When Ares awoke, Lana was not beside him. She sometimes left earlier than when he awoke, but that was a rarity. Today was the day Ares was finally allowed to start working out too, so he took the opportunity of her absence and quickly stepped out.

The brisk air struck him, the cold clinging deep within his bones. He smiled as the cold took to his insides before he then started to walk down the path, and then eventually jog, before he was finally running.

What bliss he felt as his feet struck the pavement. He enjoyed the feeling of the ground against his feet, the cold air swallowing around him, the warmth that was beginning to form inside him to bat the coldness that had taken his bones.

It had been far too long.

Once he was done with his morning run, Ares went over to the large path of cleared area where he saw two different units training. They were practising a number of drills at the moment, but there were some rocks nearby that they carried and used to build muscle. Ares needed to figure out a way to lift heavier weights without finding the biggest boulders around.

The soldiers stopped and then saluted him, and Ares threw back a nod towards them. He decided to practise nearby with his own spear, pretty much copying what the soldiers were doing. Eventually he joined with one of the Captains to spar with them, trying to increase his skill with the spear, rather than utilising just his inhuman strength.

They practised for some time, to the point Ares was getting lost within it before he realised that the Captain was almost dying due to their lack of breath.

“Excuse me,” Ares said, “I didn’t mean to spar for so long.” Ares chuckled and then withdrew, giving his Captain some time to catch their breath before the other Captain offered to sub in.

After some time with the second Captain, Ares was called by Rori. Ares waved and then thanked the soldiers, who saluted him as he left towards the bearman.

Ares was covered head to toe in sweat, not that he seemed to mind. He would bathe soon to get rid of it all and then start the day, though it seemed Rori wished to speak with him first, as sometimes he did, and he always seemed to pick the time right before he would bathe.

“I hope you had slept well,” Rori said.

“I slept well enough, thank you.” Ares nodded his head.

“I have come to ask of you a few items that may be in your possession.”

Ares raised his brow as Rori began to ask whether or not Ares had certain items, such as the bone of various creatures, if he had the remains of certain birds, as well as how much drake meat he had with him.

“I don’t really want to part with them in case I need them for an expedition,” Ares said.

“I require them for the wedding.”

“The wedding?” Ares asked, surprised. He smiled. “Oh! Who is getting married then, you?” He teased as he rubbed his elbow against the bear man.

Rori looked at him, and for once his stone cold face shifted, with a confused expression.

Ares returned the confused look. “What?”

“You are getting married,” Rori said.

Ares stared at him for a long time as his brain tried to work the words through his mind. Then finally the words clicked in his head.

“Oh right, I’m getting married.” Ares blinked a few times and Rori remained staring at him for a long while, letting Ares process it.

“Oh… oh yeah…” Ares began to laugh, a genuine smile and grin. “I’m getting married… when? Is there a date that would be best?”

“We would prefer that it would be soon,” Rori said. “The sooner you are married, the more the people will be at ease.”

Ares nodded his head. “Alright… I’ll speak with Lana about the date, or you can, and I’ll accept whatever day she wishes for.”

Rori nodded his head as Ares then handed over whatever Rori requested. It wasn’t that it was because it was his wedding that Ares was handing such things over, but rather, it was for Lana. Lana was his fiance, and soon to be wife, and as such, Ares was going to go above and beyond for what she would ask for, most of the time.

Rori thanked him for the items and then left. Ares washed and then finally changed into his typical outfit, going off to see the various tailors to see if he couldn’t get something else made for him, but he should probably also check out the progress.

They were glad to see him apparently.

“Good morning,” Ares nodded his head as the tailors went to checking his measurements right away. Ares froze in surprise as their hands began to molest him all over to measure him. Ares closed his eyes and tried to get rid of that pride, but he was still somewhat ashamed afterwards.

“You’re rather eager, aren’t you?” He said to the tailors.

“If Ares-kin is getting married, he must look his best,” one said.

“We will make sure everyone will be able to see your magnificence!”

“Let’s get to working!”

Ares smiled. “Well… if I could make a request.”

The tailors all stopped and waited for him to continue.

“Please do whatever you can for Lana instead. I don’t care how I look, but I want everyone to see Lana glow.” He cleared his throat due to the embarrassment. “If you need any cloths or such, take whatever you need. If anyone has an issue with it, tell them to come speak with me. If you need anything from me, like gems and such, I’ll be willing to hand a few over for the matter too.”

The tailors looked at Ares with such a look that Ares turned beet red.

“I will also request that we keep that a secret between just you and I,” Ares said.

He heard someone behind him and then turned to see Lana, staring at him with a smirk and a raised brow.

Ares hid his face.