Mooooo-ving forward. [w/ Albafica]

Hero. The word meant a great number of things. But as a name, what was its definition? This was just one of the random things "the Victor" often thought about on days where it was relatively peaceful. The giant missed experiencing these types of days, as they dwindled to so few. Unfortunately, he did not come up with these things because he wanted to per say; in fact he had to due to the fact that since returning to Fiore, he has not once yet found a surviving member of his guild Golden Phoenix. This thought tore him apart inside whenever it came up and it was not an easy thing to suppress. Who could have really blamed him, though? Wherever he traveled, there were people who paid their respects and there were children who hugged him for hours at a time. Not once however did he cry. He bottled up those feelings for the sake of the people around him. The man did not want to be seen so vulnerable, but at the same time, that very expression was written all over his face. After having come so far and then to have so much taken away in an instant... no one expected him to be strong. No one expected him to go around saving people with a smile on his face, as he used to do. No one expected those things of him... and yet he still did. Even as all those thoughts raced through his mind, Hero continued to help people along his travels without asking anything in return. It was simple, really. All of that change would have been for nothing if he tossed it all aside to grieve and be more or less useless. Ijofu could not afford to be selfish when there were so many people always needing help in some form.

What lied in store for Hero today? To what lengths was he required to go before he could push onward? All of these thoughts raced through his conflicted mind as he sat on the grassy floor and leaned against a large, aged tree.

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The man quietly sat there for a time while his eyes were closed. What was he supposed to do? Hero came back with the intention of finding survivors but... what then? He sighed aloud, though it was quiet, and looked up into the clear sky. The serenity of nature here at Mount Helicon would have been enough to calm him in nearly any other situation than now. The giant regretted leaving Fiore three years ago. Perhaps if he had not left... it was foolish of him to think that way; he knew that, but it was difficult not to regardless. A gentle breeze swept through him and brought with it the sound of footsteps and a familiar presence. He did not know it well but it felt as though he knew it from somewhere else. Somewhere far away... but close by at the same time. That was an odd sensation to have.

Yamamoto eventually turned his head toward the direction of the presence and saw a man, clad in glinting armor. Judging by its shine, it must have been made up of gold but there was something slightly off. It in fact reminded him of the armor he used to wear years into the past, which he received from an old friend in a distant land. Could they have been linked somehow? That would have been an extremely unlikely series of coincidences. Then again, Helicon was where he stored that set of armor for safe keeping. After all, it was a priceless gift that deserved seclusion from outside forces. At least that was what his friend told him. Taken out of his mind, the young man whom was walking in his direction spoke to him, asking about his troubles. Was it that obvious? Hero responded in a stoic manner, characteristic of his old habits.

"Hmm... for a stranger to notice, it really must show that easily. It's nothing for others to be concerned with. I will get through it eventually."

Ijofu sighed after he finished speaking and then it occurred to him. It was not proper to converse without introductions.

"What of you, then? There must be a reason you started a conversation with me. You can call me by my first name if you want, by the way. It's Hero. What's yours?"

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