Zoey and Harold were waiting patiently by a small cart filled with an assortment of fruits. They were both told that Caleb and Abby would meet them exactly where they were standing.

"Man. Did they flake on us? We’ve been waiting for so long I’m starting to get bored."

"I’m not sure. I don’t really feel safe out here in public. I’d prefer to just run around so I know nobody can catch me."

After a little bit more of waiting, Zoey recognized a familiar looing girl with short pink hair. Right next to her was young man with brown hair and large, lean muscles. Caleb and Abby had finally arrived.

"There you all are! I was starting to think you wouldn’t show up!"

Abby looked a little embarrassed.

"We’re very sorry. The fields were a little hard to get through today. Please forgive us."

"It’s okay, you two seem very nice anyway! I saw you two at the dinner the other night, but I never got the chance to talk with you both."

"Me too. Maybe this isn’t a bad idea after all."

Abby looked at Harold who was awkwardly hiding behind Zoey. Abby as completely clueless why he was so intimidated, so she moved Zoey out of the way and grabbed Harold’s hand. Harold jumped in surprise at the notion.

"You’re Harold, right? You looked really powerful at the spar! Do you think you can show me how to run that fast sometime?"

Abby was smiling very brightly while Harold’s face seemed to be horrified. He stammered on his words as he responded.

"I- uh... Yah, I can sure do that for sure... I-It’s nice to meet you up close, you’re very... you looked very strong as well."

Abby started laughing lightly. Harold didn’t know why, but her voice was so angelic to him. He couldn’t help but pay attention to every word she said.

"You’re very sweet. I didn’t even fight!"

Harold started to slightly blush.

"I just meant uh... you looked- I mean you look very strong."

"Thank you. I’m happy we could get to know each other better!"

Caleb walked up to Zoey and shook her hand firmly. Zoey’s eye’s widened when he shook.

"Damn, you got the grip strength of a monster! It felt like you could have easily crushed my hand!"

Caleb simply smiled.

"It’s just what comes with the job. It’s not easy lifting heavy every day. It’s nice to meet you both."

Zoey started twirling her hair with one hand while her other rested on her hip.

"Say, what should we even do today? How are we supposed to know what the kingdom need helps with?"

Caleb stood next to her and started looking around. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"I’m not really sure. Maybe we can ask around a bit."

"That sounds like a good idea. I’ll lead the way."

Zoey started walking toward a large plaza with a bunch of shops. Caleb followed close behind as she walked. Abby was a little late to follow them, but noticed Harold was a little hesitant about walking away. His bright blue eyes just simply stared at Abby. Without paying much mind to it, she grabbed his hand and dragged him forward.

"Come on Harold, we need to catch up! I thought you were supposed to be the fast one?!"

Harold snapped out of his daze but let Abby guide him with her hand.

"S-sorry. I think I just got a bit distracted."

Abby smirked and looked back while walking.

"Oh? Am I that attractive to you?"

Harold’s face turned a bright shade of red.

"Y-Yes! I mean, no! I mean yes! No wait-"

Abby simply laughed.

"I like you. You’re going to stick by me now."

"O-Okay."

The group walked into the large gathering of people. Zoey started talking with one of the shop owners.

"Hey, old fart, I’m talking to you!"

An old man turned around in his stand.

"Pardon me?"

"We’re from the noble clans and we’re going to help you today! Count your lucky stars! HAHA!"

Zoey puffed out her chest proudly as she gave her short speech.

"No thank you. I do not need help with anything today. But I really appreciate it!"

Zoey grabbed the man by his shirt.

"Whaaaaat?! What do you mean you don’t need help?! You’re old and decrepit! Of course you need our help!"

Caleb came over and put a hand on Zoey’s shoulder.

"Uh, Zoey? Maybe we should just leave him alone."

"He’s tricking us! He just doesn’t want us here!"

"I’m terribly sorry sir. We’ll leave you alone."

Caleb grabbed Zoey and threw her over his shoulder and started walking away.

"You win this time old man! I’ll be back! That’s a promise!!"

Zoey tried squirming her way out in a last-ditch effort to give the old man a few more words, to no avail. After creating some distance Caleb set her down.

"Maybe I should do the talking."

Caleb walked up to a middle-aged woman working in a shoe shop. She was running the shop with her husband. They seemed to be swamped in work.

"Pardon me ma’am, but are you guys in need of-"

Caleb stopped.

"Wait a minute. I recognize you two! You’re Thomas! The guy who cheated on my sister! And this is the woman you cheated on her with!"

It was Zoey’s turn to intervene. She grabbed Caleb, lifted him over her shoulder while he tried to break free, and left the shop.

"You bastard! I’ll make you pay! You hear me?! I’ll be back!!"

Once again, they had to create distance between the shops and choose something else. Caleb coughed in his fist.

"Unlucky choice. Please give me another chance."

Abby interjected, still holding on to Harold’s hand.

"Let me try!"

She led the group in a hardware store. There was a man who didn’t seem busy, but he seemed stressed out.

"Howdy, sir! Me and my boyfriend here were looking for people to help out! Do you need help with anything?"

Harold straightened himself.

"B-Boyfriend?!"

Then he passed out, while Abby still held on to his hand, so he didn’t hit the ground.

"You people are nobles, correct? I could use some help with something if you don’t mind."

"Anything at all! Feel free to ask!"

The man adjusted his eye-path and pressed something behind the counter with a click. Behind him, a small door appeared that seemed to have a passage that led downward. Zoey whispered into Caleb’s ear.

"I’m not sure I like this. This guy is creeping me out."

"It’s okay, we’ve been looking for something to help with. Besides, we all have extremely powerful abilities. We’ll be fine."

Abby started smiling and dragged Harold down the passage with her. Zoey and Caleb followed soon. After walking in the darkness for a while, a small opening finally revealed itself. In the space, there were multiple people in dark robes wearing masks, huddled in a circle. All of their hoods were up as they faced each other.

"Hello! I’m Abby and this man who’s passed out is my new boyfriend! We’re here to help with whatever you need."

Zoey didn’t show it, but every instinct in her body was telling her to run. Caleb seemed to shake slightly as well, either out of anticipation or fear.

As the group turned their heads, their masks were much more visible in the torch light. It was a pitch-black skull with its mouth wide open, baring its teeth. In every crevice of the skull, there was nothing but a chilling darkness behind it.

One man stepped out from the circle and slowly walked toward Abby. He laid a hand on her... however, what touched her skin wasn’t a hand. It was the bones of one. A spine-chilling voice echoed out from behind the mask.

"You have helped us by coming here, nobles."

And just like that, Zoey, Abby, Caleb and Harold dissolved into nothingness.