Falaikia

Shimisu shifted uncomfortably on the hard floor of the carriage, his gaze drifting lazily out the window as the landscape rolled by in a blur of greens and browns.

"Enerida, remind me again why we're on this journey," Shimisu muttered, his voice laced with a hint of boredom.

Enerida, perched atop a wooden box, glanced over at Shimisu with a playful smirk. "Oh, you know, the usual. Vant here thought it would be a grand idea to go gallivanting across the countryside in search of adventure."

Vant, the stoic figure guiding the carriage, remained focused on the road ahead, his hands steady on the reins as he guided the horses forward.

Shimisu let out a resigned sigh, rolling onto his side to face Enerida. "And where exactly are we headed on this grand adventure of yours?"

Enerida shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Who knows? Maybe we'll stumble upon a hidden treasure trove or encounter a band of infamous outlaws. The possibilities are endless!"

Shimisu couldn't help but chuckle at Enerida's infectious enthusiasm. "Well, let's hope our journey is more exciting than a leisurely stroll through the countryside."

As the carriage continued its journey across the open plain field, Shimisu, Enerida, and Vant braced themselves for whatever adventures lay ahead, their hearts filled with anticipation for the unknown.

Shimisu stared at the stack of papers with a mixture of resignation and disbelief. "So, this is where our grand adventure leads us... to a pile of chores."

Enerida chuckled, patting Shimisu on the back. "Hey, look on the bright side. At least we'll get to explore the kingdom while completing these tasks."

Pyta nodded in agreement, gesturing towards the papers. "Indeed. There are plenty of opportunities to make yourselves useful around here."

Shimisu sighed, reluctantly picking up a sheet of paper from the stack. "Alright, let's see what thrilling task awaits us first."

As Shimisu scanned the paper, his expression shifted from boredom to mild intrigue. "Huh, it looks like we're tasked with helping to repair the town's water supply system."

Enerida raised an eyebrow. "Well, that doesn't sound too bad. I suppose it's better than scrubbing castle floors."

Pyta nodded approvingly. "Exactly. It's important work, and the townsfolk will appreciate your efforts."

Shimisu shrugged, folding the paper and tucking it into his pocket. "Alright then, let's get to it. The sooner we finish these chores, the sooner we can move on to more exciting adventures."

Apologies for the oversight. Let me correct that.

The courtyard of the kingdom was bustling with activity as Pyta, a sturdy figure with a commanding presence, addressed the two individuals standing before him. The sun cast long shadows across the cobblestone paths as he spoke, his voice carrying the weight of responsibility.

"People come here to report issues," Pyta began, his words echoing off the stone walls, "but most of the kingdom is unable to help these issues, because of this kingdom usually always being under attack. But that's where you guys come in!"

Shimisu and Enerida exchanged glances, curiosity mingling with apprehension in their eyes.

"We usually sentence criminals to doing missions," Pyta continued, his gaze piercing, "but now that we have you two, you guys can do these missions, and if you hopefully finish these missions, you will be rewarded with 5 million golden coins."

Shimisu's jaw nearly dropped at the staggering figure. "5....million?" he echoed incredulously.

"Yes!" Pyta confirmed, his voice booming with conviction. "Now, if you need anything, you can find me inside of the castle. I'll let you guys start, see you around."

With that, Pyta and the rest of the guards marched away, leaving Shimisu and Enerida standing in the courtyard, their minds reeling with possibilities.

"Well, this sucks," Enerida muttered, his frustration palpable in the air.

Shimisu, however, saw opportunity gleaming amidst the challenges. "But for 5 million gold coins, it's totally worth it! Just imagine the amount of things you could do with that amount of money."

"Yeah, I know," Enerida conceded, determination flickering in his eyes. "Let's speed this up! He didn't say anything about us not being able to use our powers!"

With renewed vigor, Enerida and Shimisu threw themselves into the tasks at hand. For hours on end, they toiled tirelessly, delivering groceries, scrubbing away grime, tending to animals, and performing a myriad of other chores. Their muscles ached and their brows glistened with sweat as they worked relentlessly, their determination unwavering.

"We're....almost....done...." Enerida gasped, his breath coming in ragged bursts.

Shimisu let out a weary exhale, his energy nearly depleted. "Doing ALL of this without a break in between drains a man's life."

But Enerida refused to let exhaustion claim victory. "Let's just push to the end, and take a day's worth of sleeping after," he urged, his voice tinged with resolve.

Shimisu hesitated, the weariness weighing heavily upon him. "You know what, you can finish the rest," he relented, his admission laced with exhaustion.

Enerida's eyes widened in disbelief. "What do you mean? We need to do this together!"

Shimisu shook his head wearily. "Enerida, if I do another mission I might pass out. Besides, can't you energize yourself?"

Enerida nodded, his determination unyielding. "Yes, but it only energizes me, it doesn't give me energy."

Shimisu nodded in understanding. "Yeah, you can push through."

"Fine, but you're giving me a 60% cut of that money now," Enerida declared, his voice firm.

Shimisu nodded, accepting the terms without hesitation. "Deal."

With a swift motion, Enerida snatched a paper from the nearby table and darted off, his footsteps echoing in the quiet of the courtyard as he raced to complete their mission.

Shimisu reclined comfortably on the plush couch within the confines of the castle, a sigh of relief escaping his lips as he savored the momentary respite from their arduous tasks.

"Ah, my everything feels SO much better," he remarked, his voice carrying a hint of contentment.

A familiar voice interrupted his moment of relaxation, prompting Shimisu to sit up slightly, his attention drawn to the doorway where Pyta, the imposing figure of authority, now stood.

"Enjoying your break?" Pyta inquired, his tone carrying a mixture of curiosity and approval.

Shimisu nodded, a faint smile gracing his features. "Yea—Pyta!?"

The surprise in Shimisu's voice was evident as he registered Pyta's unexpected presence. Pyta simply chuckled in response, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"You didn't tell me that you were going to take a break, but I guess you've worked hard enough. Where's the other one?" Pyta inquired, his gaze penetrating as he sought information.

Shimisu shrugged nonchalantly. "He's still working."

Pyta nodded in acknowledgment, a sense of admiration evident in his expression. "He has some strength. I'm also on break, so how about this, I'll tell you the story of how I am here today."

Shimisu arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued by Pyta's sudden offer. "Why?"

Pyta's response was simple yet earnest. "So you could get to know me a little better."

Shimisu considered Pyta's proposal for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Alright, let me hear it," he conceded, settling back into the cushions of the couch, eager to learn more about the enigmatic figure before him.