Blazing Like the Sun – Part One

AN: So last night during my Horizon Zero Dawn stream *blatant plug for twitch.tv/maeeverglow haha* we finally made it into Meridian and as I was walking around and see the people and seeing the guards that lined the bridges and roadways…I got an idea for a new character to join our party for the Horizon Zero Dawn RP me and Be write. It will be interesting to see how he blends with our other characters, Brim and Dathan. Enjoy! 

The smoldering heat that enveloped the city of Meridian was nothing new to Helios as he situated himself at his post along the bridge entering into the city, his armor heavy on his brawny frame. Flocks of travelers stepped along the stonework, shuffling past him with barely any notice of this stock-still individual eyeing them carefully. Some were alone, taking strides to meet with the bustling markets within the city’s limits. Others however were flocked in groups, chuckles and woven tales leaving their lips as they shared their latest adventures beyond the city’s limits where the metal beasts awaited.

It was enough to boil the blood within Helios’ tanned figure, his dark eyes narrowed at the mention of devilish Snapjaws, Longlegs, and Thunderjaws finding their way among the caravan trails to attack those trespassing in their midst. The warriors used their tools of the trade – weapons and battle prowess – to dismantle those that stood in their way…well that…or died trying. Such a fulfilling life for a warrior…unlike being stationed at the city gates ensuring the bustling visitors didn’t start any trouble.

When Helios was younger, he dreamed of being a member of the guard. His father and mother were merchants who took up refuge in Meridian and it was those guards who protected them from the dangerous bandits or metal beasts that threatened the city. He saw their armored figures march into battle against machines, their spears and swords ripping into their wired frames and scattering their parts across the plains. So Helios trained hard in the hopes of becoming one of the armored warriors of the sun…and when he had finally achieved his goal, he quickly realized that he had made the wrong decision.

He was often stationed around the city as a watchdog, his masterful eyes scanning the crowd for any shady business endeavors among the people. Sure, he’d catch a dealing or two in its midst, or if lucky a brawl in need of intervention – but all in all, the life of a soldier was proving much too lackluster compared to what he’d envisioned in his dreams.

If only something would happen – a bandit sneaking along the path to rob the markets, or maybe even a rouge machine in a maddening charge. Something that would lift his spirits and truly test his talents.

A sudden commotion lifted Helios’ gaze towards the first archway leading towards the city, flocks of travelers beginning to encircle something coming. Their awes were a symphony, the soldier’s interest piqued beyond compare as he threatened to step away from his post. He noticed the interested stares of his fellow guards along the way; however, none of them broke their ranks to address whatever could be so fascinating.

That is…until Helios finally noticed the wandering blue eye of a Watcher venturing along the bridge. The world blurred as the soldier dashed from his post, his poleaxe readied to attack as he shouted for all to stand aside. His fellow guards looked on with wide eyes, grabbing for their weapons to follow the lead of Helios. The audience all gasped and dodged out of the way from the Watcher, the metal beast noting the sudden danger and bracing itself for the impact.

“Die you metal be-!” Helios shouted as he prepared to pierce the oddly still Watcher, his weapon parried away with ease as he narrowed his gaze upon the interruption. A Banuk woman a foot shorter than him stood in his wake, her spear now twisted in her hold and aimed for the man who dared to come before her. “What do you think you’re doing?! Stand down!”

The Banuk didn’t answer him, her cold eyes mere slits as she growled at his approach. This infuriated the Carja more, Helios twisting his poleaxe and launching forward once more. The woman parried yet again, this time the two of them locked against one-another, eyeing the other down. The guards behind Helios began to close into the threat, another man – a Shadow Carja – stepping forward with hands raised in hopes to deescalate the battle.

“B-Brim, wait a minute! He’s a guard!” The Shadow Carja tried to intervene, another guard racing over and holding out a hand to halt him in place. “B-Brim!”

“You will not harm Frostsight!” The woman snarled, her force surprising as she shoved Helios back, chasing him down as she spun her spear to attack. Helios’ dark eyes brightened at the sudden thrill, feeling something he hadn’t felt in a long time – the adrenaline of a proper fight. He braced his heels into the stone walkway, readying to take the woman’s attack. That is…until a blade suddenly got between the two warriors, shoving Helios away before a figure slipped in front of the one called Brim.

“Stand down soldiers!” Erend shouted loud above the whispers of the crowd, the guards all skidding to a stop and falling in line under the watchful eye of someone far beyond their rank. Breath caught in Helios’ throat as he stared up at the brawny warrior before him, his eyes wide as Erend then reached out a hand to the Banuk to stay her spear. Though it was clear she had much ill-will for the guard who dared to charge them, she relaxed her spear under Erend’s guidance. “Oy, I thought I told you to leave Frostsight at Bitter Climb.”

“You try telling him to stay behind,” Brim remarked casually as the Watcher trotted forward, nuzzling up to Erend’s outstretched hand. Behind the Banuk, the guards allowed the Shadow Carja man forward, Dathan quickly falling in rank at the woman’s side.

“It’s good to see you Erend, though I wish it was under better circumstances,” Dathan mused, an apologetic glance towards Helios as he continued. “Varl said it was urgent that we-.”

“Of course he’d say that,” Erend huffed at the remark before gesturing behind him towards the inner city limits of Meridian. “Come on then, I’ll brief you the details inside the palace.”

“S-Sir, the machine!” Helios snapped to his feet, pointing a threatening finger towards the one they called Frostsight. A poor mistake as his superior grabbed hold of his hand, his fingers ensnaring the limb and nearly breaking the bones within. “A-Ah-!”

“I know you’re not blind, you’ve been ranked one of the best eyes in our command so tell me how you missed their ensigns of the Mended!” Erend snapped as he gestured towards Dathan and Brim, both sporting a familiar insignia on their person. Sure enough, they were Mended. Helios’ features grew pale at the realization of his mistake. “You were lucky I stepped in. Ice Queen here would have skewered you for sure.”

Brim frowned at the nickname and took a step forward, Dathan quickly to throw out a hand to keep her in place. They had already entered the city on terrible terms…they needed to keep some semblance of peace.

“I-,” Helios wanted to keep arguing. To shout to his fellow soldiers that the machine before him should be nothing but scrap metal. That beautiful blue lens and the heart roaring inside its metal chest could go for good shards. But as Erend’s grip intensified, the Carja relaxed his shoulders and lowered his gaze. “I am sorry sir.”

“Don’t apologize to me Helios Brand, you apologize to Ice Queen, Frostsight, and Dathan,” Erend snapped with a narrowed glare upon the man. Behind him, he could hear the Shadow Carja mutter something about not having a nickname.

Helios lifted his gaze again and peered past his superior, eyeing each one of the newcomers with a hint of fury behind his glare. For a moment, there was nothing. No words of any kind. However, Helios huffed at the trio and turned his nose up at them. “I was only doing my duty to-.”

“Oh so you’re still looking for a fight huh?!” Erend shouted before grabbing Helios and placing him in a chokehold, manuevering them both towards the city as he gestured for the trio to follow after. “Let’s see what our king has to say about this. Come on, Dathan, Ice Queen! The Sun King awaits!”

*~Part One End~*