Chapter 1844

Moss gazed at Melon, a mocking smile playing across his weathered features.
Despite the boys persistent questions, he remained silent.
It wasnt that he didnt want to speak; he simply didnt know where to begin.
In truth, Moss found himself adrift in a sea of confusion.
The moment Emilias body had been destroyed in that metal house by Holden and his people, he had felt as though his lifes purpose had been violently ripped away.
For over two decades, the dream of reviving Emilia had been his sole reason for clinging to existence.
The day after the explosion, he had sought out a quiet place, intent on killing himself.
But as he had been about to do that, something had held him back.
A nagging thought had wormed its way into his mind: he couldnt just die like this. At the very least, he needed to exact revenge on Holden and Ariana.
They had shattered the plan he had meticulously crafted for twenty years, causing his entire belief system to crumble overnight.
He had then traveled from Conata to Eleymond, carefully evading security to infiltrate the Mercy Hospital.
He could have easily shot Ariana and Holden dead, but that had felt too merciful.
In his twisted logic, he had believed there were fates far worse than death.
On that fateful snowy day, he had constructed a snowman to lure young Melon outside.
He had kidnapped Melon.
He had known Ariana and Holden would be devastated by this and would fear he would do something to Melon.
Before Zaydens unexpected appearance, Moss had lurked in the shadows, a silent observer of Holden and Arianas anguish.
Their suffering had initially brought him a perverse sense of satisfaction.
Somehow, the weight of his grievances and long-held enmities had begun to feel less significant.
Lost in these troubling thoughts, Moss hunched forward, elbows digging into his knees as he gripped his hair tightly.
Melon, sensing the shift in mood, quietly approached and stood by Moss side.
Though too young to fully grasp the depths of adult sorrow or the pain of losing ones true love, Melon intuitively understood that Moss was incredibly lonely.
Unbeknownst to Melon, during their time on the island, his feelings towards Moss had slowly shifted.
Despite his frequent complaints about the old mans gruff demeanor, a fondness had taken root.
As golden rays of sunlight began to dance across the seas surface, Melons eyes widened in awe.
He tugged excitedly at Moss sleeve, his voice filled with excitement.
Moss, look! The sun is coming up! Moss glanced at the sunrise before turning his gaze to the bouncing child beside him. Its just a sunrise, he said.
Why are you so excited? Because the sun means hope, Melon replied, his eyes shining as he met Moss gaze.
Well be leaving the sea soon, Moss! Though Moss scoffed outwardly, a hint of disdain in his expression, he found himself quietly enjoying the sunrise alongside Melon.
After a long while, Moss withdrew a moon-shaped pendant from his pocket.
He said to Melon, The Joint Institute for Biological Research in Conata left this for me.
If you ever decide to pursue a career in biological research, show them this pendant.
Melon accepted the pendent, his small fingers closing around the cool metal as confusion flickered across his face.
Moss, he asked hesitantly, are you going to let me go? Yes, Moss replied, his tone betraying no emotion.
The sudden news didnt elicit the joyous reaction one might expect.