Navigating the muddy riverbanks of Shark Village, Brandon and Ged walked.

Moving at a brisk pace the two strolled past rows of mostly empty tin shacks.

Ged broke the silence of their journey, prompting, "is this where you live at?"

Brandon replied, "Yeah, Ma and Pops own a place just south down the river."

Brandon then continued, "are you from the opposite side of town? I don't believe I have seen you around here before."

"I'm not from Shark Village. I actually came from the farms, this is all new to me," Ged said in a candid tone.

"Cool! A farm, I've never heard of anyone living on a farm before." Brandon spoke curiously, a strange glint now could be seen in his eye.

As they continued they came upon a semi circle of tin shacks, where a short looking kid was posturing to toss a ball at a group of kids running away.

"If this is your first time here, then there's something you should really know."

Ged responded ponderously, "What's that?"

"You see all these people here?" Brandon gestured to the people around them. "They are all my subjects, I rule over them," he finished with a grin,

"Rule over them?" Ged observed Brandon with curiosity.

Brandon continued, "The people in this town fear me. They refer to me as the God King."

Ged smirked at Brandon's self-proclaimed title, inquiring further, "God King? You must be really strong."

Brandon, finding it hard to hide his smugness, replied, "Let's just say if the current Strong King and I were to cross fists, it would be a close fight."

Ged laughed lightly at Brandon's innocuous declaration.

Striding ahead of Ged, frowning, Brandon spoke, "What? Don't believe me?" Brandon's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Watch this."

In a quick series of actions he approached the short kid who was gearing up to throw the ball. With a lightning-quick movement, Brandon snatched the ball from the boy's hands.

Triumphantly holding the ball aloft, he chuckled slyly, facing Ged, he declared, "behold, the power of the God King!"

The short boy, was frowning deeply, shooting furious glares in Brandon's direction.

"Brandon, we already told you we don't want to play with you anymore. You're annoying. Give us back the ball," the boy said, slightly stunned by Brandon's audacity.

"No, I want the ball, Jessie," Brandon responded, his tone and pitch different from his conversation with Ged earlier.

Jessie furious over his words, charged at Brandon, desperate to get the ball away from his grasp. Even with his best effort he was unable to come close, Brandon was a bit too tall for him.

"Give it back!" Jessie yelled.

Ged amusingly watched the show, not looking to get involved.

The other kids playing the game now joined in, attempting to wrest the ball from Brandon's hands. But, Brandon deftly moved his way out from the group of annoyed kids grasps, barely keeping a hold of the ball.

"Brandon, why are you like this?" Another boy commented.

After a few more fruitless attempts, a large framed child became frustrated now trying a more aggressive tactic.

"You're dead meat, Brandon," the chubby boy declared, giving a mighty shove to Brandon, finally loosening the ball from his grasp.

Ged sighed with relief, now seeing the ball was out of Brandon's grasp he was hoping that Brandon might give up and let the kids have their ball back.

However... without hesitation, Brandon threw a brutal right fist at the chubby boy's head.

"What the fuck, Brandon?" another child called out in alarm. The small exchange between Brandon and the chubby kid escalated into a full-blown brawl, with six boys pitted against the lone Brandon.

Ged sighed, now realizing he could no longer stay idly by. He raised his voice protesting the continuation of the brawl, attempting to peel kids off of the swarmed Brandon.

It could have been due to the chaotic atmosphere or because he was helping the annoying Brandon, but an unexpected right hook came flying at Ged.

A roaring pain engulfed Ged's nose.

In a moment of fury from the painful lesson. Ged turned to fight back, utilizing Maurice's combo, Ged unleashed two strong punches, stunning the boy in place before landing a final fierce kick that crumpled the boy to the ground.

Blood streamed from the boys nostrils, his hands clutching his waist where Ged's kick had landed.

Some of the kids stood by, their faces reflecting weariness from the now injured boy and the sight of blood.

Ged peeled off another two kids from Brandon.

"How about we stop here," Ged pleaded, attempting to deescalate the situation.

Seeing that the ball no longer in Brandon's grasp, and seeing him now in a sorry state Jessie decided to accept the peace offering, albeit with some fierce words thrown in, "Fine! Brandon, if you do that kind of shit again, I'll beat you until you're crippled."

Walking away with a limp and a cut lip, Brandon retorted defiantly, "I'd like to see you try."

Tch. Jessie gave an ugly sneer in response.

After a bit of time most of the boys scattered, while a few more compassionate individuals stayed back to tend to the boy still wincing in pain on the floor.

Adults had now arrived, attempting to piece together the clues about the recent fight.

"Zen, what happened here? Who did this to you?" a worried adult asked to the boy lying on the ground.

"Some foreign-looking kid punched me," Zen replied, getting up, trying to downplay his pain and injuries.

By the time this investigation was underway, Brandon and Ged were long gone.

Ged could still taste blood in his mouth, a reminder of the boy's fist. While Brandon was in much worse shape, with the side of his mouth beginning to show signs of swelling.

"You never told me you were so strong. Damn! I could've used some backup earlier there." Brandon complained, continuing the conversation about the earlier small brawl.

"Why would anyone back you up when you do stupid stuff like that?" Ged replied brutally honest.

Brandon frowned at Ged's words.

The two boys crossed a clearing and entered a small, well-maintained garden.

Brandon continued with the conversation, saying, "Eh, whatever. It doesn't matter. You got to share with me what workout routine you use."

"Workout routine? I don't have one," Ged responded.

Wide-eyed in disbelief, Brandon exclaimed, "You don't have a workout routine? Holy moly. Good thing we're meeting Dad. He's got the best workout routine in the Toto-ka region."

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Brandon continued, "I've never heard of anyone not having a workout routine. How interesting."

Ged and Brandon now stood in front of a large sized concrete building, adorned with large, beautiful ornate windows along the exterior. A large single spire jutted from the top, crowning the building, with openings to allow airflow inside.

"This is where my Dad works," Brandon said, leading Ged inside the church lobby.

Inside, there was an open area with the floor covered in soft moss. Inside people were performing various workouts using different sized rocks.

At the back of the room, Ged noticed the familiar sight: a glass room with three metal bars, each divided by a red mat.

"The holy workouts," Ged muttered before speaking louder, "Why aren't people using the workouts in the glass room?"

Brandon responded, "Those are the holy workouts, brought to us from the heavens. We show our piety and gratitude by only engaging in them on Sunday."

"You can't work them out every day?" Ged asked.

"The holy exercises are too powerful; you can't abuse them like that, or else you might destabilize your muscle foundation." Brandon explained.

Navigating through the church's chaotic, sweaty atmosphere, Brandon lead Ged in front of a man seated, smoking a cigar, next to an open window.

He had long waist-length hair with the top of his head completely bald. He was a little portly and wore casual clothes indistinguishable from those of the other individuals in the church.

"Brandon, what are you..." Brandon's father put down his cigar, looking up toward Brandon and Ged.

He continued to speak, his tone shifting, "Oh darn, your face! Which god-fearing individual would dare hit Reverend Large's boy?"

"Dad, I'm fine. You should see the other kid," Brandon replied smugly crossing his arms in front of his chest.

Reverend Large roared with dragon-like laughter. "Excellent, My son! But, you cannot allow others to do this kind of thing to you."

"Remember, Brandon; you're the bowling ball, not the pins. Don't let anyone knock you down," Reverend Large ended his metaphor by giving a beaming smile.

"Never mind that small matter. This is Ged; it's his first time in church, and he doesn't have a workout routine. I was hoping we could get him started on one," Brandon said, putting his arm on Ged's shoulder in a friendly manor.

Reverend Large guffawed, his laughter echoing painfully through the church, eliciting annoyed and disgusted glances from a few of its goers.

"He hasn't worked out before? Is this some newborn child I am seated in front of?" Reverend Large continued his boisterous laughter.

"What were you raised by, a pair of pillows?"

Brandon had now joined in laughing at Ged through his father's comments.

Ged stood in silence, completely taken aback by the father and son's loud and obnoxious demeanor.

Finally calming down, Reverend Large looked seriously towards Ged.

"Don't fret, boy. As a member and the founder of this humble faith, you will gain some pittance. In this sacred place, anyone who is lost or just looking for a workout will never be denied access."

Frowning he continued in a stern tone, "regardless of their background."

Reverend Large looked scoldingly at Ged.

"Brandon, go get a copy of the church's routine from the back room," Reverend Large commanded.

Brandon hurried off to a room in the back of the church, away from Reverend Large and Ged.

Reverend Large picked up his cigar from the table and ripped a large chunk off it before exhaling a billowing cloud out of the open window.

"Boy, you're not from here, right? You're one of those immigrants," Reverend Large calmly spoke.

Ged responded starting to feel the pressure from the reverends words. "Yes, I came from the farms. This is my first time in Shark Village.

Reverend Large let out a long sigh before responding, "Look, boy, in this shanty town, we only hold one thing in solidarity, and that is family."

"Everyone looks after everyone, and one thing I don't like seeing is when someone from the outside comes stomping around in our village begging for some of our water, food, and most of all kindness, its... well..."

The reverend trailed off. Ged felt a creeping discomfort coming from beneath his words.

Reverend Large shifted in his seat, crossing one leg over the other, and swished his cigar around in his mouth before removing it entirely.

"Now, I'm not trying to say that you and your family are bad people."

Reverend Large gradually shifted his tone. "But you need to understand that just by virtue of being here, you are taking up precious resources that are, actually, rightfully ours."

"I-I didn't know... I had only just arrived. I was just looking for someone to help me with getting water at our home." Ged cut in emotionally.

"Help getting water?" The reverends eyes opened wide. "Boy, my family is dying!"

He paused ferociously. "You want to come here, to MY doorstep; and ask for some of MY kindness and pity?"

"Aren't you actually being cruel instead of innocent?" Reverend Large raucously questioned.

Ged was struck dumb by the reverend's question, recoiling away from his passionate words.

The reverend warned. "One thing to realize is that although I might be tolerant of you, others in this town may not be so kind."

Reverend Large gave out a guttered cough into his arm, as Ged stared on in fear.

"Listen, boy, I don't give free handouts."

"I am not going to fix your water, and it would be best to look elsewhere because no one in this town will help you," he shook his head.

Ged stood still, processing the reverends harsh words.

The unresolved issue of his water, coupled with an uneasy feeling about a town who was looking to get him, put Ged in a precarious position.

He looked around fearfully at the various churchgoers, wary of their ire and then back to the reverend. The reverend ignored Ged's gaze now looking out the window back to chewing on his mangled cigar.

Luckily, Brandon saved him from mulling in his thoughts for too long. Returning with the workout, and waving it in his hands, he ran towards Ged and his father.

Reverend Large's mood shifted at the sight of Brandon now beaming a bright, hearty smile.

"Brandon, my boy, good timing! how about it? Since you told me you are looking to get ordained. Why don't you be in charge of teaching this pillow boy over here how a member of St. Large's lifts their weight."

"Sure thing, father!" Brandon nodded. "How about it, Ged? First thing tomorrow morning, we can start with Exercise 1." Brandon handed the paper to Ged, rejuvenating some life into him.

"Thanks, Brandon," Ged responded, attempting to smile as he looked over the contents of his workout.

Sunday The Three Holy Workouts

Bar Bench Press 1 rep, 1 set Bar Back Squat 1 rep, 1 set Bar Standard Grip Deadlift 1 rep, 1 set

Monday Break Tuesday Exercise 1

Rock Bench Press 12 rep, 3 set Rock Squat 12 rep, 3 set Rock Stiff Legged Deadlift 12 rep, 3 set

Wednesday Exercise 2

Pushups 30 rep, 3 set Rock Step Ups 12 rep, 3 set Rock Deadlift 12 rep, 3 set

Thursday Break Friday Exercise 3

Flat Bench Rock Flys 12 rep, 3 set Rock Lunges 12 rep, 3 set Seated Rock Good Mornings 12 rep, 3 set

Saturday Break

"Let's meet at dawn at the clearing where Maurice once was," Brandon said.

Reverend Large's brows furrowed at Maurice's mention.

Realizing he had forgotten something, he turned towards his father, continuing, "Pops, by the way, I saw Maurice's corpse just outside the village."

"What? Maurice is dead?!?" A trepidatious expression appeared on the reverends face.

"I need to go find Vick, immediately! That wimpy good for nothin' loser. I'll kick his door down, wake his bony ass up!"

Reverend Large vaulted from his chair, shaking his fist.

"Brandon, you send Ged out on his way, I'll meet you back at home later for supper."

With that said Brandon and Ged left the church.

As they exited, a colorful, expressive voice rang out towards them, "Brandon, is that you? Is the reverend still inside?"