The air at the shrine was fresh, but the atmosphere felt stale. Kian and Jay sat on the steps of the wooden shrine, their legs stretched out in front of them. The sun was high, casting warm rays that made the place seem serene and peaceful. But for Kian and Jay, the calmness was starting to feel like boredom.
Jay had followed Kian to the shrine, even though he wasn't in any trouble. The headmaster hadn't sent him there for discipline like Kian, but Jay couldn't let his friend go alone. So here they were, in the middle of nowhere, miles away from the lively school life they were used to. The priest, a man in his thirties or maybe forties, had been their only company.
"Man, I'm getting sick of this place," Jay muttered, picking at the wooden step with his fingers. "All we do is chores, eat vegetables, and listen to the priest's lectures. I need some action."
Kian, always the more laid-back of the two, shrugged. "At least the view is nice," he said, nodding toward the mountains that surrounded the shrine. The peaks were capped with snow, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of pine trees.
Kian rolled his eyes. "The view's nice for the first few days, but it's been over a week. I feel like I'm losing my mind here. We've got to do something before I go crazy."
As if on cue, the shrine's priest appeared at the doorway. He was a tall man, with a calm demeanor that made him seem older than he probably was. His hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and his robes were simple but clean. Despite his serious look, there was always a hint of a smile in his eyes.
"Trouble finding something to do?" the priest asked, his voice carrying the tone of someone who had overheard their conversation.
Kian straightened up, not wanting to appear too restless, but he couldn't hide his frustration. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."
The priest nodded, as if he had expected this. "There's a village not too far from here, down by the mountain. It's a small place, but the people there are preparing for their annual fishing competition. It's a big event for them."
Kian's ears perked up at the mention of a competition. "A fishing competition? That sounds… interesting."
The priest smiled, seeing the spark of interest in Kian's eyes. "It's not just any fishing competition. There's a lake near the village .The lake has some of the biggest fish you'll ever see. But it's not easy to catch them. The villagers say that the fish are wise-they've learned how to avoid even the most skilled fishermen."
Jay, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. "So, you're saying we should go check it out?"
The priest gave a small nod. "It might be a good change of pace for you two. The competition is in a few days. You could go to the village, learn a thing or two, and maybe even try your hand at fishing."
Kian and Jay exchanged glances. This was exactly the kind of distraction they needed. Something challenging, something that would get their minds off the monotony of shrine life.
"What do you think?" Kian asked, already knowing what Jay's answer would be.
Jay grinned. "I'm in. Beats sitting around here."
The priest seemed pleased with their decision. "Good. I'll give you directions to the village. It's a bit of a walk, but you'll find it easily enough if you follow the path down the mountain. And when you're there, be respectful to the villagers. They're kind people, but they take their fishing seriously."
Kian nodded eagerly. "Got it. Thanks, priest."
The priest gave them a small bow. "Enjoy yourselves, but remember—fishing isn't just about catching fish. It's about patience, understanding the water, and respecting the life that lives within it."
Kian and Jay were already half-listening, their minds racing with thoughts of the upcoming adventure. The priest smiled to himself as he watched them leave the shrine, their spirits lifted by the promise of something new.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The path down the mountain was rugged but well-worn, a testament to the many travelers who had walked it before. Kian and Jay moved quickly, their excitement propelling them forward. The dense forest around them was alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, and the occasional shaft of sunlight broke through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the ground.
"So, what do you know about fishing?" Jay asked as they walked, kicking a loose stone down the path.
Kian shrugged. "Not much, to be honest. I've done a little bit of fishing back home, but nothing serious. This will be different, though. I mean, how hard can it be?"
Jay chuckled. "Probably harder than we think. But that's what makes it fun, right?"
Kian grinned. "Exactly. And who knows? Maybe we'll end up catching the biggest fish in the lake. Wouldn't that be something?"
As they continued their descent, the air grew cooler, and the trees began to thin out. Soon, they could hear the faint sound of water in the distance. The path leveled out, and before long, they emerged from the forest and found themselves standing at the edge of a picturesque village.
The village was small, with wooden houses clustered together along the shore of a large, clear lake. The water sparkled in the sunlight, and the surrounding mountains reflected off its surface, creating a stunning backdrop. Villagers bustled about, preparing for the upcoming competition. There was an air of excitement in the village, a sense of anticipation that was infectious.
Kian and Jay took a moment to take in the scene. It was a far cry from the stillness of the shrine, and they both felt a surge of energy.
"This place is awesome," Kian said, his eyes wide with wonder.
Jay nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's really cool. And look at that lake—it's huge. No wonder they have a fishing competition here."
They made their way into the village, drawing a few curious glances from the locals. As they wandered through the narrow streets, they saw vendors setting up stalls with fishing gear, snacks, and other goods. Children ran around excitedly, their laughter ringing through the air.
Kian spotted a group of older men sitting by the lake, their fishing rods resting beside them as they chatted. He nudged Jay and pointed them out. "Let's go talk to those guys. They probably know everything there is to know about fishing here."
Jay agreed, and they approached the group. The men looked up as they neared, their faces weathered but friendly.
"Good afternoon," Kian said, giving them a polite nod. "We're new around here and heard about the fishing competition. We were wondering if you could give us some tips?"
One of the men, who seemed to be the oldest, squinted up at them. He had a thick white beard and a twinkle in his eye. "Tips, eh? You boys planning on entering the competition?"
Kian grinned. "That's the idea. We've done a little fishing before, but nothing like this."
The old man chuckled, a deep, hearty sound. "Well, you've come to the right place. This lake is known for its big fish, but they're not easy to catch. You'll need more than just luck to win the competition."
Another man, younger but still experienced-looking, nodded in agreement. "It's all about patience and knowing where to cast your line. The fish here are smart. They've seen every trick in the book, so you've got to be clever."
Jay listened intently, eager to soak up as much knowledge as he could. "What's the best spot to fish?"
The old man pointed to a small cove on the far side of the lake. "Over there, near the rocks. The big ones like to hide in the shadows during the day. But be careful—the water's deep, and the rocks can be slippery."
Kian and Jay exchanged glances. This was exactly the kind of challenge they were looking for.
"Thanks for the advice," Kian said, genuinely grateful. "We'll do our best."
The old man smiled, revealing a few missing teeth. "Good luck, boys. And remember—fishing isn't just about catching fish. It's about enjoying the time you spend doing it."
With that, Kian and Jay left the group and continued exploring the village. The excitement of the upcoming competition buzzed in the air, and they couldn't wait to get started.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the lake, Kian and Jay found a small inn where they could stay for the night. The innkeeper was a friendly woman who welcomed them with a smile and showed them to a cozy room overlooking the water.
After settling in, they headed back outside to watch the sunset by the lake. The water was calm, the surface reflecting the fiery colors of the sky. It was a perfect moment of peace before the competition began.
"Tomorrow's going to be awesome," Kian said, leaning back on his hands and staring out at the horizon.
Jay nodded, a content smile on his face. "Yeah, it's going to be fun. And even if we don't win, at least we'll have a good time."
Kian laughed. "Speak for yourself. I'm planning on winning."
Jay grinned. "We'll see about that."
They sat there in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the view and the gentle lapping of the water against the shore.