They finally reached the daycare. As they opened the door, they were shocked by the scene: the kids were standing in formation like a military parade. The nanny, with a commanding presence, shouted, "PRESENT ARMS!" The kids responded in unison, "YES, MA'AM!" and saluted. Everyone was taken aback, but Miyazaki and Mikoto loved it.
The nanny continued, "ABOUT FACE!" The children turned to face the opposite direction. "FORWARD MARCH!" The kids marched until the nanny commanded, "HALT!" They stopped instantly. "PRESENT ARMS!" The kids aimed their toy guns. "SHOOT!" The children began making "papapapapa" sounds, imitating gunfire, before breaking formation and playing together.
The nanny approached and greeted them warmly, "Hi, I'm Melina. We put on this little show to welcome you to our daycare. We're thrilled to have you as guests."
Miyazaki smiled, "You didn't have to do that. It was a bit much, but we appreciate it. It made my day."
Melina beamed, "I'm glad it did. Welcome! I'll lead the way to the classroom."
Melina led them to a room where the kids were playing. The team spent the day engaging with the children, having fun, and teaching them about their work in hunting time corruption.
At the end of the day, they finished their tasks, but Miyazaki was reluctant to leave. Hugging the kids one last time, he was visibly saddened. "NOOO! I DON'T WANNA LEAVE THESE CUTE MUFFINS! NOOO!"
Mikoto and Jay had to drag Miyazaki out as he clung to the door, the kids trying to pull him back inside. Eventually, they managed to get him out of the daycare.
As they walked back to the hotel, they received a call from Floyd, instructing them to meet him at the department immediately. They hurried to his office.
Jay asked, "Is something wrong?"
Floyd replied, "I've just received news of a cult on another planet, in another dimension. They've been hiding for thousands of years and have influenced some of the worst events in the timeverse. I'll be sending you to the Wisdom Planet, where the greatest warriors of all time will train you for a couple of weeks ."
Mikoto looked puzzled. "Wisdom Planet?"
Miyazaki echoed, "Wisdom Planet? What's that?"
Jay explained, "It's a planet where the greatest warriors in history reside. It's the most protected and hardest to reach."
Floyd continued, "Well, not anymore, since you lucky bastards have been invited there for training. I'll stay here doing the boring assignments."
Just then, Floyd received a call, and it was clear he was annoyed. After hanging up, he said, "Change of plans. It's happening right now. Go to the hotel, grab your stuff, and I'll open the portal."
Jay asked, "Why the annoyed face?"
Mikoto added, "Yeah, why?"
Floyd grumbled, "I was planning to send you guys to deliver some papers, but they ruined it."
The team was relieved to be spared from a boring task. Floyd laughed, "When you come back, I'll still have those papers for you to deliver. Now, get your stuff, FAST!"
They ran to the hotel, both annoyed and excited about meeting the legendary warriors. On the way, a conversation started.
Mikoto asked, "Hey, I know it's a weird question, but can I know a little about your stories?"
Jay retorted, "Why? You creep."
Mikoto looked hurt but hid it. Miyazaki noticed and began his story.
"When I was 12, I saw my parents fight. My dad started beating my mom. I tried to protect her by trying to summon a fireball I saw on TV, which only made my dad angrier. He started beating me, too. My mom shielded me, taking the brunt of his rage. She died protecting me, her last words were... 'stay safe.'"
The team stopped, moved by Miyazaki's story.
Mikoto asked softly, "What happened to your dad?"
Miyazaki replied, "He had a heart attack from the shock of what he did. Later, in my twenties, I found out my last cousin had died. So, I'm kinda alone."
Mikoto tried to comfort him by sharing her story. "When I was a kid, I had a friend. Our families were close. One day, my parents and siblings disappeared. I lived with my friend until I discovered something that made me run away from the world."
Miyazaki asked, "What was it?"
Mikoto looked away. "It's private. I can't share it with anyone. Sorry."
Jay and Miyazaki sensed the sadness in her voice but didn't press further. They gathered their things and returned to Floyd, who opened the portal to the Wisdom Planet.
Upon arrival, they saw a society full of people aged 30 to 80, all strong and vigorous. Jay noticed two individuals training with a raging bear, handling it with ease. They entered a grand hall, feeling a powerful aura approaching. As it got closer, they saw a towering figure who spoke in a bold, assertive tone.
"Welcome to this rare opportunity. I am Gilgamesh, King of Uruk. I have faced monsters and legendary creatures. I have known no defeat, except in my battle against death. I will train you for this week."
Gilgamesh continued, "The training will have two parts. I will train you for the first part, and Achilles will take over for the second."
Mikoto asked, "Where is Achilles?"
Before she could finish, the room went silent. The air grew heavy with tension as they heard footsteps, each one echoing with a sense of dread. Suddenly, Mikoto collapsed under the pressure. Achilles caught her effortlessly, his presence overwhelming.
"Rude to show weakness in front of me," Achilles said, letting her fall and then instantly waking her.
Achilles introduced himself, "I am Achilles, son of Peleus and Thetis, the greatest warrior ever to walk the earth. You are here to be trained, but I will not coddle or praise you. I have no time for the weak or the hesitant. I have faced countless enemies, and none could match my speed, strength, or skill. My name alone caused men to tremble, and my rage in battle was a force of nature."
Achilles continued, "In this training, you will learn what it means to be a true warrior. You will be pushed to your limits and beyond. I do not suffer fools, and I have no patience for weakness. Prove yourselves worthy of my time and my instruction, and you may survive this week. Prepare yourselves. The time for softness is over. Now begins your true test."
Gilgamesh chuckled, "Go easy on them; it's their first time. Sorry for his attitude. He's in a bad mood. Let me show you where you'll be staying."
Gilgamesh led them to a rocky area at the side of a mountain. "You'll sleep here. It's part of the training to harden your physical bodies and strengthen your resolve. Get ready; training starts in five minutes."
Three days into the rigorous training, it was time for Achilles' session. He led them to a courtyard, handed them blindfolds, and instructed them to wear them. Once they did, he released three bulls and commanded them to dodge. Miyazaki was hit first, then Mikoto, and finally Jay.
Achilles gathered them and began to speak. "I'm not disappointed in all of you, except Miyazaki. Being the last is typical of the weak. You are useless to your friends, your family, to everyone. I doubt you were raised right. Your mother probably preferred to leave and cheat on your dad like a slut while he got drunk in clubs."
Hearing Achilles mention his mother, Miyazaki's pupils shrank, his skin bubbling as if boiling. Jay and Mikoto looked on, confused and scared, as Achilles continued without a care.
"I guess she was a slut, huh? Anyways, you're out."
Miyazaki snapped, rushing at Achilles like a berserk beast. His skin was hot, veins glowing red. He threw a punch that grazed Achilles, who dodged just in time. Before Achilles could react, Miyazaki was already on him, delivering a dropkick that sent him flying.
The entire community heard the commotion and rushed to the scene. Gilgamesh and Enkidu arrived just as Miyazaki was about to deliver another blow. Gilgamesh restrained him, noting his darkened face and barely visible pupils. Despite the hold, Miyazaki almost broke free, forcing Gilgamesh to knock him out with a single punch.
Hours later, after locking Miyazaki away, Gilgamesh and Achilles spoke.
Gilgamesh asked, "Why didn't you fight back more?"
Achilles replied, "I wanted to push him beyond his limits, to see his true potential. But he had a slim chance of killing me."
Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow. "A chance is significant, given your reputation."
Achilles nodded. "Yes, but being around him might increase that chance. It's best if Enkidu continues his training."
Gilgamesh agreed, "Alright, Enkidu will take over."