"Thanks," said Agnis happily. She smiled cheerfully as she bounced off the cart and followed after. Zeraph nodded towards Alan without giving any other words.
They weren't too far off from Tino's Egg Shop, just a couple blocks away. Agnis kept getting distracted by jewelry stands, and Zero had to pull her away. They passed many players buying clothes and trinkets or examining swords. Children ran up and down the road, shrieking with excitement. Knives were displayed here, spices there, and pots and pans were laid out in shiny rows.
Off in the distance the wooden building stood proudly next to the barber shop. Clouds of black smoke rose out from the chimney. A large wooden sign hung over the wooden door, and there was a potted plant wilting from lack of water.
The moment Tino caught a glimpse of Tino's Egg Shop, he bolted towards the store. Clay, Brook, and Eli followed right after. Zero, Zeraph, and Agnis strolled behind them, arriving a few moments later.
The front doorbell gave off a trilling noise as they entered. Zero saw the two brothers collapsed in a heartwarming embrace. Tino looked like a giant standing next to his younger brother. Players peered over curiously at the ruckus they were making. Their bawling sobs literally shook the whole pet shop.
"Brother!" Tyrell sobbed in his brother's arms. Streams of tears rolled non-stop and his snot covered his brother's shirt. Hiccupping a couple of times, he wiped his tears away. Snot was left behind. They separated as they looked upon each other happily.
"Where were you for so long? How did you even become a slave?" Tyrell grabbed Tino's shirt and looked upon his elder brother, appalled at the whole circumstance.
"That's a long story…" Tino lowered his voice as he tried not to grab more attention. He gazed away from Tyrell's intensive glare. Already a big crowd had formed around them and it was making him a bit nervous.
"I have all the time in the world. Here, sit down." Tyrell pulled out couple wooden chairs behind the counter. "Coco, manage the store, will you?" Tyrell directed his new helper. She was a petite water-elf player that had signed up for an apprenticeship with Tyrell. Her rosy cheeks glowed red as she smiled and saluted.
"Yes sir," she said with giddiness as her yellow pigtailed hair bounced up and down. Her girly, flowery pink dress fluffed up every time she bounced around. Coco raced towards the cash register and began calculating the price for the eggs that a customer was trying to buy.
"When did you get an apprentice?" asked Zero curiously. He hadn't seen her before.
"This morning. She came in asking for a job." Tyrell directed his attention back to his brother. "So what happened?" He pulled his chair closer to Tino. Tino scooted back as if he felt a bit crowded. Everyone got comfortable to listen to his story. Tyrell couldn't escape his brother's attention.
"It happened when I was exploring the edge of No Man's Land for possible new pet species to sell. I got ambushed by a group of black market slave traders." Tyrell quickly tried to finish off the conversation. His cheek twitched, and he shifted uncomfortably on the seat.
"So did you find anything?" Zero asked a bit curious. He noticed there were always new pets for sale every week. Who delivered the eggs, he didn't know.
"Yeah, I did." Tino pulled out from under his clothes a small golden egg the size of a quail's egg. Zero was amazed at how Tino had still kept it without it breaking.
"It took quite a bit of effort to keep that safe. I had it magically altered so the fat man couldn't find it," sighed Tino. "Getting my hands on one of these babies was difficult. I fought dozens of monsters to get this. You wouldn't believe how many there were." His voice was getting louder.
"So what's so special about this egg?" asked Tyrell, inching closer to have a look at the egg.
"That's the thing. I saw some kind of fiery red bird sitting on the nest. I think it you know one of those legendary birds." He whispered towards his brother. "A phoenix." His voice was so low when he stated that last word that everyone had to literally come in close to hear what he had to say.
"You jest." Tyrell eyes widen in disbelief.
"No. I swear it's true." Tino pounded one of his hand against his chest while the other cradled the egg.
Tyrell took the egg from Tino's hand and carefully inspected it under the light. A bird-like being moved in its shell, its small heartbeat fluttering rapidly like a hummingbird's wings.
"Well, if you say so; it's definitely an avian pet," said Tyrell. He handed it back to Tino.
Tino carefully handled it white it was being transferred back to him.
"Zero, you truly are an extraordinary being. I'm extremely impressed that you even managed to bring my brother here. Thank you both; you have my eternal gratitude." Tyrell got up and bowed to Agnis and Zero. Zero flashed Tyrell a warm smile. Tyrell headed towards the back of the room and brought forth a container the size of a musical box. On the surface of the lid was a detailed design of a Celtic knot.
"I don't have anything truly extraordinary to give you, but this is the most valuable thing that we have." Tyrell handed him the box. Slowly opening it, Zero's grin fell. Inside it were heavily packed seeds of different sizes. It radiated with a sparkly, golden light that illuminated his face. Zero stared dumbfounded at his reward. This was not what he was expecting. Money was what he wanted, not seeds.
Seeds? Who in their right mind gives seeds for a reward? He silently cursed up a storm. Though I wonder what kind of seed this is. He curiously peered into the box. His library of personal database of plants has grown to 450 different varieties. Having one more wouldn't hurt. Slowly closing the lid, he gave Tyrell the biggest smile he could muster without it looking odd, hoping it wouldn't break apart. "Thank you," he said with a strained voice.
In the background, Zeraph tried to hold back his laugh. Zero gave him a glare to silence him.
"That seed is really special. One seed can grow an acre of freshly produced food in less than a week." Tyrell beamed cheerfully at Zero as though he might have given him something really special. Zero put the box away into his bracelet.
Ding!
Quest for Woe of the Pet Trader has been completed.
You have gained the appreciation and the complete trust of Tyrell and Tino. The doors are always open to any pet shops you come across. Large discounts for any pet and pet items that you buy.
Six loud continuous rings were heard as both Agnis and Zero gained levels. They were both surprised—completing this quest had earned them each six levels.
Tino handed Agnis the small egg that he had found in No Man's Land.
"I must thank you, too. I know this isn't much, but I think this will do well with the right owner."
"Please keep it safe." Tino patted her hand a couple times, trying to reassure himself that the egg would go with a good owner. On the other hand, Zero thought that egg was doomed.
Run for your life, egg! I feel so bad for you, thought Zero with unease for the new friend that they would have. Agnis almost dropped it from shock. She was so happy that no words came out of her mouth.
"Hello again, Sir Zeraph. I'm surprised you are here with these two today. What an unexpected meeting," said Tyrell. Zeraph nodded and continued to watch silently.
"To celebrate this joyous occasion, I would like to throw a party at my house. Come by and have dinner. All of you. Before you go, I have another request for you, Zero. Do you mind hearing it?" Tyrell eyes begged him to take the new quest.
"Fine." Zero grinded his teeth at the thought of the possible low payment that he might receive.
Tyrell handed him a torn page with an ancient hieroglyphic message written on it. "Take this to the librarian Garret at the Royal Library that's close to the northeast of the castle next to the resurrection site. If you show him the page, he will know what to do with it." Tyrell handed him the torn page.
Ding!
Quest has been accepted.
Meet with the librarian GarrettReturn the ancient torn page to the librarian Garrett. The torn page has some unknown hieroglyphic and has some strange magic surrounding it. Be careful not to get it wet. The Royal Library is located near the northeast side of the castle.
Difficulty Level: E
Reward: Possibly a book or some ancient magic.
Failure: Tino will not give you any more quests and your association between Tino and you will fall tremendously.
"Just over a simple page my association drops?" Zero stood stunned. He could not believe their good standings would plummet over something so small.
"This time I didn't get the quest," replied Agnis. "I'm guessing that was the only one that needed another person." She peered over his shoulder, trying to read the torn page.
"Well, we will see you guys at dinnertime." Tino and Tyrell shook each of their hands. Tino lightly punched Zero in the shoulder as he gave him a thumbs-up. Zero rubbed his shoulder as he felt the sting.
"What about the rest?" Zero glanced at Clay, Eli, and Brook.
"Don't worry about them. They'll be taken care of here," Tyrell replied cheerfully. It seemed that he had something in mind for them.
Zero, Agnis, and Zeraph left the pet store feeling a bit dazed at what had transpired. The whole day felt like it flashed in front of their eyes.
"I don't know about you, but I feel completely exhausted. Let's rest until night falls," said Zero with a wide yawn.
"Yeah, agreed," replied Agnis. She stretched to the point her belly button was showing.
"I'm actually with you on that one," replied Zeraph as he yawned.
Their long journey finally was at its closure, and a rest seemed blissful. Agnis and Zeraph headed out the door first as they talked to one another as they left without specifying anything. They went a bit ahead, while Zero followed behind, deep in thought.
As they turned right into an alleyway towards an inn, Zero felt an intense blood lust aimed directly towards him. His skin crawled with goose bumps that made him shiver.
In that split second, as he turned his head towards the source, all he saw was a glint of a silver knife soaked in his blood, and his vision went completely white.