"It is I who should thank you young Hero. Please a savior need not kneel. It is us who are in your debt." Just as he had hoped, the King was a humble and wise man, everything Faust had imagined him to be. Clearly, he would listen to reason when it was presented. Before he could reply to the King’s gracious gesture, there was a disturbance. All eyes turned away from Faust and to the guards as they dragged a criminal before the King, hurling him to the floor unceremoniously and delivering a crude amount of abuse before the assembled nobles. He used the commotion as an opportunity to rise to his feet. He possesses an object, Rod whispered, by way of warning. Despite that, Faust placed a hand on the hilt of his blade, ready to wipe the insolence from the other hero’s face, but the King was quicker in offering mercy and kindness. As was to be expected of so noble a ruler, although even he thought that pardoning the criminal was taking it a step too far. "My captain has informed me that you all come from the same home. It is understandable that you all have much to catch up on. I too would like to hear of how you came to be chosen as a hero." The King stated, as the mood of the banquet hall returned to normal. “Your Majesty, who is this captain you refer to and how does he come by knowledge, if I may be so bold?” Faust queried, showing a hint of nervousness before continuing. “I, Faust the Thunderous, was born into this world but one year ago. I know little of anything that may have occurred before that, nor will I let it have any bearing on my actions.”

Nathan stood awkwardly, watching a bit. Someone had been brought in and labelled a criminal or something, but the King said they were a hero? Beholdy confirmed that he had a Hero object, so it was fine, but still. It was resolved quickly, at least, and the party went back to normal. The King was even giving them time to get reacquainted, which was good. That said, he didn't really know them. He'd heard some of his fellow Heroes' names, and he recognised them vaguely. The name Robyn was mentioned by a person with a cloak, and the someone identified themselves as Lord Faust, who was in full armour and had an electric baton. The baton and the cloak are Hero objects. Beholdy said helpfully. Good to know. Nathan replied. He didn't really know any of them closely, and judging by their voices, he hadn't known any of them. But that said, it meant that his friends were probably doing fine, and they weren't here, which was probably a good thing. He thought of the 2 people who'd given their names. He was sure that he'd heard their names thrown around in conversations, but he couldn't remember where, when or why, which was understandable. It had been an entire year, and a strange one at that. Nathan thought for a moment. Faust was mentioned, but try as he might, he couldn't really remember him well. But Robyn seemed a little more familiar. Just a bit. He thought hard for a moment. For some reason, he kept coming back to books, but he didn't know why. He didn't read at all... He suddenly recalled a conversation he'd had with his friends once. They were talking about pretty much nothing at the time, and their teacher called them to take some stuff from the library, so he went with a friend. They got the books and they chatted for a while about the library, and his friend mentioned that there was a girl who always sat in the library reading. Robyn was her name. What was her last name? He couldn't remember, but he had to confirm it. Nathan approached her and tried asking her. "Say... Um, were you the girl who read a lot of books?" Nathan asked carefully.

Nolan's brow furrowed in response to the king's words. They had all come from the same place? Then someone else must have vanished from that field trip, he turned to examine the black-suited women more closely, it was clear now. The year spent in this world had changed her but now he could see that if she came from the same place as him she must be Robyn Silverman, the super-smart girl who was always reading. And the only girl he had a crush on but was to embarrassed to ask on a date. Loden hissed angrily, "This is no time for your wasteful emotions to occur!" Nolan colored slightly but it quickly went away and he hissed back "Shut up, this is no time for your spiteful and suspicious words either," Nolan sensed a sulky silence from Loden but refused to say anything else, luckily as far as he knew no one could hear Loden but him. Although he was positive that the women was Robyn he still had to make sure so he asked her, "Would you perhaps be Robyn Silvermna?" he asked somewhat nervously. He wasn't sure whether he wanted the answer to be yes or no and he didn't know how he would respond anyway.

Robyn looks over at the guy and instantly recognizes him as Nolan... something or other... the star jock from one of the schools nearby hers. She sighs and says, "That's correct. Aren't you 'Captain Nolan'? Star of the football team, the guy who used to bully me a lot when we were younger?" She says this quite spitefully and rolls her eyes. "But I guess that we're different now, huh?" She reaches back to touch her katanas. The Heroic Objects pulses and thrums, embracing her touch. It warms her fingers slightly. This is a man you fear? Yūkan'na says spitefully. He is but a mere punk kid from your former days. You are better than he is. Stronger, faster, braver. Yūkan'na's voice purrs to her. She squeezes her eyes shut as familiar feelings from him rush up into her head as well and she blinks slowly, looking back at Nolan. She grins tightly. "It's nice to see at least one person from home." She turns her cold eyes to Nathan. "I don't believe I recognize you..."

"The captain of my guards is a resourceful young man." The King said cryptically. You will meet him soon enough, but that is a conversation for later. While you have a mountain of questions for us we are armed with questions for you. May you parry them with expert tongue. The Kings tone was friendly and almost joking as he listened to people ask questions of this and that. "What is your world like?" "Are you married?" "Is it true you bested four bandits in one strike?" The questions came at all the heroes surrounding the King who was now having his wine glass filled. Once he took a gulp he thought about asking a question of his own; however, decided against it. The question wasn't for current company. Instead he began to study the heroes. He saw some mingle among themselves while some with himself and the noble lords.

Nolan's face colored in shame, it was so simple to just call someone a nerd and not think twice about it or steal their books or something without thinking about the consequences it had on them. Then he heard spiteful whisperings, he frowned at hissed at Loden, "Now's not the time for your mouthing off," his cloak replied grumpily, "It wasn't me, it was that girl's katanas, they're hero objects as well just like me, even if they aren't as strong." Loden finished rather disdainfully. Nolan looked at the Katanas curiously, now that Loden mentioned it he could also feel some sort of intelligence from them, a malicious one at that. He would dwell on that later, now he was being bombarded with questions from the assembled noble folk. The differences between their worlds were to many to list, he didn't like the connotations that came with the question of whether he was married so he decided to answer the bandit one. "Well to be fair they pretty much lined themselves up for the kill, but yes, all four of them at the same time, suffice to say the remaining bandits fled." he replied, a bit proud of the accomplishment himself. He had been working on his swordsmanship since he had arrived and it was acceptable now. Certainly far superior to when he had first arrived.

Anthony stood and brushed himself off looking the king in the eye. "Thank you." He said, still sounding somewhat defiant. "Is that the way you're going to treat him? He saved your life." Gaius said, a hint of anger to his voice. Anthony just ignored the voice, which only served to annoy his hero object even more, waving off the hangers on who wanted to get to know the outlaw even more now that he was a free man he strode across the room and looked to the girl and her own hangers on, the voice of her own artifacts being heard as if he was listening to his own "We are not alone all three of them have a object, and are you going to talk to me?" Gaius asked Anthony, who said nothing to him assuring that he was ignoring the object. Finally the noise became to much to bare so he grabbed a plate of food, and left the party wandering into a much more quieter courtyard. He sat thinking about the king and the fact he spared his life, while he was grateful he felt like the king was going to ask something of him that was going to cause trouble and bring nothing but pain. After all he didn't just call them out here to say "Hi" He was going to use them and he knew it, he didn't doubt that he would figure out how and why tonight. He grabbed something from his plate and chewed on it thoughtfully. "What do you think, Gaius?" He asked, finally acknowledging the voice within his object but it seemed to be Gaius' turn to ignore him. With a sigh he looked to the sky as if something would fall from it and give him the answer he was looking for.

Volker frenziedly consumed as many of the refreshments he could, almost as if they would vanish if he stopped devouring them. The swordsman halted when he felt all that he put in his mouth hit his stomach and sensed that if he ate anymore his stomach would rip. Oh well... He was satisfied for now and turned his back on all the food so he could observe his surroundings. As luck would have it, quite a bit of commotion was going on when he did; some man was being dragged across the floor by the guards and placed at the feet of the king. Volker instinctively strode over to see what was the cause of the unrest and discovered that the man that was lugged around was also a hero (and an absolved bandit.) He was curious as to what exactly he did as a bandit but his thoughts of what bandits do were disrupted by the king's talking. My captain has informed me that you all come from the same home. It is understandable that you all have much to catch up on. Volker replayed the sentences in his heads a few moments. He did not want to recall what existed before Alma Terra. Even if he didn't, when he looked over his fellow heroes he saw one frozen in place, his stillness bothered him for whatever reason. He is like a statue... but statues are created to stay still and he wasn't.... Volker impulsively tackled him and the still man was no longer just that. "Wow! Hello?" the 'injured' party said, somewhat surprised. Both him and Volker were on their asses as Kirk looked him over, trying to identify who he was. Volker laughed childishly for a few seconds before facing the person he tackled. Astraeus sighed within its sheath as Volker stood up and offered to help the stranger up. He laughed a bit himself then grabbed his hand and stood up. "Howdy! What's your name stranger?" Volker barely managed to inquire while chuckling. "Name's Kirk! How about you?" he asked while extending his hand out. "Volker Prowse." he eagerly shook his hand with a smile. "Would you like me to introduce myself formally or informally?" "Whichever'll help me keep this smile longer." Kirk grabbed his staff off of his back by the center and pulled it forward, and then slammed the butt on the ground. Volker dully noted the staff's appearance, it was very rusty and atop of it a dragon was engraved. "Ello there, Hero." the small dragon spoke, turning and twisting its head towards Volker. The swordsman was caught a bit off guard by a talking dragon but found it cool nonetheless. "This is Destoc, and I'm one of your ol' classmates from last year. We didn't talk much, but it looks like thats gonna change a bit!" Volker's grin faltered a bit. He did not like to be reminded of what once was and he was unfortunately surrounded by reminders of the boring reality that he used to live in. By the end of Kirk's introduction his smirk resumed its original appearance. "What is it that you did between then and now?" Volker asked, genuinely wondering what it is his fellow heroes did during their year. "What I did? Well, to tell you the truth I honestly didn't do all that much. I ain't some famous rebel, nor as well known as a few of the other heroes might be. In all truth, I was usually too scared most of the time to try anything big. I'm a coward through and through! However, I hate to say it now, but I also have blood on my hands. The blood of scum, but still, I've killed people in the last year." He hesitated for a second, but then resumed speaking. " However, I can say that I don't fully regret any actions I've taken. You? Volker cringed at the thought of killing any other being. "I've spent majority of my time in a small civilization not too far from the city. I studied the stars... I've never actually had to... ya know." "What were they like? Take it they were a peaceful bunch? "Not peaceful, just too ill-equipped to fight." his grin twitched. Did they get into many of em?" He still grinned and merrily replied, "Plenty of them."

Rayne doesn't care if she hurt her feelings. He hurt her a long time ago. She peers over his shoulder and sees the rebel, Anthony or whatever, walking off. She says, "Excuse me" before following him out into the night. She follows closely behind him. For some reason, she is infatuated with how he is, how hostile he is. She has never really met anyone like him before. He asks, "What do you think, Gaius?" It is obvious that he is talking to his object, but there is no response. Rayne bravely says, "I think you're hiding from the rest of us." She walks over to him. "You will have to get used to us at some time. I apologize for snapping earlier. It has been a rough couple days."

Giving the crowds his most sincere smile, Faust let out a boisterous laugh as they closed in with their questions for the heroes. He attempted to pay the others little mind, they were reminders of something he didn't want to think about right now. To distract himself, he decided to engage the audience, answering all the questions about his time on Alma Terra with an added theatrical flair. The favored story, and one he told with fervent intensity to draw in his listeners, was the tale of his victory in the Grand Arena of Thirdain. Entering as an anonymous foreigner one year ago, he had risen to claim the championship and the prize money. In one round of the tournament he had even bested four men at once, incapacitating the final opponent on foot after he was unhorsed. The nobles applauded. They had of course heard the tail on the wind, but coming from Faust’s own mouth made it all the better. He had a knack for dramatic presentation to match a bard, and bedecked in his silvery armor it was difficult for the nobles to doubt his competence. Among all of the heroes present, they were hard pressed to find anyone who looked so blatantly…heroic. After his tail was done, he stepped closer to the king to escape prying ears. "Your majesty, something troubles you, yes? I would share whatever burden rests upon your shoulders, if I may," he whispered, seeking to discover the reason they had all been called hear while ingratiating himself to the king at the same time.

The party continued to rage long into the evening as the King politely told Faust that the weight of responsibility was his and his alone to bear. Plenty of social customs were seen including drunkenness, dancing, story telling, and singing. Finally things quickly started to die down as it was announced the King was going to retire. He gave a final thank you to the heroes in attendance and told them that servants would be happy to escort them to their sleeping chambers for the night. As the party had gone on longer then planned the grand meeting of heroes was being pushed back to tomorrow. As the King left he was informed that his captain had returned and quickly rushed from the room to meet his trusted aid and guard. When he entered the throne room he saw his captain standing with two guards behind him. They all bowed and then rose after being commanded to by the King. "What news do you have from Alkarts?" He asked quickly. He held his breath as he waited for a reply. "My King the city is gone..." The Captain said. "When we arrived there was... no one. The town is there, but its inhabitants are completely gone. No trace, body, or tracks to be found. It is indeed the same as before..." The Captain seemed angry and above all somewhat uncontrolled in his anger. Still no one backed away or seemed phased including the King. "You continue to blame yourself for something that is not your fault. Devin, you have fought for me and protected this kingdom for almost 9 months now. Your talents, skills, and cunning have saved countless lives. Even now many of your friends who were brought here with you owe their lives to you. What happened those many months ago can not weigh you down forever. You strive to correct the errors we together made. That is enough to rest your head of these worries and emotions." The king then stood from his seat and walked to the door. "You will meet them tomorrow. There we will share them the full scope of what this world is turning into as well as what plagues it. You are relieved of your duties as Captain of the Royal Guard effective immediately. Your position as hero will be reinstated along with that of the other heroes tomorrow at the public ceremony." With that the King excused himself and Devin was left gripping his fist in worry and fear.

For the briefest of moments, he felt alone. As if he was cast back into this world all over again, the only person he had for a long time was Gaius, but then he had also ignored Gaius who had been just alone as Anthony. He was about to say something when he heard a voice behind him, he tensed and reached for his sword but stopped when he saw who it was and let his hand fall to his side. "Hmm this night can get worse." He said quite rudely, but he seemed to scoot to the side so his new companion could have a seat, he looked to the setting sun and chuckled. "It's not so different from home. Sun sets, and rises with out without us." He said. He kept silent for a moment, and then he looked to his companion. "Do you ever think about home? Or are you like the others and choose to forget about it, because you have it so much better here?" He asked. And looked to the girl, not that he could remember her name it had been so long, but he didn't doubt she would introduce herself and brag about her accomplishments anyways, so he didn't need to ask for it.

As dawn struck the capitals walls the early risers began to stir from their beds. Servants, farmers, inn keepers, and former Captains of the Guards. He woke not out of nerves or stress, but out of habit. For the better part of the past five months he had always woken up with the sun. It was normal now and even if he didn't have to oversee the changing of the guard it put him at ease when he saw it go off in perfect rhythm. As the guards being replaced began to march past the gate where Devin stood they stopped and their lieutenant walked over. The officer gave a formal salute to Devin and then wished him a good morning. "You don't need to salute anymore Thane." Devin said with a sheepish lull. "If it hasn't made the rounds I was forced to take on the title of Hero. I am no longer your Captain." Thane frowned at this news. "I am well aware of your new position Captain, but that has nothing to do with you being my Captain." The matter of fact voice he used hit a cord within Devin who smiled and stood up straight. He saluted both the Lieutenant and his guardsmen. The garnered a smile and moral rousing from the group who excitedly started to talk about how they were the comrade of a hero. After the change was complete Devin went to the observatory where the King had decided to hold the first formal meeting of heroes. Devin was plenty early so when he reached the top floor of the tower using its magic elevator he found himself alone. He was unsure if the King was going to arrive at the start, but had been instructed to explain the situation once everyone had arrived. Devin shifted uncomfortably in the large room. He had no idea what to expect from the other heroes. He had learned many things over the past year and had even checked on them himself. What he fought now was a possible divider within the group. He rubbed his hands which would at times be covered by the gauntlets which were his hero objects. He had no reason to wear them as he saw no need for a fight. If it did come to that for any reason he was confident. Any resistance could and would be struck down swiftly. The time of the heroes acting selfish was at an end...

Nolan woke up lazily, it had been a nice party with good food that led to a better night of rest. He quickly dressed and left his room wondering what exactly they were supposed to do now. He stopped one of the numerous servants that were running around hoping that his reputation wouldn't scare him off, "Excuse me, do you know were the King wants the hero?" he inquired still unsure of why they were here.

Faust entered the observatory shortly after Devin. Although he had remained awake with the nobles late into the evening, he showed no signs of dishevelment. His hair was neatly combed, and his face was cleanly shaven. He had even traded out his ceremonial armor for the silken coat and breeches of a noble, with knee high, gilded leather boots. At his belt was the same ornate sword from the previous night on one side, and Rod on the other. Good morning, Hero, Rod spoke, addressing Devin as he and his master came to a halt by a large window. Faust stood at attention, hands clasped firmly behind his back as he surveyed the city and awaited the king.

The servant scurried of leaving Nolan behind somewhat dissapointednly. He really had no idea where to go but he happened glance someone he thought that he recongized from last nights party and followed them. Nolan's hunch turned out to be correct and the rather regeally dressed man led him to the tower where the king was apparantly waiting. Would've been nice to know earlier but he was here now so that was all that mattered, he simply stood next to the familair man, Faust, thats what his name was. At least Nolan was pretty sure.