33 – Melody at Night

A man with black hair and a face full of beard jumped from one land to another, chasing a man who repeatedly looked back in fear.

"I didn't do anything to you!" The frightened man shouted. "Why did you kill all my friends and come after me!?"

He messed up his landing and fell. The bearded man landed in front of him.

"Because you guys are enemies of Ode, our goddess." That bearded man grabbed his target by the collar, forcing him to stand up. "You guys were summoned by Atha, even though it's unnecessary. It was Ode's actions that actually saved this world."

"Dude, I have no idea what you're talking about!" The frightened man cried and tried to break free, but his efforts were nil. The man with the beard was so tall that the terrified man's feet did not touch the ground and only moved wildly. "I'm just trapped in this world!"

"I tell you this because you might meet Atha when you die." The bearded man hissed, his gaze piercing his target. "If you do meet Atha in the afterlife, I need you to convey my message. We will destroy the saviors she sends to this world."

He then grabbed his victim's head with one hand. The terrified man writhed in pain, trying to break free again, but his efforts were still useless.

The grip only got tighter. And not long after, the target's skull let out a terrible cracking sound. His hands and feet drooped.

The bearded man released his victim, then just walked away.

***

After two days of traveling, Alan and his friends—minus Brunch—stood in a land not far from a large vehicle that looked like a ship. What sets it apart from most ships is that it doesn't have sails, has some giant propellers at the back, and floats in the air instead of in the water.

"You guys are really going to the west?" Igor asked. "That place may not be better than where you arrived, just as deserted and possibly more dangerous."

"Well, let's just say this is God's order." Alan shrugged. "That we should go there."

"Believe me, you won't understand if we tell you what really happened." Haruna joined in.

"You guys really are mysterious people." Igor took a deep breath, then smiled. "The ship is leaving in a minute. We have to go. Once again, thanks for everything, and sorry I couldn't finish your propeller."

Alan smiled back. "You have been a great help to us."

"I'm sure you can finish it well." The ex-shop owner tapped the young man on the shoulder.

Celia then slightly bowed before Ivan, then stroked that boy's head. "Be good with your daddy, eh? And keep looking after Noms."

The boy nodded. Celia slightly tickled the golden-butted rabbit's chin, then she and the others shook hands with the father and his son.

"So, what should we do now?" Haruna asked when Igor and Ivan had entered the ship. "Are we back on our trip?"

"Why don't we take a walk first? Who knows if we might find something interesting." Alan suggested. "We didn't have that opportunity in the bridge city."

Alan felt tired of everything that had happened. Not physically, but more mentally. He needs refreshing, and maybe his friends too, especially Celia, who has been with him since the beginning.

"That's a great idea." Haruna snapped her fingers.

"So, what do you guys want? Is it food or…." Suddenly the young man chuckled, triggering the two girls to exchange glances. "I know Celia's biggest wish is to be bottomless, but we can't do that here."

"What!? I never said I wanted to be bottomless in public!" Celia protested. Her face started to blush.

"I also know Haruna's wish." Alan ignored the female fighter and turned to the rogue instead. "Your wish is…."

Instead of continuing what he said, Alan looked at Haruna's face deeply.

The rogue touched Alan's chest, then whispered in her sensual tone. "Is my wish and yours the same?"

Celia's body twitched slightly at those words.

"Well…." At first, Alan would have joked that Haruna only wanted his dick, but he soon realized that was not good. Besides being rude, there's a possibility that it will only trigger Haruna further to seduce him. So, he put on a big smile instead. "Let's go."

Alan started walking, and Haruna was still in her position.

"Why didn't you finish your sentence?"

"It's nothing important." Alan kept on going.

"Whatever." The rogue shrugged and followed Alan but with little success in hiding her annoyance.

"Celia?" Alan stopped his steps when he found the female fighter didn't follow him and faced the other way.

The young lady looked at a man in shabby clothes. He was preparing a musical instrument similar to a guitar but more oval. A lute.

"You want to see his performance?" Alan lined Celia. "Well, it won't hurt. I asked what you two wanted, after all."

The musician bowed his head to Alan's group while the other people passing by ignored him.

"Hopefully, my singing can entertain you all." He started playing his lute, stringing melodious notes. Then he began to sing in a slow tone. "When sorrow comes from the sky. When we don't know the future. I'm waiting for the saviors. When will those brave women and men come? When will they come to give light? Do we still have a chance? Will the beauty of the world return?

The man's voice was ordinary. It didn't give Alan any impression. However, when he checked Celia, he found that the female fighter was solemnly listening to that song.

"I miss my old life, oh my heroes. Please, please save us. From the wrath of our mother. We believe that streams of happiness will come from you, O great beings." The singer slowed down his music. "Let us get the love again."

Then he repeated the song from the first verse. People began to gather to watch the little performance, some placing money on the hat beside the singer's feet.