Belaphorde ran. His heart pumping fast. Sweat ran down his neck. He’d gotten the cheapest haircut the barber offered. It took only a few minutes for the machine to buzz down his hair. He’d never had his hair so short. Despite the heat, he was running in a turtleneck shirt. If asked it was to protect him against sunburn, but since his body changed and he moved to the city he felt a need to cover up. His skin was uncomfortable and cold around the crystal nestled in his chest.
The city lived in its plastic bubble. People walked around in tight pants and neon trainers. Pop music blared out from every store. Belaphorde had not seen a single beggar, but plenty of teens were trying to hand him pamphlets or start a conversation about the world's injustices. After the first two times, Bel ignored anyone approaching him.
He paused in front of a billboard with Kaigo's face on it. The blond had a cocky expression that showed off his sky-blue lipstick and dramatic eyeshadow. Graphic text flickered across the screen: “Living is rebellion. Love conquers all”. It looked absolutely ridiculous. Who would use a guy to sell makeup? Especially one with spiky bleached-blond hair.
A sharp light lit the sky before a series of explosions could be heard in the distance. Lightning strikes. Fireworks. Bombs. On the other side of town at the mowed-down districts, the rebels from the Outskirts fought the Kaledian troops. Shocked by the noise a baby cried for their mother to comfort them.
The city had created the army that now attacked it. Belaphorde had seen firsthand the misery of the Outskirts. Even when things were fine and life was developing they were handicapped every step of the way with no legal safety, no infrastructure, and no way to trade with the rest of the world. People could not afford to be sick in that dump. After the storms and Kaiju attack, there was no hope to build something out of the Outskirts. The options were to flee to the mountains or to turn to the hostile city.
Belaphorde had a clear mission. Defeat the Kaiju threat. Then he’d spend the rest of his life atoning for his sins. In bigger-picture political matters, it was more difficult to know what to do. In another world he and Vigo might have joined the other factions of the Outskrits and been with them to battle for their rights; but in this reality, Bel had been given a fortune and lived with all the comforts he would allow himself. He was frustrated at everything from the paintings of graffiti hanging in Kaigo’s mansion to the fighting between people when they lived in a world with actual monsters. He was watching a war and had no reference for how he should act.
He shook his head and ran. The rhythm made it easier to zone out. Part of him screamed that he was a coward, another whispered that he was insane, and both were quiet when his heart rate went up enough. He had spent so long rotting in a bed and acted so weak that it was disgusting to think about. Was he not a man of principles? Was he truly so immoral and lacking in imagination? He ran until his legs refused to carry him further and made a call. Within ten minutes a driver arrived to take him to the Guardian Guild training facilities.
***
“Look who decided to show up! I still hate that haircut. Why do you need to cosplay poverty? Kinda cringe by this point.”
“Vanity is not a hobby of mine. You have proven perfectly well how much time and dedication it takes to uphold a ‘look’.”
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“Well thank you! I can’t tell you how good it felt to get my body pumped with my meds and get my hair done. I feel like a person again. We should go shopping later. I need to get a new look and you’d probably be less of a bore if you found ‘your’ style. I think sporty, grunge, emo-boy vibes would suit you.”
Kaigo leaned against the rubber bands of the boxing ring. Vigo had successfully recovered and ran laps around the track of the stadium. It had taken Kaigo a few days until he was healed enough to walk, but once he was walking it was only a matter of hours before he was running around. 48 hours later he and Vigo were working out together and planned for a friendly round of boxing.
“I have already said I won’t go shopping with you.”
“Stay boring and hoard your riches, little dragon. But you are coming along later to the yacht club. I told Vigo about this boat I got, and whoever wins our sparring match will be the captain.”
“You learned to run yesterday, is it wise to spar?”
“I’m S-class. I can take on a grandpa Esper, even if he is the coolest grandpa Esper. He has the best taste in music! I got so many records I want to share with him.”
Vigo jogged up next to Belaphorde and stretched out his back with a loud pop. He had been listening in and could not help but smile. Kaigo’s enthusiasm was infectious and Belaphorde spoke in the most informal tone he had ever heard.
“You arrived just in time to watch the show.”
Belaphorde frowned and avoided Vigo by looking down at the floor. “Sir… It’s good to see you training. Don’t overexert yourself.”
Vigo had completely shut down all offers Bel presented for him to retire. Vigo was in his late 60’s. That was just too old to be part of a Kaiju battling squad. Vigo had made it clear that as long as Belaphorde was on the team Vigo would also be there.
After a short rundown of the rules the contestants put in their mouth guards and the match began. Kaigo jumped back and forth with his hands held high. He made a few playful jabs and left himself open for Vigo to punch Kaigo right in his face. He was knocked to the floor. Blood ran down his nose.
“What the hell old man? Where did that come from?”
“You are messing with a veteran, kid. Now stop messing around and get up.”
“Point made. Lesson learned.”
Vigo continued to dominate through their match. He would give pointers and talk like he was Kaigo's coach while not holding back on his assault. After a few rounds, sirens blasted through the arena. The two fist-bumped and agreed to call the game a draw as they evacuated the training arena and made their way to the helicopter platform at the top of the training complex.
“A gate has opened in the middle of district twelve. Energy levels suggest A-rank or higher. Possible Knave prescance. Team Xablé on the job. Team Kaigo on standby,” a voice repeated over the speakers.
The trio had yet to be in any action but they had been instructed where to go if Kaigo was called in. By “Team Kaigo” they just meant Kaigo. No one was expecting anyone to follow an S-class into whatever situation that required them.
“Good to see you officer.” Kaigo greeted while waving excessively at a lady wearing a suit and chunky headset. “Can we get a ride over and go into the dungeon? Tell the tactics team I want to train with my Guide. Get Jenny involved if there is any issues.”
A few moments later and they were in the helicopter on their way to the sight. The gate had opened in the middle of the battlefield. The two armies had made their trenches in the destroyed urban landscape. They landed a safe distance away at a spot crawling with Guardian-branded vehicles and personnel. Once they arrived they were given combat suits and presented with Kaigo's arsenal of artifacts. Kaigo grabbed his crystal spear and kissed it over and over.
“I missed you old friend. Here, Vigo take the Aegis. Belaphorde, you get the needle. A Guide like you should have a weapon.” He winked.
“I will have a quick chat with people to see what is happening. Hopefully, we can just have an educational stroll through a dungeon. You both need to know the basics of higher-level monster hunting if you are to get to Kaiju levels.”
Vigo had the Aegis strapped to his arm, ready to use his speed and power to fight. Belaphorde felt the weight of the Needle. It was smooth and light as if it was a hollow. He secured a pack of cores to a side pocket.
“And Bel, just so you know we are seeing my family for dinner tomorrow. Don't forget!”