Chương 11: A hungry warden

Amelia and Mochi walked along a narrow path cutting through a dense forest. The sun peeked through the gaps in the branches, casting dappled light across the path. Mochi's stomach growled loudly, echoing in the quiet surroundings. Amelia smiled softly, glancing at him.

"I figured you'd be hungry soon. There should be a café not too far ahead." Mochi's face lit up instantly.

"A café? Perfect! You always know where the best places are, Amelia!" Without another word, he broke into a sprint, and Amelia sighed, smiling to herself as she shook her head and followed him. It was clear that Mochi's excitement was contagious, and she couldn't help but enjoy the cheerful atmosphere he created. A few minutes later, they arrived at a charming outdoor café nestled between two towering oak trees.

The small establishment was welcoming, with tables set up under awnings, and the smell of freshly baked goods filled the air. It was a cozy place that seemed almost magical, perfect for a relaxing break. Mochi wasted no time and dashed up to the counter, practically bouncing on his heels with excitement.

"I'll have a mountain of donuts please!" he exclaimed. Amelia joined him at the counter, smiling.

"And I'll have a massive portion of crackers, please." The counter lady blinked at them, looking at the towering stacks of food they'd just ordered.

"Wait... Are you two really planning to eat all of that? How many people are you planning on feeding?" Without hesitation, Mochi and Amelia turned to each other, their expressions completely in sync.

"It's just the two of us," they said in unison. The lady's eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze flickering between the two of them.

"Um... alright then. I'll get that ready for you please take a seat." Amelia and Mochi took a seat at a nearby table, eagerly anticipating their food. The minutes dragged by, their stomachs growling in protest. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the counter lady brought over their orders. Both Mochi and Amelia's eyes sparkled as they saw the mountain of donuts and crackers before them. They exchanged a grin before diving into their meals, savoring each bite with an intensity that only hunger could bring.

"Hey Amelia, want a donut? They're tasty" Amelia continued eating"No thanks, I hate sweet things, but I'll be glad to share a cracker" Mochi said "I hate savory things, weird it's like we're polar opposites" The café seemed to fade into the background as they devoured their food with abandon. As they ate, someone else walked on site and a tall, cloaked figure stepped inside. He had an air of authority about him, his presence commanding immediate attention.

His yellow glowing eyes scanned the room, sharp and intense. He walked to the counter, his movements deliberate and ordered a single glazed donut. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. The counter lady glanced nervously.

"I- uh.. Oh, Mr Anubs..

'm sorry, sir, we've run out of glazed donuts... but we have some other options left like hotdogs or hot chocolate." The man's eyes narrowed, his voice cold and harsh.

"What do you mean 'out of donuts? Why don't you have any donuts left?" The lady, clearly uncomfortable, pointed toward Mochi and Amelia, who were still happily enjoying their food.

"I... I'm sorry, but those two ordered all the donuts we had." She instinctively covered herself for protection.. The figure's gaze shifted to Mochi and Amelia, his expression turning even colder. His eyes glowed a little brighter, almost seething with rage. Without warning, he walked over to their table, his steps silent but filled with menacing intent. Mochi, blissfully unaware of the figure's growing anger, was too absorbed in his donut to notice the tension in the air.

The figure reached down and snatched one of the donuts from Mochi's plate. Mochi, midbite, blinked up at him, not understanding what was happening.

"Hey! That's my donut!" he exclaimed, his voice still muffled from the food in his mouth.

"Give that back!" The mysterious figure turned to face him, his eyes now burning with fury.

"Do you have any idea who you're dealing with small child?" he hissed. Mochi, still chewing, wiped his mouth and shrugged casually.

"Nope, but you're definitely a donut thief." The figure's face twisted in a snarl of rage, and his voice thundered through the café.

"I am the great Anubs, the second in command of the almighty Government TriCommission! I'm here to arrest you for your arrogance. But... I might reconsider if you give me that donut however." Mochi stared at him for a moment, then broke into a grin.

"Yeah, right. No way you're getting my donut, buddy, this belongs to me..." Anubs, now fully enraged, raised his arm with a swift motion. He ground beneath his feet began to tremble as a large boulder lifted from the earth, floating beside him. Without any warning, he swung the boulder toward Mochi, sending it crashing toward him with terrifying speed. Mochi barely had time to react. He was struck by the boulder, the impact sending him flying backward through the air.

The force of the blow cracked the wooden floorboards of the café, sending debris flying everywhere. The café patrons screamed and scattered in every direction, abandoning their meals and fleeing in a panic. Amelia, who had been silently watching the confrontation, now sprang into action, her protective instincts kicking in. She launched herself toward Anubs with a speed that surprised even him. But as she threw a punch toward him, Anubs didn't flinch.

With a single hand, he caught her fist effortlessly, his grip tightening like a vise. Amelia tried again, throwing a series of fast punches, but each one was blocked with ease. Anubs chuckled darkly, taunting her.

"Is that all you've got, little girl?" With a dismissive flick of his wrist, Anubs stomped the ground. Immediately, a massive stone pillar shot up from the earth, knocking Amelia off her feet and sending her flying high into the air. Before she could recover, Anubs was already on her tail. He grabbed her midair and slammed her down into the ground with bone shattering force. The earth shook with the impact, creating a crater where she landed. Anubs stood over her, clapping his hands together with mock amusement.

"That's the problem with all of you too much talk, not enough action, the way your friend was talking earlier I would of thought that you were better than this..." He snapped his fingers, and the ground beneath Amelia began to crack open. Amelia looked down in shock"Huh.. what's happening!?" A dark, earthen tendril shot up from the earth, wrapping around her body and pulling her deeper into the ground. She struggled but was quickly buried beneath the surface, her movements swallowed by the earth.

Mochi, recovering from the blow, staggered to his feet. He glared at Anubs, fury building within him.

"What did you do with Amelia?!" Anubs grinned"I sent her to a place where you'll be joining her soon enough" Mochi instantly charged toward Anubs, fists clenched, but Anubs didn't even flinch. With a wave of his hand, the earth rose up around Mochi, trapping him in a cage of rocks. Mochi fought against it, but the rocks were unyielding, and the pressure increased with each movement he made. Anubs' voice rang out, cold and mocking.

"If you dare to move even a single inch, these rocks will collapse and bury you, just like your friend. I suggest you stay still, unless you want the same fate." Mochi struggled, but seeing no way out, he relented, his body stiff and unwilling to make another move. Anubs smiled darkly, his victory almost complete.

"You should have given me that donut when you had the chance" Anubs muttered, a sinister grin spreading across his face. With another flick of his wrist, the earth cracked open beneath Mochi's feet, pulling him into the ground. The rocks around him tightened, ensuring he couldn't escape. With both Mochi and Amelia captured, Anubs raised his arms. He summoned an elevator made of rocks, the earth lifting them down into the depths as he began to descend.

The sounds of the struggle faded as they disappeared from view, leaving only the silence of the café behind.