> Kira PoV

“This thing is a titan? For real? Like, the beings who created the world and gave the gift of mana to all living things?” (Kira)

They just went to pick up our reward and for Kelly to meet with the Grandmaster, so how did they come back to the house with something this ridiculous? I had to send the girls up to their bedroom since this might be a bit much for them.

“Dats right, Daughtah of de Stahs.” (Umph)

Legends say every last titan had been buried under mountains and whatnot long ago, so why was this one eaten by a dragon!? No, come to think of it, wasn’t the dragon technically under a cliff? And how come only the head is left? Those are questions for later! Let's start with what concerns the present.

“Kelly, what’s your involvement in all of this?” (Kira)

“I can’t say. As in I really cannot tell you. Or anyone outside of Ecebis.” (Kelly)

I see, so it concerns the Dwarven Republic of Ecebis. State secrets and all that. That doesn’t actually make me feel relieved in the slightest!

“Blame not the Sistah of Steel. All Daahkhands are sworn to keep dey mission a secret.” (Umph)

“And yet you seem oddly forthcoming with these secrets…” (Kira)

“Unlike de Sistah of Steel, I am not bound by oath. And dis one owes dey freedom to you Daughtahs of de Stahs and yah companions, so dis much is de least I can do.” (Umph)

It seems this guy started blabbering the instant they pulled him out of the Elder Dragon’s guts. The Grandmaster had a talk and explained the situation. Upon hearing Kelly’s name, he raised a fuss how it was vital to meet her. And so the Guild sent a message, Kelly went to meet him, and now we’re here.

“Something tells me that seal wasn’t meant for the dragon, but for you. The dragon just happened to be there, didn’t he?” (Kira)

I don’t trust it. Not one bit. This smells of Ancient Evil all over again.

“De Daughtah of de Stahs has it wrong. De dragon swallowed my shell long before it was sealed away. Dis and dat are completely unrelated.” (Umph)

Right, of course it is. I'm pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration.

“You must understand this is very hard for me to accept. Titans are supposed to be larger than mountains and split the ground with every step, right? How did something like that lose to a dragon?!” (Kira)

“I was taking a nap, I didn’t wake until well after I was swallowed.” (Umph)

*SLAP*

My palm instinctively reaches my face. Of all the stupid reasons he could come up with, that's what he gives me? And why does he sound proud it happened that way? He suddenly reminded me of the Grandmaster. Could Mountain Giants really be descendants of the titans like the rumors say? And why would that particular trait be passed on?

“Taking a nap he says... I refuse to believe a lazy bum like that is a titan!” (Kira)

“Believe what you want, child! Even if I was awake it wouldn’t matter. I would still not fight back. We titans do not destroy, we create. It is in our nature to seek peace.” (Umph)

“But you’re supposed to be immortal, right?” (Kira)

“Immohtality does not beget invincibility. While our souls may persevere, our bodies are but shells of rock and metal. They can be bested, but they can be rebuilt.” (Umph)

Huh? If what he’s saying is true, then souls without bodies… aren’t they just demons? No, demons possess living things, but if this thing’s words are true, then titans possess objects… as if they were-

“Umph is a golem?” (Ellie)

“Not quite, Daughtah of de Stahs. De one before you is indeed a soul within a stone, but dis is different from de golems made with magic.” (Umph)

“Then why did you make just a head?” (Ellie)

“Tis a twist of fate. De rest of my shell was already broken down by de dragon over a long time until just de head remains.” (Umph)

“So why don’t you just make a new body?” (Ellie)

“I’ve no hands nor feet to make it with.” (Umph)

He stated it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world! No, he has a point but-

“Surely a titan, as a progenitor of magic, can create one with just a head, right?” (Kira)

“Tis not dat simple. A titan’s shell must be made without any magic. It must be given form through sheer effort and will, or it is unsuitable. Once inhabited, it comes alive.” (Umph)

“Then… what about the legends that say titans had bodies as large as mountains?” (Kira)

“You have a lot of free time on your hands when you’re immortal…” (Umph)

They chiseled mountain-sized statues because they had some free time? No, that’s fine, that’s perfectly reasonable. Makes sense. If you were a moron with nothing better to do.

“But as I am right now, tis impossible. Dis is why I must ask dis of the Daughtahs of de Stahs.” (Umph)

He wants a new body… I’m not sure what to do here. I have a knack for unleashing dangerous things so I’m obviously not thrilled at this idea.

“Red, please. This is something that’s necessary to me. And to my people.” (Kelly)

“... what’s your relation to the dwarves, Umph?” (Kira)

“Dat, I cannot say.” (Umph)

So he finally shuts up, huh?

“Kelly, the world won’t end if we just make this guy a new body, right?” (Kira)

“Probably not. He’s telling the truth you know? According to dwarven lore, the titans were all pacifists. It’s partly why their current state and place in the world was lost to the ages. They all probably got taken out like this guy over here.” (Kelly)

“And it’s the job of you Darkhands to find them?” (Kira)

“I cannot confirm or deny that.” (Kelly)

Mercenary speak for ‘right on the nose’ huh? Come to think of it, nearly every dwarf I’ve met is a Darkhand. Other than Oliver back in Runetap, I believe his clan name is Rumblestone or something.

“Hmmm…” (Kira)

I know the Dwarven Republic of Ecebis is an isolationist state that doesn’t trade or even communicate with the rest of the world. They’ve all just buried themselves under the mountain ranges in the north, doing whatever they please. As far as anybody knows, even other dwarves on the surface are forbidden from returning.

But this makes it seem like the Darkhand clan is full of spies looking for information. They are literally everywhere if you stop and think about it. There’s always been a cousin or uncle or some other relative of Kelly’s at every major city we go to, but never more than one or two people. Also didn’t Kelly’s uncle back in Hell complain how it’s her duty to have lots of kids? As in, expanding their spy network?

Maybe I’m overthinking this, dwarves are just a bunch of violent alcoholics who get in fights for no reason, right? No, come to think of it, hasn’t Kelly somehow made a lot of drinking buddies through this method?

…

The more I think about it, the more plausible it sounds, and Kelly won’t answer anything about it since it would be betraying her country. Well, it could just all be my wild imagination. I hope it's something that simple for once...

“What happens if we refuse to make this body for Umph?” (Kira)

“I’ll make it myself. I’m only asking for your help because I’m short on time and Nano’s good at making things.” (Kelly)

“If you’re suddenly short on time… you’ll be taking him somewhere, won’t you?” (Kira)

She looks at me with a difficult face and nods once. There's more, isn't there?

“Somewhere that we can’t come?” (Kelly)

“... Yes.” (Kelly)

So she’s taking him back to her home country. It’s pretty far, at least two months away from Runetap by carriage. Even longer than that from the Capital. That means we won’t see her for a long time. If we even see her again...

“You’ll come back to us once this is all over and done with, right?” (Kira)

“I can’t promise that.” (Kelly)

Even she doesn’t know what’ll happen, but she seems determined to go no matter what. I need a second opinion. I turn to Nano’s golem who’s been floating quietly all this time.

“Nano, what do you think?” (Kira)

“Can't say. This guy is clearly suspicious.” (Nano/Armory)

“No more suspicious den de one pretending to be a titan.” (Umph)

Ah, now that you mention it, Nano and Umph are kind of similar aren’t they?

“I never claimed to be one. I’m not even a person, you know?” (Nano/Armory)

“Dat does seem to be de case. Dere’s no soul in dat shell, but yet is speaks. How curious!” (Umph)

Ah that’s right, this guy claimed to be able to see souls. That’s why he calls me and Ellie like that. Something like the ‘color of your souls are different’ is what he said. Well considering Ellie really is from the stars and our souls merged together to some degree, he’s not wrong.

‘Daughters of the Stars’ huh? It’s fancy and sound romantic, but it makes us sound like sisters so please stop that.

Back to the topic at hand. Neither I nor Nano trust this blockhead. But I do trust Kelly. This is her wish and it's clearly vital to her on some level. Even if it means that she won't be with us. In fact, this is where I need to be most supportive and send her off with my blessing!

“I’ve decided. I’ll help you, it’s the least I can do. But Kelly, don’t get too crazy without us, okay? Though that’s probably impossible knowing you dwarves are a bunch of incorrigible meat-heads.” (Kira)

“Hey!” (Kelly)

“De Daughtah of de Stahs is impressive to have perceived the true nature of the Breddahs an’ Sistahs of Steel.” (Umph)

“You don’t have to back her up!” (Kelly)

“Then, what sort of material do you want for this body of yours?” (Nano/Armory)

“Anyting will do. As long as it has a definitive shape and has no traces of mana, the material does not matter.” (Umph)

“Why is the lack of mana important?” (Nano/Armory)

“A titan inhabits a shell by forcing their soul into it. Inhabiting a shell that has traces of another soul would cause the shell to destroy itself.” (Umph)

“And the shape, why does it have to be something sculpted?” (Nano/Armory)

“De Fake Titan asks a lot of questions… When a titan inhabits a shell, it is reborn. One cannot change their shape readily after being reborn.” (Umph)

“I see. Then how about-” (Nano/Armory)

* * *

The sun’s already desperately retreating back across the horizon. I want it to take me with it, I think I’m about to die of embarrassment!

“Welcome one and all to tonight’s very sudden, but also very special performance!” (Announcer)

The announcer stands in the middle of the grand arena under the evening sky. His voice alone easily reaches everyone in the arena. Surely there can't be that many people out there though, right?

“It’s okay Kira. It’ll be fun! We wanted to show off anyway!” (Ellie)

I mean yes, we were going to use the arena to get famous originally. Having the support and trust of the people is necessary if you want to be Rank A. But we already got that with the dragon fight! Besides, now that it's come to this, I'm not having only second thoughts, but third and fourth ones as well!

“Come on! Time to show everyone just how brightly Kira shines!” (Ellie)

Ah- she’s grabbed my hand and is pulling me along!

“Noooooo! I can’t, it’s impossible! Let go of meeee!” (Kira)

“To think Kira actually has stage fright...” (Nano/Armory)

“I introduce you the saviors of the capital, the slayers of dragons, the one, the only, [Blaaack Flaaaaame]!” (Announcer)

I’m dragged into the arena lit up by magic just as the announcer finishes his introduction.

“HURRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” (Crowd)

Eeep! When did these people get here! We only asked if we could borrow the arena 2 hours ago! But it looks like every one of the 20,000 seats is filled! What did that arena master do!?

“It’s okay Kira, I’m here! Lara and Sophie are watching too, so let’s not disappoint them!” (Ellie)

“I… I guess…” (Kira)

I somehow find my courage. If it’s showing off to a bunch of strangers, I don’t think I can do it. But if it’s for my kids’ sake I’d gladly dance naked!

Okay, maybe not gladly, but I’d still do it! Under the right circumstances. Probably.

> Lara PoV

“Look Big Sis! There they are!” (Sophie)

“HURRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” (Crowd)

Wow, this crowd is really intense! I’m not sure what’s going on though! I was just drawing some stuff in my room and the next thing I know I’m watching my moms getting ready for a performance from a front-row seat in this huge arena!

There must be, like a million people here!

“Aunty Kelly, what’s going on?” (Lara)

“Nano and Red called it a ‘special service’ to send me off. You know your moms do some weird stuff all the time, is this any different?” (Kelly)

“I must admit I do not approve of dis decision of de Daughtahs of de Stahs and de Fake Titan” (Blockhead)

Geh! I still can’t get used to that stone head talking! I mean it being able to speak is no different from Nano, but the way it talks is weird!

“Wait, send off? Are you going anywhere Aunty Kelly?” (Lara)

“That’s right, it’s sudden but I have to take this blockhead somewhere right away.” (Kelly)

As expected, it's that damn stone's fault! Why can't he just go himself! Ah, he has no arms or legs...

“Will you come back Aunty Kelly?” (Lara)

“I will try, but it will take a long time.” (Kelly)

“Why are you taking Aunty Kelly away, mister stone?” (Sophie)

“Dis not be by choice, Sistah of de Sun. De Sistah of Steel must fulfil her duty.” (Blockhead)

“What’s a sistah of de sun?” (Sophie)

“He means you two. Humans. And ‘sister of steel’ refers to me, as a dwarf.” (Kelly)

“Wow, this guy is unexpectedly pompous isn’t he?” (Lara)

“Don’t ask. I’ll be stuck with him for months…” (Kelly)

“Thank you for waiting, ladies and gentlemen! Since our preparations are complete, let us witness what sights our heroes have in store for us!” (Announcer)

The crowd shut up in an instant! What is this?! Is it a prank? A ritual?

Why are mom and mom going to kiss right now!? Is this what did they come out here for!?

““--------- [Unity]”” (Kira and Ellie)

Ohh! They’re doing that thing they do! I’m not sure what it is, but it’s pretty cool!

“WHAT!? What sort of magic be dis? How can dis be possible!?” (Blockhead)

“Mister stone, didn't you know-” (Sophie)

“One thing Red taught me is that -” (Kelly)

“The way Mom explained it was-” (Lara)

“““-it’s your loss if you mind it.””” (Lara, Sophie and Kelly)

“De merging of souls is supposed to be impossible!” (Blockhead)

“““It’s your loss if you mind it.””” (Lara, Sophie and Kelly)

“But dat spell-” (Blockhead)

“““It’s your loss if you mind it.””” (Lara, Sophie and Kelly)

“...” (Blockhead)

That’s right, you just sit there quietly and let me enjoy watching my moms be awesome! I wouldn't miss this for the world!