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[SP-F22] Fishing Days | <<King of the Lakes>>


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Quest

"Aaaaand our final contestants: Lotus & Morningstar!"

The crowd didn't exactly go wild. A small crowd clapped from the lakeside, consisting primarily of old people and professional fishermen, but they kept their cheering to a minimum. Star took a deep breath as he approached the edge of the dock. He was glad he wore a jacket; it hid the sweat marks that were growing profusely underneath. He could perform in front of thousands, perfectly comfortable, but when faced with a dozen or so country folk, his nerves worked overtime.

Lotus was gentle, and reassuring. He placed a hand on Star's shoulder, smiling wide. "Let's do our best," he said, moving by to prepare his equipment. Unlike other competitors, he was dressed humbly. He used an old hand-me-down rod that had been in his family for three generations, and wore what he thought was comfiest for a long day at the lake: green robes and a straw hat. 

 
ayawfa7.png | MORNINGSTAR
 | Lv. 64 >> P. 31, Lv. 33
 | Status: [ grindin' ]

 Notes:
 //

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Step one: catch a Red-King Salamander. Not only would it score them some points, but they could use it as bait for their next catch. They had set their goals far higher than the rest of their competitors. The party before them pulled up something called an Azure Fangtooth, and the judges had rated it higher than the rest. Scores were based on size, rarity, and form. Star, unlike Lotus, was new to fishing. His form was lacking, and to counteract this, he set his sights on the biggest catch there was: the King of Lakes.

Simultaneously, the pair tossed their lines. They dipped in the water, sinking lower and lower until stillness returned to the lake. They waited; not a chirp came from the crowd as they huddled around the dock, watching. Then, something tugged at Lotus' rod. He reeled perfectly, and out came a large, fiery scaled salamander.

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Star angled arms for a sword art, letting the system take over as he sliced the salamander in two. That was his role on the team. He wasn't much of a fisherman, but he could swing a sword pretty well.

The halves of the Red-King were strung up on the ends of their rods, ready to be used as bait. They synchronized their tosses once more, the dead amphibian pieces slapping against the water in unison. Everyone watched and waited, too curious to speak. What would they catch? A Silverfin? An Ironjaw Crunchfish? Some type of giant toad?

No one in the crowd knew what to expect, all with their own theories in mind. The final team was a pair of underdogs; their gear was of low quality, and they had a combination of old age and inexperience between them. Compared to the other pros who were competing, they were the weakest choice for first place.

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There was a subtle twitch at the end of Morningstar’s line, so slight he almost missed it. His breath caught in his throat, and he shot a glance at Lotus. The older man nodded, his expression reassuring.

Morningstar began to reel in slowly, cautiously. The tension on the line grew with every turn of the handle. Whatever was on the other end, it was big—far bigger than anything he had felt before. The rod bent under the weight, and for a moment, he feared it might snap. The crowd murmured softly, the sound a blend of curiosity and disbelief.

“Steady now,” Lotus whispered, barely loud enough to be heard. “Let it tire itself out.”

Morningstar nodded. The line tugged hard, jerking him forward, but he held his ground. Beads of sweat formed on his brow. His muscles strained as he fought against the pull, his every movement calculated and precise.

The struggle seemed to go on forever, each second stretching into an eternity. Morningstar’s arms burned from the effort, but he didn’t let up. He could feel the creature’s power through the rod, a raw, primal force that challenged him with every twist and turn.

And then, finally, it broke the surface.

The fish erupted from the water in a spray of shimmering droplets, its massive form casting a shadow over the dock. The crowd gasped in unison, their eyes wide with awe. The fish was enormous, its scales a deep, iridescent orange that shimmered like the night sky. Its eyes, dark and angry locked onto Morningstar.

For a moment, time stood still. His breath hitched as he took in the sight before him. The crowd was stunned, in awe of what he had caught.

The King of Lakes was his.

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Morningstar barely had a moment to savor his victory before the King of Lakes began thrashing violently, its powerful body twisting with a strength that could snap bones. The dock creaked under the strain, the planks groaning as the massive fish fought for its freedom. The crowd's cheers turned into gasps of fear, and a few of the older spectators took a cautious step back.

He dropped his rod, and with a prepared gesture, signaled for Lotus to back up. When judges scored a participant's form, they looked at more than fishing technique. Combat was just as important. That was where Star came in.

Dying Sun materialized in his grip. He was in his element now, and his nerves washed away. In a fluid arc, he slashed the King of Lakes, leaving behind a string of red pixels along its scaled body. The crowd watched, and the King thrashed furiously.

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The King of Lakes roared in agony, its mighty form writhing with newfound rage as its once shimmering scales fragmented into pixels with each of Morningstar’s strikes. The creature’s enormous tail whipped across the dock, sending splinters flying and causing the entire platform to quake beneath Star’s feet. Despite the chaos, he stood firm, his expression calm and composed as he prepared his next move.

Lotus, shockingly agile for an old man, had already moved to a safer distance, watching from safety. Morningstar’s focus never wavered, his body moving with a hawk's precision, each step calculated, each strike deliberate. The King of Lakes was a fearsome opponent, but he had battled far worse in the depths of the game.

With a sharp inhale, Morningstar took a leap back as the King lunged, its maw snapping inches from where he had just been. The water surrounding the dock churned violently, spraying the air with mist and foam. Morningstar’s mind raced, calculating the beast’s weakened state. This wasn’t about overpowering the creature—it was about wearing it down, exploiting its injuries, and turning its strength against it.

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With one final, decisive move, Morningstar lunged forward, his blade flashing as it connected with the King’s underbelly, a weak spot he had been waiting for. The impact sent a shower of pixels erupting from the wound, and the King of Lakes let out a deafening cry before collapsing into the water with a resounding splash.

The crowd fell silent, watching as the once-mighty creature slowly dissolved into shimmering light. Morningstar straightened, his sword vanishing as he surveyed the scene. His victory was complete, but his mind had already shifted, wondering what their results would look like.

The crowd’s silence lingered for a moment longer before it erupted into applause, the dock now filled with cheers of awe and excitement. Morningstar barely acknowledged them, his eyes scanning the horizon. He found the judges, who held up their score. Ten's all across the board. Morningstar and Lotus were the tournament winners.

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Lotus, standing beside him, grinned widely and gave a slight nod of approval. They had done it—the tournament was theirs.

A booming voice from the announcer echoed across the arena. “And the champions of today's tournament, with flawless scores, Morningstar and Lotus!”

With that, the crowd surged forward, eager to catch a glimpse of the victors. Morningstar moved through them like a shadow, his mind elsewhere as Lotus followed, more than happy to soak in the glory for the both of them. A path opened before them as the festival attendants escorted the duo to the stage where their prize awaited.

On the platform sat a shimmering chest, encrusted with precious gems that sparkled under the light. The tournament's organizer, an older fellow dressed in nice clothes, lifted the lid, revealing a vast amount of gold coins. He offered them to Lotus, uninterested in col himself. The quest marked itself complete, and a new item appeared in his inventory: Filet of King, a keepsake for his victory over the lake beast.

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Lotus chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling with warmth as he approached Morningstar. In his arms was the large chest, filled to the brim with col. It looked heavy, but the old man carried it as if it were an empty box.

"Quite the pair, aren't we?" Lotus remarked, his voice carrying the weight of years, though his tone was light, almost playful. "We’ve known each other barely an hour, and yet here we are—victorious against opponents who have trained together for years."

Morningstar, still catching his breath from the intensity of the final bout, gave Lotus a sideways glance. "Wasn't expecting that," he admitted, his voice low but without hostility. "But... you're a damn good fisherman."

Lotus smiled, a kind and knowing expression that seemed to suggest he had seen many such victories in his long life, though not from battle. "I may not be much of a fighter," he said, folding his hands behind his back, "but sometimes, a calm mind is just as important as a sharp blade."

Morningstar gave a brief nod. "We made an efficient team."

"Efficient indeed," Lotus agreed with a wink. "Now, I suggest we enjoy this moment. After all, it’s not every day you celebrate victory with a stranger."

Morningstar allowed a small smirk to escape, the first real hint of amusement he had shown all day. "Guess not."

"The day is still young. Do you have the time for a few more catches?"

"It'd be my pleasure," Star agreed.

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The sun hung high above the horizon as Lotus and Morningstar sat side by side on a quiet dock. The former held a rod, while the latter wielded his sword. They had a strategy in place; Lotus would fish things up, and Morningstar would cut them down. It worked, and allowed them both to prioritize their strengths. The water shimmered with the fading light, and the occasional ripple suggested fish beneath the surface, though neither seemed too concerned about catching anything at all. The air was still, save for the soft sound of the waves lapping against the dock’s wood.

Lotus leaned back in his chair, the fishing rod balanced between his legs. "You know," he started, "I’ve always found fishing to be a lot like life. You cast your line, and sometimes you reel in something unexpected. Other times, you sit for hours, waiting for a bite that never comes."

Morningstar, his gaze fixed on the horizon, asked for clarity. "What do you mean?"

"Patience," Lotus said, and then he chuckled softly, reeling his line in a little. "Patience is an art. But then again, you strike me as someone who prefers action. Waiting for things to come to you probably feels like a waste of time."

Morningstar replied, "Depends on the day, really. Out in the field, tunnel vision's all too common. If I'm out for too long, sometimes I focus too much on the mission, and patience becomes the least important thing in the world. I try to stay present, though."

Lotus pulled up some fish, and Morningstar sliced through them.

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Lotus leaned back slightly, the line drifting lazily in the water. "You know," he said thoughtfully, "patience is one of those things you never truly master. You think you have it, and then life throws a new challenge your way to test it again."

"The trickiness of life," Star summarized.

"Yes. It is tricky," Lotus gestured to the lake. "Like casting a line into deep waters—you never know what you’ll catch, but you must always be ready to reel in the unexpected."

Star hummed in agreement. "You're very wise."

"Many think wisdom is simply knowing things, but it is much more than that. It is understanding things, and being able to admit when you don't."

Every once in a while, Lotus would reel in another fish. They were quick, and jolted about in the air. Morningstar was quicker, however, and cut through them before they had the opportunity to escape.

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Morningstar cleaned his blade on his sleeve, a habit that achieved nothing. "You spend a lot of time out here?"

Lotus smiled, his gaze soft on the water. "Ah, time... I spend it where it feels right. Out here, everything moves at its own pace. No rush, no worry."

Morningstar tilted his head. "You don't ever get bored?"

"Bored? No," Lotus chuckled warmly. "The world is full of little moments, my friend. You just have to be patient enough to notice them. Like how the light dances on the water or how the breeze feels different depending on the season."

Morningstar watched the lake for a moment, considering the stillness. "I suppose I never paid much attention to that."

"It’s easy to miss when we’re always moving forward, thinking about the next step." Lotus leaned back, letting the line drift lazily in the water. "But when you slow down, you realize—life isn’t just about where you're going. It’s also about where you are."

Morningstar nodded slowly. "And right now, we’re here."

"Exactly," Lotus said with a satisfied grin. "And that’s enough."

Lotus continued to pull up fish, and Morningstar continued to slice them up.

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Morningstar rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, staring out at the water. "I always feel like I'm wasting time, relaxing in places like this."

Lotus let out a soft laugh, the kind that warmed the air. "Ah, wasting time... such a curious idea. Time isn’t something to waste, not when you're living it. Whether you're catching fish or fighting on the frontlines, the time passes just the same."

Morningstar frowned slightly, eyes narrowing in thought. "I guess so. Are you saying that what we do doesn't matter?"

"Not at all," Lotus shook his head gently. "What we do matters, but how we feel while doing it matters even more. You see, fishing can be as meaningful as any quest, if it brings you peace. Purpose doesn’t always come from grand gestures—it can be found in quiet moments, too."

A group of fish leapt out of the water at them, and Morningstar sliced through them in a wide arc. They dropped into the large pile of fish on the dock. "Seems like you’ve found a lot of purpose today."

Lotus chuckled. "Perhaps. The lake has been generous today."

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Morningstar remained quiet for a moment, then asked, "You don't ever get restless doing this? Like, you don't feel the need to do more?"

"Sometimes I do," Lotus admitted, his voice soft. "But then I remind myself—there is always more to do, always another battle to fight, another goal to chase. It’s easy to get lost in that. But if you can learn to be still, even for a little while... well, you’ll find that the restlessness fades."

Morningstar watched him carefully, as though measuring his words. "And if it doesn’t?"

"Then you stand, you stretch, and you move again." Lotus smiled, his eyes twinkling. "But you never forget how to sit by the water."

Morningstar couldn't help but smile, impacted by the profoundness of the statement. Never forget how to sit by the water. Between fish, he pulled out his journal, writing down the quote to remember for later.

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Morningstar shifted slightly, watching the lake's surface ripple with the wind. "I’m not sure I’ve ever learned how to sit still like that. Always felt like if I wasn’t moving, I was falling behind."

Lotus gave him an empathetic smile. "Ah, the feeling that if you're not moving forward, you’re losing ground. Everyone gets it. But even a warrior must rest, or the sword grows heavy in their hand."

Morningstar exhaled, his gaze still distant. "It's ironic, considering I live on a beach.

Lotus laughed. "Quite. Not resting is like fighting with a dull blade. Eventually, it’ll give out," Lotus replied, reeling his line in slowly, almost absentmindedly. "The world moves whether you do or not. So why rush to meet it every time?"

Morningstar’s grip tightened on his sword, swinging precisely at a big fish. "I guess it’s easier to keep moving than to face what happens when you stop."

Lotus nodded quietly, understanding the weight behind those words. "When you stop, things catch up to you. Regrets, fears, doubts... They can be harder to fight than any quest boss."

"Exactly," Morningstar said, his voice quieter.

"But here's the thing," Lotus said, his tone warm, "just because they catch up to you, doesn’t mean they have to bring you down. Sometimes, stopping and facing those shadows is the only way to move forward without being haunted by them."

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"And what if the shadows are too much?"

"Then you face them one at a time. The way you would any enemy. And if you need to, you call for help. We are never as alone as we think we are."

Morningstar glanced at Lotus. "I never thought of it that way."

Lotus chuckled. "That’s the beauty of it, my friend. There’s always another way to see things, if you’re willing to look."

Morningstar shifted his weight, his gaze drifting back to the horizon. "You make it sound simple," he said.

Lotus let the silence hang in the air for a moment, then responded gently, "Simple? Maybe. Easy? Not at all. Turmoil can last a lifetime. But," he smiled softly, "the hardest paths often lead to the most worthwhile places."

"But what if you don’t know where the path is taking you?"

"There's nothing wrong with not knowing. Sometimes, it’s less about the destination and more about what you discover along the way."

Morningstar considered this. "Seems like wandering without a purpose."

"Purpose isn’t always clear at the start," Lotus replied, leaning back. "But every step has meaning, even if it’s not obvious right away."

Morningstar cut through another group of fish. "And if the path leads nowhere?"

"Then you’ve still walked it. And that’s enough."

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"Have you walked that path?" Morningstar asked.

"I’ve walked many paths, and none of them have been straight. But that’s the life, isn't it? It rarely gives us a map."

Morningstar’s eyes were locked on something moving beneath the lake. "Lots of circles and wrong turns."

"Maybe," Lotus said, shrugging lightly. "But circles and wrong turns aren’t always pointless. Sometimes, you find something new each time you pass by. Other times, you realize the place you started wasn’t so bad after all."

Lotus tilted his head, watching him. "And what about you, Morningstar? Where do you think your path will take you?"

Silence was broken by a flick of Star's sword and the sound of a fish smacking against the dock. "I'm not sure."

Lotus nodded. "Are you running from something?

Morningstar didn’t answer right away. His grip tightened slightly on the hilt of his sword. "Maybe. It’s hard to know sometimes."

Lotus smiled knowingly. "I understand that more than you think."

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"I've lost people. And I think about them a lot, even though it's been a long time."

Lotus reeled in his line slowly, glancing at Morningstar without pushing. "That’s natural. Some memories stick with you, no matter how far you go."

Morningstar didn’t respond immediately, as if looking for the right words. "It’s not just the memories. It’s the feeling that maybe I could’ve done more."

Lotus gave a small nod. "Regret is human. But what’s done is done. You can't change the past."

"Doesn't stop me from wondering," Morningstar muttered.

Lotus said, casting his line out again. "But you can't let it weigh you down. I think of it from the perspective of those we've lost. Would they want us to linger?"

"No. No, they wouldn't. But that doesn’t make it any easier," he stuck his blade through a leaping fish.

"No," Lotus agreed, watching his line disappear into the water. "It doesn’t."

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Morningstar’s let out a long breath. It was a relief after such a heavy conversation. "Thanks for talking with me."

Lotus smiled, pulling his empty line from the lake. "No need to thank me. Sometimes, it just helps to sit with someone who’s willing to listen."

Morningstar gave a small nod, sliding his sword away. "Maybe you’re right."

"Maybe," Lotus replied. "But whether I’m right or wrong, the company’s been good."

Star agreed. "Next time," he replied, "I’ll try catching more than just thoughts."

Lotus chuckled softly. "I’ll hold you to that. Until next time."

Morningstar nodded. "Next time."

Star left Lotus to his fishing, the sounds of the dock fading behind him. The path ahead was shadowed by tall trees, and the only light came from the dim glow of the afternoon sun. The conversation lingered in his mind, the old man's words bouncing around like the ripples in the lake.

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He stopped for a moment, glancing back toward the lake, though Lotus was far out of sight now. A small breath escaped him as he turned back to the path, adjusting the sword at his side. There was no clear destination, no pressing urgency, but he felt the weight of the journey ahead, whatever it might bring.

The forest grew darker, and Morningstar disappeared into the shadows, the quiet of the world enveloping him.

Maybe he would take some time to relax, as Lotus has suggested. Breaks, over the years, had become few and far between. Maybe it was time to slow down, and to process things. He sent a message to Willow, asking if she was free. He would take some time away from the grind he had become so accustomed to.

He would stand, and stretch, and move again. But he would never forget how to sit by the water.

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