Whispers

"They are a core item in my plan," Akira's words hung in the air, their weight sinking in. Pioni's eyes widened in surprise, unable to contain his curiosity. "What plan?" he asked, his voice tinged with anticipation.

Akira's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Wait until you see," he replied, a playful glint in his eyes. He winked at Pioni before turning to Elizabeth. "Elie, buy tickets for both of them. They're with me."

Elizabeth nodded, her movements graceful and deliberate. She swiftly made her way towards the ticket booth, leaving a trail of whispered requests in her wake.

With Elizabeth gone, Akira turned to Ray, his expression easy-going. "Ray, get me something to drink. Maybe a juice." Ray, the ranger of Akira's team, nodded in acknowledgment and headed towards the counter.

As Ray placed their orders, Akira seized the moment to explain his daring scheme. "My plan is to infiltrate the Imperial Ball to get something REALLY important. The eyes are also important, but they come second on the list."

Pioni and Maki exchanged astonished glances. The magnitude of their mission was sinking in, and the gravity of their roles weighed heavily on their minds.

Their attempts to respond were momentarily halted by Ray's return, bearing four glasses of chilled juice. Pioni's curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't help but ask Ray about his role.

"I am the Ranger for Akira's team," Ray explained, his tone casual yet carrying an air of confidence.

"Oh," Pioni responded, his brow furrowing in confusion. "A ranger? But I don't see your bow or any other long-range weapon."

Akira's laughter filled the air, warm and comforting. "Ray is a skilled ranger that I scouted myself. He doesn't need a bow. He's skilled enough to throw a dagger from 70 meters and still hit his target."

Pioni and Maki were left in awe, exchanging impressed looks. Their newfound companions were proving to be a formidable team.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth observed the group from a distance, her gaze shrouded in inscrutable mystery.

As nightfall descended, they bid their farewells, each member going their separate ways. Akira's parting words lingered in Pioni's mind. "Oh, Pioni! Be here by 12 AM." Pioni nodded, determination in his eyes.

At the inn near the guild, Pioni and Maki settled into a room with two beds, seeking much-needed rest before the journey ahead.

The next morning brought with it a renewed sense of purpose. As they prepared to leave, Maki couldn't help but voice her concerns about Elizabeth. "Hey Pioni, that Elizabeth girl... Wasn't she a little awkward? It felt like she's up to something... I have a bad feeling about her."

Pioni met her gaze, his own steady and reassuring. "Don't worry! Akira chose them for his team, did he not? Akira is intelligent enough to know what's wrong and what's right. So just trust him!"

With newfound resolve, Pioni and Maki made their way to the guild. As they approached the gate, they spotted Akira, Ray, and Elizabeth standing together. The familiar faces greeted them, and a sense of camaraderie settled in.

Akira took the lead, outlining their route. "We will use the Root Forest, as that's the shortest route which will take us to the Enderl Empire in around a day. We'll take a little nap before night falls and arrive at the Empire around 6 PM."

Agreement echoed through the group, and they set off towards the Root Forest. Maki, still cautious about Elizabeth, walked close to Pioni. The forest awaited them, its ancient presence a silent witness to their journey.

To Be Continued...