The duo moved warily toward the small town. As they entered, they were greeted by an atmosphere greatly contrasting to their imagination. It wasn't lively, but regardless, many people walked through the streets, several old shops, and vendors trying to make ends meet. Ethan noticed the larger store that sold meat. The price was exorbitantly high, and he had only dreamt of indulging in fresh meat, just like he once callously consumed.

  "Finally." Said Ethan as began to count using his fingers, "Alright, we need..uhh. Someplace to stay, food, water.Oh come on! Where are we supposed to get all of this after we just entered into the damn town." Ethan thought for a second before suggesting, "Maybe we should ask around, someone should offer us something."

  "No shit Sherlock, there is nothing we can do right now without anyone's help and I'm sure you wouldn't enjoy doing manual labor the second we get in the town for some money, do you?", came the harsh reply from Caia.

  Ethan grimaced as he moved forward. They were running short on supplies and needed resources in any way, they did not have any money that they could use and without finding some work it would be well before they could buy anything.

  He frowned at their lack of food to satiate his hunger, and he kept on moving. The center of town was certainly functioning, it had a few shops and vendors with a small group of people thrown in for good measure. On the surface, it seemed like a normal town until he started to notice the minor details, barely standing and rusty stands, makeshift sets up that provided services for running errands asking for extremely low sums of money in exchange, the old and ragged clothes the people wore along with their faces that were stuck in a state of gloom and hope.

  They knew their situation was not favorable, but it could be worse, that was the only thing keeping the townsfolk moving forward. Maybe it was out of spite, desperation, hope, or love for the people they cared about, many people kept on living their lives hoping it would get better even if just a little the next day.

  The life of hope that drove them forward or was it just a way of convincing themselves that their suffering will amount to something greater, something greater than just an endless trial that confines them to their lives of uncertain faith and optimism. Whatever it maybe be, it was their reason to live on.

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  Ethan's gaze was lingering on the people outside their homes working in any way they can to survive. He looked at the vendors who despite being not adequate with their supplies tried to make a profit in any way they could, he passed by a man clutching a handful of coins, turning them over in his palm as if debating whether they were worth spending at all.

  While continuing onwards, Ethan notices Caia's slower pace as if she was not very comfortable by her surroundings.

  "What the hell happened to you? Frozen in fear now? I don't recall cowardice ever being useful."

  Caia's eyes narrowed as she replied in a low voice and apologetic tone, "I'm sorry"

  Ethan's face expressed slight surprise as he raised his eyebrows, he decided not to press further.

  Both of them moved through the town still searching for anything that could be of use to them.

  Ethan suggested to split up so that they could discover anything useful, and they agreed to meet up at a checkpoint near a relay station in a prominent area of the town. Initially unaware of the name of town, they also discovered that it was called, "Kriheira".

  "Do you think splitting up is a good option?" Caia voiced her concern and hesitance.

  "Do ya think we can achieve anything otherwise??"

  Caia agreed albeit reluctantly. Ethan departed with Caia as he pressed on towards the centre of the town.

  Bothered by the lack of anything edible he was searching for anything that could be of use to him. He saw a number of people looking pale yet still working, hearing the townsfolk talking about their vexation regarding the gradual hike in prices and how fever was affecting a large part of them.

  "This Place really lacks clean water huh?" Ethan thought to himself. As he was about to continue, he felt a ball land on his feet. He saw a small flock of children rush to him. He flinched at the sight but returned their possession to them whilst hiding his subtle feeling of uneasiness upon seeing them. They resembled someone he had known and it always served as a reminder of his failures.

  Ethan continued as he finally stumbled upon a spacious clearing, a small market with some shops at its corners. Approaching one of them he commented internally about its lack of customers, almost as if people were avoiding it. Ethan couldn't do anything even if he went to the shop as he was broke beyond compare.

  He looked around the shop noticing the inconsistency of the landscape that was afflicted with some small depressions. Some were filled with water that had appeared murky, almost as if it had been sitting for multiple weeks on end.

  "I suppose that could work".

  Idk about you guys but I'm bored af