A number of bidents aimed at Ares as he raised his arms up.

“Gather the warriors!” Stah’O motioned with a hand and the soldiers that had been threatening Ares then withdrew and marched off.

Ares threw a look towards Stah’O who seemed much better after being healed.

“What is going on?” Ares asked.

“We are to meet the Reptai in battle,” Stah’O said. “We shall face them in battle and drive them away from our lands once and for all.” He marched onward with Ares following behind.

“Who are the Reptai?”

“They are a group of people with ties to Rivee. Distant cousins, though they had been not been gifted the duty of protecting any sites like we Bitan or the dragons that you are familiar with. We had met not long ago and they had been invited onto our lands by Otz’O,” Stah’O said as he continued swiftly to the stairs.

“So,” Ares said, “how did you manage to get into a war with them?”

“Our relationship was always complicated, however it was only due to Otz’O’s will that we had allowed them to remain within our lands, but now we were able to do as we pleased. I have chosen to deal with the matter to protect my people.”

“I can understand the sentiment at least.”

“I did not enjoy their company either,” Stah’O said.

“Well… I will be sure to be more fun then,” Ares said as he chuckled.

When they finally reached the top of the stairs, with the group of mixed beastfolk catching up to Ares halfway through, Stah’O slammed his bident to the ground and then reached out to a pouch beside him. Then he tossed the water into the air, and as the light from above struck it, the water glittered into a rainbow of sorts.

“Otz is dead but there is no time to mourn! We are at war witht he Reptai, it is time to wear our arms and march to battle! We have one hour to get ready.”

Stah’O turned to look at Ares. “I shall speak with you if you need before I leave, but I must prepare.”

“No, no. Go ahead and prepare. I can wait.” Ares nodded as Stah’O left.

“There is always trouble whenever you are around, Ares,” Kask said.

“At least you can’t say it’s boring around me,” Ares said as he threw a look to Kask.

Azzo blew out some smoke from his pipe. “There is some fun in boring,” he said as he continued to smoke.

“I need to smoke whatever you’re smoking,” Ares said.

The group remained on the side lines as a random Bitan, an older woman with short black hair brought them some tea.

“Do forgive Stah’O. He is a man of swift action.” She sipped on her own tea.

Ares tasted the tea. It was good. It was pretty sweet without anything added to it.

“The tea is delicious, thank you. I am King Ares.”

“Ares’O, it is an honour to speak with you. I am Aks’E.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Aks’E. Do your people often go to war?”

“It is not something that has happened in my life time.”

Ares raised his brows. “Isn’t this a big deal then?”

“It is life. We know that every day has a potential for war. It is better to be prepared.”

“Well that’s good.”

“Have you often been to war, Ares’O?”

“A few times. We’ve recently managed to not get into a war, and we partly stopped a skirmish.”

“That is a great task indeed,” she said.

“I suppose it it.” Ares smiled. “Well then it seems as though the soldiers have gathered. I would like to speak with your leader if it would be alright to leave.”

She bowed her head. “As you wish, Ares’O.”

“Thank you, Aks’E.”

Ares left the group, though Emerli and Saykkera followed.

“Hey Stah’O, could we talk?”

Stah’O turned to face Ares and then bowed his head. “Let us go to the temple.” He said as he led Ares to the temple.

Ares sat down as he had done so the first day when Stah’O had first invited him. Then food was brought out to him, Ares wondering how they kept all of this ready for them.

Stah’O broke the flat bread and then he started to eat before Saykkera offered him some food and Ares began to eat.

“What is it that you wished to speak of?” Stah’O asked.

“I wanted to ask you if you needed any help with the Reptai.”

“We need no help, but we are grateful for your words.”

“Alright, alright.” Ares ate the food, apparently starving since he was inhaling his food. “Well then. Is it alright I watch? I have never seen a Reptai, I think, and I would at least like to see how they fight in case we ever need to fight them.” Ares also thought about wondering if he could have the Reptai join him.

Stah’O stared up at Ares for a moment but then nodded. “Very well. We are going to leave soon so if you are ready by the time you may accompany us.”

Ares smiled and then he nodded his head. “Thank you very much, Stah’O.”

Once they were done with their food, Ares dropped some meat as a thank you gift since he’s about to leave. He wasn’t sure if he’d be returning any time soon since they were about to go and fight.

Saykkera glared at Ares and Ares smiled at her. “Please look after Emerli for me,” he said as he raised a fist to his heart. “I’ll leave that to you.” He turned to Emerli. “Alright. Please look after the others.” He said as he rubbed the top of her head before he then raised a hand. “I’ll see you around.” He then left them to join the army that was marching on ahead.

Kask appeared with Yinyin and Azzo throwing out looks in his direction.

“It is not a good idea to go without us.”

“I know.” Ares nodded. “Don’t worry about me though. I think that Stah’O is quite honourable and he’ll give me a fair warning before he stabs me in the back.”

Kask raised his brows alarmed.

“That was just a joke.”

“Good luck, Ares.”

“Thanks. Take care.” Ares waved a hand and then he was off. He watched as rows and rows of Bitan dove into the lake. The lake rippled and then shook before it gleamed once and the shadows disappeared. Sta’O left with the first lot.

Stah’O remained with the last group. Stah’O leapt in and then the others pierced the water with their bidents. Once more Stah’O seemed to manipulate the water and Ares dove in. This time Ares concentrated to shift the water around him. He then cut through the water with his open hand and willed the water to move forward, forming a current similarly to how Stah’O had done so. Stah’O pulled aside as Ares shot forward and down before then stopping to wait for Stah’O.

Stah’O nodded to him as the water then carried the pair along, neither of them willing it forward though.

‘Huh. That’s new.’