The Golden Giant

When they left the abandoned house and into the open, they were met with the usual chaos. Soldiers and military police running around. Akkedis going from throwing rocks to retreating to fighting all in the matter of seconds. But there was something different. A new group emerged from the chaos. They wore robes of silk and weaved gold. Their armor underneath was flashy and shined against the dark glare of the eclipse. They walked past both the soldiers and rioters without batting an eye to either. Most of them wore wooden masks underneath their hood, but all of them seemed to be of a different race. Men and women in equal amount. Some akkedis. A few dwarves and elves. One creature that looked to be like a humanoid mushroom.

But there was one who stood out even among that group. A large man covered in golden armor. The shoulder plates were metal lion heads. The armor was inscribed with many different runes. Unlike the others in their robes and hoods, he didn't wear one. Nor did he hide his face behind a mask. He wasn't a demon although if you didn't know him, you may have thought so. He had white hair and a small beard. The top of his eyebrows were scarred. He didn't look young, but he didn't look old either. He had plenty of experience that clearly showed on his worn face. Behind him, there was a warhammer tied up to his back.

As Syren and Whisper watched the group of golden warriors pass, Tyra froze. She couldn't believe who she way seeing. A tear almost came out of her eyes, but she held it back with a smile.

She dashed forward and shouted, "Bellboy!"

"It's Bellbraun!" the man replied angrily until he noticed who was running at her. Tyra jumped him with a long smile on her face. The two of them fell to the ground.

Syren and Whisper both looked in horror and disbelief. At first the two of them thought that she just assaulted some strong warrior on a whim. But then they looked in confusion as the two of them began laughing.

The robed figures dressed in silk and gold were about to pull out their swords, but the large man motioned them to put them away as he laughed with glee.

"Tyra, it's so good to see you, again," the man said. Tyra continued to hug and hold his chest as he began to pick himself up. When the man stood tall, she was still hanging on laughing. Her feet weren't even close to touching the ground. He was a giant. And Tyra loved him.

Tyra introduced Bellbraun to Syren with kind words. She said that he has been her best friend since childhood. But all Syren and Whisper could do was stare at his height in awe. Bellbraun smiled kindly to him.

"It's been a while, Bellboy," Tyra said with a genuine smile. Her whole demeanor changed. Usually she was serious around Syren. It felt very different for him to see this side of her.

"It's - nevermind. I'll let it slide today," Bellbraun replied happily. The two of them were extremely friendly. They joked and made fun of each other without any fear of the other.

"Sir..." one of the golden-robed men said as he approached. In that moment, Syren noticed Bellbraun's entire demeanor change. It was for less than a second, but he gave off a terrifying presence. However, after that instant, he maintained such a friendly face. But the golden-robed man noticed Bellbraun's suppressed anger and took caution.

"Ahh. It's alright. You go on ahead and deliver the message to this town's mayor. Take a few men just in case," Bellbraun said with a giant smile.

The man took a step back and left. He took some others and walked swiftly away towards the town castle.

He looked so scary on the outside, but more of a teddy bear on the inside, Syren and Whisper both thought. The two of them were in sync when they saw this giant beast.

Bellbraun suggested that they should all get some nearby tea. Tyra politely hesitated saying that he looked pretty busy commanding his mercenary band, but he insisted even bringing along Syren.

Tyra and Bellbraun reminisced about old times as Syren felt like the third wheel just listening to the two of them talk.

Whisper asked, "Syren, if you want, you can talk to me," but Syren ignored him. They ordered some local tea from a small diner. The three of them sat outside the diner. The riots were still going on outside, but Bellbraun's golden band stood guard. Or at least that's what Syren, Tyra, and Whisper thought.

Syren and Whisper watched them as Tyra and Bellbraun conversed about their past. They were outside. They wore expensive-looking, gold armor and robes, but they were all on their knees in the dirt and mud. Their heads were down. Each one faced the direction of the eclipse. Silence befell the golden band. Each one slowly raised their hands up to the black sun with their heads still lowered. To each one of them, the palm of their hands were just underneath the sun as it continued to tear darkness upon the world. If they weren't wearing such expensive equipment and clothes, they would most likely be mistaken as beggars.

The soldiers did nothing to them, but watched them closely with caution and curiosity.

And while this happened, Tyra and Bellbraun remembered their past with distinct joy. Not all of it was good, but their memories together were all that mattered.