“Ugh.” Nathan sighed, relaxing in the bath.
You have so much stamina, and yet you sound so tired. Beholdy said in Nathan’s mind.
“This is a new situation for me, you know.” Nathan said. “It’s pretty stressful.”
He’d arrived an hour or so earlier, and every minute of it was tiring. He was greeted, given access to a huge bedroom too extravagant to be comfortable in, and decided to take a bath. At that stage, a bunch of servants tried to help him with it, whom he’d sent away, and he was finally alone, sitting in a bath to release some tension.
Nathan lowered his face in the water, feeling like hiding out from the world. Bubbles escaped from his mouth as another sigh came from his lips. He lifted his head again and sank back, relaxing in the bath.
“This is going to be so annoying.” He sighed again.
I agree that this extravagance is unnecessary, but humour the King. He has spared much expense for the heroes. Beholdy said.
“Well I never said I wanted that.” Nathan said, getting out of the bath.
He shook off some of the water and dried himself off, making for his clothes. Grabbing them, he quickly slipped on his underpants, followed by the comfortable dryness of his black pants, and then the slight roughness of his brown shirt.
I’m not against your choice of attire, but to wear that to meet the king is just…
“Look at it this way.” Nathan said, slipping his shoes on and making his way out of the bath. “I have absolutely no sense in fashion, so I may as well wear what I know.”
He began walking towards the room he’d been given, passing some servants going on their way.
I would still suggest slipping on something more… fitting. Beholdy said.
“Like what? You know I can’t dress well if my life depended on it, and my colour sense is literaly non-existent.” Nathan replied.
I cannot refute that.
“See?” Nathan said, arriving at the door to his room.
He opened the door and entered, closing the door carefully behind him. He took his shoes off and left them by the door. He then walked in to the centre of the room and fell down onto the carpet, back first. He didn’t really feel comfortable with sleeping on the huge bed, and he’d probably do it at night, but not now.
“This is way too fancy for a pleb like me.” Nathan said out loud.
Plebeian or not, the King needs you. Beholdy reminded him.
“You’ve told me a thousand times, you don’t need to tell me anymore.” Nathan said, sitting up.
He paced over to a large his bag, on which his hand wraps lay. He took them and began winding them around his hands.
“So, I’ve been wondering.” He said absentmindedly.
Yes? Beholdy asked.
“Why doesn’t the blindfold get wet? I mean, it’s a blindfold, right?”
Think of it for a second skin. Beholdy replied. It is possible to remove it, but it is affected by liquid similarly to your own skin and will not impede your natural bodily functions.
“That’s, well…”
It is strange, yes. Beholdy said, confirming Nathan’s thoughts. The hero object is a part of you now. It will remain yours until your death. You, Nathaniel Albin, are now a part of its history, as many have been before.
Nathan had a sudden thought.
“What happened to the previous owners?” He asked.
The original owner died peacefully, surrounded by his students, whom he all cherished. Beholdy replied. Some users have… not been as fortunate.
“Huh. Really?” Nathan said, finished rewrapping his hand wraps.
He squeezed the air a few times experimentally, satisfied at the tightness.
“Well, I hope I won’t die.” Nathan said.
The banquet will begin soon. Beholdy said.
“Got it.” Nathan replied.
He took grabbed his staff leaning by the wall and made out of his room, heading towards the banquet hall.
A little while later, Nathan was behind a door at the north end of the hall. He was also near the other heroes. It was strange, as some wore clothes from his world. It was likely that he knew them, but he’d need to hear their voices to know for sure. Unfortunately, he couldn’t talk to them, as they were soon to re-enter the hall. Nathan gripped his staff as the doors opened, and they were ushered out into music and cheering.
As he walked out into the noise of the crowd, it was quite clear that Nathan was extremely out of place. Hundreds of plates lined the huge tables, filled to the brim with food that looked to be delicious. The fragrance of many delicacies mixing together was intoxicating, but it only served to make Nathan feel even more out of place, as the chairs were lined with noble-looking people, all adorned with jewels and jewellery, with clothes so fine that Nathan’s own rough shirt felt like sandpaper just by looking at them.
Alright, I see what you mean. Nathan thought to Beholdy.
Beholdy said nothing.
Nathan tried waving, awkwardly holding his staff in one hand. He didn’t really know what to do. It was clear that the King wanted them to do something, but what? What did the king mean by Man’s strength? Why were they needed?
Around his fellow heroes, he was still pretty out of place. Some of them had clothes that they likely kept from earth, and he was only reminded of his own simple clothes even more. His clothes were clean, of course, but still simple and rather underwhelming.
So what do I do now? Nathan asked Beholdy.
Beholdy didn’t respond.
Nathan looked around. Some of the heroes had already decided on what to do, but Nathan wasn’t too sure what he should do. 2 people were paying their respects to the king and one had made a beeline for the food. Nathan was kind of hungry, but he was pretty tense. He didn’t know if he could enjoy a meal under that kind of pressure. So Nathan stood there awkwardly, wondering what exactly he should be doing.
The King of Men looked over his capital city with the look of someone aged by worry. This worry came from the knowledge that had just been delivered to him. Another Hero Object had been found. Normally this was good news; however, this time the object was found with its owner dead. At the hands of an unknown enemy. Someone had begun to hunt down Hero Objects and they had finally claimed another victim. It has been four months since he first learned of the Hero Hunter. Since then he activated his own Hero Object. The Horn of Man it was called. It had the power to be heard by all Hero Objects and call them to the Horns location.
Every guard in the city knew to keep a look out for any possessor of a Hero Object. Each was to be treated as a returning General and escorted to the castle that makes the heart of the city. Since he used the horn only one Hero has made it. He called himself Devin. The King had been told to expect several others to arrive today, but it was nearly midday and not a single Hero had arrived. He gave a silent prayer for the Heros swift arrival and safty.
