Chương 6: Don't Cry Freedom is Near

The next day, a dull ache pulsed through Mochi's entire body. His eyes slowly fluttered open as sunlight streamed through the bedroom window, illuminating the small wooden cabin. Every muscle screamed in protest as he tried to move, and the memory of the previous day's battle came rushing back. Drago's uppercut. The Dragon Cannon. The crater. Mochi winced.

"... Ow." A voice from the corner of the room spoke up.

"Ah, you're awake." Mochi turned his head and saw James sitting in a wooden chair, quietly carving a piece of wood with a pocket knife. Relief washed over the older man's face as he noticed Mochi was conscious.

"James..."

"How long was I out?"

"Only until this morning," James replied.

"You gave us quite the scare." Mochi slowly pushed himself into a sitting position, immediately regretting it as pain shot through his ribs. James sighed.

"I take it after that fight... you understand the full terror of Drago now?" The room fell silent. Mochi stared at the blanket covering his legs before letting out a small laugh.

"Yeah..." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"You were right." His smile faded.

"He's totally insane." Images of Drago standing unharmed after attack after attack replayed in his mind.

"I was too cocky."

"I thought if I just hit him hard enough, I'd win."

"But I later found out that wasn't the case.." James nodded knowingly.

"Most people think that the first time they challenge him." Mochi looked out the window.

"But strength like that..." He clenched his fist.

"... it's on a completely different level." For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Mochi suddenly looked back at James.

"Where's Amelia? Is she okay?"

"She's downstairs."

"Is she okay?" Mochi said concerned. James nodded.

"She's simply sat in deep thought. Her injuries weren't nearly as bad as yours." Mochi let out a relieved breath. James continued.

"She's used to taking hits from Drago by now." A weak smile crept onto Mochi's face.

"I guess you're right about that..." He chuckled softly despite himself.

"After so many failed attempts, you would be." The thought wasn't funny, but Amelia's determination was almost unbelievable. No matter how many times she'd lost... She had always gotten back up. Mochi slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed. James immediately frowned.

"Easy now. You took quite a beating."

"I know." Using the nearby wall for support, Mochi carefully stood to his feet. His legs trembled for a second before stabilizing. James watched him.

"You don't have to force yourself."

"I'm not." Mochi smiled.

"I just want to see my friend." Step by step, he made his way toward the bedroom door. Each movement sent another wave of pain through his body, but he refused to stop. Opening the door, he began descending the wooden staircase, the smell of breakfast drifting upward from below. At the bottom of the stairs sat Amelia, quietly sipping a cup of tea. Hearing the creaking steps, she looked up. Their eyes met. Mochi slowly descended the final step.

Amelia sat at the dining table, a steaming cup of tea resting in her hands. Sunlight poured through the nearby window, illuminating her golden hair. The moment she noticed him, her face brightened.

"You're awake!" Mochi managed a small smile.

"Yeah." This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. He pulled out a chair and sat down across from her.

"And I see you're fine." Amelia nodded.

"Yeah." She lifted her teacup.

"Just having some tea. Want some?" Mochi shook his head.

"No thanks."

"Not a tea person?"

"Not really."

"Oh." Amelia took another sip.

"That's fine." An awkward silence settled between them. Then Amelia suddenly sat up straighter.

"Oh! I know."

"Hm?"

"How about we train?" Mochi blinked. Amelia smiled.

"If we get stronger, I'm sure we can take Drago down next time." Silence. The smile on Amelia's face slowly faded.

"... Mochi?" He stared down at the wooden table. His fists slowly tightened.

"Hey, Amelia." The serious tone in his voice immediately caught her attention. She lowered her teacup.

"What is it?" Mochi took a deep breath. Then finally said it.

"... I think we should just give up." The room went completely silent. Amelia stared at him. For a moment she genuinely thought she had misheard him.

"... What?" Mochi kept his eyes lowered.

"I think we should quit." Amelia's eyes widened.

"Quit?" She stood up so quickly her chair nearly tipped over.

"This is a joke, right?" Mochi didn't answer.

"What are you saying?" His hands trembled.

"I didn't stand a chance." The words felt bitter coming out of his mouth.

"He treated us like toys." Images of the battle flashed through his mind. Every punch. Every attack. Every desperate attempt. Worthless.

"I gave him everything I had." Mochi clenched his fists even harder.

"And none of it mattered." Amelia remained silent. Mochi continued.

"Sure, we could get stronger." He laughed weakly.

"But Drago can get stronger too." His voice became quieter.

"So what's the point?" His eyes drifted toward the window.

"It's all going to be for nothing in the end." Amelia stared at him. Disbelief slowly turned into hurt.

"... Wow." Mochi looked up. She was shaking. Not from fear. From disappointment.

"I didn't expect to hear that from you of all people." Mochi froze. Amelia wiped at her eyes.

"From our very first battle..." Her voice cracked.

"I thought you were different." Mochi opened his mouth. Nothing came out.

"You always smiled." A tear rolled down her cheek.

"It didn't matter how dangerous something was." Another tear followed.

"You always acted like things would work out." Mochi felt his chest tighten.

"And now?" Amelia pointed at him.

"Now you just want to quit?" Her voice echoed through the room.

"That's not the Mochi I know!" The words hit harder than any punch Drago had thrown. For the first time since waking up, Mochi couldn't even look her in the eye. Amelia's hands trembled.

"When you first wanted to take down Drago..." She wiped away another tear.

"You were so confident."

"So full of determination unlike I've ever seen before" Her voice became barely above a whisper.

"Where did it all go now?" Mochi had no answer. Because he didn't know. The silence that followed felt endless. Finally Amelia turned away.

"... Fine." Mochi looked up.

"If you want to quit..." She walked toward the hallway.

"... that's your call."

"Amelia... I" Mochi said She didn't stop.

"I'll train on my own." The words stabbed deep.

"Whether if it's with someone or on my own because I want to save everyone here from his reign" Amelia reached the door leading to the training room. For a moment she paused. Without looking back she quietly said:"... It was nice knowing you while it lasted." Then SLAM. The door shut behind her. Silence. Mochi remained frozen. The room suddenly felt empty. He opened his mouth. Wanted to call her name. Wanted to explain. Wanted to tell her he wasn't trying to abandon her. But no words came. Only silence.

For the first time in a long time... Mochi didn't know what to do. He remained seated at the table, staring at the wood grain beneath his hands. For the first time since leaving the guild, he felt completely lost. Then he heard footsteps. James slowly descended the staircase and walked into the kitchen. He glanced toward the training room door. Then at Mochi.

"You got her upset, huh?" Mochi let out a sigh.

"... I think I did." James pulled out a chair and sat down across from him. The old wooden chair creaked beneath his weight. For a few moments, neither of them spoke. Then Mochi quietly muttered.

"I was just..."

"Scared of the threat?" James said. Mochi looked up. James wasn't smiling. He wasn't judging him either. Just listening. Mochi slowly nodded.

"Yeah." James leaned back in his chair.

"You know, kid..." He folded his arms.

"It's okay to be scared." Mochi blinked. James shrugged.

"That's what makes us human after all." Mochi lowered his gaze.

"... Even heroes?" James laughed.

"Especially heroes."

"Fear is like an instinct, without it you'd rush into things that would get you killed" The room became quiet again. Then James suddenly looked toward the training room.

"You know..." His expression softened.

"Let me tell you about Amelia..." Mochi looked up. James continued.

"I'm guessing you think I'm Amelia's father figure, right?"

"Well..."

"Most people do." James chuckled.

"But honestly?" He rubbed the back of his neck.

"She was first found by my great-grandfather."

"So she's technically like my a great Aunt if you think about it aha" Mochi tilted his head.

"Huh?"

"About 170 years ago." Mochi froze.

"... What?" James nodded.

"My great-grandfather found her abandoned as a baby." The room went silent. Mochi stared.

"Wait." James already knew what was coming.

"Yeah."

"Amelia was a baby 170 years ago?"

"Correct."

"That doesn't add up." James laughed.

"Not for a normal human." Mochi's eyes widened. James pointed toward the training room.

"Through years of research, we eventually figured out what she is."

"What?" James became unusually serious.

"Judging from her golden eyes and her ability to use cracker magic..." He paused.

"She's a member of the Cracker Angel race." Mochi blinked.

"The what race?"

"A godly race." James' voice lowered.

"A race said to hold divine authority over the heavens themselves." Mochi listened carefully.

"No mortal has ever stepped foot inside their sacred land." The more James spoke, the more unbelievable it sounded.

"Which makes me wonder..." James stared out the window.

"Why haven't they come for her?" Mochi remained silent.

"Do they not know she's here?" James frowned.

"Or..." His voice became quieter.

"Was she simply not wanted?" Neither of them had an answer. After a moment James sighed.

"Who knows." The room fell silent. Then James continued.

"However, one day she's going to want answers." Mochi nodded slowly.

"I would too." James smiled faintly.

"Which brings me to something else."

"What?"

"Friends." Mochi looked confused. James leaned forward.

"Think about it."

"She's been alive for over a century." The realization slowly began to dawn on Mochi.

"Compared to her..." James pointed at himself.

"Everyone she meets is temporary." Mochi's eyes widened. James continued.

"She's outlived every friend she's ever had." The words hit harder than expected.

"Every single one." Mochi remained silent.

"Some died of old age." James looked toward the floor.

"Others were killed by Drago." His voice became heavy.

"And every time..." He paused.

"She had to sit there and watch." Mochi clenched his fists.

"... That must be rough." James laughed bitterly.

"More than you know." The room went quiet once again. Mochi thought about Amelia. Her excitement when showing him the town. The way she smiled. The way she talked about freedom. The tears running down her face just moments ago. Suddenly SMACK! James nearly jumped out of his chair. Mochi had slapped himself across the face. Hard. A bright red handprint immediately appeared.

"What the.. hey kid are you okay?" James said shocked Mochi stood up.

"I can't believe I was actually about to give up!" James blinked.

"... Huh?" Mochi clenched both fists. His eyes burned with determination again.

"I can't quit, not now!." The fear was still there. But something else had returned. His smile.

"Not while this place is still under Drago's rule." James watched quietly.

"We're gonna defeat him."

"And after that..." His grin widened.

"I'll make sure Amelia gets to see what's beyond these walls." James smiled. Mochi laughed.

"I'm her friend after all." The fear that had weighed him down was gone.

"Life's too short to spend it being all sad and gloomy." James chuckled.

"I see."

"What?"

"You're back to your old self." Mochi smirked hands on hips"Yeah." His trademark grin returned.

"Feeling better than ever."

"Thanks, old man."

"Now I'm gonna train with Amelia!" He sprinted across the room.

"We'll get stronger and stronger!" James stood up.

"And then Drago won't stand a chance!" The training room door burst open.

"Mochi.." Too late. The boy had already disappeared inside. The house became quiet. James stood there for several seconds. Then his eyes widened.

"... Wait." He crossed his arms.

"Did he just call me an old man?" The realization slowly sank in. James pointed toward the training room.

"I'm not even 50 yet!" His offended shout echoed throughout the house. From inside the training room, Mochi's laughter could be heard. And for the first time since the battle with Drago... Hope returned to the house.