Ok, you're back. Continuing on then. Ok so imagine this, a blue clear sky with the occasional white fluffy clouds, birds of different colors singing and flying about; some even looking otherworldly beautiful and accompanying them all is a soft breeze.

Beautiful right? Well, that what's I'm looking at while I am sprawled on the concrete like ground; probably would be panting like crazy if I was still human, and currently being tormented by dull annoying pain all over my body, you're asking why? I'll tell you.

Let's go back to a couple of days before all of this, starting right after the ritual stuff.

So, right after the little nervous speech of mine and some additional finishing remarks from the leading SiegeFrame, the gathered masses dispersed all eager to prepare for whatever celebrations that the Chief Koor mentioned. On the other hand, the Chief stayed and offered to show me around his city; saying that I should "Bask in the glory of this humble city." to help eat up time before the mentioned 'celebration'. Not really knowing what to do next (me still trying to recover from all the nerves that attacked me in my speech), I accepted.

The tour took about 4 hours; with the couple along with the two assigned maids (me learning their names to be Sayu and Cil) showing me around the city and introducing me to their historic places and beautiful crafts made by their craftsman (the ones that talked were mostly the maids and the Queen, while the Chief stood guard most of the time).

The whole tour ate enough time to land us a few minutes (I think) just after high noon. After that, the maids: Sayu and Cil escorted me back to my room saying that I should rest.

And rest I did, I was still kinda mentally tired from everything that has happened to me, and adding my nerve racking speech earlier that morning really did me in. I don't know how long I was out (didn't even bother changing from the weird clothes that was given to me) but when Cil shook me awake it was almost sunset.

She then informed me that the celebrations are about to start and that the Chief and the Queen asked for me to join them.

Cil then accompanied me back to the plaza along with Sayu after I shook myself fully awake. There again everybody was gathered but this time instead of just being a plaza, now there are stall there built at the sides of the road.

The interesting things about these stalls is that instead of being filled with food they are filled with trinkets and jewelry that are finely crafted, there were even stalls for weapons which are a level above in the terms of artistic touch and quality.

Once again in the center of the plaza right where the Monolith is, the leading couple sat on comfortable looking chairs provided for them, there's even a large wooden stage set up in front of them, probably made to accommodate presentations that has been prepared.

The couple then invited me to join them in their place which I accepted. There we watched everything that has been prepared by the people of Oblivion.

It was a pure talent show all night, there were singings (I didn't think that a SiegeFrame could have a very amazing singing voice), dancing (this too was a shock to me) and even live martial art performance (this was one of the expected things that I was looking forward to).

All night that's what we all watched, I was mesmerized by all of their performances and practically dented my hands in clapping in awe for every performers.

In that same night it was explained to me that it has been a tradition of the whole city to do this kinds of celebrations from time to time to alleviate the troubles of the citizens. It was also an escape for everyone and an assurance that even if they have lost their natural bodies, they are still living beings with talents, skills and passion, only now they are in bodies of steel forged for war.

And so this is how my two days was spent, on the morning hours I would be in a tour with the Chief and the Queen along with two maids and then in the night, it would non-stop presentations of talents and skills. It was indeed a good escape from the painful past that these people have experience.

After all of the celebrations, life for the SiegeFrames was back to normal, everyone did their task be it menial or necessary. As for me; in the third day I was lead to the one that would be training me (the Chief granting my wishes), and let me tell you that this guy is hardcore. Queen Lira told me about his life.

She said that he survived a few skirmishes before the Elf-made SiegeFrames were freed, once freed, he fought to survive the attacks of the humans that thought that he's still with the Elves and wanted revenge. Having little knowledge on swordsmanship, while also being the youngest (maybe only in the age range of 14 to 16) in his production batch when his conversion took place, he was forced to use everything he has and adapt, and adapt he did.

From farmers wielding pitchforks to soldiers with actual and extensive training in taking down SiegeFrames, those times forged him to be a dangerous man who was paranoid to the bones. After the war and everything was settling down, he became a problem to the people of the town near the forest where he made his hideout.

He would attack anyone that came near his territory which caused a lot of injury.

That's when Chief Koor accepted to fix things for the town folks, he was able to do so, but he also received extensive damage from the fight against the guy which proves his skill (Queen Lira said that Chief Koor was a former General so he was no pushover). After that whole ordeal, the guy decided to join the Chief when the verdict of destruction to all SiegeFrames were announced.

By the time Queen Lira's story finished, we have finally arrived at the residence of the man in question (his house is smaller than the ones in his area). And not long after that, met him myself, though, at first, the image that was presented to me didn't really fit the image I saw.

He was sleeping when we arrived (the couple just barged in like a raiding SWAT team) and when rudely woken up (and I mean rudely; his bed being flipped by the Chief and him crashing down on the floor) he exploded in outburst and whining.

Like a little kid who was grounded only to be asked to do chores, the Chief needed to physically drag him outside and be made to introduce himself to me. He did, though in a lazy manner. "I'm Strix." That was it.

He even turned away and was making his way back to his house, though Queen Lira tripped him with a water whip made with Magic before he reach the door.

After another whole ordeal of trying to order Strix to give me a proper introduction and also train me later on, he finally asked for two blunt swords, he then gave me one and proceeded to beat me up with his, like, he really beat the crap out of me.

He was at it for like 15 minutes straight just happily beating me with his blunt sword while I tried my hardest to defend myself.

Now, you are all caught up as to why I am staring at a wonderful blue sky that the massive circular hole on the ceiling of the cave that the housed the city of Oblivion offer as a view.

As I tried to stand up from the concrete ground, I noticed Kragg the Blacksmith talking with the Chief and the Queen, it wasn't really an interesting thing, but when he noticed that I finally stood up, he proceeded to walk towards me before opening up a conversation. "Great Jo- I mean John, may I ask thee a few queries?" He asked in a rather excited tone.

Answering him with a "Sure." really perked him up, though before he can proceed with his request, Strix, my still grumpy teacher charged at me and hit me with his sword multiple times before sending flying a few meters away with a horizontal swing.

And I have to say, I felt that one. As soon as I hit the ground, my instructor roared at me saying that "If ye have time to idle, surely thou art able to perform better!"

Actually being fed up with my whiny instructor, the moment that I was up on my feet, I lunged at him intending to do some damage myself, as I was charging, I felt my body move by itself, it positioned the sword I have high diagonally before it unleashed a powerful swing the instance that the sword was in range of the target.

It was dodged easily by stepping back away from the reach of my blunt weapon, shocked at what happened to me, I paused and stared at me right hand where I held the sword, soon though my shock was broken by a swing that send me back to the ground groaning.

Strix then decided to actually do what was asked of him; teach me. "As ye have experienced, the vessel that thou are in possession of has memories of its own and it enacts those memories when a certain thought or action has been performed. It may seem useful but be thou not deceived, it will only hinder thee." He said, his voice more serious now than before.

He then gestured for me to stand up, to which I complied, now on my feet, my teacher then continued on with his explanation.

"Thou art in need of learning, to subdue these memories and use them to learn instead of act. That being the consequence of thy soul being bound to a used vessel." After that he charged again, but this time slower, letting me see where he would attack, and the moment that I positioned myself to intercept, it happened again; my body moved on its own and tried to parry the coming attack before I even actually tried to do so.

Before I was about to succeed, my instructor changed the trajectory of the swing and made me miss entirely.

Once again I was hit, but he didn't just attack me once after that, he launched at me faster strikes than the first one and then promptly sent me flying again. Even with the beat up, I am starting to understand what he meant when he said that the memories of the body I am using would only hinder me, by being distracted by the sudden takeover and also losing coordination on your own body would only spell doom in a battle.

As I pondered about the method that my instructor was employing, I stayed on the ground a little bit longer than what Strix liked and because of that he pulled some more 'Instructors' to help him (beat me up, that is).

"Blacksmith! If ye have business with that pile of scraps, be ye more useful and take up a weapon and join me than just standing around idling about!" My 'Teacher' exclaimed, with only a sigh sounding from Kragg, he proceeded to grab another training sword from a rack near the door of Strix's house, brought by the two maids Sayu and Cil.

And so, the first step of training (which wasn't really explicitly stated to me) began, with me trying to gain control over my body's impulses while Strix the Instructor and Kragg beating the heck out of me.

We went at it for a whole hour before my 'Teacher' let me off. By that time, he and Kragg was actually able to make a decently deep dents on my armor, and that's with a blunt training sword. With me having time to rest, the Blacksmith decided that it's a good time for his questions answered. If I have a human face, I would have frowned and raised and eyebrow. Am in a sour mood after the beat down.

Seemingly noticing my mood, Kragg offered an apology before moving on to his questions. "If it is not a bother John, can I hear of thine experience as ye have been placed in the vessel that thou art in possession?" Satisfied with the sorry I got from the Blacksmith, I gave my answer to his question.

I told him about Amulon and also about the voice I heard as the transfer was happening along with the prompts that showed up as I the process moved along (I skipped that part of me being from another world because I would need to take time to think about how to approach that).

Hearing all of that, Kragg started mumbling to himself while having his right hand stroking his chin like those typical images of smart people in thought.

As kept mumbling to himself about things that sounded technical, I listened and slowly it got my interest. Hearing things about Image Projection and Circuit Binding Activation made me really curious, and so I asked him about it.

"I'm curious, so what exactly does my experience got to do with anything?" And with a twinkling visor (… I know it was weird) he answered me giddily.

"You see John, SiegeFrames does not simply acts as a vessel for a soul, it also reflects the wishes and image of one's self conjured by the soul. It does this through the use of prompts to help the ones that would inhabit the vessel guide the Magic Core to become what they see themselves as and also how they would look based on the prompts given." More interested now, I nodded to him to continue if he have anymore to add, and adding some more he did.

"This mechanism does not become unavailable to be used once again if there be any event that the soul that formerly inhabit a vessel break free, the said vessel can be used once again and not be useless. This applies unto thee John, thou art in possession of the body wielded by someone before. Specifically, the one that freed the whole SiegeFrame Race."

The last part made me pause. I replayed that in my head for like 3 times before asking Kragg to repeat himself in order to make sure. But there was nothing wrong from what I remember hearing. Still in disbelief, I spoke of my suspicion.

"You're kidding, right? Like, no way someone like that would be left in a cave to be buried under rubble right?" Though Kragg only answered with his head turning from left to right signifying that no, I'm wrong.

He then spoke and told me why exactly I'm wrong. "The SiegeFrame that formerly possessed the vessel that thou art in use of, asked the Chief to leave his body near the entrance to the path to our home. He was the one that defended it to the last of his breath and strength which gave us enough time to escape to where we now stand. And with thy retelling of thy circumstances, along with the structure of the Magic Core of thine vessel, I can only come to a conclusion that thou art indeed in possession of his vessel." The Blacksmith finished.

With nothing more to reinforce my denial, I was forced to concede that I am indeed in possession of the body of a Hero. Mix emotions stirred inside me, both of happiness and shame; happiness that my small fantasy kinda got fulfilled, and crippling shame after realizing that I was not able to live up to the title of the vessel.

That made a massive blow on my mood, the events that happened in the cave with the bandits making its way back to the fore front of my thoughts.

As I started to immerse myself in guilt, the voice of Strix snapped me back to reality, ordering me to get up and ready up for another round of 'training'. And so I did, with Kragg helping me stand. The two 'instructors' took their place to my flanks and readied their weapons.

Not long after that, they started the beat down. Even while being damaged, it was not that painful and that just let my mind wander as it didn't have anything to anchor itself other than the things I learned, and also my thoughts that formed after I learned of my circumstances.

The consequence of my mind drifting off irritated my instructor Strix, my body's attempt to protect itself slowly got the better of it because of my absentmindedness, and so the automatic response of my body because of its memories slowly took over until it got full control of me.

With the training aiming for the opposite to happen, Strix got irritated enough and decided to unleash powerful swings and blows that send my frame rattling and me actually feeling it and winching. Kragg distanced himself so that he won't get caught in the rain of slashes that came.

And after that, once again, I was toppled over to the ground sprawled. With my fall registering to me and also the legit pain I felt, my mind was forcefully pulled from the clouds and was grounded like how I currently am, seeing that he finally have my undivided attention, my instructor spoke.

"Art thou incapable of comprehending words? I spoke unto thee about how it is prudent for you to master thy vessel and subdue its memories and learn from them, but, why is it then that ye let thine mind wander about?!" He exclaimed, my audio sensor would have been ringing if it was real human ears. Also if Strix has human eyes, I would be sure that his glare would intense enough to have melted my armor (not like its not melting now).

Though understanding what he was saying, I averted my eyes from him not being able to look at him straight because of me being red handed.

Fearing that I might make it worst by staying silent, I decided to talk. "Sorry… It won't happen again." I said, it almost being a whisper. Still having heard of my apology my teacher huff, he then replied to me saying that Training for the day's over and that I should "Reconcile thine thoughts and be ye not distracted."

And if I fail to do that tomorrow in the next training session, he would be welcoming me to a world of pain that I would wish I never knew.

Considering that I actually felt the last blows from him, I don't want to imagine what more he can do to me if he really want to make me feel the pain. And with that he walked away back to his house.

Being plague with 'real' pain now, I decided that the ground would be a good bed for the moment. Though Kragg decided to disrupt my peace instead. "Art thou troubled by the things which thou have heard me speak?" He asked, concern noticeable from his voice.

To which I nodded for an answer; troubled indeed I am.

Receiving my answer, the Blacksmith nodded to me in understanding, he then continued talking in effort to help me with what I am feeling. "Remember, O humble John, as thou have told us, thou art from a life that sheltered thee from the realities of death and danger. It is only understandable that thou art not in possession of any skills to have been able to respond to such events that ye have encountered in thy awakening." He said with a solemn voice.

That was true, normal life in the modern day cities are relatively peaceful. Its not like every time you take a turn on a corner someone will try to stab you, or maybe shoot you in the face. But I can't accept that as an excuse.

Something in me that is completely irrational is telling me that I could have made a difference and would have not shamed the former owner of the body I have. And that part of me is a big one, with me having been always reliant on that part of me to make the good and best decisions in my life even if there were times that it kinda screwed me over.

But either way, I didn't dismissed the words of Kragg the Dwarven Blacksmith fully knowing that he's probably hundred times older than me, and so with a nod I gave him my thanks.

"Thanks Kragg, I needed that…" After basically telling me that it was nothing, he helped me up into a sitting position on the ground, that's when I noticed that I'm having a hard time turning my torso to my right.

Confused as to why I would have a difficulties moving my own body I looked down at myself only to see the cloths I wore (yeah everyday from the last two days there would be clothes prepared for me so to not waste the effort I wear them. And if in case you are wondering why Sayu and Cil still serves me, I allowed them after their long insistence that they would serve me. Yeah a headache) ripped to shreds and ribbons.

I also notice the damage that I sustained by looking through the damaged clothes, deep dents riddled my chest and sides, a testament to the force I was taking but not really feeling.

But the thing that caught my non existent eyes was the hydraulic actuator that supported and connected my upper torso and hip bent and ruptured, its even leaking hydraulic fluids.

Kragg also seeing the damage muttered to himself something but I couldn't really hear it that well, but I can conclude that he was really interested in my body (no, not that kind of interest).

So to change the train of thoughts that's running in my mind, I decided that it was my turn to pick his mind and have more information than I really needed, probably. "Uh, so, what's really interested in my vessel?" I asked. Catching my voice, the Dwarven SiegeFrame turned his gaze to me and again, I can see his visor gleaming (again its weird).

"It is the fact that thine vessel has complex mechanisms that I do not even understand how they function but at the same time understand their purpose, there is also the matter of thy vessel's Status being higher than that of the previous owner and its model."

That again got my attention, and so I asked another quick question. "What do you mean Status?" Hearing the word Status really made me attentive, the use of the word should be foreign for their time period and also so specific that I can only make one conclusion in my head, but of course, I won't want to assume.

Seeing my attention towards him, Kagg started his explanation. "Status is the Characteristic that tells others of a person's capabilities, be it their physical strength, endurance, nimbleness, ability to learn and lastly Magic capacity. These capabilities are measured by numerical measurements." He finished.

And with that, fireworks and the word 'Congratulations' began materializing in my head. I was right in my assumption, it's a Stat System! Wanting more information, I made him continue explaining.

"These capabilities can be improved upon with the use of Blessing Points that is obtained by accumulating Mana Crystals through Experience in ones self, or through training and learning. Though for us SiegeFrames, we are hindered by our vessels and can only improve it to a certain and small extent."

"Oh… Why does the SiegeFrames have restriction?" I asked again to continue the talk and keep it going, yes I am still not bored on what he's saying.

And again he answered. "Experience is gained whenever a person's body is put under strain, the Mana around us in the air would then gather in that person's body and form a Mana Crystal which does not have a physical form. As for us, SiegeFrames, our vessels does not experience a lot of strains, and therefore would not be able to gain Experience properly. Which gives rise to the mystery surrounding thee, thy vessel has increased in Status that far exceeds that of the same models as ye are, even after accounting for whatever advancement the Hero was able to attain."

Finally understanding why Kragg was staring before, I gave it a thought too, if what he says is true then, something in me, or about me have changed the norm of the standard Kragg was used to.

But then before I can sink deeper in my pondering, my train of thought was interrupted when I heard a gasp making me turn my head to where it came from, and saw Queen Lira holding both of her hands to her mouth.

I forgot that she and the Chief left right after we started our 'training' so they didn't see the beat down that I went through.

After a second of staring at me with wide eyes, the Queen's expression changed and turned into something murderous which send shivers down my metallic spine.

She then started walking towards my 'instructor's' house to which when she reached it, she kicked down the front door and proceeded to charge in. Not long after she entered, I heard Strix's voice exclaiming something before a loud impact shook the walls of the house, though the lone impact did not stayed lonely because just a second later, repeated loud thuds reverberated from the walls of the 'instructor's' house.

Along with those loud bangs on the walls, I also heard Queen Lira's voice screeching. One of them is this. "I ASKED THEE TO TRAIN THE HERO! NOT SMITE HIM AND BEAT HIM!" Another was "HOW ART THOU ABLE TO BEAT A CHILD UNTO SUBMISSION?! HAVE YE NO HEART?!"

I don't really know what was happening inside the house, but somehow I feel like I'm getting back at Strix will all the beatings he did to me.

There was even a point in which the guy was thrown out from the house; his body dented and battered as much as mine; crawling on the ground.

Before he can crawl away, a tendril of water came shooting out of the house's doorway and wrapped around Strix's leg, that made him scream in terror like a girl. He then tried to call for help as the tentacle started to drag him inside, no one really came, seemingly noticing that it was their Queen that's beating up the poor guy.

With that, my 'instructor' made a solution for himself; he punched the ground and buried his right arm there and made it into an anchor while using the other to try and pry the tendril off.

This struggle didn't last long though, the tentacle whipped while still grabbing Strix, this resulted in his makeshift anchor to be dislodged and also send the SiegeFrame airborne, then with a thunderclap, the tentacle slammed him down into the ground. I cringed as I watched the whole ordeal.

That last action was enough to disorient Strix and so the tentacle slowly dragged the limped body of the guy back into the house, the punishment seemingly not done yet.

By that point I was not sure how to feel about my instructor anymore, like should I feel satisfied or should I feel sorry for him. Though a pitiful screech from him inside the house made me decide that I would feel sorry for him.

Scared to the bones by the punishment of Queen Lira to Strix, I asked Kragg to help he get away, not really wanting to even be caught in the wake of the raging Queen in the house. He agreed and hurriedly pulled me up; him being more shaken than me actually.

After that whole ordeal, I was deposited on a metal stool in Kragg's workshop; me still having a hard time moving torso cause of the damage on my hydraulic actuator. As soon as I was seated, the Blacksmith heaving a deep sigh of relief while muttering to himself something about being saved from a hellish punishment.

Not really understanding what he mean, I just ignored him and took a better look at my damaged parts, to my surprise, they are now not looking like before, the dents weren't that deep anymore and the bent hydraulic piston now in a more straighter angle than the last time I checked.

Utterly confused, I shifted my gaze to Kragg who notice me checking my injuries, knowing what I would ask, he gave me the answer.

"If thou art wondering how thy injuries have been mended, it is because ye have a natural healing capabilities similar to all SiegeFrames." He said with a confident tone. Not understand how it was happening, I posted a single word question. "How?"

And with that I got another gleaming visor stare as Kragg prepared all his knowledge to be fired. "It is possible through because of the nature of the materials our vessels have been constructed with, it is called The Living Ore. Its a common ore that is almost anywhere though, only in small quantities. It is not strong and was also brittle, making it not fit in any kind of use." The Blacksmith paused letting me digest the information he gave me, it also gave me time to ask again. "If its not good for anything, how come we are made from that thing?"

If Kragg has a face I would be seeing a smile on his face, he continued. "Indeed, it was useless, however, if a soul has been bound to it, a thin sheet of it would be as strong as refined steel, that is how it acquired its name, for without a living soul bound to it, it is dead and has no use, but bound with a soul, it is alive and strong. And as to how living beings heal from wounds, we too." The Blacksmith finished, his voice carrying some kind of proud tone as if he himself was the guy who made the thing real.

After hearing his explanation, my mind at first didn't accept it, I had plenty of experiences with metal working because of my father's job and hobby, and that experience was telling me that metals just don't straighten themselves and be good as new overnight, but looking back at my body, it became undeniable.

So conceding at the logic and common sense of this world, I just nodded and appreciated the fact that I can heal and would not have to go back to Kragg's workshop every time I take damage from whatever the world has up its sleeves.

Silence took over as I continued to look at my armor as it continued to straighten out the dents it has while Kragg decided that he should start working on some of the unfinished work he still has.

Then all of that was broken by the sound of the front door opening and a sweet voice calling out for the Blacksmith.

"Kragg, the Dwarven Blacksmith, I would like to speak unto thee." The voice said. Without looking at who spoke, I can already tell that it was Queen Lira, the tone she used was like the one I heard when I first met her in the caves, but there was something behind that tone that send shivers through out my body.

Curious at what Kragg would do, I looked at him and saw him visibly flinch, he even almost dropped the hammer he was going to use to strike the red hot steel bar he was holding by a welded handle.

And that flinch confirmed that the shivers I felt from the something under the sweet tone was not just me being paranoid because of the earlier display of the Queen.

Stiffly, the Blacksmith turned around and faced Queen Lira, it was like watching a rusted robot move due how stiff he was. With a nod, the Queen then turned her eyes on me, I thought I was a goner but instead she asked me to step out of the building.

Hearing her send me off, I noticed Kragg flinching again, I can't imagine how much terror he was in considering that he lived through a war and was ok talking.

The moment that my feet made contact with ground of the outside of the workshop, the door behind me closed and tortured screams rang out along with words pleading for mercy. "Strix conscripted my aid! I-I just gave a helping hand-! N-no I-I did not do it willingly! I-I would not raise my hands against the Hero of Van-Arghhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

The panic and contradiction of those words clearly showed me that the Queen of the SiegeFrames is the single being that I would not want to kindle ire from. Shivering, I walked away from a future crime scene and did my best not thinking about what was happening to the poor Dwarf.

Though my thoughts slowly made its way back to the things I was distracted from, the shame of the living up to the position of the former owner of my body, and also the prize of that failure.

Soon I found myself in what looked like a cemetery but instead of headstones, pedestals of weapons stood as markers for the fallen. Amidst them, I found a familiar looking sword and shield, marked with recent dents and nicks.

It too was on a pedestal, marking the place where a man was laid to rest in peace forever.