A single Nemean traveled down a dirt road. Inside of the military vehicle was the three-man team consisting of Kyros Aleister, Runa das Meer, and Sarra Zosime. Kyros took the liberty of driving while Runa and Sarra stayed in the back. For the entire ride, Sarra kept the window down, gazing at the nearly endless fields of green race by. Occasionally, she'd wave and call out to the people out in the areas.

Kyros couldn't help but smile at the girl's childish nature. In his country, Hunters weren't perceived in a good light. Not a day would pass where he'd hear something pleasant about them from his men. He'd heard that all Hunters were mere brutes and savages. However, Kyros was the type of person that needed to see to believe.

And what he saw from Sarra's personality washed away nearly all the bad rumors he heard about Hunters.

Unfortunately, the reason all of it didn't disappear was because of the blue-haired Huntress that kept glaring at him from the backseat. Throughout their entire ride in the Nemean, he felt the burning gaze from the woman burn a hole in the back of his head. At random moments, he'd find himself unconsciously reaching behind his head to find it.

Two hours. One Hundred and twenty minutes. 

That's how long the woman kept her eye on him. The woman's threat looped in his mind over and over. If their identities as Exousia ever got leaked, Runa wouldn't hesitate to drive her spear into his face. Kyros looked up at the rearview mirror and noticed the Huntress with her weapon in hand. Always paid to be prepared.

He didn't dislike that about Runa. The woman was determined, that was for sure. He wished that she'd lighten up at least. He already mentioned that he wasn't a threat to them. If anything, they were on the same side. But, he knew it wouldn't be that easy to convince Runa.

Actions spoke louder than words. If Kyros wanted to gain her trust, he'd have to prove himself. That's what he planned to do when they reached their destination.

"There it is," Kyros alerted the Huntresses. Runa and Sarra looked ahead and spotted the town of Elpida in the distance. Stationed outside were some soldiers with red sashes and medallions that featured dogs with fire-like manes. 

"That a different military unit or something?" Runa noted as she spotted the differences in uniforms of Kyros and the other soldiers. 

"Those are the War Dogs," answered Kyros. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel. "They serve under General Amos. They typically deal with commando type missions."

"What about you?" Sarra questioned.

"I'm a Night Owl. I handle reconnaissance missions and information gathering." Kyros replied.

"Don't sound too happy about coming across those War Dogs," Runa pointed out. "Are we going to have a problem with them?" 

The Huntress tapped her spear with her finger.

"Hopefully not. But, even if we do, you shouldn't raise your hands against them. The War Dogs are very troublesome to deal with." Kyros warned.

When the Nemean drew closer to the town entrance, Kyros hit the brakes and stopped the car in front of the soldiers. The walked over to the front window and knocked on it. Kyros lowered the window.

"Identification. All of you." The first soldier ordered. 

Kyros and the Huntresses complied with the demand. They showed their Milos to the soldiers. The men looked at the information and nodded, moving aside and allowing the team passage into the town. The team stepped out from the Nemean and entered on foot.

Elpida Town was heavily guarded. One couldn't turn down a single street without spotting an armed soldier. Kyros felt relieved that the town was getting the protection it needed, however, he also couldn't help but feel anxious. With so many soldiers patrolling the streets, negative feelings would certainly spread throughout the townpeople and invite the Varvara.

Kyros was more than prepared for a fight. Thanks to his powers, he foresaw a battle in the town that he and Runa would take part in. And with the help of the War Dogs, he felt confident that they'd come out victorious. 

"So, where are we heading?" Sarra asked.

"First things' first, we gotta find a place to stay," Runa answered. "No need to help with patrols until nightfall."

"Do you know any good places, Mr. Kyros?" Sarra asked.

Kyros stopped and pondered on the question. "Unfortunately, all places here have probably been taken."

"Huh?" Runa exclaimed in a low tone. "Whaddya mean everything's taken? We haven't even looked yet."

"You both saw the destroyed town of Salus, right? Well, the refugees from the town have been scattered across the country. They've probably taken residence here too." Kyros revealed.

Distrusting the man's words, Runa dashed ahead, ignoring the cries of Kyros and Sarra. She ventured to every inn she could and heard the same story over and over. It was just as Kyros stated earlier. All places were at full capacity. 

Having reached the end of her patience after getting kicked out of another establishment, the blue-haired Huntress let out a roar in anger and dropped to her knees in defeat. Kyros and Sarra helped the defeated woman to her feet and continued down the road.

"Calm down, Runa." Sarra pleaded. The little girl understood her partner's frustrations all too well. Throughout their travels in the Gardens of Eden, there were countless occasions where they'd have to sleep out in uncomfortable tents or carriages. Nice, soft, comfy beds were difficult to come by.

"For Shura's sake! Why does this keep happening?!" Runa complained.

"Don't worry, I may know a place where we can stay," Kyros announced. Sharp, focused eyes of judgment faced him the moment those words left his mouth. At that moment he understood his mistake. The Huntresses were in desperate need of a bed. They wouldn't accept anything less.

 The place Kyros had in mind had beds. However, the problem was whether they would be allowed inside.

"Where is this place?" Runa demanded. She brought her face close to Kyros'. Her eye burned with intense desire. 

"Follow me," Kyros reluctantly lead the Huntresses down the road. The sunlight began to diminish, and so did the number of people outside. The townspeople quickly shut their doors and locked them, not wishing to be out for the forewarned Varvara attack. There was no guarantee that it would happen today. But, they weren't willing to take that risk. "It shouldn't be this way."

“What was that?" Sarra asked.

"This town. It shouldn't be this way. The people aren't supposed to be frightened when they're within the safety of the wall."

"Well, when the town's littered with armed soldiers, I'd be on edge too," Runa mentioned. She glanced around and took mental notes of each time a soldier sent her a glare. 

"I know they're here to protect the town, but they look terrifying." Sarra kept close to Runa. 

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"Just don't make eye contact with them too much. They'll take that as a challenge," Kyros revealed. Following his instructions, the team continued down the road until they reached a large establishment. Hanging on the front of the building was a wooden sign with the symbol of a shield with two swords crossing each other. Kyros turned and faced the Huntresses with a bright smile, spreading his arms out as he announced, "welcome to the Great Hero's weapon shop!"

Sarra clasped her hands together and looked at the shop with sparkling eyes, letting out a squeal of excitement in the process. Runa on the contrary only stood there with her usual deadpan expression.

"The great hero’s weapon shop?" She repeated, carefully inspecting the building before her with a cold gaze. For a shop called 'the great hero's weapon shop'; it surely didn't live up to its title. The building itself looked somewhat run down. "So, the owner of this shop is a hero, huh?"

Kyros nodded his head in confirmation and continued to speak, "That's right. In the capital city, there used to be a statue erected of him due to his great deeds."

"Keyword being 'used' to be." Runa pointed out.

"What did the man do to become a hero in the first place?" Sarra wondered.

"It's a bit of a long story." Kyros folded his arms and looked off into the distance as he thought back to the history of the country. "Twenty-two years ago, this country was once ruled by a ruthless tyrant. He was a cold-hearted monster that only did as he pleased."

"How could someone like that become the ruler of a kingdom like this? I haven’t been here for long, but I’ve never heard a thing about this tyrannical dictator." Runa mentioned.

"That's because the council made it illegal even to say his name. Everyone addresses him as the Last King. But before him, there was another, the first ruler of this kingdom. She helped establish the kingdom after the Great Divergence following the World Splitting War. Her name was Soteria. She was a kind and benevolent ruler."

A warm smile crossed Kyros' face as he mentioned the first ruler of the kingdom. For that country, no, perhaps even the world, she was the greatest, most benevolent person to have ever existed.

"What happened to her?" Sarra asked.

The painted smile on Kyros' face disappeared. His arms fell to his sides as he answered, "One of her most trusted generals assassinated her. He killed her and became the first and last king. He nearly brought this kingdom to ruin with his corruption and endless waging of wars across the world."

"So, the Last King assassinated the first ruler to become the second ruler, and immediately took over? No one decided to rise and rebel against him?" Runa asked while giving Kyros a sideward glance.

"People tried, but he was too powerful. He crushed multiple rebellions with his private military. Plus, he was very influential in the wars he waged. Unfortunately, it's thanks to him why our military is so powerful."

"So, where does the hero come into all this?" Sarra asked.

"After another one of our many wars ended, a small group of warriors rebelled and eventually managed to kill the Last King. The man we're about to meet is the one that delivered the finishing blow by splitting the Last King’s head open with an ax." 

The eyes of the Huntresses widened. The two quickly glanced at each other and then back at Kyros.

"Um, Mr. Kyros? Are you sure this person will help us?" Sarra asked. Her eagerness and excitement quickly vanished.

"Don't worry; he's a nice guy. The Last King was a terrible man that had to be dealt with," Kyros turned and faced the weapon shop. "I don't agree with the methods they used to deal with him. But, I'm sure he did what he felt was best for the kingdom."

"Doing what’s best for the kingdom…" Runa softly chanted. She spoke with a neutral tone, but the animosity in her words was unmistakable.

Before anyone could say anything else, a group of men flew out from the weapon shop. The team looked to the group in bewilderment. The three men stood to their feet and brushed the dust off their clothes before angrily yelling at the person responsible for tossing them out on the street.

Then, everyone’s attention shifted to the entrance of the shop where a large, bearded, grease-covered man stood. Kyros' face brightened at the sight of him. It was unmistakable. The man before him was one of the country's greatest heroes.

His teacher, Aion Faure.

"You have some nerve throwing us out on the street like this, old man! Do you have any idea what time it is?" The first man yelled.

"Yeah! The Varvara could be coming to this town at any moment! We need weapons to defend ourselves!" The second man chimed.

"Quit being stingy and hand over some of your weapons to us! You’re one of the heroes of this kingdom, aren’t you? Act like one!" The third man added.

Aion grimaced after hearing the three desperate men speak out. He slightly tilted his head up then inhaled deeply before shouting, “Are you, three idiots?”

His loud voice forced everyone in the immediate area to cover their ears. Nearby soldiers were so alarmed that a few of them abandoned their posts and appeared to check on the situation. However, once seeing who was responsible for the commotion, they immediately left the area.

"You have some nerve coming here in my shop, demanding for me to hand over my precious weapons for free. I don’t care if Varvara are going to attack this town. If you want my weapons so badly, then fork over some money." Aion held his hand out, waiting for the three men to pay up.

“Does it look like we have any money on us? We’re from Salus Town! It got wiped out days ago! We’ve lost everything!"

"We desperately need your weapons. You’re the best weapons manufacturer in this kingdom. Your weapons could save all of our lives."

Their pleas fell on deaf ears. Aion turned his back to them, telling them to go away if they weren’t there to conduct any proper business. And with that, the man went back to his shop, closing the door behind him. The men were devastated to see one of the great heroes of the kingdom refuse to offer them any service. They dropped down to their knees then wept quietly, wholly overwhelmed by despair.

It was painful to watch. Three grown men crying in the middle of the street. Kyros approached the group.

"You need to stop crying," Kyros said. The men gathered themselves and looked up at him. Their faces of despair instantly altered to disgust. They stood to their face and glared at him.

"What's it any business of yours?! Huh?!" One of them said. The men walked circles around the soldier, inspecting his attire.

"Must be nice, having all that expensive armor. I bet you don't have anything to worry about when the Varvara attack." The second man assumed.

"How about you hand it over?" The third man suggested. "You're in the military; they must have thousands of armor just like that back at Headquarters."

"Yeah, give us your equipment!" 

"We need to protect ourselves from the Varvara!"

Kyros closed his eyes and continued to allow the men to speak their minds. The sympathy he had for them had long vanished. 

"I'm not handing it over to you. You're ordinary townspeople. You don't need my equipment or weapons; especially since the military is already here to protect you." Kyros declared.

"Protect us? Like hell that'll ever happen! Where was the military yesterday when Pandora city got attacked?!"

"Yeah! I heard Hunters had to come in and save the day!"

"In fact, there they are right there!" One of the men pointed at the Huntresses. "Must be pathetic, having Wild Landers save your asses!"

 "Military's so weak that they have to enlist savages to fight for them!" 

The air suddenly grew cold. The three men found themselves unconsciously shaking. Immense fear immediately registered in their minds. Against their instincts, they slowly turned around and saw the source.

It was Runa.

Watching the men insult Kyros meant nothing to her. However, when their mocking tones turned in her direction, that's when she reached her limit. The Huntress raised her spear and settled it on her shoulder as she slowly approached the men who were paralyzed by fear. 

Kyros prepared to intercept the Huntress. However, someone else was already a step ahead of him. Seemingly out of nowhere, a tanned skin man with short, black hair got in between the Huntress and the men. He wore bronze armor with a red cloth draped over his shoulder. Securing the fabric to his shoulder was the medallion that featured the War Dog emblem. 

The soldier unsheathed his short sword and pointed it at the Huntress. "Settle down, Wild Lander," The man commanded. "Put your weapon down, unless you're looking for a fight."

"Captain Alec!" The men cheered. The sight of the soldier washed away their fear.

"Runa! Lower your weapon!" Sarra pleaded.

Runa clicked her tongue and did as instructed. Satisfied with her compliance, Alec sheathed his sword and turned to the men. "You three should head back inside it's getting late. Rest assured knowing that I'm here." The man brought his fist over the medallion.

While reluctant, the three men nodded and headed home.

"Tch, fucking pieces of shit." Runa cursed. If she had her way, those men never would've been able to insult her again with their tongues removed.

"That was a swear, Runa." Sarra pointed out.

"What did you think you were doing, leaking out all that killing intent?" Alec faced the Huntresses with a sharp glare. "Were you honestly planning to harm those townspeople on my watch?"

"It crossed my mind, yeah," Runa nodded, showing no shame in her actions. "They called me a savage. So, I was gonna show them one."

"That wouldn't help the situation, Runa," Kyros stated. "I'm sorry about all the trouble?"

"A Night Owl, here?" Alec's face contorted in disgust at the sight of Kyros' medallion. "Are these Wild Landers with you?"

"Yes, these people are with me." Kyros corrected.

"Keep a better eye on them. If these dogs hurt any innocent people under your watch, I'll see to it that I have your head." Alec threatened. "I've got enough problems on my plate dealing with the Varvara. I don't want anymore, got it?"

"Understood." 

"Good. Now get inside. Or, stay out here. I don't care." Alec turned his back to the group and sauntered down the road with his hand on his weapon.

"Funny, him calling us dogs." Runa scoffed. One after the another, she kept coming across soldiers that saw her and Sarra as less than human. If anything were to happen that night, she at least prayed that Alec suffered a painful death.

"Ignore him. Come on. Let's get inside." Kyros opened the door to the weapon shop and allowed the Huntresses to enter before he did.