Chapter 259: Side Story: Happy Thanksgiving!
A long long time ago…
"Hey, Ryse?" [Tida]
"Yeah?" [Ryse]
"What do you think Askyros does whenever we're gone?" [Tida]
Holding a hand to his chin, Ryse found himself perplexed.
"That's… actually a good question." [Ryse]
At this time, Ryse and Tida were returning to the fort with their entire battalion. As a show of force, they were asked to attend a parade. However, Askyros and Aleph remained behind at the fort.
"I wonder if he just… sits there. Waiting. Or something." [Tida]
Ryse opened his mouth to retort, only to close it.
("I would like to say that nobody would ever do that, but Askyros is… well… Askyros.") [Ryse]
Ryse and Tida debated until they returned to the fort, which suddenly opened upon their arrival.
"Welcome back, guys!" [Aleph]
As he greeted them with a smile on his face, Ryse and Tida gave him weird looks.
("Was he always this welcoming?") [Ryse]
Aleph is known to be eccentric, but this was a bit more than what they were used to.
"Come on in! We have something prepared!" [Aleph]
Ryse and Tida glanced at each other.
"...We?" [Tida]
They entered awkwardly, unsure of what to make of Aleph's actions. They, and their battalion, began to notice a mouth watering scent waft out of the fort.
"Oh… that smells… amazing!" [Tida]
"Of course. We've been working on it while you guys left." [Aleph]
They followed that delightful smell to the cafeteria.
"Surprise!" [Aleph]
Spreading his arms with glee, Aleph presented a room decorated with bright lights and food covering every table. There was even a sign overhead written in a strange language Ryse and the others have never seen before.
"What… is this?" [Ryse]
Askyros came out of the back carrying a massive plate of cooked meat.
"Happy thanksgiving." [Askyros]
Ryse and his soldiers appeared to be confused.
"What is… thanksgiving?" [Ryse]
Realization washed over Aleph's face.
"Oh… Forgot about that…" [Aleph]
"Thanksgiving is a celebration of what you are thankful for. It's a custom my father's friend taught me." [Askyros]
"AND!! It's a time to enjoy a lot of food! So take off your armor and enjoy yourselves!" [Aleph]
The soldiers were a bit hesitant to take action, but quickly switched to casual wear upon eyeing the food.
"Woah! Guys, chill!" [Aleph]
The soldiers rushed past Aleph and began indulging themselves with the unfamiliar foods. There were imitations of mashed potatoes, ham, turkey, and more. Although Aleph wished he could treat his fellow comrades with the culinary delicacies of his home world, they didn't exist here.
"Who cooked all this? It's amazing!" [Excited Soldier]
"Me." [Askyros]
The whole battalion froze hearing that.
"...Is it not to your taste?" [Askyros]
His expression did not change, but a hint of worry could be heard in Askyros' tone.
"N-No, it's great! Delicious!" [Panicked Soldier]
"I see. Then all is well." [Askyros]
He then turned to Ryse and Tida, who were still standing there in shock.
"Are you two not going to eat?" [Askyros]
Tida raised a finger of suspicion.
"Hold on a sec… You can cook?!" [Tida]
Askyros raised a brow.
"...Of course I can cook. A healthy meal builds a healthy body. A healthy body builds a healthy mind. And a healthy mind builds a healthy lifestyle." [Askyros]
"Words of wisdom indeed." [Ryse]
"How did you get all this food?" [Tida]
Ryse froze.
"You couldn't possibly…" [Ryse]
Anxiety rose within him.
"You didn't use the battalion's funds for this, right…?" [Ryse]
Askyros shook his head.
"Of course not." [Askyros]
Ryse let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness." [Ryse]
"I hunted it." [Aleph]
"Oh, did you? What did you hunt?" [Ryse]
"Uh… What was it called again…?" [Aleph]
Aleph placed fingers on his head as if he was trying to manifest the answer.
"Oh! I remember! Rockbirds! That's it!" [Aleph]
Ryse's mouth dropped.
"Rockbirds?!" [Ryse]
Aleph backed away, fearing he had done something wrong.
"Yeah…?" [Aleph]
"You mean those gigantic monsters?" [Tida]
"I mean… They WERE pretty big. More meat I'd say." [Aleph]
Ryse ran out of the room and came back with a scroll. He then unfurled it and faced it towards Aleph.
"Was it this?!" [Ryse]
Aleph squinted at the paper. It appeared to have an image of a large white feathered bird with an abnormally thick beak.
"Yeah. Looks about right." [Aleph]
Despair crossed Ryse's face.
"No! We could've turned it in for money!" [Ryse]
"Really? Did you need the whole thing, or just proof of extermination?" [Aleph]
Hearing that, Ryse quickly checked the scroll.
"Oh. Just proof of extermination." [Ryse]
"I have the head in the back." [Askyros]
Ryse took Askyros' hands with glee plastered on his face.
"Thank you! You're my savior!" [Ryse]
Quickly leaving, Aleph was left distraught.
"I was the one who hunted it though…" [Aleph]
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Vilince
Vilince Just read the title. Thanks for reading!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
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