C99: Loss and Grief, What it Means to be Human (P2)
Overall Word count = 2040 on 6/16/2024.
(my air conditioning is not working (and fan cant be reversed) so im dying of heatstroke as I write this. Got a bit better near the end)
Once Huwawa had awakened, he and Axel had begun to chat about a variety of subjects but all with a root connection to humans. This is a type of conversation that would help Huwawa grow now that it has taken human form. Whilst also helping Axel as he has been conflicted about his humanity for a while now.
The duo begin to talk about agriculture, blacksmithing, construction, human history, magic and other philosophical matters related to humans. All this so that Huwawa could better understand Human Nature. Now Axel is not much of an enthusiast in relation to these various things but with all his different soul fragments, he has the capacity to be wise beyond his years.
Axel goes on to describe various things, agriculture was the shortest topic with him just mentioning the basic crop cycles method that Killua as his minor fragment knew due to learning about farm pesticides and the various poisons that could be made from that. The 4 crop cycle is loosely mentioned then. Huwawa sees the reasoning in this method but is far more of a 'natural' person. Though they can appreciate the human effort to assist nature in allowing crop growth, even if it is for humans to consume. They change the topic soon after.
With Blacksmithing, Axel has some personal experience and can provide various methods that Celebrimbor knew of. This led to the construction of various tools and led into the human history aspect as well as construction. Mostly how the various tools advanced society such as Axes for cutting down trees (which Huwawa didn't like), shovels for digging holes, even when they don't need to. Pickaxes for mining to collect more metals and precious stones to satisfy vanity.
Axel's tidbit in this part of the conversation was about how certain metals were made into certain shapes like nails which were used in construction to hold houses together. That or the creation of mortar and paste which holds together stone houses. Huwawa looks confused as mud is a perfectly acceptable substitute to it instead of this complicated paste.
Axel has to carefully explain that if the mud is left alone as it is then rain would wash it away and ruin a human's home. They went back and forth for a bit about the aspect of human's 'owning' anything before Axel was able to make the Guardian take a step back since it saw that he could not win the argument. Talion and Killua are the most knowledgeable in terms of much more advanced mechanical tools from what they had witnessed through Migi's memories. Yet since those don't exist in this world, he avoided mentioning them.
The conversation eventually led to magic and Axel has learned both utility as well as destructive magic. He lacks more defensive magic except for Reinforcement magic but he uses it for both aspects or even more specific aspects like sharpness if he uses a sword, as well as to add on other special effects such an extra 'bump' if he was to use a hammer. That applies some extra force during strikes.
Of course by that same logic, he can apply defensive measures onto himself as well, such as a sort of slash resistance and whatnot. Yet that technique is so complex that it can be outright distracting in battle. Axel would only implement them if he is going for an all-out hit that is practically guaranteed and just needs an extra boost, or an all out defensive measure which he could have done against the black phoenix.
Eventually Axel says this in regards to human philosophy, "Humans are by default, base creatures. It was through the eons of building up cultures and societies that their desires expanded but those same primal values still hold true to them. It's now just a matter of which course of action to achieve those base needs. That can be theft and robbery, diplomacy, art, love-making, or war."
"How does war and destruction fit a human's base needs?"
"That is related to the cultural and societal aspect. Humans created ways to organize themselves in various ways. From tribes to kingdoms and then to empires. Those who lead the tribes or other groups are bestowed upon the duty to ensure that everyone else lives a fulfilling life. They might expand their territory to another groups lands because that second group might have a river near them and the first group desperately needs water. They would fight over the water source even though they could share it. But the water is also a finite resource and would eventually dry up, especially if there is a drought."
"So humans fight in wars because someone else might have a resource that they didn't initially have?"
"That was the initial situation, yes, but over time and with the development of culture. Armies were created and soldiers decided to fight for honor, food, or money. More cruel leaders might provide the threat of death as incentive to fight. If they value their own lives more than strangers then they would kill."
"Humans are so complicated. So much unnecessary drama" Huwawa finally comments as he seems to get a general understanding of Human nature.
"That they are, yet they are still the dominant species on this world and possibly many others" Axel says looking out the window to the open night sky. Their conversation had been going on for another set of hours.
"What will you do now?" Axel asks his copy cat clone. He takes a while to think before they admit, "I would like to follow you, observing you should help me better understand Human nature until I can survive in this world by myself"
"Haaaa, alright. Ill take you to my home as well. We will discuss what will happen with you then. I will also need to make some things clear with my familia so nothing bad happens to you." Huwawa nods his head in slight understanding, though they are confused on what could happen. But through their fight and talk now, the two have become much closer and can be considered good friends.
Serenity soon arrives at the room and cuddles up to Axel so that they can sleep together, Though she does feel a bit weird with Huwawa just being there, watching them. Axel has gotten used to the former golem's stares. As such, she hides a bit under the covers while being snuggled up against Axel. Huwawa turns his attention to the outside nature and the night sky. It had been a long time since it could properly take in the stars.
The night passes once more and Axel along with Huwawa in tow, arrive at the royal meeting room where they meet with Gilgamesh and Enkidu once more. The royal king's gaze is purely focused on Huwawa for the slightest sign that it would go out of control and needs to be put down. Enkidu on the other hand has a smile upon seeing Huwawa so relaxed and 'happy' (he appears stoic/emotionless).
The king soon snaps his fingers and Enkidu steps down from next to the throne to hand over a plaque to Axel. On the plaque is the king's seal as well chiseled in details about who the recipient is, how long it is valid (up to 1 year at most). The plaque would be heavy to any other person but to Axel, it's nothing as he puts it in his backpack.
"May we be on our way now?" Axel tentatively asks. Gilgamesh rises from his seat, "We?"
"Yes, I am taking Huwawa with me as is his wish and my right as the winner of our bout" Axel declares and the king squints at his words, Enkidu simply shakes his head at the petty squabble going on. He knows that Gilgamesh is simply asserting his dominance while Axel is just plain crazy.
The stare down continues for several minutes before Gilgamesh waves his hand, "Ensure he never comes back. There is nothing for him here" Huwawa is slightly upset at the words with no other reaction. Axel nods his head and does a small bow as he brings the former golem out of the castle before simply teleporting to Orario.
He first brings the golem and Serenity to the guild so that he can get a proper ID, But Axel does ask, "Are you able to change your look?" to which Huwawa shakes his head and mentions that his appearance is set.
Axel rubs the back of his neck in annoyance but since he can't do anything about it, he brings him inside where they get plenty of stares, especially Huwawa who gets plenty of stares due to now being dressed in similar clothes to Enkidu, which means a pure white full robe, though it does have green accents. The clothes were provided by the palace servants.
Serenity on the other hand is dressed in amazonian style clothing, she is still a trained assassin and as such, cant wear bulky clothes since her method is contact poison.
Axel has to spend a long time explaining who they are, which only got more complicated once it was learned they were both immortals. Royman even goes so far as to interrogate Axel on why he was not on his way with his mission. Axel has half a mind to snap the fat elf's stupid neck before showing him the plaque.
"You messed up and didn't get me a pass to go through Shalzard, I had to stay in the desert for longer than I wanted to to fulfill the king's wishes in the form of three trials. Nearly died on multiple occasions. Get their paperwork set up and ill get back on my way. Don't make me ask Serenity to spit on you." Axel threatens and flares his aura which makes the elf sweat…hard. He soon backs off as Illya brings over a small booklet which provides a basic seal to ensure the two don't cause too many damages. They could move onto a higher level seal if they still caused damage after a while of living in the city.
During the paperwork, Axel asks if Huwawa didn't want a new name to celebrate his newfound humanity. The former golem nods in agreement but is puzzled over a proper name. Axel gives him a few recommendations but in the end, Huwawa chose to become "Han". A simple and sweet name that retains the first letter of his original name. Serenity retains her original name to which Axel cant do anything about.
Once the two get their paperwork done, Axel brings them to his home. He introduces the charming new girl as well as his new friend, 'Han'. Since Axel had only known Huwawa for such a short time, he didn't have any problem with the name change. Though he does explain the copy's original details. Raikou has a headache as she now needs to teach two new immortals Orario-style etiquette but also ensure that Serenity doesnt hog Axel all the time when he is home. She has to rework the schedule once more for who gets to spar with Axel in bed and when.
Axel reassures Raikou that he would likely reach the destination in one more day at minimum with two at max. Raikou understands and plans accordingly. Meanwhile the duo are settled in. Haruhime and Aisha meet with Serenity while Bell and Welf are called in to help Han get used to society.
Axel rechecks his gear before heading off once more across the desert.
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If you can, tell me your thoughts on this chapter and the Shalzard arc we just went through. What could I improve, what could I have done without. Any details except complaints about word count.
I'm already trying to motivate myself to write more already and return to my normal writing cycle but demotivation is hitting me hard and the heat even harder.