To the buildings lined up next to each other, people passing by on the road, and the cobblestone under his feet. Askyros was in awe of his surroundings.
"Yros… Askyros? Hey, are you listening?" [Ryse]
"Hm?" [Askyros]
Nudged by the shoulder, Askyros' attention was brought to Ryse.
"...Judging by the look on your face, you weren't." [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
"Just repeat it for him again." [Tida]
Ryse sighed at her suggestion, but he didn't turn it down.
"Okay, starting from the beginning. Basically, you slept for about a week, which caused us a lot of trouble." [Ryse]
"I thought you were dead." [Tida]
"..." [Askyros]
Askyros remained silent, unsure of what to say.
"After you didn't wake up for a day, rumors about you spread across all the three kingdoms. The people of Coredelia and Katara now fear you, and the people of Deitomea now revere you." [Ryse]
"And thanks to that, Ryse also has a name for himself." [Tida]
"I got it because of the giant. Askyros, you killing Kafma and Coredant made you very VERY popular. That also means you have a target on your back now." [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
Though Askyros understood that he had become well known, he simply wasn't very interested.
"I see why the guard reacted as he did, but what about her?" [Askyros]
He nodded towards Tida, questioning her status.
"Oh, me?" [Tida]
Pointing to herself, she seemed a bit surprised.
"Did you not hear what I did?" [Tida]
"..." [Askyros]
Shaking his head, Askyros let Tida see it was a "no".
"Really…?" [Tida]
"Tida, he doesn't pay attention to anything." [Ryse]
"...I hate that part about him. Fine, I'll tell you myself." [Tida]
She puffed her chest outward, as if to show how proud she was.
"It all started when I was sent to a god forsaken battlefield. There were savage beasts that prowled as warriors clashed-" [Tida]
"Yeah, yeah. We know. We were also there." [Ryse]
"...You mind?" [Tida]
Seeing as how Ryse interrupted her story telling, Tida gave him a short glare.
"Just… make it quick. We're almost at the Grand Hall." [Ryse]
"We are?" [Tida]
Ryse shrugged at Tida and pointed in the distance, showing that there was an incredibly large building at the other end of his finger.
"...It's quite large." [Askyros]
A white and gold structure held up by chiseled pillars that sat at the center of the Capital. Its front was composed of two large bronze doors, engraved with an angel on each side.
("The Grand Hall might be bigger than my entire school campus if I can see it this far…") [Adam]
"Well, truth be told, it was destroyed and rebuilt many times to get to that size." [Ryse]
"Destroyed…?" [Askyros]
"Yeah. During the era of the gods, many heroes fought against demons and the like. The Grand Hall was created to be a home for the heroes upon their victory, but it ended up not being used due to how long the war lasted. It broke a few times during the war between gods, humans, and demons, but the Sovereign of Faith eventually rebuilt it." [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
Askyros couldn't even begin to imagine an era of gods, for he was not someone who believed in them to begin with.
"...I see." [Askyros]
He spoke without much enthusiasm. Askyros simply didn't have much interest in such a topic.
"Anyway, back to my great deeds." [Tida]
"To sum it up, she healed a lot of people." [Ryse]
"What?! Don't just end my story like that! I also-" [Tida]
"Slayed a high ranking monster. Namely, an Earth Drake." [Ryse]
"Ryse…!" [Tida]
"..." [Askyros]
Tida seemed to get angry at Ryse at his interruptions and spoilers, but it didn't seem to be that bad in Askyros' eyes. In fact, it brought a slight smile to his face.
"Ryse, is an Earth Drake stronger than a Shock Dragon?" [Askyros]
Tida and Ryse stopped their bickering, turning to Askyros with weird looks.
"Are you referring back to the training camp?" [Ryse]
"Like, when Sitros was fighting that Shock Dragon?" [Tida]
"..." [Askyros]
Askyros nodded. He couldn't help but recall the sight of such a beast.
"Hm… To put it in simple terms, it's debatable. They both would require highly trained knights to defeat, and even then, they would suffer heavy casualties." [Ryse]
"Though it wouldn't be too much if they brought a healer, like me." [Tida]
"Uh, yeah, sure. Anyway, if we were to assume the two monsters fought in the wild… I'd say the Earth Drake would win." [Ryse]
Askyros tilted his head at Ryse's answer. It didn't seem to fit the view within Askyros' mind.
"How? A drake is considered less than a dragon." [Askyros]
"Oh. That's simple. The Shock Dragon isn't actually a genuine dragon. It simply is capable of flying, unlike drakes." [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
Askyros pondered about the differences, and simply let it be. Without thinking much of it, the three soldiers arrived at the Grand Hall.
"Halt!" [Guard]
Two guards stood by, each donned with a full set of iron plated armor.
"Reveal your name and state your business." [Guard]
"Ryse, I've come to accompany a friend to a summons." [Ryse]
"Tida, I've also come to accompany a friend to a summons." [Tida]
"...Askyros. I've come to attend a summons." [Askyros]
After hearing their names, the guard's eyes widened in surprise.
"A-Ah, you're sir Askyros…?! P-Pardon my insolence! You all may go on ahead." [Guard]
The large gate opened slightly with loud creaking noise, but it was enough to allow five people to pass through.
"Like I said, Askyros. Finally getting the recognition we deserve." [Ryse]
With a little nudge to the side, the three went in.