CHAPTER 7: The Mohan (Part 5)

CHAPTER 7

THE MOHAN (Part 5)

—Please… run now! —yells Ofelia to the mob before losing consciousness.

—Yes, please do —answers the Mohan —. Otherwise, killing you won't be that fun.

—We're tired of you, Mohan! —shouts one of the townspeople —Your reign of terror is over!

—My reign of terror, you say? Have you forgotten who has been giving you fish, pure water, and fertile soil to prolong your pathetic lives?! You're just like Chía! You all think you're better than me! You only use me, but when I ask for something fair in return, you treat me like trash!

—How dare you call kidnapping and murdering women "fair"?! —says a woman —How many lives have you ruined with your greed and lust?! There aren't enough fish or fertile soil in the world to make up for that!

Ofelia was hurt protecting me from the Mohan, and now the entire town has come to save us. What a great job you're doing, Chía… Normally, that mob would be more than enough to kill such a weak demon, but since he was given a portion of my chaos magic, the townspeople are nothing but a pushover for him.

The Mohan is ready to attack, but suddenly, he stops. His cocky grin disappears from his face, replaced by… confusion? He glances at me for a second before refocusing on the mob. What's gotten into him?

—Y-You… ungrateful trash! —the Mohan yells —I've had enough of you! You're not even worth my precious time! You can rot in hell with your filthy town, for all I care!

Did he just stutter? Is he… scared? He's supposed to be stronger than them right now. Then why is he so afraid?

Wait a second… his power! I can sense it more clearly now! First, I recovered my sight, and now I can completely feel his energy. He's getting weaker—way weaker—and he knows it!

How did this happen?

I first touched his head, then grabbed his neck… That's it! I made physical contact with him! I'm absorbing his chaos magic and regaining my own power! That's why Bochica freed me and Sugunsua sent me on this quest! I'm literally the only one who can recover the chaos magic!

I must absorb what remains of my power from him!

—KILL HIM! —yells the leader of the mob.

A battle cry erupts from the crowd as they charge at the creature.

—YOU IDIOTS! YOU SHOULD HAVE ACCEPTED MY MERCY! —the monster roars —HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN WHERE YOU ARE?!

The Mohan raises his arms, and suddenly, the forest trembles.

—THE FOREST IS MINE, AND IT WILL PROTECT ME IF IT MUST!

Dozens of creatures made of rotting branches and mud rise from the ground. "The Forest Army," he used to call them. They're not particularly strong, but their true menace lies in their numbers and their ability to constantly respawn.

As expected, the forest army attacks the mob, blocking their path to the Mohan, who seizes the moment to flee.

That cowardly scum—I can't let him escape!

—What's wrong, Mohan? —I call out —Aren't you forgetting someone? I thought you were going to make me your slave.

The creature shoots me a hateful glare but keeps running.

—What, are you ignoring me now? Or did you finally remember where your place is?

That last comment infuriates him, making him stop and turn back.

That's right, you monster. Stay here.

—Remember my place? —the Mohan scoffs —Are you dense?! You're nothing but a filthy human now. You have no powers and can't even stand up! And yet you DARE to tell ME to know my place?! I could snap your neck without even trying, Chía!

—Then come and do it, Mohan. I'm not going anywhere.

The Mohan clenches his teeth so hard that his cigar breaks. He wants to kill me, but as I expected, he doesn't dare touch me. He's already figured out what's happening—he knows that if I make contact with him, I'll absorb the last remnants of his power.

Meanwhile, I can hear the townspeople fighting against the forest army. They're doing their best to break through, but the creatures keep respawning… I have to end this quickly, or everyone will be slaughtered.

—Where did all that bravado go, Mohan? Do I scare you that much?

—Big talk for a little human, Chía.

—And still, I'm bigger than your frail ego.

Once again, my taunt enrages the Mohan, and he lunges at me—but stops at the last second.

Damn it! So close!

I have to keep pushing his buttons.

Despite the searing pain in my foot, I force myself to stand.

—What, not even that? —I mock —You see, Mohan, the thing is… you have something that belongs to me. You have part of my chaos magic, and I want it back.

—As if, Chía! I earned this magic fair and square! I deserve it! I broke my ass making you happy for centuries, and I got nothing in return. Not even a damn "thank you", you ungrateful brat!

—Making me happy? Oh, right! You called yourself my "most loyal follower", didn't you? Please. The only reason you stuck by my side was because you were terrified of being killed by almost everyone else. And the only reason I let you stay close to me was because your hairy ass was warm enough to rest my feet on. You are nothing but a perverted, two-faced coward.

His eyes glow red. He's absolutely livid.

Keep going, Chía.

—You know why I was defeated, alongside my forces of darkness? I think you know, Mohan. We were ambushed by Bochica and the rest of the gods. I never expected to be attacked in my lair—my own lair! So well-hidden that not even Bachue's almighty vision could find it. Then how did they, huh? Can you tell me, Mohan?

I pause, then smirk.

—Never mind. I think I actually have to thank you. If it hadn't been for you, I would never have been defeated, and I would never have learned my lesson. I'm back on the right path thanks to you. You deserve a big hug.

But instead of exploding with rage, the Mohan suddenly calms down. He takes a deep breath and, without a word, points at something behind me.

I turn around—and my blood runs cold.

One of the Mohan's creatures is holding Ofelia hostage.

That despicable monster… coward until the very end!

—Miss… Chía… —Ofelia weakly murmurs, regaining consciousness.

—Ofelia! —I shout.

—Now, Chía —the Mohan says, his voice dripping with mockery —I'll say it one last time—I'm leaving. I'm taking MY power with me, and you're not stopping me. Or else, I'll kill your little friend. The town is already doomed, but at least you can save this girl's life.

—…

—That's right. Keep your mouth shut, Chía. We'll end this another time.

No… I can't let him go!

The town needs me. Ofelia needs me.

It's now or never.

—*sigh*… Yeah, hurry up and leave, Mohan. Your boss must be wondering why you're not there licking his balls yet.

—THAT'S IT!! YOU'RE DEAD!! – the Mohan roars.

The monster finally loses his patience and lunges at me. I was expecting his attack, but it's far quicker and stronger than I anticipated… His claws and fist pierce straight through my stomach.

—MISS CHÍA, NOOOO!! – Ofelia screams in horror.

—ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY, CHÍA?! THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED, RIGHT?!

—AGH… *cough*… Mo… Mohan…!!

I can't speak properly. I'm coughing up blood. No doubt about it—this is a fatal wound. My life is slipping away.

—cough… cough I… can't… cough

—MISS CHÍA!! MISS CHÍAAAAAA!!

—HAHAHAHAHA! SWEET VENGEANCE, CHÍA… NO, MY DEAR HUITACA!!

My vision, which I had only just regained, is fading again, along with the rest of my senses. I see Ofelia screaming, but her voice is growing distant. My body is going cold fast…

Hundreds of years trapped inside the moon… finally being free… only to end like this?

I don't know what hurts more—the gaping hole in my stomach, losing to the Mohan of all creatures, dying without even a sliver of redemption… or dying without seeing you one last time, Bochica…

I'm sorry… *sob*… I'm so sorry…

—C'mon, kiddo. You're not letting your father down, are you? —a voice echoes deep within my mind.

That voice… I know that voice…

Bochica… Old man…

You're not even here, yet at the edge of death, I can still hear you nagging me… Damn it, I miss you, you old jerk…

…

…

…

No. No, no, no! I'm not giving up! Not before even starting my mission!

—Farewell, fallen goddess —The Mohan sneers.

—Gh… gh… —I try to speak.

—Huh? What was that? Finally run out of insults?

—Gh… gh… gh…!

—I can't understand you, Chía. Stop mumbling and die already!

—I… said… GOTCHA!

—!!!

I take the Mohan by surprise and grab his face with all my strength. I'm not letting go!

—AGH!! LET ME GO!!! —The Mohan screams.

He thrashes wildly, trying to push me away, but I don't loosen my grip. This is my last move. If I can't defeat something as pathetic as the Mohan, then my quest is meaningless.

You'll see, Bochica—I won't let you down.

With every second that passes, I squeeze his face harder and harder. I can feel his nose breaking under my grip. My senses… they're coming back.

I can hear his terrified screams.

I can see the pure horror on his face.

My stomach no longer hurts. In fact, it's healing—along with my broken foot.

Then suddenly, a brilliant, blinding white light bursts from the Mohan's body, flooding the entire forest.

—M-Miss Chía? —Ofelia murmurs in confusion as the branch creature holding her crumbles, setting her free.

The trembling forest stills.

The army of twisted, wooden creatures collapses into dust.

The townspeople… they're finally free to fight the Mohan, but they don't. They just stand there, watching in shock and awe. Only the leader of the mob steps forward hesitantly, trying to understand what's happening.

—Are you all okay? – I ask the man.

He doesn't answer. He just nods.

—What a relief —I sigh —Please, take Ofelia with you. She needs healing.

—Y-Yes! —the man finally stammers.

—Miss Chía? —Ofelia calls weakly.

—There you go again, Ofelia. "Miss Chía, Miss Chía." I heard you the first time. I'm fine, I promise. You're the one who needs to be taken care of.

—I SAID LET ME GO!! —The Mohan shrieks.

The creature throws a punch at my face—nothing happens.

He's lost all his strength.

The blinding light swirls into my body, and suddenly, the forest is swallowed by the darkness of the night, illuminated only by the flickering torches.

My power…

No doubt about it. This is my power.

And—huh? Even my clothes have changed.

I finally release the Mohan. He collapses onto his knees, weakened, humiliated. His fury is gone. He knows he's no longer stronger than the townspeople.

—Now —I say —, doesn't this bring back memories?

—Chía… —The Mohan whimpers, tears spilling from his eyes —Have mercy…

—W-Who is that woman?! —the mob leader stammers.

—She's Chía —Ofelia answers —The Goddess of the Moon.

TO BE CONTINUED…