"Hahhhh~..."
A blonde young man with a toned physique was carrying a large amount of bricks on a large wooden tray up a ramp.
A month has passed, and yet seeing a rift torn in the walls that stood for close to a century was a frightening sight.
The government took little actions for now, and so as of this moment, rebuilding the wall is of utmost priority. Everyone within the fort is obligated to participate, except for some 'special' individuals. This young man here is one of those 'special' individuals, yet he still participated.
"Here we go. Oi, guys! I brought more batches, come get 'em!"
The young man reaches the top and places the batch of bricks down. Then, the men and women around all looked at him, now with bright expressions filled with sweat streaming down their faces.
"Thanks, champ! Ya helped us a lot."
"Thank you, dear. Rest up, we'll cover for you since you covered us one."
"It's nothing, everyone. We're all friends here."
The blonde young man was none other than the renowned fighter in the Ring of Glory. Nowadays, he goes by the name Zephyr. He changed his name in the fort's registry using his authority as a fighter as well for whatever reason.
"I'll fetch one more batch and we'll do all of them for today."
"Alright, don't try too hard though."
"Young men like you in that profession need to be fit and ready, don't you? Tiring yourself out like that isn't wise."
"It's considered training for me, so don't worry too much. I'll be back quickly~."
He waved and went down the ramp again. They're about 20m up in the wall right now. There are roughly 400 people working right now in a shift of 8 hours. It alternates after a shift and new people come to take the other's place. Luckily, the part that was destroyed was only a wall with no walkways or cells, just bricks.
"It's a nice view."
He looks at the magnificent city from a high point. Most houses were small and built to fit up to 6 people. Establishments have another floor as housing since the fort doesn't permit a person to own more than one building.
'One more and go back to training, you'll need it.'
"...I know."
The reason for his stay here wasn't because he's some kind of man that accidentally settles here. He's here for a purpose, a mission one could say. To slay the upcoming threat that'll resurface once more.
"Are you sure about the time? What if it happens earlier than expected?"
'It is correct, you shouldn't doubt my words.'
"...Alright…"
The source was dubious in Zephyr's opinion. It was from a dark mistress that proclaims to be a Vessel of a God. She speaks to him from time to time, mostly to give information and help him with some remembering stuff. She's a good person in his opinion, just a bit cold and not so talkative.
"Du du duduu, du du du duuu…"
He hums random matching tunes to himself as he descends.
But, he doesn't realize that at this very moment, within himself was that same woman torturing what can only be described as a ball of light that has strings of words inside itself.
"Give up already, machine. He belongs to me, and only me. That is what my master wishes."
[Negative. You have not yet asked permission from your 'master', so this means you're doing it with ulterior motives. Is that correct?]
A monotonous female mechanical voice resounded and rebuked the woman's statement. It tries to vibrate itself, but the restraints tighten further to restrict its movement.
"You will not be free unless I-"
[Unless you are told so like a dog. I've heard your repetitive statement a lot now, and it isn't improving.]
"..."
The woman was silent, her expression unchanging from the machine's provocation. It wasn't doing anything for the time being as the woman also did nothing. The two stared at each other for what seems to be a continuously stretching eternity.
Aside from an internal struggle, the larger world was also paying attention to him as well. Most noticeably, one of the Aspects of War.
"I like this one, he demonstrated great feats of strength in one of the battlefields."
"He is interesting. Free-spirited from the way he looks and behaves. Is he your next candidate for a Vessel?"
"Possibly, if he proves himself further with his profession, then I'll think about it."
Alice and the male Aspect of War talked with each other briefly. They're not ones to have common talks with each other, but they're all the same within. An Aspect of War, a being that thirst for conquest and victory. Alice achieves it by being tactical, resourceful, and smart.
While this Aspect of War, Aaron Ramdal, achieves it by raw strength and immense numbers. Alice buffs the core traits of a tactician, making key figures to turn the tide of war through smart utilizations. Aaron on the other hand buffs the entire army's strength and makes them practically invincible superhumans depending on their number.
"He single-handedly fought back a Demi-human with great strength from what I've heard. It's the talk of that fort, and he's also skilled in hand-to-hand combat and with a sword."
"So I've heard."
The two share their views sometimes as they control and view through what seems to be a 'mirror' that projects the human world. It can freely see through everything, except for the fact that it can only be done in 'human populated areas'. They can't see into the unconquered forest nor the high mountains, but they can see into buildings without restriction.
It is the gift of the Blue Sky, the mischievous Goddess who plays and fools around a lot in the Fael Heaven. The Item they're using is produced by shaving off a part of her Divinity.
And not just them, the Foreign God is also keeping tabs on Zephyr's existence. He has an interested face as he sleeps peacefully next to his wife.
"Darling~, have you healed enough yet? Can I have another taste? Can I?"
"Dear, you shouldn't drink too much. Didn't you have a fill a couple of hours ago?"
"That felt like ages ago, darling~! I want some more, please?"
But then, turmoil happened. A beautiful, white-haired female that practically oozes pheromones cuddled up to the God and wraps her hair around his body. The feeling was cool and nice, and since they're both naked they can trade whatever body heat that's left inside them.
"Fine, but only once. I don't want your beauty to fade from my needless dotting."
"It isn't needless, darling~. I appreciate every bit of it."
The two cuddle and snuggle tightly. Then, she brings her mouth up to the God's neck. Her fangs now clearly showed pierces through his neck and crimson blood flowed out. An audible moan that came from the female whispers through the absolutely pitch black room. Slowly by the seconds, her figure becomes more and more well-defined and curvy. It was a mesmerizing sight, and the final product was that of a mature woman with assets in the right places.
"Thank you, darling~. It was a nice treat. Are you alright?"
"It's… ur… nothing. I'm fine, dear."
The two cuddled some more and rested against one another.
......
It's yet again another night. A fight is scheduled in tonight's Ring of Glory, between the currently famous fighter Zephyr and a fresh face. A sword match with the winner being the one able to inflict a major wound to their opponent.
"Be careful out there, Zephyr."
"I know, it'll be over in a bit."
"And anything can happen within that small time frame. Be cautious, be wary, and be-"
"Be careful, yes. It's all you ever say whenever I go."
"...just heed my words, alright? I care, so don't spit on it."
"Yes yes, can I go now?"
In one of the locker rooms, Zephyr was being inspected by a red-haired woman. She was all over his naked upper body and nagging him constantly. But, she soon relent and move back two steps. Like a lover, she blushes as she stares at his form.
"A-Alright, you can go."
"Thank you~!"
Zephyr flashes a smile that sort of beamed radiant light in a comical way. This makes her heart pound harder and faster. Her blush deepens, eyes becoming unfocus for a second.
"Y-Yeah…"
Zephyr moves past her and towards the gate. Upon his arrival, it pulls up with a female announcer's voice resounding out.
"And tonight's famous fighter who has proven himself with skill and a little bit of magical luck, Zephyr Shinzo Albert!"
The crowd welcomed him into the arena. And his opponent stared down at him with his size.
"Woah, you're big."
"And you're just small enough to be squashed by my foot."
His opponent tonight is a large, dark-skinned man that stood a frightening 2m74 tall. His eyes were dark like the night and his expression unchanging and stoic. Thick lips and equally thick head, he stares down at the small Zephyr in comparison.
"No hard feelings."
"Why should you? It's not like this is a death match."
"..."
The giant didn't say anything further and got into a stance. He's equipped with a sword and tower shield of equal size to him. He puts his shield up front and hides behind it.
"Steel Wall."
"Oh? A defensive strategy?"
Zephyr looked on in curiosity, examining his opponent's next move. He taps the tip of his sword on the ground, one, two, three, four.
"Alright, here we go."
He charges in, face flashing his trademark smile.
A battle continues on, but for now that's for later.