Believer

Chapter Seven

"We really need to repopulate this village."

Tommy says as they finally done fixing the well. Drista turns to him, sighing slightly. 

"That seems to be the hardest to work on. How are we going to increase the population? Made the NPCs bump uglies?" 

Drista said with a blank look, causing all 5 of them to burst out laughing. 

"I- I don't (wheeze) think that is going to work, Drista." Lani replies, trying to calm down. 

"What if we look around and invite villagers?" Purpled suggested. 

"That sounds most reasonable... And also dangerous. What if we accidentally invited a serial murderer into the village?" 

Athea replies as she pulls out some lunchbox and handed it to her brother and friends. 

"It just some sandwiches, by the way." She immediately added as Fundy impatient unlatched the lid. 

This time, it was Zenix who is guarding them. Garroth, Brian and Dale seems to be working on the patrol even harder now that the village is bigger. 

"Look, all I know that we need villagers. With how the village is expanding and the housing is more than enough, we are more than prepared to house some people. Not to mention, the community farm is going really well. Brendan seems to be working on it regularly. And we also helps out when we had nothing to do. Which means we have enough food sources. And with the automatic diamonds, emeralds and golds farm Fundy and Drista help me to build; thank you, by the way; means that the village finances are doing better. But we are lacking in populations, safety and workers." 

       Athea explains before taking a bite from her chicken ham sandwich. She pulls out another lunchbox before handing it to Zenix after realizing the man seem to be doing nothing other than standing still by their sides with Purpled eyeing him suspiciously. 

"She's right." Fundy said with his mouth full, earning a disgusted look from Lani before continues. 

"We need more guards, we can't always be here to protect the villagers. And we also need more villagers, so there will be people who take in the works to become farmers, butcherer, miners and so on. This village is 100% relaying on us, and that is dangerous." Tommy hums in thought. 

"...Because it mean that they could easily fall apart, especially if we are not there..." The blonde teen whispers and Athea nodded.

 "Okay, how about this. Since we can't leave this village unattended, three of will remain here and three of us will go look for more villagers." She suggested, earning nods from the others. 

"Well... I can't go. I need to works on the potions... And Emma did asks me to help her brew something to help Dale with his daily alcohol consumptions and hangovers." Athea flinched.

"...You going to brew that nasty cave root potion to help with his hangovers, aren't you?" Lani chuckles at the older brunette reaction before nodding. 

"Yup. It is the best brew to help with hangovers." 

"Yeah, but it taste like crap. I actually thought I was dying from the damn thing." 

They laughed at her words before continuing their discussion. 

"Well... I did said I was going to expand our underground farm... Maybe making the diamond farm a bit bigger..." 

Fundy trails off and Athea nodded in understanding. 

"Okay. Who else are staying?" Purpled lift his hand at her words.

"Me. I want to expand my house and enchant some armor." 

They all looked up to Purpled house, which is a UFO and looking so out of place in the village. 

"...I understand if you guys are going for modern concept. I even accept if someone build horrible houses out of dirt like Tommy once had... But why an UFO? J-just why?"

 Athea whispers, turning to look at Purpled with confusion and pain shown in her eyes.

 "What? I love to feel like I'm at home." 

"Doesn't mean you should build a fuc-" "Tommy!"

-page break-

      "Alright, do we have everything?" Athea asks, checking on Tommy and Drista. 

In the end, they were the one that come along on her trips since everyone else is too busy. 

"Yeah! We got enough food, drinks, our tent...And here comes your boyfriend." 

Tommy suddenly trails, earning a confuse look from her sister. 

"My what now?" The blonde male sighs, pointing behind her, causing her to frown slightly before turning around, only to see Garroth. She cursed slightly in surprise before glaring at Head Guard. 

"I swear... If you keep doing that, I will put a bell around you."

 Drista and Tommy laughed before went off to tend to their horses, probably spoiling them with apples again.  

"Garroth, how may I help you?" The brunette asks, shoving away her surprise and annoyance for the guard sudden presence. 

"Lord Purpled told me of your trip to bring more villagers to Phoenix Drop." Her smile falters slightly at what she read on his speech bubbles. 

" He did, huh? Oh well. I was planning to leave a letter at guard barracks for you or try to find you or any of the guards before leaving... I got to thank him for telling you." 

  Athea turned around to look at Tommy and Drista who both mounted their horses, waiting patiently for her. 

"I don't know how long this journey will take, but I will update with Fundy, Lani or Purpled frequently. Please, take care of the village while we are gone... And also made sure Purpled won't go overboard with his... House." 

She looks up at the hill where she and her family decide to resides at and frowned at the sight of the black, green and mostly purple UFO, floating above the hill, a single water lift serves as the way up and down. 

"I love my friends... Well, they are more of like family by this point, but that is just starting to really irked me and I don't even know how to fix it." 

Garroth shakes a bit, startling the brunette.

"Garroth... Are you... Chuckling?" 

She whispers, eyes wide with shock. NPCs wasn't suppose to shows emotions, no matter how many codes has been written, it just seem impossible. Even an AI NPC seem to be lacking in emotions. So, how? That very moment, the brunette did not get to questions her own thought or even got to denies it, for her brother, Tommy shouted for his sister to hurry up so they would not have to deal with what seem to be an upcoming storm. Athea immediately bid Garroth a goodbye and a good day before rushed to her own horse, mounting it hurriedly, glancing from her shoulder as they left Phoenix Drop. However, it does not matter... Because Athea soon dismissed it as her own exhaustion get the best of her.