Amukelo: The Burdened Path

Chapter 60 - Unexpected Friendship

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The silence between Amukelo and Pao lingered awkwardly, the weight of the situation pressing down on both of them. Pao kept glancing nervously out the window, her fingers lightly tapping the rim of her mug, while Amukelo's eyes wandered around the tavern, darting from one patron to another, watching how easily others carried on with their meals and drinks, unaffected by the drama that had just unfolded. He shifted in his seat, tapping his fingers against the table as if that might break the heavy quiet.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Amukelo cleared his throat and asked, "So... does this happen often? I mean, should I help or something?" His eyes flicked toward the window again. "I've been dealing with monsters out in the wild, but... I don't really know how to deal with people."

Pao let out a soft chuckle, almost involuntarily, though it wasn't mocking. It was more the kind of laugh that slips out when someone says something unexpectedly innocent. Amukelo caught the sound and turned to her with a slight smile, raising an eyebrow. "Why are you laughing?" he asked, though his tone was light.

Pao shook her head, her dark hair swaying gently. "No, it's nothing," she said, though the smile lingered on her lips. "It's just... you're so used to fighting creatures that the idea of dealing with drunk people seems completely foreign to you. It's kind of cute."

Amukelo's cheeks reddened slightly at that, but he managed to keep his composure. "I guess...," he admitted, glancing at the window again, watching the shadows outside. "But it feels weird. I'm used to threats being obvious—claws, fangs, magic. People are... different. Harder to read."

Pao nodded in agreement, the smile fading from her lips. "That's true. People can be complicated. But regarding your question—" she gestured toward the window, "—yeah, stuff like this happens sometimes in towns. Fights break out, usually because someone's had too much to drink or their pride gets in the way. But it's not like it happens every time you walk into a pub. We were just unlucky tonight, I guess."

Amukelo frowned. "It's really unpleasant. I hope nothing serious happens."

Pao hesitated for a moment, then spoke, her voice softening, trying to comfort him despite her own worry. "Yeah, I don't like it either. But luckily, the worst that can happen is Bral gets a few bruises, and we end up avoiding this pub in the future." She gave him a small, reassuring smile, though Amukelo could see the flicker of concern in her eyes.

Still, Amukelo didn't look convinced. His brow furrowed deeper. "That's terrible..." he muttered, staring down into his empty mug as if the answer could be found there.

Before Pao could offer more reassurance, the sound of heavy boots approaching the tavern door broke the stillness between them. Both of them sat up straighter, heads turning toward the entrance as it swung open. Their friends were back—but not in the state either of them expected.

Pao's mouth opened, but no words came out as she tried to process what she was seeing.

There was Bral, his arm wrapped around Gloram's shoulder as if they were the best of friends, both of them crying—actual tears running down their faces—while swaying slightly from the weight of their drinks. Bral's face was flushed, his grin wide despite the tears streaking his cheeks. Gloram, too, had puffy red eyes and a runny nose, still holding his mug in one hand as if it were glued there.

Behind them, Bao, Idin, and Gloram's apologetic friend followed, each wearing the flattest, most exasperated expressions imaginable. Idin's face, in particular, was twisted in disbelief, while Bao's arms were crossed over her chest, her jaw clenched tight as though she was trying not to yell.

Pao blinked, trying to process the bizarre sight. She quickly stood, her chair scraping against the wooden floor, and asked, "What... what happened? You just left the pub... is the fight... over?"

Her voice trailed off when she noticed Bral and Gloram's tear-soaked faces as they swayed, arms slung around each other like lifelong friends. "Is the fight over?" she repeated, but her voice had lost all its conviction.

Idin sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose as he muttered, "Yeah, it's over. Just... not in the way anyone expected."

Before anyone could clarify further, Gloram let go of Bral and staggered forward, wiping at his nose with his sleeve before dramatically bowing in front of Amukelo. The sudden movement was so exaggerated that Amukelo instinctively leaned back, his chair creaking under him.

Gloram's voice wavered with emotion as he slurred out, "I'm sorry, my friend. I didn't know you've been through so much. My actions tonight were... unforgivable. Please forgive me, my friend."

Amukelo's entire face went flat with confusion. He stared at Gloram, then at Bral, and then at Pao, who looked just as stunned as he was. "Huh...?" was all Amukelo managed to say.

But Gloram wasn't finished. He sniffled loudly, more tears welling in his bloodshot eyes as he continued, "I interrupted such an important moment for you, my friend. Let me apologize." He spun around and raised his mug high. "Let's drink! And as an apology, I'm paying for everything!"

The tavern, which had been mostly silent during the commotion, erupted into a chorus of cheers. A few patrons raised their mugs in response, already ready to take advantage of the drunk man's generosity.

Amukelo turned toward Pao again, his face frozen in the same bewildered expression. Pao simply shrugged, her mouth slightly open, unable to come up with an explanation.

Bao stormed back to the table, slamming her hands onto the wood as she dropped into her chair. "I can't believe this," she muttered, massaging her temples.

Idin followed, falling into his seat next to Amukelo. He let out a long, exhausted sigh before resting his head on the table. "I can't. I just can't..." he groaned, his voice muffled against the wood.

Pao leaned in, her brow furrowed in confusion as she glanced between Idin and Bao. Her voice dropped to a whisper, though the noise in the pub made it unnecessary. "What happened out there? Why are they acting like they're best friends now? I mean, good, nothing happened to Bral, but... weren't they supposed to fight? You came back way too fast for that to have actually happened."

Idin let out a deep sigh, dragging his hand down his face as though the entire situation had drained years off his life. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you," he muttered before rubbing his temples with both hands. He glanced at Amukelo, who sat quietly, still processing everything, before beginning to explain. "When we were heading out of the pub, I caught up with Gloram's friend—the one who tried to calm him down earlier. Turns out his name's Shaw. I told him that it really wasn't the best time for his friend to be causing trouble. I explained that today's an important day for us, that we were celebrating a big stepping stone..."

He hesitated, then gestured toward Amukelo. "I touched a little bit on your backstory. You know, about how young you are, how you've been through a lot—your mother, the whole growing up in the wilderness thing. Just to make him understand that this wasn't the time to pick a fight."

Amukelo blinked in surprise. "You told him about that?"

Idin gave him a sheepish shrug. "Just the basics. I figured it might make him rethink causing a scene." He exhaled again and continued, "Anyway, Shaw didn't say much at first. But when we got outside, he pulled Gloram aside and just... laid into him. Asked if what I said was true. And, well..." Idin rubbed his temples again. "That's when Gloram started bawling like a baby. Next thing I know, he's hugging Bral, sobbing into his shoulder, apologizing like crazy."

Pao covered her mouth, trying to stifle a laugh, but Amukelo couldn't help the confused look on his face. "So... they didn't fight at all?"

"Not a single punch," Idin said flatly. "It was like watching someone flip a switch. One moment Gloram was ready to brawl, the next he was Bral's new best friend. And now..." He gestured helplessly toward the table where Bral and Gloram were currently sitting together, laughing loudly over their mugs as if they'd known each other for years. "Well, you're seeing it."

There was a beat of silence as they all processed that. Amukelo finally broke it, tilting his head with a hesitant smile. "Isn't... that good? I mean, instead of beating each other up, they became friends. Right?"

Pao gave him a soft smile, charmed by his optimism. "Yeah, I guess when you put it that way..." she murmured.

Bao, however, crossed her arms, glancing over her shoulder at the now inseparable duo. "I mean, sure, I'm glad they didn't end up fighting, but..." She sighed heavily. "Now we have a new friend. One that I'd really rather not have."

Before anyone could respond, Bral and Gloram staggered over to their table, each carrying fresh mugs of ale. Bral, his cheeks flushed red from drinking, grinned wide as he dropped into his seat. Gloram plopped down beside him, sloshing ale over the rim of his mug.

Bral spread his arms wide and looked around the table. "Why do you all look so gloomy?" he asked with a lopsided grin. "Come on! It's a celebration!"

Gloram echoed the sentiment, throwing his free arm in the air. "Yeah! It's a celebration day!" His voice was thick with drink, and the ale on his breath was enough to make Amukelo flinch slightly.

At that moment, the waitress arrived, her tray balanced with several more mugs of ale. She set them down, her face betraying no emotion at the increasingly rowdy table, before disappearing into the crowd again.

Bral grabbed one of the fresh mugs and raised it high. "Let's drink! For Amukelo! For the man he's becoming!" he declared, his voice booming across the pub.

Gloram followed suit, nearly knocking over his own mug as he raised it. "And for new friendships!" he slurred.

Pao hesitated but finally reached for a mug, offering Amukelo a small smile. Bao, though visibly irritated by Gloram's presence, sighed and grabbed one too. Idin chuckled under his breath and did the same.

Amukelo, still somewhat unsure, picked up his mug as well, glancing at each of them before lifting it. "Cheers?" he said uncertainly.

"Cheers!" they all echoed, their mugs clinking together loudly.

The drinks flowed freely after that. The tension that had loomed over the group earlier seemed to dissipate as laughter returned to the table. Bral and Gloram had somehow become inseparable, swapping exaggerated tales of their past "adventures"—most of which were likely fabricated, given the slurred speech and over-the-top details.

Amukelo found himself laughing more than he expected. Even Gloram's ridiculous behavior had become more amusing than annoying, especially when he attempted to arm wrestle Bral and promptly lost, his head slamming onto the table with a thud, sending the others into fits of laughter.

Bal on the other hand was angry. She was sitting there speaking to no one but ger sister occasionally.

Idin leaned over to Amukelo at one point, with a smile. "It's not that bad after all."

Amukelo smiled back, though his head was beginning to swim slightly from all the ale. "It's... yeah, not that bad," he admitted, feeling a warm buzz in his chest.

Bral clapped a heavy hand on Amukelo's back, nearly making him spill his drink. "You're doing great, rookie. You've got a good head on your shoulders. And you can hold your ale better than I thought!"

Amukelo chuckled, feeling the alcohol dulling the edges of his usual awkwardness. "I'm still getting used to it. But... thanks."

Gloram, now slumped halfway across the table, raised his mug weakly. "To... Amukelo!" he slurred one last time before promptly passing out, his head hitting the table with a loud thud.

Amukelo leaned back in his chair, a genuine smile spreading across his face as the noise of the tavern swirled around them.