Yemo was speechless. He was taken aback, unable to believe it at first.
"Good..." He said, "Good!" He put his hands on Midas’s shoulders before grabbing them tightly.
Tears began to swell up in his eyes. "Good for you!" He cried, wiping his tears.
"You actually survived!" He grinned, "How did you do it? You must tell me!"
"That can be a conversation for later on." Midas said, "For now, however, I need your help."
Yemo raised a brow in confusion, "My help? Well... sure. What can I do for ya?" He said.
In a fast swipe, Midas’s bone dagger flew mere centimeters away from Yemo’s throat.
The goblin flinched, looking down with shock, "W-wha--" He was interrupted before getting a word out.
"Surrender to me," Midas said, his tone low.
Gool looked confused at first, but on hearing this, his expression loosened. As if he understood everything that was going on now, and agreed to it.
"S-surrender? But we were just getting along... what do you mean?" Yemo said, attempting to bargain.
"Getting along?" Midas raised an eyebrow, "If I had returned a maniac, you would have made me your slave, no? Also, don’t forget you put me in a cage with that troll." He paused.
Yemo gulped, his mind racing to come up with a way to get out of this situation.
"But, who’s to say we can’t get along? Surrender, and we can be best of friends." Midas smirked, "Of course... that also means I will gain dominion over all the goblins in your ranks."
Yemo nervously laughed, "Heh... what choice do I have?"
"None, unfortunately." Midas quickly followed up.
Yemo sighed, facing the ground. After a second or so, he got down on one knee.
"The Throne of Dominion is a po--" Yemo was cut off again.
"Skip the formalities." Gool said, "I already told him about it."
"I see." Yemo replied, "Well, if that’s the case, I’ll just cut to the chase." He bowed.
Midas’s eyes widened.
"Yemo surrenders to you, Midas. From now until I die, I will be your servant, and you my master." Yemo said.
A gust of wind traveled around the air around Midas and Yemo before condensing in the middle again.
A purple mark forged in the air, just as it had when Gool surrendered to Midas.
It rattled while continuing to condense all the energy within before dissipating into nothing.
"Stand," Midas ordered, walking toward the entrance of the small goblin village.
Gool was right behind him, not wasting a second.
Yemo stood, turning and pausing for a second as he stared at Midas’s back.
’I think I have made the right decision... that ambition that Gool spoke of... only with such ambition, I think, can one perform the terrible yet impressive feat of escaping that monastery with the breathing technique in hand.’ He thought, quickly running forward and catching up to them.
...
"Heed my words closely!" Yemo shouted from atop the wooden coliseum railing.
Dozens of goblins standing in the arena below raised their voices in applause.
All of the goblins in the village had gathered on their king’s request.
Beside Yemo stood Midas and Gool, who also overlooked the arena.
"From today onwards, my people, your king will follow a new path," Yemo said as confused murmurs quickly began spreading around the crowd.
"A new path?"
"What is he on about?"
"King Yemo! What do you mean!?"
"Which path?"
"Tell us, we will follow you!"
Hearing this, Yemo felt comforted.
"I have decided to owe my allegiance to one, Midas Kyrios Stars." As he said this, a loud gasp echoed from the group.
"What?"
"Surely not."
"How come?"
"Why?"
"What is happening?"
"All of a sudden..."
"He’s returned from the Ashen Hollow with the breathing technique hidden inside! The first to ever accomplish such a task!" Yemo roared, "As he stands now, he weilds the immortal power!"
His words captivated the attention of the goblins below, inspiration flashing across their beady black pupils.
"And..." Yemo finally paused, "I have one final request to make of all of you. I know it is not my place to even ask this... but I humbly request you all to join me in this path." Yemo said, turning toward Midas. Finally, he got down onto one knee and bowed before him again.
Gool did the same thing mere seconds afterwards.
Midas stood tall, a stoic expression on his face as he gazed down at the goblins.
Seeing their master bow, all the goblins were lifted beyond belief. A flurry of emotions built up within them as they also bowed one by one.
At the end, over fifty goblins lay before Midas, all bowing their heads.
A powerful wind swept through the forest, sucking into the center of the arena like a vortex. A large purple hex summoned and exploded into particles.
The pact had been forged...
"Of course, we will follow you!"
"It isn’t a doubt in our mind!"
"Don’t ever think we would go against you, lord Yemo! You are our savior!" The goblins began to cry out to their leader.
Yemo smiled as tears swelled up in his eyes again, "You all are too good for me." He said, quickly standing.
He grabbed Midas’s hand, a grin on his face as he raised it high into the air.
"To honor our new master, we will host a great feast tonight!" Yemo shouted into the crowd.
"Hurray!"
"Haha! That’s more like it!"
"A feast it is!"
Midas smiled, "Let’s feast!"
...
That night, Yemo’s goblin village was lit up with a newfound enthusiasm. The venue, a random splotch of land in the center of the basecamp, was decorated for a buzzing atmosphere.
Lanterns made of fireflies were hung on the edge of poles and ceiling corners, a warm hue cloaking the atmosphere.
The goblins rolled in barrels of wine that they had fermented and stored for occasions such as this one.
Drinks were plentiful, and food was as good as it could be as well. The day’s hunt was done by all the goblins under Midas, creating a feast by the end.
Whole roasted boars, large pieces of chicken grilled over hot rocks, and enough fish filets to feed an entire village!
Yemo, Gool, and Midas sat in the middle of the madness as they enjoyed themselves.