_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

╰┈➤ ❝ [Are you enjoying your time? ] ❞

—

The wheels of the cart moved along roughly against the harsh ground of the lands beyond Wall Maria. With each movement, Helios was kept in an awkward position as he was wrapped around with a white rope and tied to the cart as a dozen or so other soldiers circled the cart, with others following closely behind. Everyone was silent as the horses 'neighed' every once in a while, and for some time that was the only consolation that there was anybody around at all. As the division advanced closer towards Wall Maria, Helios was left to puzzle over what could have possibly happened in the ages from when he was first exiled for these lands to be left barren. Matter of fact... Helios doesn't think he's seen a human in centuries. Well, that dangling body was different, he supposed.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Helios looked over at the dozen or so soldiers, as a few found it in their fancy to steal glances at the noble figure of Helios. Even with somewhat disheveled and misshapen clothing, his elegance glowed through like that of a diamond encompassed by dirt. Peering down at his wear, he gave a slight nod, recognizing that he should find better wear. If it wasn't for his curiosity, maybe he could have robbed the clothes of that dead woman and worn them, effectively leaving himself out of this mess and going on his wayward journey. But, oh, how monotonous it would be to return to roaming the Earth once more. He has been doing such things since... how long? Since three thousand years ago? Oh, my, time really does fly.

Another bump in the road hit the cart's wheel, causing for Helios to jolt up slightly. This seemed to agitate Helios as he peered over at the driver and expressed his concern, his voice like that of a patient predator waiting for the right time to strike a blow to the neck of his prey. "Excuse me, my good sir, but would you happen to know how long it would take to get to our destination? This path is remarkably uncomfortable, and if I may speak about your poor attempt at steering a horse—"

Abruptly, the harmonious voice of Helios was instantly cut short by the demeaning voice of the driver, who didn't seem to hold manners up to standard with the vulgar way he shouted. "Shut up! You have no right to talk to me! You better keep quiet before I shut you up." With one last rattled huff, the driver turned back around to concentrate on the path ahead as he completely overlooked the silence of Helios. Shaking his head in a calm manner, Helios was swift to break free from the frail rope swathed around his athletic frame, each movement silent like the night as he peacefully made his way behind the driver. Instantly, his muscular hand slashed through the air as it struck the side of the driver's neck, forcefully making him comatose.

Without a moment to waste, Helios strode into the driver's seat. Grasping securely to the reins of the horse, Helios made himself as comfortable as one could be on the hardwood seating that was provided. Turning his head to glance over his shoulder, Helios used one of his hands to jab the senseless man further into the supply crates, effectively burying the ex-driver. Clearing his throat in a courteous manner, Helios followed tow to the soldiers in front of him. No one suspected anything amiss the entire expedition back to the Kingdom of Eldia as everyone yearned to be back in the secure hold of Wall Maria once more.

Soon, the brigade reached the gates in what could only be called a day of triumph. Only two soldiers have lost their lives on this momentous day, and to the people of Maria, that was the same as none. The regiment was back at home at last, and for that, they were treated to a delightful little procession along the village streets as the townspeople applauded for those who had stayed alive and for safeguarding their peace. Confetti of various assorted colors was showered upon the benevolent figure of Helios, who seemed uncannily steady. Their suntanned skin glimmered underneath the sunlight; practically making him look like a rare ball of a star among the battered and fatigued figures of all the other soldiers. Their vermillion eyes glanced around the hailing crowd, fierce and dispassionate, as if he held the very pit of hell in his sockets. Dark raven hair swayed graciously through the wind, bellowing around his image like that of a cloud as he seemed so... mystical.

Such a man caught the prying eyes of most of the crowd as murmurs extended across the strips of villagers. It attracted their eyes around such a gleaming figure as every single muscle and feature seemed to be dipped in a holy fire. Some young women even gave timid hand waves to him—of which he ignored. He didn't have time to be entertaining a clod of wretched humans. What he needed to know was what that winged symbol represented. The sooner he knew of what it meant, the faster he could be rid of the prying eyes and nauseating glimpses he was devoted to. Helios felt indecent.

Stiffening his hold around the leather reins of the horse, Helios followed closely behind the other soldiers in front of him, as he didn't wish to bring up any skepticism of any sort. Now that would be an irritating hindrance. Soon the brigade made it to base, and as everyone secured their horses and prepared to unload. Helios tied his own horse to a wooden pole before hopping off of the uncomfortable seat, his feet making expeditious motions as he strolled peacefully out of the stables as he went off onto another journey: to find the symbolization of that winged mark.

Walking down a rather deserted path, Helios made do as he glanced outside the clear windows, their scarlet eyes studying every detail he could of the passing landscape as he made his way aimlessly down the hall and to the right. Perhaps he should make haste so as to not be anywhere near the stables—then he wouldn't have to fret about the clumsy touch of those deplorable soldiers. As he walked, something caught his eye, and he ceased his journey for a moment more as he meticulously criticized what showed to be scribbling on the door. It seemed to be someone's office...

Shrugging his shoulders in indifference, Helios stepped away from the door as he resumed his aimless journey out of the building, only for that to be cut short by the sound of a door flinging open, severing its own hinges as it fell to the floor. Whoever it may be, that person didn't seem all too sympathetic to be the slightest bit courteous to a modest door. Turning his body around to face whomever was so harsh to an inanimate object, Helios peered down as he saw the rather short build of a stone-faced soldier. In silence, and in a calm manner, Helios lingered his ruby eyes over his features and acknowledged a few striking parts of that man. Like how vast his forehead seemed and his bowl-cut hairstyle. To Helios, it seemed to him that man's existence to be rather distressing.

Wishing to show sympathy to the wretched soldier, Helios outstretched his hand towards him, their expression cold and collected. "Greetings, sir. I am who people named Helios, and you are...?" Letting his words marinate for a few seconds longer, Helios drew back his hand and let it rest by his side as he saw that man give no motion to respond.

'Shing!'

Metal struck metal as the rather short soldier now stood mere inches from Helios' face, his own sword against the sheer hunting knife of Helios, both not moving a single inch. The frown adorning the soldier's face intensified as Helios displayed no signs of struggle—nor of concern. With one gentle push, Helios sent the infuriated form of the soldier back a few inches, his back smashing against the window rather brutally as it started to crack. Bringing his long, sharpened nails closer to his hunting knife, Helios began to sharpen the already honed metal. Taking relaxed and dignified steps closer to the hunched soldier, Helios once again raised his hunting knife, averting another attack once more as the soldier seemed relentless in his attempts to subdue him.

With every single blow, Helios only drove the soldier closer and closer to a corner, of which he noticed, and hastily hit the wall with one of his feet thrusting him up as the short soldier now stood behind Helios who patiently turned around to face him as he was now the one backed up into the corner. Finding the change of turns to be rather comical, Helios decided to have sympathy for the speechless human. Wishing to put an end to such a useless squabble, Helios did the only logical thing: jumped out of the window. Glass shattered as a few dozen shards fell to the ground, with the others falling down onto the streets below. But where was Helios? Glancing up at the hand that seized his own, Helios hummed softly in acknowledgment. Well, if that relentless soldier was to not let go, Helios will show him the consequences.

Clutching tightly around the hand that held his own, Helios tugged at it harshly, yanking the soldier down with him as the two now began to fall from the fourth-storied floor. Watching as the soldier began to silently panic at the circumstance that he found himself in, Helios found it in his responsibilities to soothe his apprehensions. Enclosing his arms around the soldier's waist, Helios hugged him closer to his broad and robust chest, pillowing his head against his chest only seconds before the two fell harshly onto the ground. Not at all affected by the impact, Helios looked up at the angered soldier, who scowled down at him with his gloved hands wrapped around the throat of Helios.

"You dumb fuck." The voice of the soldier was heard as strained as the man was holding Helios down by his neck—of which did little to stop him from actually moving, but he found this predicament of his to be the appropriate opportunity to ask another one of his questions. With scarlet eyes looking up into the inky eyes of the man on top of him, Helios opened his mouth, his voice low and pacifying.

"What is your name?"

Holding the cheek that was slapped by the soldier named "Levi"—which he only found the name of via one of the soldiers he coaxed—Helios slumped back onto the frigid wall of a cell as the only light was a gloomy torch at the end of his cell. Not like he needed much of an outsource of light to see, but it was consoling to have some sort of warmth. Even if it is so far away. Such a place was unfavorable to Helios, as it was rather annoying to be in. It was tolerable, but after so long in the wilderness, some silk or cotton would be a pleasant touch to this cell of his. Quite frankly, Helios did not know why he was locked away in such a deserted cell, hacked by a multitude of tedious and hulking chains that really did very little to keep him down as it was all connected to his limbs and even around his throat. How comfortable.

Letting out a subdued sigh, Helios started to ponder about being back outside and not caged like a bird in such a filthy cell. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so curious. Suddenly, the sound of an enormous steel door opening caught Helios' attention as he glanced back up at the bars of steel dividing him and the outside. Keenly staring as three shadows made their way toward his cell, Helios remained still as their impassive face looked on in a relaxed fashion. Not once did he show any reaction. Not even when Levi and two other strangers stood before him, voices threatening.

"Who are you?"

(ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴅᴀʏ/ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴍʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇꜱ!)