Ok, so your back. Continuing then. Well after the princess like girl admitted that she’s not what she looks like, she then walked towards where the Elf is and also motherly caressed her cheek, I can’t see the girl’s expression but I can tell that she’s sad. As she was caressing the Elf’s cheek small bubbles of water started to form in the air around the two girls, after some time the bubbles converged towards the Elf and then as they thinly covered her, the film of water glowed blue.

The scratches that was left behind by my hastily casted Spell soon disappeared, healing the Elf completely, though she didn’t regain consciousness. Done with her healing, the princess like girl then walked towards the Beastman and looked at his face. When she caught the satisfied smile of the dead man, she gave a sad smile, she then raised her hand over him and again water bubbles started to form in the air.

Like before after a second or two, the bubbles converged and covered the Beastman with a thin film, but this time the film didn’t glow, instead it lifted the blood that covered skin of the Beastman and absorbed it, after it turned red from the blood, the water film dispersed and seeped into the ground. It left a red stain on the ground but the body of the Beastman was left clean of blood. After doing all that, the lady then instructed her knights to carry the two, she then walked towards me and slung my right arm on her shoulders while her left arm wrapped around my waist supporting me. Stunned by her actions and display of Magic all I was able to do was only turn my head to her and stare.

She noticed me and smiled, she then spoke to me. “Worry not Sir Hero. I will lead you now to our Brethren and there you and your companion will receive help.” Confused and amazed at the same time by just about everything, I was only able to answer with a nod. And so we entered the hole that the princess girl and her knights created.

I found myself struggling to walk and move, it seems that I may have straight out ignored everything that happened to my body that I only notice how damaged it was when we were walking without any threat to think about. The joints and mechanisms struggled to move and operate inside my severely dented armor and chassis. It was up to the point that trying to take a step would require so much effort because my legs would experience lock ups, you can even hear my servos snapping and grinding. The noise actually concerned the knight and the princess, they would glance at me (I think? Well I am sure that the princess glances at me from time to time but with the knights’ helmet and visor I can’t really tell) from time to time.

In my current condition I wouldn’t even be able to walk, crawling would be a more liable option. But thanks to the princess and her incredible strength, I am able to take a step. Honestly I didn’t really believed when she said that she’s like me, but seeing her now basically dragging me along with little effort kinda proves her answer. We walked for 4 hours and in that four hours we walked through a series of caves and tunnels both natural looking and artificially made that goes deeper into the earth. And in that four hours I stared at the Elf’s face.

I can’t pull my eyes away from her expression; even in sleep, the pain she felt when the Beastman died was still present. It didn’t left her. Because of her pain and sadness, I felt frustrated at myself for being not able to do anything. I felt so bad that something inside me felt like it would burst if I don’t let a tear fall or two, and with my current circumstance being physically not being able to, made it hurt so much more. I was not able to do what I dreamed of doing in the first day of my chance to do it. The pain also forced me to reflect at what happened to me in just a short time; I died, met an Angel, Chosen to be a warrior, reborn as a robot basically, killed a man and watch another die.

Thoughts of being a failure again assaulted me and doubt that I can accomplish the things I promised filled me. These thoughts and feelings lingered in me as we traveled. But when we stopped, it was momentarily swept away. At first we stopped in front a dead end of a massive tunnel, there was no noteworthy thing about the place and its pitch black (I can see in the dark. At that moment I just found out) but then my otaku senses kicked in. The princess then moved closer to the wall along with me (she’s still supporting me), and placed her right hand on the wall.

An outline of green light started to trace the shape of her hand and after it finished, it glowed brighter before dimming and vanishing. The stone wall rumbled and then split in two at the center, it then slowly moved into the walls at either side of the tunnel. Witnessing something like this was one of my fantasies and right now I am living it. And as I was staring at the moving doors one word escaped my mouth. “Awesome…” Yup, like a small kid that saw something awesome, I said that.

When the princess girl heard, she took a glance at me and smiled, pleased at my reaction. The moment that the stone door have fully opened, another wall greeted us but this time it was a massive wall of water falling into the floor, though it didn’t made a puddle or flooded the area where we are.

It also glowed a bit and doesn’t let you see what’s on the other side. But then I suspect that that water fall isn’t just for decoration. The princess and the knights didn’t even walked towards it which strengthen my suspicion. The girl beside me then spoke towards the water fall as if commanding it.

“O gates of the forgotten, release thy locks and beams and let us enter and be forsaken, for when the world and her people remembers our deeds, they would cry woes and indignation towards us and their selves.” Came her chant. The waterfall glowed brighter for a moment before it too split in half at the center and moved away, it was like a curtain that was pulled to the sides of a window to let light in.

Well, in this case, it let us see the view of the other side. Amazing is an understatement. In the other side of the waterfall was buildings that looked like they were carved out from granite boulders, but every one having this smooth and clean finish on their walls that someone can wax it and see their reflection afterwards. Another thing about the buildings is that they were all works of architectural art that can rival modern infrastructures.

The streets are another one of the things that blew me away, they are paved cobblestone with an almost perfect pattern weaved all throughout the entirety of road made of some form of concrete, and at their sides are metal poles that looked like they’re street lights; even them, they looked like a master artist handmade every single one of them.

What is more amazing than all of this is the wall of earth around the city that covered it like a dome, and at the center of the dome is a hole that lets light in. If I have a mouth, I would have been slack jawed there and then (I can’t feel something close to a mouth so I don’t think I have one). When the waterfall completely revealed what’s on the other side we were welcomed by knights in full plate armor of different designs and sizes, all of them holding a sword upright in from of their helms with the flats of the blade facing their faces, all of them standing at either sides of the road. The first two knights in at the front of the line then exclaimed a command. “Hear me O ye that have ears! The Hero of the Vanguards has come! Let it be known that we; his brethren by vessel, shall fulfill the prophecies that hath been spoken by the mouths of the prophets. Raise your swords and make way!”

With that, one by one the knights raised their swords diagonally and made a archway for us to pass through. It was like watching those perfectly synched military march videos. If I really have a jaw, it would probably have fallen to the ground. After giving me a second to collect myself, the princess then softly pushed me, and so we started walking through the archway of swords.

As we walked I let my eyes wander all over the place; from staring at the walls of the buildings to the different designs of the armors of the knights. I even noticed that even the normal citizens each wore a set of full plate armor but at the same time also wearing fabric clothing on top of that armor, it was weird. But then it’s also all looked amazing, it’s really like I’m in a fantasy anime (of course it would be much better if I got transported to a more cyberpunk themed world, but hey, I’m not complaining) and it’s not a dream!

Well, we walked for maybe 15 minutes until we reached the center of this underground city. In our trek I never saw an end of the knight line on either side of the road, it was like all of the soldiers in this city is in that line. I also notice that the citizens were reverently quite as I pass. But those observations and thoughts was pushed to the back of my mind when I saw another knight, but this time his armor was more intricate than the ones that welcomed me into this place, it was also more silvery than the other who had a more darker tone, its more like the metal that was used in the armor of the normal knights were not polished and the carbon from the coal they use to forge it were forgotten and was never removed. The silver armored man stood at the top of a raised circular concrete looking part of the road, its sides acting as stairs. At the middle of that circle was a black monolith with carvings on its faces. It seems like this is a plaza of some sort.

The silvery armored man then walked down from where he was, and greeted me with a strong dignified voice that resounded almost throughout the city (maybe all over the city, I think I heard it echo). “Hero of the Vanguards, I extends my hands as welcome unto thee in the resting place of the Forsaken and the Forgotten. This is where the Forsaken weapons of war hath been buried, and where we have been Forgotten in time. This is Oblivion. I Koor, the Chief of this city of weapons, welcome thee in the home of thy brethren.” Came his words. After he finished he gave me an elegant bow like a noble bowing to a king. At the same moment that he gave me that bow, all of the knights lowered their blades and stabbed it into the ground; their hands resting on the pommel of their swords.

All of the knights did this simultaneously which made a loud bang all across the city, it even echoed back a few time before it completely died down. Then silence. After a few seconds, the Chief; Koor, straightened up and looked at the knights that walked with us that carried the Beastman and Elf. He then asked what happened to the two and commanded that the Elf be attended to immediately and the Beastman given an honorable grave, after that he focused his gaze at me.

“Hero of the Vanguards, I express my condolences. I would also like to ask for thy forgiveness, for we have not been able to aid thee and thy companions in your battle, and in turn, cost one of their lives. I, as the Chief of this people, will bear the consequence that should befall upon them upon my shoulders. Please name my punishment.” Came his words before kneeling in front of me. It was heavy and full of sorrow.

Shocked at the sudden turn and also the massive respect that he’s giving, I stuttered to give a reply. “N-no, wait! Please stand up. No one should be punished. I-I was the one that was not able to do anything… No one should be blamed for this…” Hearing my also depressed answer, Koor raised his head to look at me. I hang my head low as my mind returned to the reality of my failure. Seeing me like that, he didn’t press and just stood up saying “Understood.” and nothing more.

He instead asked for someone to find someone named Kragg and have him ready his stuff. Well, not really understanding why he did that, I only watched him as he then turned to the princess beside me and spoke to her. Surprisingly, his tone and way speaking changed.

“Lira my Beloved, would you please accompany our Hero to Kragg’s workshop?” Came the Chief’s soft words and light tone. It was like I was speaking to a different person just moment ago, that threw me off. Like way off. The heavy atmosphere that hung around us was replaced by some kind of pinkish glow and hearts (bleh). With the dignified and Chiefly approach just moments ago, I expected him to give a command to the princess, but then he completely rotated 180 degrees and became a gentle big guy.

Also, Beloved?! What?! In the back of my mind, I imagined a squared face inside the Chief’s helmet with a big nose and wrinkles on the sides of his mouth going up to the sides of his nose, and also an eternal frown. I am not judgmental or something, but that was the aura that he gave off, and I can’t imagine this princess girl helping me stand being his wife.

Also, what’s with that tone before? Like he completely became soft the moment that his eyes set on the girl? Argh, I hate returning to that confusion. At that time it killed my brain, and I just let it go and accepted it. “Yes my Love, I will.” Came the princess reply, wait… is it Queen now? I don’t know. Though the answer confirmed that, Yes, they are a couple. “Hero, I wilt that thou accept my offer to continue this conversation at a latter time. I desire for you to be taken to our blacksmith for thy body to be mended and healed. My Beautiful Queen, Lira will accompany thee to where Kragg the Draven Blacksmith is.” Came Koor’s words which transformed again to being dignified.

Though, I can practically feel the sweetness that he put in his words when he said ‘Beautiful Queen’. Not really wanting my already overheating head explode trying to imagine how they ended up in a very lovey-dobby relationship, I decided just nod and to just tune out everything and process stuff in my own little world, namely, my lack of mouth and stuff (admittedly, I am just distracting myself from the two love birds).

So I didn’t really noticed that I was carried away and ended in front of a large blacksmith workshop, complete with a smoking chimneys, an anvil outside, a stack of ores and old metal scraps piled up front and some tools that needs some repair and sharpening. At front of the door at either side, two knights stood, their armor not matching each other, it was like they each came from a different armies and just decided to unite and become one unit.

The two knights were facing us and was waiting, ready to push the door open and let us in. As someone that was born in a middle class family, I am not really accustomed so much attention being given to me, and also to people doing the mundane things for you, so with all the things happening like the super extravagant welcome ceremony and other stuff, I feel like I should start pulling my own weight.

But Lira; the Chief’s wife refused to release me and insisted on helping, which made the feeling worst. I tried to reason with her before we entered, though missing a right arm completely, dented and bent to almost oblivion and not being able to walk properly, I was not able to give a convincing argument. And so we entered with me feeling useless and helpless.

The moment that we entered, I felt a dull sensation of heat all over my body, wondering why, I turned to my right and saw the biggest forge I’ve ever seen (not that I saw a lot of them). And in front of the massive active forge is a man in full plate armor complete with a helmet like the others, he was also wearing cloths over his armor, it being a thick pants of some kind and a dirty and grimy apron with a pocket at the belly part for tools.

He’s forging some kind of blade when he noticed us, and upon getting his attention, he quickly dropped everything he’s doing and kneeled on where he stood. Stuttering, he greeted Lira. “M-my Queen! What have brought thee to my humble workshop?” As he finished, we heard a voice outside and I am sure that it came from one of the knights near the door outside. “We told ya! Ya didn’t listen!” Came the mocking words of one of the knights. Kragg replied in kind. “Shut it! Ya wer always foolin around, and because of that I thought ya wer messing with me!” Clearly agitated, the Dwarf forgot that Lira the Queen was still standing in front of him.

Lira cleared her throat which made Kragg flinch a little before frantically standing up and start addressing her. “A-apologies my Queen, H-how can I be of service to thee?” Came the nervous words of the blacksmith, his words becoming formal.

Without wasting time, the Queen of Oblivion stated her business. “Heal this man, the Hero of the Vanguards.” Upon hearing my designation (I am not sure why they still haven’t asked what’s my name), Kragg flinched again, he then turned his head to me, and upon setting eyes on me he was taken aback, I don’t know if he reeled back because how cringe worthy my damage was or because of something else.

But after collecting himself he hurriedly ran to one a wall near his forge and reached for something, after he pushed some of the barrels full of scraps to the wall, he pulled something down. Rumbling then followed.

The wall to our left moved and started to slowly slide down into the floor. At the other side of the stone wall that turn out to be a door, was a larger room filled with different kinds of steampunk themed tools, machines and instrument. All of them were covered in dust and cobwebs. But the thing that captured my whole attention was the massive machine in the center of the room, It was massive and complex looking.

It looked like one of those sci-fi pod hub that people use for hibernation for long space travels, though this ones followed the steampunk theme and also more bulky. The whole machine was cylindrical with the pods on all four sides of it, the pods were positioned in a 45 angle with the bottom of the pods touching the floor while the heads connected to the cylinder.

Numerous pipes of both flexible materials and also brass snaked along the sides of the pods connecting it either on the cylinder or the floor, as for the doors of the pods, they were left open and raised; cog works clearly showing how they operate. When the rumbling of the stone wall/door stopped, some form of lanterns flickered to life, lighting the room more effectively.

Kragg then asked Queen Lira to go and lay me down on one of the pods, on the other hand, he went to one of the big metal boxes on the corner of the room and grabbed something inside, I wasn’t able to see what though because Lira finished laying me down and asked me to stay still. It was bigger than I thought it would be inside.

A few seconds after I have settled, something poked my nape, it didn’t hurt but it shocked me enough to make me startled squeak. Lira heard me and giggled at, making me blush out of embarrassment, that is if I actually have a skin and blood for me to blush. I just turned my head away to convey my uncomfortableness at what happened. She then spoke to me, saying that “It is frightening and a bit of shocking at the first time you would experience it.” and that I would get used to it in time. In return, I gave her an nod, understanding what she meant. Seeing that Kragg would need time to find whatever he needs, I asked Lira a question that has been in my mind.

“Um, Queen Lira, if I may ask, why is everyone here in this city wears an armor? Are they all SiegeFrames?” The Queen then nodded at me with a small smile in her lips and answered. “Yes, they are just like thee Sir Hero, every individual that resides here in Oblivion are all SiegeFrames.” Trying to absorb that information as quickly as possible for me, I asked another one to help me process it. “What are SiegeFrames exactly?”

Lira contemplated for a bit before she gave me an answer. With eyes that conveyed determination and small sadness, she spoke. “We are weapons of war. We are golems with sentient souls forcefully pulled away from its shelter; the body, and forcefully bound to a metal puppet. We were once slaves that claim lives, harbingers of chaos and death. We are the very Frame that embodies the destruction of a Siege. And because of this, we have been Forsaken by the people, and hath been Forgotten by time, to be lost in myths and fables.”