That day, Adam became known as the kicking donkey. It wasn't a good nickname. It was one that came about from one of the low level donkeys harming a superior.
"Look, it's the kicking donkey." [Passing Soldier]
Adam had to do his usual duties listening to whispers behind his back. That day, Krino's weight had broken Captain Kumre's hand. This led to a punishment of only doing menial chores everyday.
"Hey, kicking donkey. Wash this too." [Passing Soldier]
A soldier threw a uniform into Adam's arms, who only sighed and did as he was told. He didn't feel like getting into another mess.
"Drop the clothes and give him a beating. Then, no one will mess with you." [Astos]
("Do you think violence solves everything?") [Adam]
"It solves almost everything. This is one of them." [Astos]
Adam shook his head as he walked to the tent with washing machines. There were a few people inside, but they quickly cleared the area when Adam walked in.
"Seems you're not very well liked." [Krino]
("No thanks to you. Can't say I enjoy being everyone's errand boy.") [Adam]
"Eh, it'll pass." [Krino]
("Easy for you to say.") [Adam]
He threw the soldier's uniform into the washer with frustration.
"Woah, what did that uniform do to you?" [Brandon]
Standing at the entrance of the tent, Brandon smiled.
"Nothing much. Just some jackass wanting me to wash it for him." [Adam]
"I'm surprised you didn't just kick his ass." [Brandon]
"Me too." [Adam]
It took Adam's all to reign in his anger. Every day. Every. Single. Day. Since Kumre's injury, soldiers would get Adam to do their chores and it was making Adam feel a little more than annoyed.
"Is this what they call… hazing?" [Krino]
("Don't know, but I feel like I might swing on the next guy who does it.") [Adam]
Brandon waved in Adam's face.
"Hello? You in there?" [Brandon]
Adam pushed his hand away.
"I'm here. I was just… daydreaming for a bit." [Adam]
"Oh. Anyways, wanna come visit Sora with me? I hear that he's awake." [Brandon]
"Really? Okay, let's go!" [Adam]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
They found Sora lying in a white bed inside a hospital. Originally, they didn't allow visitors due to the risk of infection from an unknown energy emitted from Sora's wounds, but it seemed fine now.
"How are you?" [Adam]
Adam's eyes narrowed as he looked at the numerous bandages that covered Sora's body.
"...Could be better. Still can't move very well though." [Sora]
He tried to lift his arms, but Adam gently pushed him down.
"Don't move. Just rest." [Adam]
Sora smiled.
"You're so caring. Maybe I should get injured more often." [Sora]
"Don't joke about that. I'm not a big fan of seeing my friends hurt." [Adam]
"I understand. Ah, by the way, where's Brandon?" [Sora]
Brandon stepped into view.
"I've been here this whole time." [Brandon]
"Were you now?" [Sora]
"...Am I really that invisible?" [Brandon]
Sora chuckled.
"I'm joking. How's military life treating you guys?" [Sora]
"It's okay for me, but for Adam…? Hoo boy…" [Brandon]
Sora raised a brow.
"...Is there something I missed?" [Sora]
"Yeah. There was this one incident that got Adam the nickname of the "kicking donkey". Funny, right?" [Brandon]
"The… kicking donkey. How?" [Sora]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Brandon recounted the events of the week, speaking of how Adam revealed the possession of a Soul Weapon to Captain Kumre and of how he managed to injure him.
"It makes Adam sound like Thor and Krino like Mjolnir." [Sora]
"What? I'm nothing like… Huh." [Adam]
The lightning and thunder attribute made Adam rethink his words.
"More like a discount version of Thor. Can't really say Adam is god of thunder material." [Brandon]
"I disagree with this mortal. If you were to drink mead like a buffoon, you would be very similar to that god of thunder." [Astos]
("...You know Thor?") [Adam]
"Of course I know him. The one known as the giant killer. Always overshadowed by his father, and forever attached to his silly hammer." [Astos]
Adam felt it odd that this entity within him knew other gods on perhaps a personal level. Then again, it was a self-proclaimed god too.
"By the way, you two aren't abandoning your duties visiting me are you?" [Sora]
"I'm on break." [Brandon]
"Oh, I'm a hundred percent abandoning right now. I honestly couldn't care less." [Adam]
Sora gave Adam a stern look.
"Adam…" [Sora]
"Hey, I'd rather not go back to being an errand boy." [Adam]
Brandon nodded.
"I agree with that." [Brandon]
As the three spoke, there was a knock on the hospital room door.
"Hello?" [???]
Peeking a head in, it was Sergeant Randy.
"Ah, looks like you got caught slacking." [Sora]
"Man…" [Adam]
Sergeant Randy seemed confused.
"...What are you guys talking about?" [Sergeant Randy]
Quickly realizing Randy didn't know Adam was ditching work, the three attempted to cover it up.
"Nothing much. Just talking about stuff we did at school." [Brandon]
Sergeant Randy passed a gaze over the three with suspicion, but let it go.
"Not sure what you guys are up to… but Adam, you're being called." [Sergeant Randy]
"...I am? By who?" [Adam]
Sergeant Randy shrugged.
"No clue. Just come." [Sergeant Randy]
Adam began to feel anxious.
("If I'm in trouble again, I'll just blame Krino.") [Adam]