Iris found herself tossing and turning in bed. She and Arylos headed to Kajisho after everything that happened and she slept a whole day away in an inn. She didn’t know what time it was but the night outside provided little comfort to her. Yet, she couldn’t fall back asleep at this point, she could only ponder everything that happened until morning. She felt both physically and mentally exhausted; the destruction of Nageki, the death of her family and friends, it was all too much to swallow. She had so many questions running through her mind and yet when she asked Arylos, he brushed it off.

“There is much to explain,” he told her, “and too little time to do so.”

She shook her head. She wanted answers in the worst way, regardless of how long it takes.

Except,

When she turned over, Arylos was still sitting in the corner, cross legged with his red eyes standing out against the shadows, hair wet from a bath he took recently. Apparently, this inn only had one room available and it only had one bed.

Iris sighed, “Do you ever sleep?” she asked him.

Arylos scoffed, “I do not,” he replied.

Iris chuckled. “Don’t tell me that you’re too cool and edgy to sleep,” she teased.

“It’s not like that!” Arylos snapped back, as if embarrassed, “my species just doesn’t experience sleep as you do.”

Iris nodded. “What are you even?” she asked.

Arylos bowed his head. “That’s a long story,” he told her, “and not one that’s easy to explain.”

Iris sighed and she moved to sit at the edge of the bed, wearing white linens that were loaned to her due to her other possessions being burned. “You’ve been saying that about everything,” she said, her annoyance obvious in her voice, “what could be so complicated about telling me what you are?”

“Because I’m afraid you won’t understand,” he told her, “I mean that not as an insult to you, but there are even Templarians who don’t understand what I am. And I don’t think you want to listen to me give you a lecture for twelve hours.”

“Then dumb it down”, she replied, “explain it like I’m five.”

Arylos sighed. “I am what is known as a Vlajhilsen.” he told her.

Iris stammered. “A Vl-Vla-...Bura...What?”

Arylos chuckled. “A Titan, since that word may be easier for you.”

Iris thought about the word for a moment. “A Titan?” She clarified, “What is that?”

“A lot of things,” Arylos replied, “but think of me as a spiritual being. Not quite like the forms of life you know.”

Iris realised something. “Wait, if you’re a spirit, how do you have a body?” she asked.

Arylos took a moment to ponder how he would answer that. “In so many words, my kind can only interact with this world through a vessel,” he explained, “a body like this allows you to see and interact with me. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to speak to me like you can now.”

Arylos glanced down at his hand. “However,” he added, “this body was forced on me.”

“Forced on you?” Iris was puzzled by the statement.

“I mean I didn’t want this form,” Arylos clarified, “that’s a long story, but essentially, I offered to help the original owner of this body. However, the process that would let me help was interrupted and now I’m trapped in this body, unable to leave, unable to use my full strength and senses.”

“That sounds like it would be stifling,” Iris added, starting to understand Arylos, “like clothing that’s not only sized wrong, but the wrong fit and cut.”

Arylos nodded, “That’s basically it,” he confirmed, “and I can force more of my strength through this body, but it would be similar to tearing that clothing in that metaphor. Using more than what this body allows would destroy it.”

“But if that body’s a prison, why not let it be destroyed?” Iris asked.

“For two reasons,” explained Arylos, “You try living a life where you hop from body to body. If something happens to this one, I have to convince another poor soul to let me use their body if I want to come back. There’s no guarantee of that.”

Iris understood. She knew that if Arylos came to her and asked to possess her body, she would probably say no. It must be difficult in that case.

“Additionally,” Arylos added, “I made a promise to the owner of this body, and I intend to keep it.” Arylos stood up from his corner in the shadows and approached Iris. “Now, go back to sleep,” he instructed in a soft voice, “there will be plenty of sunlight tomorrow for more questions.”

Iris was tempted to tell Arylos she couldn’t sleep, but decided against it. Arylos was insistent that she rests. She nodded and pulled herself back in bed. If she couldn’t sleep, she would at least ponder more about everything. She had her fill of mourning, but now she wanted answers.

“Arylos,” she called out, one more question plaguing her mind, “you don’t have to watch me, you know. I know my father asked, but nothing’s holding you to it. So why are you?”

Arylos returned to his corner before answering. “Because I made a promise, and I try to keep my promises. At the end of the day, all of this happened because of me. If I had not left you, I could have protected the village, and those Templarians were there for me.”

Iris turned over to face Arylos, “but what if I forgave you?” she questioned.

“I would never forgive myself,” Arylos responded, “and to tell the truth, moments before the Templarians came, I decided to try living a normal life. I’ve never lived a peaceful life; it’s always been war, conflict, death, never a time of peace. So maybe this body was a blessing in disguise and I can enjoy the life of a man. And if that means watching over your mortal life, then I have no qualms.”

Iris turned back over. The answer was interesting but was complete nonetheless, and all she wanted was an answer. She wanted to press further, but she felt that imposing further would anger him, and she was feeling tired again anyway.

Morning arrived in a few short blinks of the eyes, bright sunlight filling the room. Still physically drained, Iris rolled away from the bright window to face Arylos who remained in his corner, still cross legged with closed eyes but humming some odd and sad melody. Iris lifted herself out of the bed with a groan as her body ached, her hair a mess and eyes barely open.

Arylos’s eyes opened sharply as he looked to Iris, aware and alert.

“Well now,” Iris said with a yawn while rubbing her eyes, “you should really share some of that energy with me. If only I could wake up that gracefully.”

“I would if I was actually asleep,” Arylos teased, standing up and stretching his legs, “a little meditation while everyone is asleep never hurts.”

Iris groaned. “So you Titans don’t sleep but you meditate?”

Arylos shrugged, “It helps clear the mind, to so speak” he said with a smile. “Come now,” he said with a skip in his step, “it’s almost time for breakfast!” and he ran out of the room.

Iris yawned once more and took a minute to think. Wait. Breakfast? What does a Titan consider breakfast? She saw him eat Yokubo’s friends not even two days prior.

She jumped up and ran after Arylos, mentally preparing for the worst. She ran downstairs to the dining hall, loud discussions about the day’s journey. Tables full with people of various backgrounds and the smell of charcoal grills and stoves filling the air with an aroma to whet the appetite. Iris peered through the swarm of customers, trying to find a man with black hair and beard and red eyes; surely not the hardest to find, especially if he’s causing trouble.

She eventually found Arylos, seated at a table with a giant bowl in front of him. When Iris approached him, she saw that Arylos was helping himself to a bowl of thinly sliced pork belly and noodles in a brown broth with bean sprouts. Rhousa, a classic Kaiyumian dish.

Iris sat in the seat across from Arylos, her jaw slack as she watched this Titan who had viciously tore into anything that moved just yesterday enjoy the bowl of noodles with a giddy smile on his face.

“So, you eat people food?” Iris asked, not quite believing what she’s seeing yet.

Arylos swallowed before answering, “don’t say that like I’m some kind of pet dog.”

“I mean, I’ve only seen you eat people,” Iris said, her judgemental tone telling Arylos she wants to know why, “do Titans eat people?”

A waitress came up and placed a bowl of the self-same Rhousa in front of Iris with a smile before walking away. Once out of earshot, Arylos explained, “not technically. Titans normally feed on the energy of reality; what you perceive as a soul. It’s all technical, but I was a bit energy starved when you found me so they were a feast.”

Iris was slowly putting the pieces together. “So that’s why I found you as a corpse but when you found me, you were fully healed.”

Arylos nodded, shoving more noodles into his mouth.

“So you really are a vampire,” Iris suggested jokingly.

Arylos took a moment to ponder, "Not too far off,” he added, “they drain the energy of the soul via blood. Same concept really.”

“You Titans are weird.” Iris mocked.

Arylos swallowed and snapped back, “You mortals are weird.” Arylos looked at Iris’s untouched bowl. “Are you going to eat that?” he asked jokingly.

Iris bit back her sarcasm and tied back her hair as best as she could and started to eat. “How old are you, really?”

Arylos chuckled to himself before answering, “you don’t want the answer to that.”

Iris sighed. “Don’t tell me,” her patience being tested, “Titans don’t have an age or birthday.”

Arylos thought for a moment before responding, “okay,” and resumed eating.

“Wait, what do you mean by ‘okay’?” Iris pushed.

Arylos swallowed his next mouthful, “you told me not to tell you.”

Iris’s urge to slap this Titan knew no bounds and she felt herself cursing her father’s ghost for saddling her with Arylos. “What is that supposed to mean?” she pushed forward. Obviously, there was more to being a Titan than she thought.

Arylos thought about his words carefully before answering. “Titans don’t have an age, per se. We don’t exist in your world and are not subject to the flow of time. In simple terms, we have no beginning and no end; we simply exist.”

“Okay then,” Iris cut in, “but there was a point in time you didn’t exist, right? When was that?”

Arylos chuckled, “you really don’t want the answer to that. But if it’s any consolation, I’m older than Kaiyumi by a massive margin. Hell, I’m even older than the Templarians.”

Iris was taken aback. Older than the Templarians? Older than the gods themselves? How is that possible? She had so many questions for Arylos, but knew that she would probably not get the answers she’s looking for, or at worse have more questions.

The two finished their breakfast before Iris built up the nerve. “What do we do now?” she asked, her voice getting quieter as she realised the question may not have an answer. “What do I do now?”

Arylos thought about the question for a while before answering. “I took your peaceful life away. So as far as I’m concerned, you can do whatever you please. You’re my charge and that means I watch you. So wherever you want to go, I’ll follow.”

“Do you mean that?” Iris asked.

Arylos nodded, “I’m nothing else if not a man of my word. And whatever you want to do with your life, I think it’s only fair that I support you as best as I can.”

Iris thought for a moment. He didn’t mention his desires so more than likely, he seems willing to cast away his desire for a peaceful life if it means repaying for Nageki’s destruction. But would Iris be okay with that? She didn’t have the answer but the worst that could happen is that Arylos says no.

“I’ve been living a small village life for my whole life,” Iris began, “but, when I was younger, I wanted to see more. See the capital city, go places, maybe even help people. Nothing really holds me here anymore.” She looked to Arylos with a pleasant smile, “and what better guide than a Titan who claims to be older than the Templarians?”

Arylos took a moment to consider, weighing Iris’s request and what it means. Iris began to panic, thinking Arylos will refuse. “B-But I know that will get in the way of your peaceful life,” she interjected with a nervous chuckle, “so you don’t have to worry about it!”

Arylos laughed. “Nonsense!” he said proudly, “the last time I travelled this world, it was in the middle of a war. So if you want to travel, it will be a first for me as well.”

Iris couldn’t contain her excitement as she jumped up from her seat, smiling the biggest smile Arylos has ever seen anyone make.

“However,” Arylos cut into Iris’s excitement, “you’re going to need new clothes. So before we go anywhere, we’re going shopping.”

Iris’s smile widened. One of her favourite pastimes was shopping at the local markets. This was less of a caveat and more of a reward; shopping for an adventure across the country was exactly what she needed right now. She rushed back upstairs to the room to get ready. Arylos laid coins on the table to pay for the meal as he got up and leaned against the wall next to the stairs, waiting for Iris to finish.

Arylos mentally timed her before she came running back down the stairs; Wearing the same black leather armour she wore the other day. Four minutes. Obviously, this girl is excited, if that was not apparent by her bouncing with excitement. Maybe this way, she can move past her grief for Nageki.

Arylos and Iris left the inn and set off for the markets, walking the self-same cobblestone streets Arylos admired the other day, now bustling with even more activity. This was Iris’s first time walking through a big city, and Kajisho is relatively small compared to the other cities. The thought that other and bigger cities awaited her now excited Iris. She would have to thank Arylos for agreeing to this.

The two arrived at the merchants district and Iris took it all in; the sounds of merchants chattering, the smell of fresh street food, the sound of crowded footsteps. It was all on a scale Iris had never experienced outside of Nageki and it was almost too much for her.

Arylos laid out a list for her. She needs at least two sets of casual clothes, and a new set of armour. Arylos would pay since he still has money, although Iris did not know how, provided what she wants is not overly expensive but what she wants overall.

“You don’t have to treat me like a little kid,” Iris pouted, “I am an adult, you know.”

Arylos chuckled, “I’m far older than you, so you might as well be a little kid to me.”

At that moment, Iris realised something, something she should have noticed before. It was only apparent while the two were walking side by side on a level road and nothing bad was happening. Arylos’s mannerisms and him calling Iris “girl” all the time.

Iris’s head barely came up to Arylos’s chest.

He’s tall. Iris was already pretty short to begin with, but not that short. And yet this man, this Titan, certainly lived up to the name. He must have been over 200cm by her estimate. She thought he was tall, but having it put in perspective like this was pretty jarring; she really was a little girl compared to him.

Those thoughts quickly left Iris’s mind when she and Arylos came to the first store; a tailor displaying many goods in the front of the shop ranging from all kinds of colours and styles. Already, on the sales counters before even going inside, the options were limitless and Iris felt cheated for being limited to two sets.

“Welcome, welcome!” beckoned an elderly tailor from behind the counter once Arylos and Iris entered the store proper through a cloth door. Arylos leaned up against the door and beckoned Iris to run free.

Iris took her chance and looked through everything on offer, taking a look at the differences between each, trying to weigh price against what she wants. She had so many options, as much time as she wanted, and a budget that, while not specific, was not limiting.

Silks of various colours and styles, a rainbow of options, a buffet of designs. Iris planned out what she wanted; a set to wear other than armour, and lounge or sleepwear. If only she could get three, but Arylos was being generous, even if it was only because he’s duty bound. Iris decided it would be best to go to the tailor to see what she recommended.

Arylos counted seconds as he waited, that then turned into minutes, that then approached an hour. Iris had five sets picked out, but was distraught as to which two she should get.

This would go a lot quicker if I told her to get all five, Arylos thought to himself, I can afford that easily. Arylos entertained the thought seriously, doing the maths in his head and decided against it. She’s young and impressionable; if I cave and let her buy all five, then I’ll never hear the end of it and I’ll be stuck buying everything. She should learn conviction and commitment to a decision.

…

What am I, her father?! Her babysitter?! Arylos scolded himself. Sure, Iris is young, but she’s still an adult, even if that age is still childlike by Titanic standards. The hour spent here is not even a second compared to the length of time Titans live. This was of no consequence so if it meant making his charge happy, he would bear through the annoyance.

Another hour later, three sets to choose from.

This was a mistake, Arylos groaned. He sighed and approached the indecisive Iris.

“Need help?” he asked, trying to mask his annoyance.

“Maybe a little,” Iris muttered, trying to mask her embarrassment.

The first set was a dark blue loose shirt with gold flower patterns paired with a set of pants that were breathable yet form fitting with gold trim leading down the legs and white strings to tie them. Arylos actually thought the colour scheme and the design suited each other well and suited Iris.

The second was a loose dress layered with padded linens and wide sleeves, tied by a sash around the torso. It was black with red flowers and gold stems with a red sash. The layers underneath were pink and white. A Yokui, as the Kaiyumae call it, is used for both formal and casual occasions and perfect for the summer seasons. While it was traditionally used in bathhouses, it has since seen expanded use due to its comfortable nature.

Finally was a set of light blue and patternless satin sleepwear; a simple long sleeve shirt and pants that spared all efforts of design for the sake of comfort. To call it plain would be an understatement.

Arylos saw the third one, looked back at the other two, and looked to Iris. “Really?” he said in a monotonous voice.

Iris shrugged, “it’s comfy,” she told him, as if that was to also explain other two overly decorated options compared to this.

Arylos sighed. Logic wouldn’t work here, so he made an internal compromise, one he hoped would not bite him.

“You can get all three if you like.” he told her, hoping that the long wait will end. Iris practically leapt for joy as she collected her spoils and rushed to the tailor.

“Splendid options,” the elderly lady complimented, “these will be a good start to rebuilding your lost wardrobe.”

Arylos’s eyes rolled; Iris must have told the shopkeeper that she lost all of her possessions while he was not paying attention. Hopefully the lady is nice enough to lower the prices.

“On that note,” the lady jumped in. Arylos braced for impact. “The young lady here will need new undergarments, and I’m willing to throw in some sets free of charge.”

Arylos nodded, that sounded fair. Iris blushed as she looked up to the tall, imposing, Arylos. Arylos raised an eyebrow and was about to ask what she was on her mind but he was quickly turned and forced out of the store.

“This is where men get lost!” Iris commanded as she pushed Arylos out the door with a force that could almost put Arylos’s own strength to shame. Arylos chuckled to himself. He should have expected as much so he decided to wait until it was time for him to pay for the damages.

Yet another thirty minutes passed before Iris called Arylos’s name from inside the shop. Arylos turned and reentered and found Iris, practically giddy as a small child, by the counter with the elderly tailor. Arylos approached the counter as he counted four bags. One must be for the unmentionables, he assumed.

The tailor finished her calculations. “Alright, sir, that will be 97,000 Marks”

Arylos felt his core shake and sweat rolled from his brow. He planned a thousand Marks alone for Iris’s armour. Ninety-seven times that for three sets of replacement clothes? And that’s with free garments added? Arylos suddenly began to regret his promise, but he did prepare for this. He placed an envelope on the counter and opened it. Inside were five bills marked in amounts of 25,000 Marks; 125,000 total. Arylos offered four bills and the tailor, with a smile, returned the difference to Arylos and wished the two a pleasant day as they left, Arylos of course carrying the bags.

“Alright, now let’s head back,” he told Iris, “go ahead and change before we set out to an armourer.”

Iris nodded as they walked back to the inn, the morning sun now at its midday peak. As they entered the inn, one of the barmaids gave Arylos a glance and a chuckle. Arylos could feel his cheeks go warm; an older man carrying bags of goods while a young girl walks next to him with the biggest smile on her face. In terms of memories, this may just be one of his most embarrassing, and that is including that incident with the goat.

Oh how the great Elder Titan has fallen, Arylos thought to himself

Arylos followed Iris back upstairs to their room and set the bags on the freshly made bed.

“While you change,” he told Iris, “I’m going to get myself a drink.”

Iris gave him a chuckle as he left the room, a chuckle that resounded in his head as he went back downstairs and sat at the bar.

So much for a peaceful life, he lamented to himself. To be fair, it is my fault this happened so I guess it’s fine.