Chapter 9

After being carefully put into recovery, Chrono lied once more in bed; staring at the stains on the ceiling. Chrono thought back to his training session. Throughout it, he couldn’t talk. It was like a lump got stuck in his throat. He wanted to show himself off and make them proud of him. Yet, it was failure after failure. Giving a small sigh, he focused on the stains on the ceiling and thought ‘‘I should clean those later.’

Sitting upright, he stretched his muscles on his arms, neck, and back. Taking a deep breath and a slow and smooth exhale, he got up and walked out of the room. Walking to the dining room, Chrono arrived at a simple wooden door. Opening the door accompanied by a slight creak, Chrono found Auran and Captain Cason sitting around the large round table centered in the room. The contents of their discussion were left unknown to Chrono as they stopped speaking and welcomed Chrono. They pointed to an empty seat across from them and said that Ise was still preparing their meal. Sitting down and quietly waiting for Ise, a few minutes passed, and Ise came with a cart of plates. Each plate had different types of food on it. One dish had bacon, another egg, one pork, one filled with different kinds of vegetables and legumes and lastly a pot of rice.

“I usually cook, but Ise was pretty adamant in cooking today's meal,” Auran said giving a teasing smile towards Ise.

Slightly blushing while slightly glaring at Auran, Ise placed the meals on the table and passed everyone’s plates around; naturally giving Auran the plate last. Sitting down next to Chrono, Ise silently watches Chrono as he shyly grabbed a piece or two of each plate and a huge scoop of rice. Once everyone had food on their table, the three thanked Ise and dug in. Instantly Captain Cason and Auran’s faces filled with endless bliss and heavenly joy. They ravaged the food on their plate and moved to get more servings. Ise didn’t pay attention to the two and watched Chrono as he clumsily took the fork and spoon and cut a part of pork and piece of bacon and put the two onto a spoon filled with rice. Lifting the spoon to his mouth, Chrono took a sizeable bite and savored the flavor unlike the other two who gulped it down. Seeing Chrono’s red face that enjoyed every single taste that entered his mouth, Ise was beyond gratified and couldn’t help but tap Chrono’s shoulder after he finishes eating. Ise held a spoonful of rice covered in rich yolk and the white part of the egg near Chrono’s face.

“Aaah.” Ise sounded out. Chrono, a little bashful, opened his mouth and let the spoon enter his mouth. With a small bite, Chrono ate the contents of the spoon while looking at Ise’s eager eyes. Giving one more chew, Chrono swallowed and shyly said: “Thank you.”

The dinner continued with Chrono and Ise bonding with one another while Captain Cason and Auran who had finished their meal helplessly look on. After Chrono and Ise finished eating their meal, Captain Cason began to speak “After a few days we will be heading out to the city and will be staying there for a week.”

“City?” Chrono asked. Aside from the Isle they were on, the fort, and the Seven Skies Voyager, Chrono hadn’t been anywhere else.

“It’s one of the main cities of the sky region were in. Xicram, the city of the Azure sky.” Auran said.

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While Chrono looked somewhat amazed, Ise asked: “Why are we staying there for a week?” In their past journeys, the three had never stayed in a place too long. Only buying and selling the goods and quickly departing. This was due to a majority of reasons, mainly because the three didn’t want to attract any attention to themselves. That is why they barely visit a location two to three times a row. Last time they did that, an incident blew out of proportions and let’s just say the real-estate prices in the area plummeted.

“Last night I received a message from a friend. He said that he has a part we’re missing,” Captain Cason answered, “The catch is that he wants us to do a little favor for him.”

“What’s that?” Ise asked.

Captain Cason sighed, and this time Auran answered: “We have to break his friend out of prison.”

Ise opened her eyes in bewilderment, “Are you sure this is even worth it?” Ise asked.

“The part he has is fully functional and is up to the latest prototype. Though normally if this were the case, we wouldn’t have taken the deal, the deal breaker is his friend that we’re supposed to break out is an Aerial Machinery Engineer. He promised to make a few upgrades around the ship that we could really use.” Captain Cason answered scratching his head in slight frustration.

“What’s a prison?” Chrono who was trying to catch up on the conversation asked.

“It’s where bad people go to.” Auran tried to explain.

“Then why are we breaking a bad person out?” Chrono asked.

“Sometimes, not everyone in prison is bad,” Captain Cason explained, “Remember Chrono, people have their reasons, and it’s up to you decide whether you think they’re reasons are good or not. Got it?”

“Got it!” Chrono said taking Captain Cason’s words to heart.

“That is why we’re going to continue our training.” Captain Cason continued.

Chrono slightly winced but steadily regained his composure. “Ya!” Chrono enthusiastically agreed and followed Captain Cason out. At the door, Chrono turned around and smiled at Ise and gave her a goodbye wave. Ise gave a small smile and waved back.

“Are you beginning to train again?” Auran asked eyeing Ise.

Ise who sat silently for a few moments and nodded her head. Now with Chrono here, the two would find it harder to help defend the two of them if need be, so Ise was thinking of becoming stronger to alleviate the burden they had. The other reason that Ise had that was buried in her heart was the words ‘Cool!’ that Chrono said to her when she first showcased her power to him. She wanted to be praised more, and so she used that motivation to train.

“That’s good.” Auran said giving an approving nod, “Even though you have your bloodline. That can only get you so far without training. Even if it’s high grade.”

Taking in Auran’s words, Ise contemplated her mere existence and the clan that she belonged to. The clan that suddenly ceased to exist.

“Take care, I believe that you’ll soar higher than all your ancestors,” Auran said giving words of encouragement before walking out to the training area.

‘The clan of Music and Melody. The Sea of Voices and the Sky of Songs.’ Ise reminisced before walking out as well and headed the Cave of Melodies.