Shinzo groaned, the gentle rocking of the ship making him drowsy. "I'm bored," he whined, hanging upside down from the bed. "When will we reach land?"
"It'll take about half a day or so," Paolo said, adjusting his reading glasses as he worked at the bedside table.
Shinzo groaned again. "Bored."
"Read a book," Paolo simply stated, not looking up from his work.
"No."
Paolo sighed. "Then don't bother me with your whining, I'm reading."
Shinzo huffed. "I didn't know you would be such a bookworm."
"Well there isn't much you know about me."
"Then tell me something."
"Ask me something, anything," Paolo said, slamming his book shut to pay attention to his needy vice-captain.
Shinzo stroked his chin then pointed at the chain on Paolo's neck. "How about that chain round your neck?"
Paolo smiled softly, lifting the chain up. "Where should I start with this chain?"
.....
"Children gather round. I'm going to tell a tale of wealth, fame, danger and adventure," Sapin chanted as the excited Deus Island children all gathered round the storytelling stump, Paolo and Amara being one of them. "This is about a man who travelled round the world seeking treasure, history and adventure. When everyone was sitting at home, he saw the joy in the outside and sought out danger and adventure."
Little Paolo grinned, too excited to stay in his seat. He loved Grandpa Sapin's stories and would always come to listen. "The name of the adventurer who took the whole world by the storm was Erin G. Rub. He challenged the world, daring them to take his title of greatest adventurer."
"Grandpa has anyone taken it yet?" one of the children asked.
Sapin smiled. "No one has amassed the wealth and fame that Erin got. The person who does that will become the greatest adventurer. To make adventure possible he established the very first adventure guild, the organization that governs over adventurers. Now, people from far and wide compete through gathering ranks and levels, the one reaching rank twenty receiving the title of greatest adventurer."
Paolo stood up, clapping excitedly. "Grandpa, I want to become an adventurer."
Amara jumped up, her hair bouncing along with her. "Me too, I'm going to become the greatest adventurer just like my grandpa."
Sapin smiled. "I know you kids can do it, but you have to work hard to be the greatest adventurer. You need to be strong both physically and mentally. Are the both of you ready?"
The two enthusiastic kids nodded and Sapin pat their head. "Then I wish you good luck."
Taking the island head's words to heart, the two trained for three years amassing strength that caused trouble for those on the island.
One day, Amara rode her bicycle with Paolo walking beside her. "I bet you can't catch up with me," she taunted.
Paolo stuck out his tongue. "I'll catch you."
Amara peddled really fast, speeding across the empty road with Paolo trying to catch up to her. As Amara peddled, she didn't notice a giant boulder blocking the path.
"Amara watch out!" Paolo yelled, stretching out his hand to stop her.
Amara's eyes widened, but it was too late. The bicycle collided, her fall from it anything but graceful. A stabbing pain rolled through her spine, her eyes watering. Everywhere hurt: her back, her head, everywhere. She couldn't stop screaming, the pain too much to bear.
Paolo stood frozen until her screams brought his legs to action, running back to the village to call for help. In a few minutes, the village doctors had arrived at the scene, placing the screaming girl on a stretcher.
Paolo couldn't move, the sounds of her screams blurring out into the distance. Sapin put his hand on the young boys shoulder, but he could hardly feel his skin touching his. The image of Amara hitting the rock burnt into his memory, scarring his poor heart.
Hours passed, but the torturous image still played in his head. Sapin and the rest of the islanders tried to reassure him that everything would be alright, but their assurances dulled out.
It wasn't until later that Paolo finally got to see her. He stepped into her hospital room, his heart beating on his ribcage. She looked out the window, not bothering to react to the sound of the door. Her eyes weren't focused on anything in particular, their loss of life worrying Paolo.
"Amara-"
"T-they said I have Paraplegia," she whispered, the words too poisonous to say out loud.
Paolo frowned. "What does that -"
She turned to him, her face stained with tears. "It means I can't walk again."
Paolo let out a wry laugh, the news too unbelievable for him to accept. "That's not possible. How?"
"The fall affected my spinal cord."
"What about our dream," Paolo whispered, walking towards her bed.
Her shoulder slumped, weight as heavy as the whole world crashing unto it. She sobbed heavily into her hands. "Everything I worked for is ruined. All that training and I won't even get to live my dream."
Paolo's eyes gathered moisture, the two weeping uncontrollably. The pain too much for their little hearts to carry. Paolo held her hand, kneeling in front of her. "Amara I promise. I'll take on both our dreams and become the greatest adventurer in the world."
Amara sniffled, biting down hard on her bottom lips. "Really."
"I promise," he croaked, kissing the back of her hand.
The young girl removed the cross-heart chain from her neck and hung it over Paolo's neck. "This is proof of our promise." Paolo tightened his grip on the chain and Amara hugged him, stroking his hair, holding back her tears. "Someday give it back to me as the greatest adventurer and that's a promise, Paolo."
.....
"That was a very heartwarming story."
Paolo smiled, twirling his chain. "Yes it is."
"I guess I really will help you become the greatest adventurer."
"Thank you Shinzo."
"I'm still bored though."
Paolo rolled his eyes, pushing his chair backwards. "Then let's go out for some fresh air."
The two left the room, heading to the main deck. They leaned on the railing, staring at the horizon. With their head held high and adventure on their minds, the ship sailed towards Alimas Island.