The warmth of a hand contrasts against the cool night air, the quiet rustle of fabric right next to their ears and the gusts of wind rustling the pine trees leaves are the only sounds that have been made since the person appeared.
Qiony and Evelyn had not dared to breath until their lungs gave out, forcing them to take quick breaths.
It is only when they take their first breaths that the voice of someone who sounds not a year older than them abruptly cuts the silence like it wasn't there.
"Hello Evelyn and Chi- hold on I'll get it correct, uhh."
The man audibly sighs, and a hand is lifted from Evelyn's shoulder. While he thinks the trio continue on their way in palpable silence.
"Johnny, that is how that bizzare spelling is pronounced right?"
(Damn gramps, sleeping at the worst possible time.)
[Fuck you too my dear grandkid, I may be a 'god' but I dare not to triffle with the messengers of other gods.]
(The- there's more god vessels?)
[I told you not to disturb my sleep yet you still do, and I feel like you will continue to do so. So yes, every minor god, higher god, and even some of the demigods have at least one messenger.]
Qiony, has a look of confusion on his face, and despite only being able to look at the back of his head the person seems to notice.
"Now, now, I am being such a friendly guy aren't I? If I were here to take you to serve Ity It I would have already done so. The fact they chose such lame excuses to take you two in though, does that really mean you are evolved rain walkers?"
The person mumbles something about what that would make their new names then but disregards the fact. He's silent for a few moments before continuing in his friendly, seemingly happy tone.
"Well, I'm not gonna let people of your luck go just like that."
Before they get the opportunity to speak they see a flash of light. With every breath they take the salty smell of a sea breeze enters their nose, and the warmth of the sun hits their skin.
"Well, make yourself at home I guess. You're now under the employment of the Kidnap Club."
They stand there in a daze, with them immediately alarmed.
"A JOB!?!"
"That's what you're worried about? God, this makes me feel 312, back in my day if you weren't employed you were dead weight."
He looks towards the cloudless sky and the fast waves with no land in sight beyond the horizon.
He sighs then finally looks towards the mountain. A building that appears to be chiseled from a single mountain of marble is painted grey from the mountain shade.
"Come on, I'll tour you around before Vera takes you... never mind, you're on your own for that."
Qiony whispers to Evelyn, keeping his voice hushed in hopes that the guy doesn't hear him.
"Guess we have to go to our job training, unless the useless god wakes up we aren't getting out of here."
They sigh with dejectedly and trudge towards the marble building.
Inside of the hall it is first covered in shadows, lightless and pitch black.
With their first steps it splashes into a thin veil of water on the floor, the ripples glow, spreading throughout the water, the water itself starting to glow.
"Qiony carry me please~"
"It's just a bit of water you'll be fine."
The guy looks at them, watching Evelyn's face of faked dejection and Qiony's face of yet another triumph. He exagerates his confusion by tilting his head.
"So, what is the exact story between you two? Reunited childhood friends? Love at first sight? I'm guessing you're the clumsy one who fell first, but then she fell on top of you and fell harder."
In the middle of the hall surrounded by the iridescent waters is an island with a singular maple tree, this maple tree has white bark, and it looks barely bigger than a shed at its base.
"Anyways, despite looking spatious we are still undergoing renevations, so this tree is your room for now. Also yes, I like reading "romance" so I am forcing you two into the same room."
(What kind of romance is this psycho talking about? Forcing people into the same room isn't romance.)
Without a chance to voice objections the man lifts them up with extreme ease, as easy as your heart pumping, and just tosses them into the tree.
He clasps his hands together, and a door that appears to be carved from solid stone rises from the ground.
The silence is just as loud as it was back when the man first arrived, only for it to be broken by the sound of a zipper and the crunching of crackers.
Qiony looks in the direction of the sound questioningly.
"What? I'm hungry, nobody made dinner y'know."
He looks away, embarassed and scratches his head.
"Yeah... I'm sorry about well, I guess it would be yesterday here. But I'm sorry for getting you roped into today."
She pauses for just a second, but a noticeable second. Her mouth opens, but this time none of her usual chatter about Qiony always being infatuated with her comes out.
"I swear you've said that earlier, oh well apologies accepted. Now help me set up the room, I know we packed mostly food, but we should have some blankets and care stuff "
(I'm suprised, this is like the first time she hasn't done her usual, I guess they are jokes even if they aren't funny.)
A hand reaches right through the solid stone, the shards of stone leaving cuts all over their faces, bodies, and clothes.
The boisterous and loud voice, echoes in the empty marble hall seemingly unable to be silenced.
"Alrighty kiddos, you must've heard from that free dipshit. My name is Vera, the staff trainer of our humble company the Laon Venture. You may have heard of me on the disaster prevention paper sometime, talking about how the Keeper of Hell is saving the day, right?"
Despite trying to keep concern out of her voice, she does really seem concerned about what they think.
"That's besides the point. I got one of my brothers weakest dogs, and since gods want their chosen, prophets, blessed whatever you want to call them to survive, you should have enough combat strength to beat it. Anyways training starts now good luck."
Sparks of fire erupt from the ground, a hole infinitely dark and bright rips itself into the space.
Just the single spark from the gate had caused them to blackout from sheer heat.
Vera who barely managed to take 2 steps away looks back, and clicks her tongue.
"Damn, maybe one of the, hm… would Miss Founder approve? I don't want to lose my connection to my God. If I ever need a business trip to Liuciela's borders I'll ask about those scaled beasts."
She crouches down and picks Evelyn and Qiony up with ease that makes it seem like they weigh nothing.
His eyelids slowly flutter open, the bright light of the sun heating his skin.
He lies there in pensive silence.
(Damn, what the hell even happened? I thought we were just fighting a dog.)
Despite whatever happened he feels perfectly fine other than a large weight on legs.
He rubs his eyes removing a bit of his remaining sleepiness.
In front of him is a women who has medium length gold hair that almost seems white from the sun. Each strand catching light send small strings of shadows across her pale face that seems to not have ever been touched by the sun.
She wears a white business suit that is barely lighter than her skin, and a symbol of a dragon and a seraphim taking the form of a biblically accurate angel.
She is gazing at the ocean's horizon and doesn't notice Qiony's small movements.
"Ah, so you're finally awake. Too put the analysis lightly it seems your God is just a lazy ass bum, while hers… it hasn't bestowed her a power. Life is just great, now I have to contact Durian Workshop and spend my Eos."
(What is Durian Workshop? Also I think I've known Endrit is a lazy-)
[Shut it kid, I've just been working on renaming your first ability. I'll have you know I do make mistakes on definitions, and I accidentally used scribe over scout.]
Qiony snaps out of his thoughts and looks at the back of Vera.
"I thought that mine was a great rebel, so why are you not just killing me?"
She throws a look over her shoulder pauses and sighs.
"I presume you're talking about Endrit. He is not part of the pantheon I've been blessed by so his matters do not matter to us."
She pauses and then continues speaking impatiently.
"I'll just explain everything to you once she wakes up, also you've only been asleep for about 20 minutes, I thought it would've been longer."
"I'll be going soon. I just need to know what combat skills you have, why your God picked you, all the relevant information for combat orders to tailor to you."
She stands up with a groan and stretches while waiting for Qiony's answer.
"What are you not gonna answer?"
"So… about all of that. I have no combat experience, my God was desperate, and I don't know what would be relevant."
"I'm out of here I'll just get you a gun. Guns themself can't be enchanted as the more moving parts there are the more fragile an enchantment just like how normal things work, but it should work against most things."
Before Qiony knows it light floods his eyes, blinding him and when he can see Vera is gone.
(So… should I just ignore the fact she is getting kids a gun?)
It's only now that he feels his numb legs from whatever has been on his legs.
"Hey Evelyn, wa-"
As he bends his back to shake her awake he just sees her staring him dead in the eyes.
"Before you say anything. It's comfortable, also Ms. Vera is just lazy, that is why she didn't explain too much about anything."
She puts a finger on her lips and then continues in an upbeat tone.
"I got a power after Cus was offended by Vera's bullying. I no longer have that story, but I do have an ability I'll show off later."
Qiony looks out the balcony after feeling a subtle breeze, that rolling hills of grass away with each gust and every now and then an island passes by the horizon.
"Is it okay if I asked you some questions Evelyn?"
She turns her head while lying on his lap and stares at the opposite end of the more complete looking marble room.
"I don't mind unless it's about when we are getting married, because the psychos who employed us are definently planning that day for us."
With the mention of a wedding day Qiony pictures Evelyn in a wedding dress which makes him unable to supress his curiosity.
"I guess if they weren't here, you'd be the one planning instead."
But instead of getting his expected response of her laughing or even changing the topic he almost chokes on his saliva after hearing her say, 'absolutely.'
"Anyways, even though I'd like to see you when that time comes, that is not what I wanted to ask about. So are you actually named Leis?"
It was almost as instant as how crazy everything has gotten since what was this morning.
"Nope, why would you ask that?"
Now her hazel eyes sparkle with the sunlight like a gem when she opens them and acts surprised by blinking.
"Well a few hours ago I realized that maybe we became friends so fast because we knew each other before, and it fell to my subconscious and then, um. So yeah that's why I asked."
"Nope, anyways it's time for equivalent exchange."
"Could I… potentially use you as a pillow a lot more in the future? Recently we've only been given rocks and bus floors and other things to sleep on."
(In strange places being close with friends is good I guess.)
Even though he acknowledges that it is a good idea he still feels reluctant to answer.
"Okay, I'll be your pillow. Now let's tour the island, we've been cooped up inside because of the crazy people."
She clings to his leg by hugging it.
"Just 5 more minutes."
Her tone is unusually serious, even more so than when they became wanted.
(I wonder what made her so upset.)
Qiony subconsciously moves his hand to her head and pats it like she is a real cat.
"Do you think we'll even make it to the end of the week Qiony?"
He looks at her, not wanting to picture either of them with their guts strewn about a blood soaked place.
"If we're lucky, then at least one of us will make it."
Her grips tightens her hold on his leg after he fails to reassure her.