Makoto's footsteps echoed against the cobblestones as he followed Cross into a small, weathered town. The streets were quiet, lined with crooked buildings that looked like they'd seen better days. A faint drizzle fell from the gray sky, soaking Makoto's scarf and making the air feel colder than it already was.

"Why are we here again?" Makoto asked, glancing nervously around. Timcampy perched on his shoulder, its metallic wings fluttering as it chirped.

"Akuma," Cross replied curtly, not bothering to look back. "This town's been hit before. I want to see if there's any activity left."

Makoto shivered, though he wasn't sure if it was from the cold or the mention of Akuma. "And if there is?"

Cross smirked. "Then you deal with it."

Makoto stopped in his tracks. "What?!"

Cross turned, his sharp eyes narrowing. "You heard me. Consider it a test."

"A test?!" Makoto repeated, his voice rising. "You're just going to let me fight them alone?"

"If you can't handle a Level One Akuma by now, all my training's been wasted," Cross said, his tone casual. "Besides, Timcampy's there to keep an eye on you. If you die, I'll just say you weren't cut out for this."

Makoto stared at him, his heart pounding. "That's... not reassuring."

Cross shrugged, already turning away. "Life rarely is. Now go. I'll be in the tavern."

Makoto groaned as Cross disappeared down the street, his long coat flapping in the wind. "Why am I not surprised?"

It didn't take long for Makoto to feel the oppressive weight of the Akuma's presence. The air grew thick and heavy, making it harder to breathe. His cursed eye throbbed faintly, and his vision began to distort, the world around him taking on a strange, ethereal glow.

He turned a corner and froze.

An Akuma stood in the middle of the street, its grotesque, mechanical body looming over a group of cowering villagers. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Makoto, and it let out a guttural screech that made his blood run cold.

Makoto's hands trembled as he summoned his Innocence. The green wheel spun into existence, hovering in the air like a shield. "Okay, Makoto," he muttered to himself. "You can do this. Just... don't panic."

The Akuma lunged, its claws slicing through the air. Makoto barely managed to dodge, the attack missing him by inches. He stumbled but quickly regained his footing, sending the wheel hurtling toward the creature.

It struck the Akuma's shoulder, leaving a deep gash but failing to destroy it. The Akuma roared, turning its attention back to Makoto.

"Great," Makoto muttered, his heart pounding. "Now it's angry."

As the Akuma charged, Makoto's cursed eye flared, the familiar burning sensation spreading across his face. Through his distorted vision, he saw the soul trapped inside the Akuma—a young woman, her face twisted with anguish as she reached out toward him.

"Help me," her voice echoed faintly in his mind.

Makoto faltered, his Innocence flickering. "I... I don't want to hurt you..."

The Akuma's claws swiped at him, snapping him out of his hesitation. He ducked, rolling to the side and summoning his wheel once more. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice shaking. "But I'll free you. I promise."

This time, Makoto focused, pouring his energy into the wheel. It spun faster, glowing brighter as it sliced through the Akuma's chest. The creature let out a deafening screech before disintegrating into ash.

Makoto collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving. The soul of the young woman lingered for a moment, her expression softening as she whispered, "Thank you."

Then she was gone.

Makoto stumbled into the tavern an hour later, his body aching from the fight. Cross was sitting at the bar, a glass of wine in hand and a pile of coins on the counter that definitely didn't belong to him.

"Done already?" Cross asked, glancing over his shoulder.

Makoto glared at him. "You left me to fight it alone!"

"And you're still alive," Cross said, smirking. "Congratulations."

Makoto sank into a chair, too tired to argue. Timcampy fluttered over, chirping as it settled on the table. "I saw the soul," Makoto said quietly, his voice heavy with emotion. "She... she asked me to help her."

Cross's expression softened slightly. "That's what they do. The souls inside the Akuma—part of them remembers what it means to be human. But they're trapped, twisted by the Earl's curse. The only way to free them is to destroy their bodies."

Makoto nodded, though the weight of it all still felt overwhelming. "I just... I wish there was another way."

"There isn't," Cross said bluntly, finishing his drink. "But if you let that guilt eat you alive, you'll end up just like them."

Makoto stared at the table, his hands clenched into fists. He didn't know if he'd ever get used to this, but he knew one thing for certain—he couldn't let the souls of the Akuma suffer any longer than they already had.

As they left the tavern, Cross lit a cigarette, his smirk returning. "Not bad for your first solo fight. You didn't die, so I'd say that's progress."

"Gee, thanks," Makoto muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Don't get cocky," Cross said. "You've still got a long way to go. But you're learning."

Makoto glanced at him, surprised by the rare bit of encouragement. "You really think so?"

Cross chuckled, blowing out a puff of smoke. "Don't make me regret saying it."

Makoto smiled faintly, his determination renewed. The path ahead was still uncertain, but he was starting to believe that he could face it—one step at a time.

To Be Continued...