DISCLAIMER
The following is a fan-based
FICTION
F/SN, F/Z, F/KPI and other products related to the Fate Series are all owned by TYPE-MOON, Kinoko Nasu and Takashi Takeuchi.
Please support the official release.
Chapter 2:Το ατμοκίνητο σκάφος του Mathias
In the few times I have tried to get on some sport training regime, I would always found some concerning phases around the whole process of bulking up:
1) Relaxed, start to run and feel the fatigue;
2) Finish the exercise, a sense of satisfaction of having accomplished something in your life;
3) Waking up the following days with your body riotting over continuing the hellish routine.
Maybe I was just being a whiny dude at this point but that wasn't the reason I made this little premise.
Waking up from a beating was pretty much similar to the third and final part of the cycle and, even through I could deal with the aftermath of my ass getting whooped, I was incredibly confused at the unknown source of heat and warmth from my chest and for a moment I dreaded the fact I had actually lost my legs for some crazy reasons.
Reasonable as the Greek culture was in Ancient times, superstiction was something that was trending a lot and many crazy, old men would use it to enpower themselves.
That belief was partly disproved as I have seen a real God in action, killing that jerk hurting Asterios.
I knew my body was finally starting up as my ears picked some deep snoring and my other senses were starting to catch up with the hearing.
I could pass the whole situation just prior of me fainting on some marble floor as an hallucination triggered by pain but.. Asterios.
The minotaur was something real, not some vision, especially since the mad ride around Knossos had been way too funny and scary to be dreamed.
My eyes opened slowly, trying to abruptly cause the soreness reducing my body's movement to actually ache it senselessly, but the sight I found in front of me was... What?
There, head surprisingly light on my chest, was the fluffy thing that was Asterios.
I blinked as I fully looked how his body was sprawled over mine, his lower part falling over the human-sized bed but surprisingly the young teen managed to avoid getting cramps in that position.
That very scene reminded me of those movies where the sick child is stuck at bed, sleeping deeply as his loyal doggo settles on him with some worried whines once in a while.
My hands patted the white hair and I felt the true power of fluff within instants.
My poor throat sent something mixed between a groan and cooing as I continued my ministrations without much restraint but keeping the sleeping minotaur.. sleeping.
"Asterios was quite concerned about your well-being, outsider. He was restless while your wounds were cured."
Maybe it was tiredness or maybe I was just too much numbed by the fluff to actually jump in surprise as a woman's voice called me out.
My wide-eyes slowly moved near the door as the new ruler of Crete, Pasiphae, looked at the sight with an amused smirk.
"But I admit that, even with this intriguing scenes, I found the words of Lord Poseidon quite... curious."
I blinked and nodded a little in agreement. "I.. don't know why I am even here."
"Your tone suggest that you don't feel worthy of being there, of not being the right candidate." The blonde mused, walking quietly towards the window and glancing at the dawn of the new day. "But that is possibly the best quality for someone destined for great things to have. You seem to have a good head in those shoulders and maybe.. we can work out something regarding your little 'help'."
"Huh?" Now, if this had been a normal setting with a modern woman, I would have fantasized about some 'action' that could have been more than eagerly approved, yet seeing that Ancient Greece's favours were what many called Heroes' actions, I think you would all understand the little worry that was growing in my chest.
"My family is... quite detached as of now and I would need someone to dispatch some important messages to them as soon as possible."
She... she is...
"You mean I have to be your errand boy and tell your sister and your brother that your cheating husband is dead?"
Pasiphae raised her brows as I cited something not many knew of the now-deceased Minos.
"Yes.. and I understand that this task is going to be something incredibly difficult to accomplish and.. I decided to assign you a trustworthy youth under my care.."
"I-I think there is some miscommunication. I am not tied to your kingdom and I don't see why I should do anything you say-" "Quite wrong you are, Strategos Mathias."
...Strategos? Commander- Wait, no!
"You have been given this little 'promotion' as a reward for your service to Knossos." A smug smile appeared on her angelic face. "You are now under my rule." And my puppet to do anything I wish for.
Triple Dangit, I have been screwed and tied by the system.. again!
"Ship, equipment and food have already been prepared and-oh?" She cooed a little as finally Asterios stirred in his sleep, his eyes opening calmly and staring onto mine.
His reaction was predictable but nonetheless partly scary.
A big grin and wide-eyes as he happily recognised that.. "Y-You are good!"
"Y-Yeah, Asterios." He chuckled and turned to Pasiphae, the woman returning the expression with a tiny smile of hers.
"I told you he will be fine, child of mine." I blinked in surprise at the motherly tone. "But you remember what you promised me once he would wake up."
He froze a little and nodded, jumping out of the bed, avoiding to crush anything in my body, and skipped out of the room, leaving me in quite the confusion.
"As I said, everything is ready for your journey and you are expected to leave in few hours from now."
I blinked, paling a little at the inhumane planning. "W-What?! So soon?"
She sighed and nodded. "While I would be more than happy to spoil a little my baby boy, now that I'm widowed I will have to prepare myself for some courting youths to gain control over Crete. I would.. like to avoid to get Asterios to ask things I wish for him to know further in his life."
"So you want to kick us out so soon.. so you could start some dating stuff?!"
"That is partly correct.." The Queen mused with a small blush. "Bedding is also planned as I.. think it's time to rethink about continuing the dynasty and-" "T-That's enough! Just give me time to get ready."
She giggled and nodded before leaving the room. "Understood, little Strategos."
So shameless.. why are the women here so shameless..
When Pasiphae described that the ship had been completed, I had expected one of those kind of old ships with hundreds of slaves row the whole thing around and that the travel would take years.
I was shocked to find a ship resembling a wood-version of a small dreadnought.
"Knossos is the best ship-building city in Hellas, combining magic when creating new vessels." I blinked at the explanation given by the hooded teen that was supposed to accompany me and Asterios.
A tiny bit shorter than me, the youth's characteristics were mostly hidden behind that blue cloak and hood, the only things visible being that he was male and had some light-blue hair.
Yes, light-blue as if he had colored them but those were actual natural ones.
The Queen had been in the docks briefly, bidding goodbye to her son and explaining to me that Tarisso, the teen in question, was like family and that he had been tutored by her in magic.
Nothing much but nothing else regarding the mysterious youngling.
I nodded at his explanation, putting on my new bucket list to learn the truth identity of this unknown magician.
His name was none of the few important ones but, even through he had been quite idiotic in his classes and quite easily sleeping in others, he should have 'recognised' someone this much close to important characters.
Yet nothing came to my mind.
Together with ship, food and other important things, the Queen had seen to give us some books regarding basic and intermediate magic and some grammar book for Asterios to use and improve his stunted growth.
Good things and, as the ship started to glow a soft, soothing blue, I sighed and watched as we moved away from the ports of Knossos directed towards the Hellas.. and the small islands between the mainland and us.
AN
About Fate/Last Heaven: As I have told in the last few chapters, a Hiatus had been planned during the first few chapters of that story as a mean for new fans to actually watch the second movie of Heaven Feel and get some more information on the story before reading the second and middle part of the story. No, I'm not dropping it and no, I'm not dropping it. (The repetition is for those who have it against authors that drops stories with the 'hiatus' excuse).
But let us now focus on Aegean Holiday! As you see the ship has sailed with our heroes but leaving a big enigma with the third, unknown member. Who is it? A cookie for the one who guess who it is!
Review Q&A!
PasiveNox: Thank you!
Takamishin: Mind you that he will grow up in this story and, while he will not be OP as the Oc in Tale of Two King, he will end up being on par with Medea's Servant stats by the end of the story (as a Servant).
guest(Chapter3): I remembered!
vercingetorix2: He will get stronger, just not at insanely or crackishly pace. He will get an original Noble Phantasm. (Just don't expect Ea or Excaliblast)
