Damien and Arielle strolled through the remnants of the once-thriving town. The razed down buildings slowly being replaced by new structures and the old ones becoming renovated as well.
Despite the destruction, signs of hope dotted the landscape—the reconstruction was well underway. Workers, both mercenaries and townsfolk, toiled side by side, lifting beams, laying bricks, and clearing debris after debris.
Arielle, energetic and focused, moved with purpose from one worksite to another. She wasn’t officially in charge, but her presence commanded respect.
“Hello, Miss Arielle. How are you today?”
“It’s always good to have you grace us with your presence.”
Mercenaries greeted her warmly, guards nodded as she passed, and the townsfolk treated her as a trusted figure.
Damien, in stark contrast, followed lazily a few steps behind, his posture relaxed, hands tucked into his pockets.
He glanced around occasionally, his sharp eyes taking in the progress but his expression remaining nonchalant.
“Why am I tagging along again?” Damien asked even though he didn’t quite need an answer.
“You slept an entire day,” Arielle said, glancing over her shoulder at him as they walked. “Do you have any idea how worried I was?”
Damien smirked, his pace unchanging. “Worried? Or just annoyed I didn’t wake up to entertain you?”
“I’m serious, Damien,” she said, her tone sharp. “I thought you were dead at one point. If you hadn’t rolled over this morning, I was ready to call the healer.”
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I’m fine. Just needed the rest.”
Arielle sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face as she approached a group of workers hauling wooden beams. “Fine or not, you’re not lazing around today. You’re helping, whether you like it or not.”
Damien rolled his eyes but said nothing. Despite his apparent indifference, he didn’t need to be told what to do.
As they reached the worksite, he stepped forward and grabbed a heavy beam, easily lifting it onto his shoulder. The workers paused, staring in disbelief at the ease with which he handled the load.
“Where do you want this?” he asked, his tone casual.
The foreman pointed toward the skeleton of a house being rebuilt, and Damien walked over, setting the beam into place without complaint.
Arielle watched with a mix of satisfaction and amusement. “You’re surprisingly helpful when you want to be.”
“Don’t get used to it,” Damien shot back, though there was a hint of a grin on his face. “This is just me being helpful. It won’t always happen.”
~~~~~
The morning passed in a blur of activity. Arielle flitted from one site to the next, offering advice, organizing resources, and occasionally lending a hand.
Damien stayed close, assisting wherever needed without much fuss.
At one site, Damien summoned Fenrir, his Monstrous Wolf. The massive beast appeared in a flash of light, its powerful form drawing gasps and whispers from the workers.
“Relax,” Damien said, patting the wolf’s head. “He’s not here to eat anyone. Fenrir, help them move the heavier stuff.”
The wolf let out a low growl, not of anger but acknowledgment, and padded over to a pile of heavy stone slabs. With its immense strength, it began dragging the slabs into position, much to the workers’ relief.
At another site, Damien called forth Aquila, his Griffin. The majestic creature spread its wings wide, its piercing eyes scanning the area.
“Help with the high work,” Damien instructed, gesturing to a partially constructed roof.
Aquila soared upward, carrying materials to the workers stationed on the roof.
“They listen to you so well,” Arielle said, watching in awe.
“They’re my summons,” Damien replied with a shrug. “It’s what they’re meant to do.”
“What about Cerbe?” Arielle asked, curious.
Damien shook his head firmly. “Not a chance. Cerbe’s a little too… intimidating for a place like this. I don’t think the townsfolk would appreciate a Three-Headed Hound wandering around.”
Arielle laughed. “Fair enough.”
~~~~~
As the day wore on, the sun climbed higher in the sky, its rays casting a warm glow over the town. The progress was evident—walls were rebuilt, roofs repaired, and streets cleared of rubble.
At one point, a group of children gathered near Fenrir, their initial fear giving way to curiosity. The wolf, sensing no threat, allowed them to pet its fur, its usually intense demeanor softened.
“Looks like someone’s making friends,” Arielle said, nudging Damien.
He glanced over and smirked. “Fenrir’s got a soft spot for people. Don’t let him fool you with his growling and imposing presence.”
Aquila, meanwhile, perched on a rooftop, its watchful eyes scanning the area. It occasionally let out a cry, almost as if cheering on the workers below.
“You’re full of surprises, Damien,” Arielle said as they paused for a moment of rest.
Damien leaned against a partially repaired wall, arms crossed. “How so?”
“You act like you don’t care about anything, but here you are, helping rebuild a town you barely know.”
He shrugged, his expression unreadable. “I help where I can. Doesn’t mean I care.”
Arielle smiled knowingly but didn’t push further.
By late afternoon, much of the town was showing signs of revival. The workers were visibly tired but driven by a shared sense of purpose.
Arielle continued her rounds, ensuring everything was on track, while Damien remained close, his summons aiding wherever they were needed.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting long shadows over the town, Arielle finally called it a day. She turned to Damien, her hands on her hips. “Alright, lazybones. Let’s head back.”
“Lazy?” Damien repeated, raising an eyebrow. “I’ve been hauling beams and commanding beasts all day.”
“You did well,” she admitted, her tone softening. “The town’s starting to look like itself again. Thanks to you, and… well, Fenrir and Aquila.”
Damien smirked. “Don’t forget the supervisor. You’re the real hero here.”
Arielle rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. Together, they walked back toward the Mercenary Guild, the faint sounds of construction still echoing behind them.
For a town that had seen so much devastation, today was a step toward hope. “It wasn’t so bad I guess.” Damien muttered to himself.