Koe'ul and Warius strode along a worn path, near one of the University gardens and away from the bustling downtown of Eyrica. The gentle swaying of trees and the distant chirping of birds filled the silence between the two.
"Koe'ul," Warius began, breaking the silence, "I've been wondering about your thoughts on the missing FEA brigade. The entire realm seems to be talking about it."
Koe'ul squinted at the sunset, shielding his eyes with a gloved hand. He took a moment before replying, his tone uncharacteristically serious for a pirate. "There are whispers, Warius. Whispers of something dark and ancient at play."
Warius raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "And these whispers... they're what brought you back to Gorodia after all these years? And to help the princess?"
"Indeed," Koe'ul admitted, his gaze still focused on the ever-changing sky. "Something I couldn't ignore. You know me well enough – I sniff out a good story and I want to place myself in the middle of it."
The mention of their shared history reminded Warius of the tension between the two. In a past life the two were sworn enemies, but now it seems in this next chapter they might be companions.
"Remember those days when I was taking your bounty?" Warius asked, hoping to ease the tension by addressing things directly. "You were quite the elusive target."
Koe'ul chuckled softly, reminiscing happily at the thought. "You and every other bounty hunter thought that. In reality you just didn’t know where to look."
There was a brief pause, as Warius’ gaze drifted skyward. As they spoke, a large cargo airship left its docks and began soaring up into the sky above them.
"Would you ever go back?" Koe'ul suddenly asked. “To the sky life.”
Warius shook his head slowly, his eyes still locked on the distant zeppelins. "No, I can't. I've built a life for myself. I can't throw that all away again."
"Understandable," Koe'ul murmured, respecting Warius's decision.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the two men continued their walk through the gardens, unaware of where their duties would take them next.