A one-armed female warrior and a dark-haired swordsman are leading a small team. They’re cutting their way here!"

One armed? Don’t tell me....

Gorzod rose slowly, his massive frame casting a long shadow. His yellow eyes narrowed dangerously.

"They dare enter my domain?" His voice was low, but the anger was clear. He reached for the huge axe leaning against his throne.

Star felt ice flood his veins. He knew instantly who it was....Lena and Rian. They had come for him. He was both relieved and Scared at the same time.

"Wait!" Star grabbed Gorzod’s arm before he could move. "Please don’t hurt them. They’re my friends. They’re only here because of me."

Gorzod looked down at him, expression softening for a moment before hardening again. " If they are your friends, then they want to take you away from me, Star. I will not allow that."

Star shrieked as it dawned on him that he might have been a prisoner all along.

The sounds of fighting grew louder ... clashing metal, shouts, and the roar of goblins. Star’s hands trembled. He had spent days in this beautiful underground world, being treated like royalty, being yearned for so intensely. Part of him had even started getting used to it. But now everything was crashing down.

Minutes later, the heavy doors to the throne room were kicked open with a force so strong that it sent the door practically flying off its hinges.

Lena stormed in first, eyes wild with fury and relief. Her right arm ended in a crude magical prosthetic stump fitted with an axe head. Blood and dirt covered her armor. Behind her came Rian, swords drawn, looking exhausted but focused. Three other adventurers followed them a scout, a priestess, and a bulky warrior.

"Star!" Lena shouted, voice cracking. "Star, we’re here!" she was glad to see him and quire frankly he was too.

Star’s eyes filled with tears the moment he saw her. The missing arm hit him like a physical blow.

"Lena..." he whispered.

Rian’s sharp eyes locked onto him, scanning for injuries. "You’re alive. Thank goodness."

"Rian" he muttered seeing how sweaty and tierd he looked. Never had he in his two lives thought that people would go through such extreme lengths for him. He was thankful but he was also sad. Would they had done it anyway if he was ugly...

The rescue team spread out, weapons ready. Gorzod stepped forward with four elite goblin guards, axe raised.

The air grew thick with killing intent.

Lena’s gaze moved from Star’s luxurious silk robes and golden chains to the Goblin King standing protectively beside him. Her face twisted with pain.

"What the hell did he do to you?" she growled. "Did he force you? Say the word and I’ll cut him down right now!"

Gorzod laughed deeply. "Force? He has been well cared for. Happier than you could ever make him, one-armed wretch."

"Shut your mouth!" Lena snarled and charged.

Rian moved with her. "Lena, wait—!"

Star panicked. "Stop! Everyone stop!"

[Star!] Jezebel’s voice cut through his mind urgently. [You have an innate defensive skill you haven’t used yet. It is called Shield. Do you permit me to activate it?]

"Why didn’t you tell me earlier?!" Star shouted internally, voice full of panic. "This is life or death! How could you forget something this important?!"

[It only awakens in true moments of desperation for those you care about,] Jezebel replied calmly.

"What flamzy excuse is that? Did you forget it or not?"

[Sorry can’t answer that]

"So now you want to behave like a true bot?"

[Do you want it?]

"Yes! Activate it!"

[Understood. Divine Glamour is responding.]

A beautiful pink-silver light exploded from Star’s body. He raised both hands instinctively and a shimmering, elegant barrier formed between the two groups — glowing with delicate runes and flower-like patterns. Weapons bounced off it harmlessly.

Everyone froze in shock.

"What... what is this?" Gorzod muttered, staring at the barrier. He slashed at it didn’t budge. He was grunting heavily feigning to get his hands on the human who dared to defy him.

Star didn’t stop there. He focused and activated his movement skill.

"Graceful Phantom Step!"

His body turned into a silver blur. He dashed through the barrier and positioned himself firmly in the middle, arms spread wide.

"Stop fighting!" he cried, voice shaking. "Please... just stop."

The throne room went deathly quiet.

Lena lowered her axe, breathing heavily. Tears streamed down her face. "Star... we thought you were being tortured down here. I lost my arm trying to reach you faster."

Star deactivated the shield...she dropped her weapon and rushed forward, pulling Star into a tight, desperate hug with her remaining arm. She pressed kisses all over his face and hair, not caring who was watching.

"I missed you," she whispered brokenly between kisses. "I missed you so much. I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you."

Star felt incredibly awkward. His body stiffened slightly even as he hugged her back. The luxury he had been living in made him feel guilty and he was quite frankly still getting used to affection or People as a whole.

"I’m okay, Lena," he said softly. "Really. I’m okay."

While Lena held him, Star looked over her shoulder at Rian. He gave a small, tired smile to him.

"Hi..."

Rian’s expression softened. He lowered his swords. "Hi."

"Happy to see you are alright," Rian said, voice rough. "You know I had to bust my ass off to get here, right?"

You did?

Star gave another weak smile. "Thanks... I owe you one."

Rian nodded. "I’ll keep that in mind."

Lena finally released him but kept a hand on his shoulder. Star looked at the three other adventurers.

"Who are these people?" he asked quietly.

Lena wiped her tears. "This is our rescue team. Finn, the scout. Mia, the priestess. And Brock, our tank."

Finn, a lean man with messy brown hair, laughed loudly. "You really are beautiful. I thought the others were exaggerating when they described you."

Elara, a pretty woman with soft features and white robes, clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling with an almost dangerous intensity.

"Oh my... he is so cute! I can’t believe he’s actually a boy. Look at that skin... those eyes..."

She took a step closer, looking like she wanted to hug him too. There was a clear yandere glint in her gaze. Star had watched these kind of girls in anime in hid former life.

Brock, the big warrior, crossed his arms and grunted. "I admit... he is quite the spectacle."

Star bowed his head slightly, cheeks pink. "Thank you for coming all this way, everyone. I really appreciate it. I owe all of you."

Gorzod watched the entire exchange with a dark expression. When Lena kept her hand on Star’s shoulder, he stepped forward.

"Remove your hand from him," he growled at Lena. "He is mine."

Lena sneered. "Yours? I was with him first, you oversized green brute. I made him comfortable around me!"

Gorzod’s eyes flashed with rage. "Oh yeah? And I am more fitting to protect him, you incompetent wretch! I tore your arm off so easily."

"Are you crazy?!" Lena shouted, stepping forward again. "You think kidnapping someone makes you worthy?!"

The tension rose again. Star quickly moved between them.

"Please," he begged, voice cracking. "No more fighting. I need to talk to Gorzod alone."

***

After a long, heavy silence, Gorzod reluctantly agreed. He led Star to a smaller side chamber while the others waited under the watchful eyes of goblin guards.

"Star you don’t have to do this!" Lena shouted after him while Rian tried to calm him.

"It’s alright Lena" he said looking back at her as he walked "i promise, i will be fine"

Inside, Gorzod closed the door and pulled Star into his arms.

"Don’t go," he whispered, voice full of raw yearning. "Stay with me. I will make you my number 1. My equal. I have never felt this way about anyone. Please, Star... don’t leave me alone again."

Star felt tears fall. He hugged the King back tightly.

"I’m sorry," he said, voice trembling. "I care about you, Gorzod. I really do. But I can’t stay here forever. I need to understand who I am... what I want to become. If i am to grow you have to let me go"

Gorzod held him tighter, almost desperately. They stayed like that for a long time.

Eventually, the King pulled back, eyes pained but resigned.

"I will let you go," he said heavily. "But know this — I will come find you again one day. You are mine, Star Denice. Even if you wander the surface, remember who yearned for you first."

"Please do that...it would be nice to see you again "

When Star stepped out with Gorzod, the group was waiting.

Lena immediately moved to his side. Gorzod glared but said nothing.

Star looked at everyone, then at the King one last time.

"Thank you for everything, Gorzod. I won’t forget you."

Gorzod only nodded, eyes never leaving Star.

The group began walking toward the surface tunnels. Star looked back at the glowing underground kingdom one final time, heart heavy with complicated emotions.

"I’m sorry..." he whispered under his breath.

"I need to find out who I really am."