As the first light of dawn filtered through the thin curtains of their small wooden shelter, Azad woke up hearing the birds chirping. Stretching lazily, he yawned and looked around. Ellie was already up, sitting at the edge of her bed, tying her boots. She had that determined look—another day, another task. Their new companion, Choco, a brown-colored dog with playful energy, was already awake, running in circles outside the door and chasing butterflies with his tail wagging.
"Morning," Azad grumbled, rubbing his eyes. "Can't we just sleep in a little more? That bed was too good to leave."
Ellie smirked as she stood up. "We've got work to do, Azad. You want food, right? We need to make a farm."
Azad blinked at her, confused. "Farm? There's plenty of meat running around the fields. What's the point of making a farm when we've got all these cows, sheep, and chickens just waiting for us to eat?"
Ellie rolled her eyes, walking towards the door where Choco was now barking at the animals in the field. "You'll make them extinct if you only eat meat. We need to manage them properly, breed them, take care of them."
Azad leaned back on his bed with a mischievous grin. "Yes, so we can eat them, right?"
Choco, as if understanding Azad's comment, gave a playful bark and darted off to chase a butterfly, his excitement uncontainable. Ellie chuckled as she opened the door. "Looks like even Choco is judging you now. Come on, get up. Focus. You're on farm duty today. While you do that I'm going to build us a proper house. We can't live in that little wooden box forever."
Azad groaned but finally rolled out of bed. "Alright, fine. But don't come crying to me when we run out of lamb chops."
Choco dashed ahead as Azad grabbed a hoe and headed toward the small patch of land near their house. It was fertile and ready for plowing, surrounded by tall grasses and scattered trees. Azad started carving out rows in the soil, the rhythmic scraping of the hoe mixing with the occasional moo or cluck from the animals nearby. Choco, never too far from the action, would stop to inspect Azad's work before darting off again to chase after a butterfly or investigate the nearby chickens.
Meanwhile, Ellie was already working hard, gathering wood and stone to begin construction. Azad glanced back at her occasionally, curious about what she was building. She worked with such precision, carefully placing wooden beams and stone blocks. Choco, sensing her focus, occasionally ran over to her side, offering his silent encouragement by wagging his tail enthusiastically before running off again.
As Azad continued planting seeds, he muttered, "A farm… we're becoming real farmers now, huh? I thought we were supposed to be adventurers."
Ellie's voice called out from behind him. "Farming is essential for survival, Azad. You'll thank me when you're not starving after eating all the cows!"
"Yeah, yeah," Azad replied, planting the last wheat seeds. He also created a small water source next to the crops, ensuring the land was irrigated. "This better grow fast. I'm not waiting forever to eat bread."
Ellie chuckled as she worked, her hands quick and efficient. "Luckily for you, crops here only take about three days to fully grow. You'll have your wheat soon enough."
While Azad finished the farm, Ellie's house began to take shape. It was far from the simple wooden shack they had started in. This was something else—sleek and modern, yet with the natural charm of wood and stone. The first floor featured a beautiful veranda, perfect for sitting and watching the landscape under the sunlight. Choco was already there, running around, occasionally hopping onto the unfinished steps and watching the scenery with curiosity.
The house was constructed of light-colored wood beams contrasting with the polished stone foundation. Large windows were placed strategically throughout, allowing sunlight to flood the interior. The open-concept floor plan had polished stone floors and a minimalistic design, functional yet elegant. A few simple furnishings—wooden chairs, a table—gave the place a homely, rustic feel.
The second floor had a cozy living space with even more windows and light-colored wooden walls. The house had a warm, inviting atmosphere, enhanced by the torches Ellie carefully placed along the outer walls. As the sun began to set, those torches would cast a soft, warm glow, making the house visible from afar and adding a touch of charm to the simple design.
Azad stood back and admired Ellie's work. Choco sat beside him, panting happily after a long day of running around. "You're going all out on this house, aren't you?"
Ellie smiled, wiping sweat from her forehead. "Well, I figured if we're going to stay here for a while, we might as well live comfortably."
"It's like you're building a mansion," Azad said, half-impressed, half-teasing. "Meanwhile, I'm out here plowing fields like a peasant."
Ellie laughed. "It's not a mansion, but it'll keep us safe, and more importantly, comfortable. Besides, the farm is important too, so don't get too lazy."
Choco barked in agreement, jumping up and spinning in place. Azad looked over at his freshly planted crops and shrugged. "I guess… though I'm still thinking about all that meat we could be grilling instead."
Ellie shook her head and leaned against the veranda railing, watching the animals in the field. "We'll grill meat too, don't worry. But trust me, when you have a nice warm loaf of bread to go with it, you'll be thanking me."
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden hue across the land as the animals roamed freely, their peaceful existence uninterrupted… for now. Choco, still full of energy, was running in circles, his ears flapping as he chased the last few butterflies of the day.
Azad and Ellie stood together, watching the beauty of the moment. Though modest, the farmhouse and the crops represented a small victory in their journey. They were building something of their own, carving out a space in this unpredictable world. For the first time in a long while, they felt like they were surviving, not just fighting to stay alive.
As the first stars began to twinkle in the evening sky, Ellie stretched. "Alright, we've done enough for today. Tomorrow, we'll start planning our next steps. But for now, let's enjoy what we've built."
Azad nodded, finally feeling the fatigue set in. Choco, now resting at his feet, let out a soft yawn. "Yeah… I think I could get used to this."
And for the first time in what felt like forever, they sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed a quiet evening while eating in their new home.