Kamen Rider Forge Remnant
Craft 24: The Maid.
We are Taiso… Beacon Academy 3rd Arena...
*Yawn~*
The sounds of a silent Saturday morning enters my ear as I walk into the Arena, with me are two bags, one with water bottles, and towels. The other with breakfast sandwiches. "Hey guys." I said, walking up to the chairs and placing the bags on the chairs next to Leo and Shizuka. The two watch on as Alborz and Artoria duel with practice swords and shields. "Breakfast here." I said taking out the sandwiches. I hand them out to the two watching. "Thanks." Leo thanks, Shizuka simply silently takes the sandwich. "Artoria? Alborz?" I asked.
Artoria:(wipes brow) Let us finish this duel first.
Alborz:(sighs) You're insistent on this one aren't ya?
Artoria:(raises blade) Just a little longer!
Alborz sighs, twirling his blades in his hands as he answers. "Fine, but I'm tapping out after this." The two clashed, I took a seat and stretched my arms while watching the fight. 'Never thought I would be more of a Delivery boy instead of a blacksmith… I suppose this is part of the job.' Taking a sandwich I made for myself, I open my mouth to take a bite when I see Alborz get knocked to the ground. "You threw that match!" Artoria exclaimed, pointing her wooden practice sword at Alborz. "Being hungry does that to you, or do you just feed off other people?" Alborz said, standing up and dusting himself off. "Don't make it sound weird." Artoria said.
Alborz:(shrugs) My bad.(sets wood swords down) I'll have my breakfast now.(walks over to chair) If you two wanna tap in, be my guest.
Shizuka:(raises up her hand) I respectfully decline.(bites sandwich) I'm enjoying my Bacon sandwich.
Leo:(shakes head) I would, but as to prevent cramping, I am going to take a 20 minute break.
Artoria:(sighs) Fair, but I did want to practice at least a little longer.
Entering a standby stance, Artoria takes a breath while leaning on her blade. Looking at my sandwich, I put it to the side and picked up the wood swords Alborz left on the ground. 'Just about as heavy as a long sword but the length of a short sword...' Glancing up Artoria's back is turned to me… "Heads up!" I shout throwing the practice blade in my right hand at Artoria.
Artoria turns around and deflects the blade with the front of her wood shield. Knocking the blade into the air, charging in, I swing with the blade in my left hand at Artoria who blocks in time with her blade. Pushing my blade away, Artoria swings her entire body around, I jump back to dodge the swing of the blade and shield. Clenching my right hand to produce a blade. "Ah." 'I can't do that! I'm not in the armor!' Glancing around for the practice sword, I spot it on the ground, Artoria comes in and swings at me. I duck and roll under a swing while picking up my second blade. Artoria swings down at me, blocking with both swords we enter a blade lock. Standing up and twisting my grip on the lock to my left, I move to bash Artoria who blocks with her shield. She pushes me back, I throw both blades at the shield, both bounce off the shield and into the air while knocking Artorias shield arm out of the way. Now! Charging straight towards Artoria I clench my fist and throw my fist at Artoria, only for her to swing around my fist and hit me across the face with the edge of her shield knocking me to the ground. "Ugh!" Tumbling to the ground, I come to a stop face planted on the ground.
Taiso:(slowly getting up) Ow ow-(blade pointed at head) Uh… I… Concede here, right?
Artoria:(nods) As you should…(sighs) Well, that was a surprise.(puts out hand) Are you okay?
Taiso:(takes hand) Heh, yeah.(rubs cheek) Nothing too bad.
Alborz:(eating sandwich) Mmh. Not bad for a Blacksmith. Do they teach you to fight back at Hefestus?
Taiso:(rubbing cheek) Only hand to hand. We are told to keep out of the fight as much as we can. Blacksmiths work best from behind the scenes.
Artoria:(picks up wood swords) Still though, those surprise attacks caught me off guard.
Shizuka:(wiping mouth with napkin) Your plan was good but your execution with a punch was not the best finisher.(looks at Taiso) You should have knocked her to the ground, removed her weapons then go for the hit.
Scratching the back of my head I give a chuckle. "Well, I was really just acting on adrenaline honestly." I said, Shizuka closes her eyes and opens a bottle of water. "Foolish." She plainly said. 'Blunt.' Alborz looks at the time and stands up. "Whoop, it's almost time." Alborz stuffs the last of the sandwich into his mouth. "Time for what?" I ask, taking the practice weapons from Artoria.
Alborz:(swallows food) My- or I guess our Overseer's are arriving today, we are going to pick them up. You should come too, Taiso.
Taiso:(shrugs) Sure... But… An Overseer?(looks at Artoria) What's that?
Leo:(steps over) Overseer's are as the name implies, our Overseers. Their job is different form yours Taiso. In the event of us losing our belts or we die in battle, it's an Overseer's job to retrieve the belt and return it to the family. Each family's Overseers have different tasks and traditions surrounding it.
Taiso:(crossing arms) I'm beginning to notice a pattern. Wait, let me guess.(points at Artoria) You go a Robot Butler.(points at Alborz) He has a Maid.(point at Shizuka) She has a stealthy boy or girl.(points at Leo) And you have a Great warrior from your nation!
Alborz: Huh, hit the nail on the head… For the most part.
Taiso:(claps hands) Let's go! Four for Four!
Shizuka:(sweatdrop) Is that really worth that much excitement?
"I think it is." I answer, Shizuka rolls her eyes and returns to her meal… "Anyway, I'll clean up. You guys clean up." I said turning to Artoria and putting out my hands to take the practice weapons. "We'll do that thanks." Artoria said, handing me the practice blade and shield, the four stand up and leave for the locker rooms.
Beacon Academy Skyport… Later...
The five of us arrive at the Skyport as a large transport ship sets down, it's massive bays open to let off equipment, supplies, vehicles, and people. Many sounds fill the air as people pass by us, off-loading crates and items. As we watch faces pass by I feel an odd feeling of cold creep up my spine. "Someone is watching us." Shizuka said slowly reaching for something in her coat.
Artoria:(reaching into uniform) How many?
Shizuka:(drawing a small blade) One… Maybe two.
Leo:(clenching fists) That could be a trap, there could be more.
Alborz:(cracks neck) I recognise one, but the other I leave to you guys. Miss Greenwood.(turns around and grabs fist) Good try.
Greenwood:(steps back) Good reaction Alborz. Happy to see you keeping your training consistent.
Alborz:(turns around) Thanks. Let's cut to the chase, introduce yourself to my teammates.
Grace: Of course.(bows) Greetings, I am Grace Greenwood. It's a pleasure to meet you all.
Grace Greenwood is a human female, she is 5ft 9in tall with emerald green eyes, long light lime hair dressed into twin braids, dressed in a long black Abaya dress, the dress is modified with the skirt being separated into two. At her head is a shemagh black and white scarf wrapped into a cap. At her waist is a white waist band that has a long teal, brown, and orange colored scarf in a side by side stripe that is wrapped in a cross across the back of the neck over the chest though the white waist band and handed off by the thighs.
Artoria:(smiles) It's a pleasure Miss Greenwood.
Grace:(smiles) The pleasure is all mine Miss Pendragon, but please you may all call me Grace if you don't mind.
Artoria steps up to grace and extends out a hand. "Of course." Artoria said, Grace smiles as she takes her hand and the two shake. "Greetings to you all as well, Mrs. Sakura, Mr. Waller." Grace said bowing to the other two. "Ah! I think I see, Master!" Leonidas exclaimed, raising his hand and waving as a large figure cut through the crowd. 'Oh, Fortuna...' The figure approaches as he towers over us.
Leonidas:(bows) Master, ah no. Herc it's good to see you-(grabbed) Oh!
Herc:(hugging Leo) Ohh~! Leonidas! It does the soul well to see my student in good health!
Leo:(smiling) You as well Master!(set down) Ah, happy to see you in good health.(turns to everyone) Everyone, this is my Master Herc Leons.
Herc:(smiles and bows) A pleasure to make your acquaintance!
Herc is a 7ft tall man with short brown hair, light blue eyes, a strongly chiseled body. He's dressed in a white short sleeve coat that exposes his muscular chest. Long blue pants, and brown boots.
Alborz: Herc? As in the Strongest of the Argonauts? THAT, Herc?
Herc:(flexes) The one and only!
Taiso:(sweatdrop) Talk about a titanic figure.
"Any larger and he'd be blotting out the sun." A voice next to me said. "No ki-" Looking to my right I see a small female figure standing next to me. "Who?!" I exclaim jumping to the side. "Oh, Mikasa. You were the other presence." Shizuka said, walking over to the girl. "I wondered when you'd arrived." She said, crossing her arms. "I wasn't in a rush to be here." Mikasa said.
Mikasa is a 5 feet 7 inches tall woman with short black hair, and blue eyes. A black face mask cover's Mikasa's mouth, a reinforced kevlar chest piece shirt is covered by a sleeveless light blue kimono with the skirt being separated and stuffed into light blue heel high shoes. At her waist is a belt, the right side containing a pouch, while the left side has spare magazines. A rifle holster strap wrapped around her chest with a heavily modified air rifle in the holster.
Taiso: So she's your Overseer...(points at Mikasa) Somehow I doubt that Mikasa is your actual name.
Mikasa: ...(rolls eyes)
Taiso:(sweatdrop) Uh… So was that a yes or a no?
Mikasa walks past me and over to Shizuka. "I'll… uh… Nevermind." I said. "Leo, who is this young man?" Herc asks, looking at me. "Oh, he's our team's support." Leo gestures to me. I bow to everyone. "I am Taiso Umehara, Team ALAS's support, it's nice to meet you all." I introduced myself. Greenwood smiles and bows back. "Ah~ You're the one who charged headlong into danger to help others." Herc said, stepping over to me, "As well as a fine weapons-smith too I hear!" He pats me on the back hard to the point of pain while laughing to the sky and Mikasa merely glances at me. 'And people say I'm weird… I feel plain in comparison to everyone else!' "Ah, I see you are all acquainted." Proxy said walking up from behind.
Artoria:(turns to Proxy) Right on time. Greenwood, Leons, Miss Mikasa, this is my Overseer Proxy. He will show you to your rooms at my family's estate. The estate you will be staying will only be a short walk from the Academy.
Proxy:(bows) Allow me to carry your luggage. I'm sure you are all tired form your long travels.(gestures) If you will kindly follow me.
Leo:(gestures) Let's go, we can show you around once you drop off your luggage.
Artoria:(looks at Taiso) We'll go on, you can head back to the Forge, I'm sure you're needed there.
"S-Sure..." I said waving the other off as I was left behind at the skyport. "..." Standing in silence as the sounds of equipment fills my ear. 'Did I really need to be here? I've never felt so much like an afterthought than ever before...' Groaning, I scratch the back of my head.
*Rustle* *Rustle* *Rustle*
'Hmm?' Glancing over towards the sound, I spot a familiar hooded figure in the shadows of trees. 'Legion?' Squinching my eyes to get a better look, I spot the familiar blade in the figure's hand. "What are you doing?" I wonder aloud, Legion twirls his blade and steps into the shadow of the trees. "Oh no you don't." I said chasing after Legion.
We are Alborz…
Waking with the other, I glance back at Skyport to see Taiso run toward the trees. 'What is he doing?' "Alborz? Is something the matter?" Grace asks me. Keeping my eyes at the treeline Taiso raced into. "I hope it's nothing." I mutter.
Craft 24 Complete