Ares was able to walk through the city, leaving his companions behind to stay with those that were personally assigned to look after them. He trusted the Bitan enough to not mess with his people or slaughter them willy nilly. He wondered what would happen if they tried such a thing since Saykkera had remained behind…

“You have a beautiful city,” Ares said as he looked around the area. The buildings here were made of white stone of some kind, he didn’t entirely recognise it, and they had many patterns carves around the edges and the pillars, but never on the actual walls of the buildings. Most of the patterns were waves or sea creatures but he did see a few that had a design of a dragon that was quite long and wrapped around a pillar.

“We thank you, Ares’O,” Sta’O said.

“Your city reminds me of the temple back at Dragon’s Spine,” Ares said.

“You know of the temple there?”

“Yeah. Saykkera was from it, I think. They’re part of Rivea, and this place reminds me of it.”

“Our people are those gifted by Rivee such a place, and the dragons created the temple of a particular design before they left. If this is so, then Saykkera’O is a descendant of such dragons.”

“Oh, that’s cool.”

“Cool?”

“It means good, but… more than good. Impressive and good I guess.”

The Bitan did not reply.

Ares continued to look around the place before he saw a small group of soldiers running along the path. Sta’O stepped aside and Ares stepped beside him since he had been following the Bitan.

The soldiers jogged on by until they stopped, spun on their heel and continued to jog on the spot. They then stopped jogging and raised their fists up and said something in their own language, Ares hearing a woosh.

It was then Ares felt as though he could understand a little bit of their language. They were merely paying respects, but it seemed to be of a particular manner. The soldiers then continued before Ares could fully decipher such words.

Ares continued to look at the soldiers for a bit and then he stopped. He looked at Sta’O.

“Your soldiers train?”

“They complete drills twice a day.”

Ares raised his brows in surprise. He felt as though he was getting dejavu. “Yeah, mine as well… kind of.” He rubbed the side of his head. “Huh…” He remained silent as he continued to walk around the place and explored the area before he finally returned back to his group.

“I don’t like this place,” Ares whispered towards his group once they had been left alone. They had been given their own building to stay in, which seemed similar to the temple but on a smaller scale. “It’s like what I want Rivea to be, but better…”

Azzo started to light up his pipe. “We don’t know if it’s as good as Rivea, yet.”

“Where do you get all your… leaf from?”

“I ground a bagful before we left. I take about a pinch for each session.”

“How long will the bag last you?”

“A year of daily smoking.”

“Azzo you need to calm down on the smoking.”

“I calm down with the smoking.”

Ares laughed and then shook his head. “Well I suppose I can’t argue with that.”

The group remained with the Bitan for the next few days. Ares at one point spoke to Sta’O. “Hey Sta’O, I’m sorry about Otz.”

Sta’O flashed his eyes to Ares. “We shall speak of it later, if it would be fine with you.”

“Uh… sure?” Ares looked around to see the nearby Bitan who had heard the name of Otz and had perked up.

“Stah’O shall reveal all when he returns,” Sta’O said in his language, which Ares had gotten used to.

“Ah… very sorry about that. I’m quite new to this Kingly business, you see…” Ares said as he flushed somewhat.

“When did you become a King?”

“Probably about a few months ago.” Ares tried to recall just how long it had been. “Not long.”

“Were you not raised to be a King?”

“No. It was accidental. Well, it wasn’t accidental. Rivee asked me to help out the beastfolk on the continent and I told them yes, since they were my first friend.”

Sta’O just stared at him.

“Yeah, it’s a long story. Basically I met Rivee and we became close friends. They gave me a bunch of stuff to help me and I promised to help the beastfolk out. Then a bunch of stuff happened, they saved my daughter’s life, and now I’m far more interested in trying to unite all the people together.”

“What if others do not wish to align themselves with you?”

“I’ll probably find one way or another. Might is right, as they say.”

Sta’O remained silent.

The people that were assigned to the group increased the day after, but Ares hadn’t thought much of it.

There was a commotion coming from the lower floors. Ares made his way out with his companions, keeping his awareness out. One he had approached the edge of the upper floor at the stairs he could see further out, his keen eyes noting Stah’O’s form from the distance.

Ares’ brows raised in alarm. “What the fuck?”

Stah’O had indeed returned, though perhaps not as whole as he had left. He was covered in purple bruises and bled a slimy blue-grey substance that Ares assumed was blood. He leapt over the others ahead of him and then marched quickly to Stah’O.

“Stah’O!” Ares exclaimed out.

Stah’O looked up to face Ares and then nodded, standing up straight and tall. He pulled away from those trying to help him forward.

Ares rushed up to him. “What happened?” Ares then reached over with a hand, which turned to flames as they encompassed Stah’O. All the Bitan nearby were surprised and then slashed at Ares, who turned to flames as they slashed at him.

Then Stah’O appeared, healed of his wounds though still quite weary. Stah’O looked down at his webbed hands and then at Ares.

“It is time for war!” Stah’O exclaimed.