The distinction between night and day in Eien was strange, but the night did eventually pass.
Although, the darkness of night wasn't necessarily a concept existing in a flat plane like Eien.
The sun and moon hung in the sky, but they only ever remained on the Grand Heavens Boundary half of Eien, given that the Abyss would consume them instantly if they crossed into its territory.
This strange situation led to both celestial bodies existing together at one time. The distinction between night and day was determined by which celestial body was closer to the earth at a given point in time, as the two rotated around each others' axes.
There were a true sun and moon dedicated to Eien, but since they traveled around the ring lengthwise, seeing them was a once in a countless hundred years experience.
When they met at the two extremes poles of Eien, mystical phenomena were said to occur.
'One of these days, I'll have to go see those phenomena for myself.' Damien thought to himself as he exited his room.
His eyes widened in the next moment.
'Wow, they really did a lot overnight.'
The vast stretch of land that connected the three major guilds leading the war effort in this sector of Eien was now filled with various tents and facilities, meant to sort and organize the army before they were sent to war.
Today's effort was large-scale, and the soldiers were meant to act like true soldiers. To verify that no kinks would hinder the army's success, various security checks and tests had to be taken before a soldier could be properly entered into the forming army.
Damien passed through these checks with ease. He merely showed off his Life and Death Laws a bit and his strength and talent were proven. As for his identity, a strange formation scanned him to reveal that he was truly a human without an ounce of Nox Mana in his system.
'These checks are good. Since they're done only before battle, though, it's a bit easier for traitors to slip through the cracks.'
Damien's eyes narrowed. He couldn't see it from where he stood, but he could definitely smell the scent of Nox Mana coming from various locations in the vast campsite.
'I'll take care of them in the chaos. Before that, I should go meet the unit I've been assigned to.'
Damien was given a cavalry position, a place where he could stand at the forefront of the battle. He didn't know if it was Priscilla's meddling or the generals' impression of his skills that landed him the position, but he didn't care either way.
'Cavalry usually ride horses, right? How does that work here?'
It didn't take long to find out.
Damien arrived at the Roaring Dragon Cavalry Unit to which he was assigned and was immediately flabbergasted.
'These are…tron bikes?!'
More specifically, they were personal starships built for peak mobility. It was merely that their form happened to resemble the light cycles from a certain intellectual property popular on Earth.
'Since they're starships, they can definitely race through the stars. In other words…light cycle pod racers!'
Damien's old nerd habits from his teenage years bubbled to the surface when he saw the beautiful machines. He couldn't help but walk over and admire them…
Without touching, of course.
'It's basic human decency to look but not touch with such expensive vehicles.'
"You like what you see?"
A voice sounded from behind Damien, causing him to turn around. The visage of a large and densely built middle-aged man was revealed to his eyes.
His skin was a dark bronze color but his hair was pure white. This dichotomy, however, couldn't take its role as his most prominent feature.
That position went to the horrific scar that started on his forehead and disappeared within the collar of his shirt.
"My name is Ezio, and I'm the leader of this here Roaring Dragon Cavalry. It's a pleasure to meet you, new recruit."
Ezio flashed a large smile as he spoke.
Damien was almost blinded by its light.
'What a friendly guy.'
"I'm Damien Void. I look forward to working with you." He replied in kind.
"Hahaha! Good! Damien, let me give you some tips on controlling these babies, and then we'll take a few laps to acclimate you to the ride. Once we get to the battlefield, there is no more room for mistakes."
Ezio's face was incredibly solemn by the time his words ended. Damien nodded with the same seriousness, completely understanding the importance of the small training he'd receive before they departed.
Any variable was a negative variable in an organized war like this.
Ezio grinned. "Don't be so serious. Now is the time to get out all your laughs and enjoy yourself. After all, who knows if we'll be able to return?"
Damien smiled wryly. This guy could really talk about death in such a casual manner. He obviously wasn't someone simple.
"Then, instructor, I look forward to our lesson." He said.
"Haha! You're looking forward to a lot today, aye?"
"Haha…" Damien laughed awkwardly. He was just trying to be polite, but, well, his "being polite" skill was miles below level 0.
'Haa, let's just focus on these badass bikes and forget it.'
Damien looked over at the storage of bikes. There were more than 400 in the warehouse, but only a little over a hundred would be used.
The Roaring Dragon Cavalry was the only one allowed to use this equipment, after all.
"Take your pick. Whichever bike calls out to you, choose it without hesitation! The bond between man and machine is the most important part of riding!"
With Ezio's words of encouragement, Damien entered the warehouse and strolled through the rows of machines.
They were all equally precious, but they all had minor differences.
'The ones who have owners…I can feel it clearly. I thought it was just a saying, but could there truly be such thing as a "bond between man and machine?"'
Damien frowned. If so, he ironically wasn't feeling it at all.
After five minutes of perusing, his opinion still remained the same.
None of these bikes were for him.
There was just…something missing.
Damien caught a glint in the corner of his eye.
No, something called out to him.
It wasn't far, but it wasn't within the warehouse.
Damien immediately followed that slight sensation he felt until he arrived behind the warehouse at what seemed to be a junkyard.
'Is it that…?' He questioned inwardly.
Among the rusted metal and spare parts, there was one particular piece of machinery that was covered by a thick black cloth.
"Aha, so you've felt its call as well," Ezio said as he arrived nearby.
"What is under that cloth?" Damien asked curiously.
Ezio smiled. He moved forward and grabbed the cloth himself, pulling it away to reveal what was underneath.
"This is both the strongest and most unreliable machine in our inventory."
It was a sleek black color. Purple and red stripes decorated its surface, giving it a minimalistic yet impactful design.
"She's had multiple riders in the past, but none have been able to tame her. In the end, she was left out here, unused."
It radiated the aura of an untamed bull, yet held the same grace as a prancing gazelle. Its mere existence seemed to be a symbol of status and authority.
"Honestly, even we aren't aware of her origins. She's been in the warehouse since before any of us Roaring Dragon guys were given access to it."
VROOM!
The bike roared on its own as if it knew it was being praised.
"Her name is Atalanatis, and it's said that she will not allow those she doesn't approve to even touch her."
Ezio grinned and looked at Damien.
"So how is it? Would you like to give it a try?"
Yeah, this was it.
This was exactly what he was looking for.
He didn't know what it was, but this bike had that certain something he craved.
Damien grinned.
'No matter what, I'll make you mine.'
