Wyll felt an unbearable weight on his shoulders, the continuous stress of being a tool of entertainment for these {Celestials} and their constant vying for Wyll to do something more, to take on a large task or more. They have yet to drive him into immediate danger but how long until they do, how long until they forcibly impose themselves. Wyll shook his head, trying to rid himself of the thoughts as he clutched Askalon in one hand and gently held Nep's hand as they meandered back to camp. Just as dawn began anew, Wyll stepped foot into camp with all attention drawn to him but more specifically, they child who clung to Wyll.
Maya looked at the blanket wrapped boy and tilted her head as murmurs spread through the camp. Maya watched as Askalon jumped from Wyll's right hand and landed on his own two feet. Mako cleared his throat curiously as he stepped forward.
"With all due respect sir, did you always have a son or uh…"
An awkward silence drifted on the wind as Wyll stood there with an ever stoic face only for it to immediately jump into that of shock. Wyll nearly fell back in surprise as he blinked nervously, his face becoming flush as the question flustered him. Nep gave a small squeeze to Wyll's hand before letting go and stepping forward.
"I-I'm Nep, I am Wyll's little brother. I uh… I followed you guys without permission and got myself into some trouble but Wyll saved me… he isn't my dad but my brother since we are family!"
Nep smiled rather wide, showing plenty of teeth that looked more akin to fangs. The cute face of Nep quickly washed away any suspicion as Maya felt her heart flutter and Kist was quick to begin hugging and squeezing on Nep. Nep tried his best to work out of Kist's grasp but fell victim to the sword woman's clutches. Wyll let out a sigh as suspicion turned off him and he was what seemed to be in the clear.
"I apologize, my intentions were not to cause worry but to keep you all from being included in personal drama. However, Nep found a good place for us to set up a permanent foothold here in the Plains. The location is about half a day's ride, has spring water nearby as well as plenty of area to work with. When we arrive, workers, I ask that you put your best foot forward. The first things I want set up are latrines, lodgings and a kitchen. The map surveyor will come with me to discuss the territory we are claiming as well as the new capital."
Wyll clapped, the cadets stopping and giving a salute before cleaning up camp and getting everything prepared. With great speed the group managed to clean up after themselves and quickly began to ride off. Nep had originally been delegated to sit with the workers but he made it a point to stick with Wyll.
The trek to the location of the lab didn't take long as everyone marveled at the discovery Wyll had made. A decently decorated area with foliage that had actually seemed alien from the rest of the Plains. Each group of workers was assigned a cadet to watch over, protect and help the workers out. In Wyll's private tent sat the surveyor as they discussed business.
"Mr.Amarok, if you don't mind me asking. What do you plan to call your new… territory? I'd say kingdom but with the work just now being conducted well…"
"Enough semantics. I don't enjoy being looked down upon and dislike your distrust of us. The capital, in which you now sit is Chimera. The territories of Wyll Amarok will be called…"
Wyll's thoughts began to trail. What did he want to name this place? These lands would be his legacy, a place that he sought in order to participate in the {Battlefield of the Gods}, a place where those seeking to break free of the monotonous troubles of an old life. To break free of the chains that bind one to a destiny…
"The Kingdom of Whilde. A place where all people can come to break free of fate and start anew."
The surveyor gulped and nodded in understanding as he quickly wrote a few things down before sighing, showing the map to Wyll. Askalon patiently waited, looking out on the open golden grass as he began to reminisce on a life that had long past been lived only for him to be dragged back into this war. His hand reaches into his pocket, rubbing over a small silver shield for a moment before looking to the pin on his chest. Maybe it was time to let go of that past and focus on the future before him.
Askalon could no longer call him his partner but Wyll was here to take on that title. To see the rate at which Wyll had been growing and discovering was tiresome, a regretful smile on his face as he patted the pin. Maybe if he joined the last war sooner things would be different but this time he had a way to make amends, this time he wouldn't dawdle and try to deny his purpose. He was nothing more than a tool for war but Wyll hadn't made him feel that way. Wyll was more like a student who respected Askalon, who was young and naive but relied on him, cared for him.
Askalon was strong, the problem was that Wyll couldn't access all of his forms or abilities. These would come with time of course but the unprecedented rate that Wyll was growing by himself was alarming.A deep pit formed in Askalon's heart, feeling as if the two weren't compatible like originally thought, then again neither was his last {Wielder}... Askalon let out a sigh as he pushed the thoughts out of his head, not wishing to cause the mood to be sullen by his troubled thinking.
A month had flown by in very little time, the first buildings brought up, walls put up to protect the would-be kingdom and surprising to Wyll, the cadets had all stayed with Wyll. A few builders even took the opportunity to move themselves and their families to the new kingdom. Things were yet to be put in motion however as Wyll would spend nights toiling in the lab under the settlement. The foreign knowledge was difficult for Wyll to learn but Bedlam's help went a long way.
The pair had learned that due to the lab being considered a dungeon that it caused a sort of distortion around the settlement that actively repelled monsters. Another reason was Nep. Nep hadn't grown much over the month but during a hunting trip the group came across a large hunting pack of Ambush Drakes. Ambush Drakes were no no larger than a wolf, reptilian in nature and typically sported numbers that would have easily taken out most of the settlement. When the creatures encountered Nep however, they quickly ran away out of instinct, recognizing what Wyll and Bedlam have named, an alpha monster. Thus far this information had been valuable however there was no telling what troubles it could bring.
Another valuable piece of knowledge was the drones that the facilities had though they were expensive to make. Currently the dungeon had three available drones at Wyll's disposal, each of them designed to carry out menial labor such as building, mining and maintenance. This alone had made the building of the settlement drastically increase while also sending the drones to survey the area. Wyll currently had one staying down in the dungeon, cleaning, fixing and expanding the place, one scouting and the final one was used to complete buildings in the dead of night.
All things were going well as Wyll stepped out of his tent, stretching and groaning. He was offered a building but Wyll found it difficult to find comfort in them. Something about being in his tent reminded him of his time with the Dragoons but sooner or later he would have to get himself into a more fitting home. Wyll began to walk through the small village, making sure everything was in line before seeing people gathered around something. He just barely saw Mako's head and his fists up for a fight as Wyll decided to step in.
A small green woman stood brandishing a knife, three feet tall with two children just behind her. She and the two children were thin, bags under the woman's eyes, bandages poorly done and one child looked ill.
"Enough of this squabbling! Mako, status report on what's going on! Someone go to the store room and fetch enough food for this woman and her children. While there look for medicine! This woman is starved, exhausted and has children!"
Everyone was shocked, including the small green woman as the crowd began to disperse. Shortly after, three full meals were brought before the woman as Wyll had hauled out a table and chairs.
"S-Sir! Those are trespassers! They snuck into Chimera and-"
"Enough Mako. These are guests. We are the kingdom of Whilde, a mother and her children were looking for safety and help. They did not do any harm or cause any trouble, from the sight of it, she only brandished a… Wait, she had a {Weapon}?"