Note- Don't own anything at all
Atalanta's pov.
It's been a couple days since my talk with Mom and Dad. By now, I have to assume Mom's told everyone about my existence and is now dealing with the fallout. I guess she'll come by soon to introduce me to her hunters.
This might be my chance to tell her about my past life.
I flinched just thinking about it. I know Mom and Dad wouldn't care about me remembering my past life, they will love me no matter what. So, why am I scared to tell them?
The more I thought about it, the more my heart hurt, as old memories returned to the surface.
The most prominent memory was when I took Miyu to see the ocean. Where I tried to tell her the truth about her adoption. How Kiritsugu wanted me to use her as a tool to save the world, and nothing more.
Phantom pain spread throughout my body, as I remembered the blades that pierced my body while Julian took Miyu from me.
Am I afraid of something similar happening again? That the moment I tell Mom and Dad my greatest secret, something will happen to them.
My chest started to tighten.
That fear… its completely irrational. The situation with Miyu and my current situation are completely unrelated. Logically, something bad happening the first time I revealed a secret to a family member, doesn't mean it would happen the second time.
But fear isn't logical, nor is the world.
I clenched my fists while sitting up straighter in my bed.
I closed my eyes and controlled my breathing.
The pain in my heart didn't disappear, but I did calm down.
After a couple minutes, I opened my eyes, having come to a decision.
Telling my parents about my past life is pointless since there's no reason they would need that information. Nor would it change our relationship. At most, it would cause them more stress, and I refuse to burden my family with more than I have too.
With my mind, I got up off my bed and moved to my desk, ignoring the guilt welling up inside me.
As I reached the desked, I grabbed the twin silver blades Mom gave me. I then sat on the floor, in front of my bed.
I placed one of the blades in front of me, while placing the other one in my lap.
It was time to practice using my powers.
During the night, I gather moonlight and place it inside my blades. And during the day, I practice taking moonlight out of the blades.
The exercises are meant to help me improve my control of moonlight. Unfortunately, I can't repeat this exercise too many times in one day, since I'm limited to the amount of moonlight, I gathered the night before. Luckily, I've found that I'm more skilled at gathering moonlight, then taking it out.
I focused not on the knife inside my lap, but the moonlight inside of It.
Inside the blade, the moonlight was tranquil. All of the stored light was concentrated in the center of blade.
I steadied by breathing, and mentally connected myself with the moonlight. I commanded a small part of the moonlight to raise from the blade. My goal was to then transport the light into my body, without losing any of it.
The moonlight became wilder the further it was from the center of the blade.
My forehead scrunched up, as the moonlight started to escape my grasp. I just need to control it for a few more seconds!
No! My control slipped slightly, causing me to lose control of all the moonlight.
I could only watch as the moonlight scattered uncontrollably from the blade, lighting up some parts of my room. It also filled my room with the smell of my magical energy.
"What am I doing wrong?" I calmly asked myself.
Taking moonlight out the blade shouldn't be any harder than putting moonlight into the blade.
Could there be something wrong with my image?
When I put the moonlight in my blades, I just imagined the light going into the blades.
When I pulled the moonlight out of the blades, I imagine myself having to reach into the blade to command the light.
Maybe I should just pretend the blade isn't there?
I closed my eyes, and completely shut off my senses.
I imagined that I had a ball of moonlight in my lap, instead of my silver blade.
Using my authority, I commanded the ball to enter me.
Slowly, I felt the ball heed my commands, and rise. The ball grew smaller as it got closer to my hand.
It finally entered me through the palm of my hand, far smaller than when it started, but that was fine.
I opened my eyes, as I felt the moonlight settle inside me.
It's seems that I was over thinking it. Still though, I have a long way to go before I've master it. I need to be skilled enough to absorb my blades' moonlight during battle, without losing any moonlight.
"Good work," I heard a familiar voice congratulate me.
I jumped, surprised by the voice, "Mom? When did you get here?"
Looking up from my blade, I saw Mom leaning against a wall.
"I got here a few minutes ago, but I didn't want to bother you," Mom responded, as she started to walk towards me.
"You shouldn't enter other people's rooms without permission," I complained while feeling slightly embarrassed at being scared by Mom.
"Mothers can enter their children's bedroom whenever they so choose." Mom sat down in front of me.
I just rolled my eyes, before moving on, "have you told the other gods about me?"
Mom shook her head, suddenly looking very tired, "Yes, I told them after I finished talking to my hunters."
"How did they respond?" I asked her.
The best outcome would be for the other gods to be apathetic, especially Apollo.
"I'll let my hunters speak for themselves, but I think you'll be able to develop a relationship with them," Mom said, a hint of pride in her eyes.
I nodded in understanding.
"As for the gods, their responses varied. Most of them cared more about Gaea helping Orion than about you. To them, you're nothing more than a random demigod, whereas Orion has the ability to truly kill them."
"How did your father respond?" I carefully questioned Mom.
If Zeus got truly angry, and went on a rampage…
The devastation could wipe out an entire country.
"He…" Mom stopped as she put her face in her hands, "didn't take it well."
I cringed at my mother's reaction, I've never seen her look so tired, "Did he throw a temper tantrum?"
Mom looked at me for a moment, "I wouldn't call it a temper tantrum, but I was forced to calm him down."
"How'd you calm him down?" I asked my mother. Learning how to calm Zeus down could be useful.
"I simply told him his anger was making me upset and begged him to stop chasing Brother," Mom's tired expression became Neutral. "Now I don't owe my little brother anything."
"Why'd you owe Uncle?"
Moms look depressed, "I owed him for protecting you from that boar."
She looked down in shame.
"Protect me from the boar?" I repeated incuriously. "What are you talking about?"
The air around mom suddenly changed. "My brother said he saved you from being killed by a monster."
"And you believed that garbage? All he did was kill the boar after I beat it," I responded while glaring to the side.
Stealing the pig from only slightly annoyed me at first, but that annoyance has grown worse over time, before finally exploding when I decided to embrace my desire to hunt.
"I am going to kill Apollo!" Mom growled aggressive. "I should have let father shock him!"
"Anyway, why was Uncle being chased? Not that I blame him."
"Father wanted to know why my brother didn't foresee Orion's actions. The fool tried to remind our Father that prophecy doesn't work that way. Father didn't take that well and decided to release his anger on Apollo."
Hmph, serves him right.
"Is there any chance that he'll get angry again?" I questioned mom, carefully not to call Zeus by name.
"No, at least not for a while, Father's focusing on his feud with Hades."
"The one Uncle mentioned? Involving your youngest sister Thalia?"
"Yes, Hades managed to kill Thalia right before I left Olympus. Father turned Thalia into a tree that produces a force field around Camp Half-Blood, keeping monsters out of it. Father was so angry that he almost marched down to the underworld. War would have broken out if he did."
My expression became increasingly horrified the more Mom talked. I'm not sure if it's because of what Mom said, or the way she said it. She doesn't seem bothered by her sister's death.
"Mom, are you alright?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Mom asked, partially confused.
"Your little sister just died, doesn't that bother you?"
"No, it doesn't," Mom responded while looking away from my questioning gaze, "I had no relationship with her, she was nothing more than another one of Father's children."
But hasn't Zeus not had any children since he made a pact with the other gods? Mom should've had time to go visit her only new sister at some point. Why wouldn't she?
And, if Zeus cared about Thalia enough to fight Hades over her death, why didn't he protect her? Or did he not care about Thalia? Maybe he only got angry with Hades because he doesn't like someone destroying something that's 'his.'
"Think about it this way, do you care about Thalia as your aunt?" Mom had a troubled look in her eyes as she asked that.
"No, but I never had a chance to meet her, or form a relationship with her. You did…" I stopped talking midway through, after Mom's face got sadder.
"Yes, I technically could have formed a relationship with her, but I didn't. That's just how the gods are. We see no reason in bonding with mortals that will die in the blink of an eye," Mom looked even sadder after saying that.
She clearly wasn't thinking about Thalia when she said that. I think I accidently may have stepped on something that I shouldn't have.
Mom was looking at the floor, lost in thought. Her sad eyes were so painful. I need to help her somehow.
"Don't worry, my child," Mom said gently, the affection in her voice as she called me her child tugged at my heart, "I know that my greatest creation will stay by my side far longer than the blink of an eye."
As Mom said that, the sadness in her eyes disappeared, and she started to get up.
'greatest creation' huh. I hope she wasn't talking about me, but I'm smart enough to know she is.
That title isn't one that I deserve, no matter how much I want it. Only a true hero deserves to claim the title of being the 'greatest creation' of the greatest god.
But I didn't say that out loud, my experience with Dad taught me not to tell my parents my true worth. It will just bring her more pain.
For Mom's sake though, I'll pretend to be worthy of being her 'greatest creation.'
"Where are you going?" I asked my mother, as she finished stranding up.
"We're going to meet my hunters."
"Should I call Dad first and tell him where I'm going."
"No, I don't want that good-for-nothing involved with this."
Sometimes it feels like Dad could do something perfect, and Mom would still make fun of him.
It didn't take us long to travel to the forest where the hunters were camping.
"We're almost there," Mom told me as we approach a clearing.
We were so close to the hunters that I could smell them.
There were butterflies in my stomach. I'm more nervous now than when Julian set up that blind date for me.
These hunters have been taken in by Mom. They're my new sisters, and I don't know how to interact with them. What if they didn't view me as a sibling? Should I try and gain their respect, then develop a relationship from there?
"Atalanta, you'll do fine," Mom said, noticing my nervousness as we entered the clearing, but her words didn't help me.
There were a small handful of tents in the clearing, five girls were sitting together in the clearing, they looked to be between ten and fifteen.
They turned and looked towards me and Mom. I felt their gaze fall on me, some of their eyes widened when they saw me.
I kept walking towards them, but I realized something after a couple steps.
"Mom?" I looked around, realizing Mom was gone. Did she leave me to meet her hunters alone?
My brain shut down.
It took a few seconds for my mind to start working again.
Fine, I don't need her help. I managed to cultivate a relationship with Miyu, I can do it again.
I kept walking towards them, "hello, I'm Atalanta."
"You're the mistress's daughter," a girl who looked like she was twelve stated. She had aggressive eyes and had a roman spear next to her.
I just nodded while standing next to their circle.
"Please, sit with us," a brown-haired girl told me.
"Thanks," I sat down next to the hunters, and stared at them without speaking.
"its nice to me you, I'm Naomi," the girl who invite me to sit down gave me her name, breaking the awkward atmosphere around us.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you, too," I responded not sure where to take this conversation.
This really is that blind date all over again.
"My name is Adela," the girl with the roman spear declared, "I'm from Rome, during the reign of Emperor Nero. Now that my introduction is over, let's spar."
I was taken aback by Adela's abrupt desire to spar, but I didn't let it show, "Fine, but don't worry, I'll hold back."
Adela smirk, "I was going to say the same thing to you."
"You two can spar later," said another tan girl with black braids.
Adela clicked her tongue, "You're never any fun, Astarte."
Despite Adela's response, she still followed Astarte's words.
"I'm not trying to be fun," she responded to Adela before turning and looking at Naomi, "someone has to keep order."
Naomi looked away with a guilty expression.
I quietly looked between the hunters, trying to understand what was going on.
Naomi felt guilty about something, and seemed I sensed a slight bit of inferiority coming from her. Maybe it's her job to keep order among the hunters when Mom's not around?
Astarte seemed less angry at Naomi and more disappointed. Like she expected more from Naomi.
The other girls were trying to stay uninvolved but didn't seem happy about it.
No one said anything as the awkward air returned. I became more nervous the longer the silence stretched on. Eventually, I started fidgeting.
"You don't need to be so worried," a blond girl tried to comfort me. "I'm Cara, and I'm from England."
Cara then looked at the last girl in the group, who looked only a year or two older than me, "I'm Azure, I joined the hunters during the Hundred Year War, after they saved me from British solders that kidnapped me."
Azure's blue eyes grew sharper as she mentioned the British soldiers, a dangerous aura seemed to form around her.
"Atalanta, there's an important lesson you need to learn," Azure's tone turned cold as she started to move towards me. "What do you know about men?"
Azure was right next to me when she finished asking that question. She was so close that I could feel her breath.
I have a feeling that mentioning my past life as a male would be a bad idea, even if that's where most of my knowledge of men comes from.
"I know the difference between a boy and girl, if that's what you're asking," I responded coldly.
"Then you should understand why you need to stay away from them," Azure said while grabbing my shoulders. "If one comes near you, let me know and I'll kill him."
The hostile aura around Azure seemed to grow several times over as she said that. It reminded me of the aura I released when I thought about Miyu dating someone.
"Azura, please calm down." Naomi finally returned to the conversation.
Azura scoffed in response, "I'm trying to protect her from filthy men that will try to corrupt her."
I scoffed in turn, "I don't need you to protect me, I can handle myself."
I preceded to push Azura's hands off my shoulder. I don't need, nor want, their protection.
It's my job to protect them, even if it kills me.
Azura looked at me for a moment, confused by my action.
"And I would rather not get any of my sisters involved in my problems," I tried to clarify.
The hunters had varying reactions to me calling them my sisters.
Astarte looked away with a complex look on her face. Adela glared at me, seemingly judging me. Cara looked delighted at my statement. Azura looked even more confused. And Naomi looked guilty.
"You think that you shouldn't bother us because we're sisters?" Azura asked me.
I just nodded.
"You're an idiot, aren't you?"
"No more than you are."
Adela snorted. "You must be one hell of an idiot then, aren't yah?"
"I said I'm no more of an idiot than Azura, not you."
"Atalanta, you are without a doubt the stupidest person here. And Adela, you're a close second," Azura added while rubbing her forehead.
"Why am I the stupidest person here?" I asked while Adela just growled.
"Because you think you know better than your older sisters."
"I agree with, Azura," Cara said with smile. She scooted over to my side, "Little sisters should listen to their older sisters."
My brow started to twitch as Cara hugged me.
Complex emotions were welling up inside me.
I like being accepted by them, but I don't like being treated like the little sibling.
"Get off of her," Astarte commanded.
"Fine." Cara got off me.
"Can we spar now?" I rolled my eyes as Adela completely derail the conversation.
"Yeah, lets go," I added on dismissively. I didn't really want to spar, but I did want to derail the conversation.
"Go ahead," Naomi responded while Adela glared at her.
Adela laughed and grabbed her spear, "go grab a spear."
Adela pointed at a nearby rack with weapons.
"Do I have to use a spear?"
I may have some skills with spears, most of which come from copying the skills of the spear's original owner, but they're far below my skills with a bow or swords.
"Yeah. Unless you're scared," she had a mocking grin.
I didn't grace her with a response.
I got up and grabbed a small white spear. All the weapons were child-size, probably since all the hunters are still kids.
While I was doing that, Adela got up and moved from the circle.
I turned and walked towards her, the hunters turned so that they were all face me and Adela.
"Let's see what you got!" Adela said while getting into a fighting position.
I responded by moving into a defensive form.
On our way to meet the hunters, Mom told me about their powers. In terms of physicals, they are stronger than most full-grown half-bloods. And they have eternity to train.
Adela said she was from the reign of Emperor Nero, who died in the year 69AD, meaning Adela could have close to two thousand years of training. I can't underestimate ger strength.
I watched Adela's form closely, as her hands tightened around her spear.
My eyes started to burn as I tried to prevent myself from blinking, but I had to blink.
The instant I blinked; Adela charged at me.
She thrusted her spear at my stomach. I barely managed to dodge it. She then made several more swipes at me that I barely managed to dodge or block.
I blocked out all unnecessary information and focused only on Adela. She was grinning. Her body was tense, ready to strike, but not stressed. She wasn't really trying yet.
I dug my foot into the ground and jumped back. Spears are better at thrusting and are harder to attack with in close range.
Adela was relentless, she charged at me. I blocked her next thrust with the shaft of my spear.
I stepped closer to her, making it harder for her to use her spear.
I was too close to Adela to try and thrust my spear. So, I spun my spear and tried to attack her overhead.
"What?!" I sneered as Adela stopped my attack.
Adela had taken one of her hands off her spear and used it to grab my spear.
I tried to pull my spear out from her grip, but her grip was too strong, so I released my grip and tried to punch her.
She dropped my spear and spun her spear to hit me in the side with its shaft.
I stopped my punch and grabbed her spear. Unlike her, I couldn't stop her spear, and I knew that. That's why I drug my feet into the ground.
"Ugh!" A sharp pain spread through my side, that was quickly replaced by a dull ache.
The spear's shaft hit my side and it hurt, but I managed to maintain my footing,
I smirk as Adela's eye's widened, I then punched her in the face before she had time to adjust.
She took her hand of her spears and covered her bleeding knows.
She started to shake.
"What? Can't take the pain?"
"You idiot!" Adela screamed after a second. She then charged me.
I blocked her punch, but the force blew me back.
She kept trying to punch me, our spears long forgotten.
Before I knew it, she kicked me to the ground.
"Why didn't you try and dodge?" She asked after she got on the ground and grabbed me.
Why is she concerned about that?
"It was the only way I could get an attack in!" I shouted.
I kneed her in the stomach, causing her to loss her grip enough for me to flip her.
"But you didn't even react to the pain!" She pulled my hair, her straight allowing her to pull me to the side.
"So?" I pained as I started to tire from our grappling. My arms and legs were starting to ache.
I tried to look to my side to see what the other hunters were doing, but I could only barely get a glimpse of them.
They were still sitting on the side lines watching.
Me and Adela wrestled for a little while longer, but I couldn't do anything, her strength was far higher than my own. It was like a kid trying to wrestle a teenager, I was able to hurt her once or twice but even that didn't do much.
"So?!" Adela shouted after penning me to the ground. "Don't you care about getting hurt?"
I looked at her blankly, despite my ragged breath.
The Adela I'm seeing right now is different from the Adela at the start of the match.
"Not really," I admitted. "I will suffer any pain to complete my goals."
Adela looked at me shocked. "What?"
"Nothing comes without sacrifice," I responded coldly. "I don't want to sacrifice, nor do I want to feel pain, but I will to achieve my goals."
"And what will you do if you have to sacrifice your life to achieve your goals?" She asked with a cold expression.
"I enjoy being alive and love my life. I want, and plan, to spend many more years together with those I love. But I will die to protect them."
Adela got even angrier when I said that. "How do you think the mistress would react if you died?!"
So that's why she is angry.
"I would rather Mom be alive and sad then dead. But she'll move on eventually," I said the last part while looking away.
I don't want to image her face if I died.
"I'm only going to tell you this once. The mistress has been depressed since Orion's attack on the hunters. The only time she's seemed slightly happy was when she was telling us about you. Do you really think she'll move on?!"
I cringed as she said that.
"That's what I thought," Adela growled. "You better not get yourself hurt when you didn't have too."
Adela released me and got up. She walked towards the edge of the clearing.
I started to sit up. My arms and legs were slightly cut up.
My body was still sore, especially my side.
I turned and looked at the hunters who were still sitting down, staring at me.
"Are you alright, Atalanta?"
"Yes," I responded with some shame.
I messed up and hurt Adela.
Just like Sakura or Miyu.
Why can't I ever do anything right?
"You should go talk to Adela," Astarte told me.
"I don't think she wants to talk to me."
"That's not true," Azura responded while shaking her head. "Adela may be ruff, but she cares. By the way, she also prideful, so you'll need to be the one to go to her."
I swallowed. I don't want to have a bad relationship with Adela.
"How long will it take for her to calm down?"
"She not a wild animal, little sister," Cara interjected with a smile. "She'll listen to you as long as you don't anger her."
I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. I wish it were so easy.
"Can you tell me what angers her?"
"Naomi, dealing with disputes is your job," Astarte metaphorically pushed Naomi into the conversation.
Naomi took a moment to gather herself.
"Adela won't like it if you lie, just be honest," Naomi stopped to think for a moment. "You should ask her about her past."
That seemed to be the last piece of advice they were going to give me.
"Thanks." I got up and followed Adela's trail.
"Good luck!"
It was easy to track down Adela.
She was sitting on a log, sharping her spear.
"I'm sorry for hurting you during the spar," I apologized.
During the fight, I accidently punched Adela harder than I meant to, causing her to bleed.
"We were sparring, one of us was going to get hurt," Adela looked up from her spear.
I bit my lip to stop myself from saying something that would anger Adela.
"Do you mind?" I asked Adela if I could sit next to her.
"You're the daughter of the mistress, aren't you? You don't need my permission," Adela shrugged.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
What does my heritage have to do with sitting next to her?
Adela glared at me, as a tick mark appeared on her forehead. "Just sit down."
I sat down next to Adela.
"Out with it!" She snapped. "What do you want?"
I sighed, gathering my resolve.
"Can you tell me more about your past? What was it like living under Nero?"
EMIYA had some sort of relationship with Nero, as she was one of a small handful of heroic spirits that he felt anything towards.
There didn't seem to have positive feelings towards her. The only heroic spirit that EMIYA seemed to genuinely like was Sab-
Artoria Pendragon. I can still feel his affection for her inside me, even after all these years.
The relationship between Nero and EMIYA wasn't outright hostile either, like his relationship with the real Atalanta. Those two are destined to fight each other. Their ideals are simply to opposed.
Even if Atalanta's ideals to save all the children of the world through a miracle is childish, I still support it. I still don't like the heroic spirit Atalanta though. Her personality is horrible, and she's way to devoted to Mom.
I'm clearly the superior Atalanta and am more worthy of Mom's affection.
I mentally shook my head, getting back on topic.
The feelings EMIYA had for Nero were closest to his feelings towards Tamamo-no-Mae. For some reason, EMIYA felt that he was far better than them. He was also very annoyed by them, as if they were constantly getting in his way. Yet despite that, EMIYA seemed to trust them to protect something, no someone, very precious to him. Not out of the goodness of their hearts, of course, but because they cared about that person as well.
I wonder who could capture the hearts of three heroic spirits, so different from each other?
No, that doesn't matter right now. I can't let my ADHD distract me. I need to organize my information on Nero.
Nero is someone who would be unstoppable if she could turn her ego into power.
The people despised Nero by the time of her death.
Her suicide wasn't for the sake of the people, but was more of along the lines of, 'you can't kill me if I kill myself first! UMU!'
And she pretended to be a man.
Mom said a lot of the hunters hate men, so Nero hiding her gender may make Adela hate her more. But conversely, Adela might like Nero more if she knows that Nero is a woman.
"He was a horrible man," Adela responded coldly, hatred spreading across her face. "He played his fiddle while Rome, my home, burned."
A self-deprecating smirk appeared on Adela's face. "And I was too weak to do anything as he built his palace on top of the land were my family's store used to be."
"Did your family make it out of the fire?" I asked, despite already knowing the answer.
"No, my entire family died. My father was killed due to our home collapsing around us, and the same debris that killed him, trapped my mother in our home. She was burned alive. Only me and my little sister managed to escape."
I frowned at Adela mentioning her little sister.
"And your sister?"
Adela's expression turned sad, "We ran as fast as we could, but the flames were everywhere. Eventually, we were caught surround by the flames. At that point, the ash was so thick that we could barely breath. In our desperation we tried to survive by jumping in a well, but I was too slow."
The sadness on her face turned to anger. "I ended up trapped under some falling debris, but my little sister wouldn't leave me. She helped me to get out from the wreckage, then we tried to get to the well again, but only I made it. My stupid little sister pushed me into the well just before a nearby building fell on top of the well. I survived because I was in the well, while my sister didn't."
I didn't say anything as I processed what Adela told me.
Did she get angry at me because of her experience with her little sister?
"I dug myself into the side of the well wall, I broke several of my fingers doing that. But that wasn't the worse part of being stuck in that well. The worst part was that the ground itself felt hot, as if the heat of the flames were lighting the very earth a flame." Adela looked at her hands. "Thinking back on it, I might have imagined that heat, but it still seemed real."
Adela balled her hands into fist, "I managed to drag myself out of the well the next morning. I was forced to deal with the consequences of that fire alone, because my little sister didn't think about how her death would affect me. She decided my life was worth more than hers."
I sighed as she finished her story, finally understanding Adela.
The reason she got so angry, wasn't because I purposely let her hit me. Its because I did it without hesitation, as if I didn't care about getting hurt. Then, my statements afterwards just added fuel to the fire. They made her think about her past and want would happen to Mom if I died.
She doesn't want Mom to go through the same pain she did.
"Adela, I'm—"
"Save your sympathy. I've gotten over it, besides its not like you know what it feels like," Adela's tone turned hostile as she said the last part.
I swallowed.
What she said is true, for Atalanta Moonlit. Atalanta has never truly suffered, never had to lose somebody.
But Shirou Emiya has. I remember being trapped under rubble, the crushed corpses of my parents within eyesight. I remember going through the wreckage of a great fire, while looking for Miyu. I know what its like to lose a little sister.
I can truly sympathize with Adela due to those experiences, but she doesn't know that. She doesn't know about Shirou Emiya.
It took me less than a second to come to a saddening realization.
There's only one possible way this conversation ends.
"You're right," I responded while getting up. "Thanks for telling me about your past."
"So, what'd you think of my story?" Adela asked me. I could feel her narrowed eyes staring at me, even as I walked away.
Showing sympathy would only anger her, and so would mocking her. In fact, they might be one in the same for Adela.
"It doesn't change anything. I still stand by what I said."
I've already fell for one hypocritical ideology; I'm not going to fall for another.
The moral of Adela's story is that its wrong to die for your love ones, because that would make them sad. But conversely, wouldn't our loved ones be devastated by our death? Should we just die together?
No, I know I did the right thing. Dying to save Miyu was the correct choice.
It has to be.
I couldn't live with myself if it was true.
Adela didn't respond as I walked away.
It didn't take long for me to make it back to the hunters' camp, but I found it almost deserted. The only hunter left at camp was Cara, who was reading a book.
"Where'd everyone go?" I asked her once I was within speaking distance.
Cara closed her book and looked up at me. "They're either out hunting or checking the perimeter."
"And you stayed behind to watch camp?"
"Correct," Cara nodded. "How'd your conversation with Adela go?"
I sighed, "We weren't able to see eye to eye."
"Did you try and reach out to her?"
"That wasn't possible."
Cara directed a confused glare at me, "You didn't even try?!"
I scratched the back of my head, "I asked her about her past…"
"But did you do anything with it?"
"She got mad when I tried to be sympathetic, and I don't think she would have taken to me insulting her dead family."
Cara sided eyed me, "I can imagine what Aris told you, and why she was angry. Do you understand why?"
"She thinks I shouldn't die for the sake of someone else."
"Atalanta… I don't think that's why she meant," Cara sounded concerned.
I cocked my head to the side, "What else could she have been talking about?"
"She probably didn't mean its wrong to die for others, but its wrong to do so without considering the consequences?"
Cara shifted around a little, before continuing, "She wants you to understand that Lady Artemis needs you by her side to be happy. She's scared that your death will cause Lady Artemis to fade away."
I scoffed. "If I die, Mom will be sad, but only for a little while. She'll move on."
"Hum," Cara made a confused expression before looking past me. "Is that true, Lady Artemis?"
I instinctively tensed, trying to come up with an excuse for my statement.
Then I relaxed my body as I realized Cara was just messing with me. I mean what are the odds Mom came back at this moment.
"Real funny, Cara," a smug smile spread across my face.
"I don't think it's funny."
The smug smile on my face disappeared as I jumped. "Mom!"
My face twisted into a horrified expression.
"Atalanta, we need to talk now."
"Ye- yes, Ma'am," I shuddered under her look.
She grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me away from camp, not even stopping to talk to Cara.
"Atalanta," Mom said while looking down at me. She dragged us halfway across the forest before she stopped. It was just her and me.
Her glare was strong, and it caused me to feel like a child being scolded. Even without her saying anything.
"That's my name," I sarcastically responded as I retread inward.
"Atalanta…" Mom repeated sadly, the tone in her voice sounding impossibly gentle. "Why do you think that I would get over your death so easily."
I bit my lip, remembering my experiences with Dad. It would be a bad idea to outright tell Mom the truth. I need to lead us off topic.
"Huh? What are you talking about? I never said anything like that," I shook my head in fake disbelief. "Have you been feeling alright?"
Mom stared at me for couple seconds, clearly not believing my response. "I'm fine, my daughter. I'm just accepting that I gave birth to a jester and not a hunter."
My mother's insult stung for some reason. "I am a hunter, Mom. The only jester I know is Dad."
"Yes, I know you're my little hunter. But that's not what we're discussing right now. Answer my question," Her expression and tone left no room to argue but I still tried to.
"Can we just drop this, Mom?" I begged her.
"No," Mom responded blankly and without hesitation. "But I can tell this conversation is going nowhere, so I'm going to change the question. Tell me, what do you think I see you as?"
It didn't even take me a second to respond, "your child."
She shook her head in response, "It seems I wasn't clear enough earlier, you're more than just my child, you're my greatest creation. Born from the fruit of a great tragedy."
I felt guilt well up inside at Mom's mentioning of a great tragedy. The happiness I've gained in this life is the direct result of something horrible happening to my parents.
Mom's expression turned nostalgic. "You know, they say that the more effort you put into something, the greater the result. If that's true then you really are my greatest creation, carrying you and give birth to you, took more effort then anything else I've ever done."
She placed her hands on her stomach, as she leaned against a tree. "Most gods just instantly, or near instantly, give birth to their children. That's why even female gods can have multiple children in one year. I decided to carry you like a normal human child, meaning I had to hide my pregnancy for nine months while dealing with all the associate symptoms. You left me constantly tired and craving random foods, it was horrible. Then there was the act of actually giving birth. You refused to come out easily, instead you made it into a battle."
Mom winced as she thought about giving birth to me. She shouldn't have gone through so much pain to give birth to me.
My mother suddenly sighed, the expression on her face replaced with the concerned expression from earlier. "Tell me, how do you feel about being my child? I want the whole truth from you."
"Haven't I already told you? I love being your child," I responded to Mom honestly.
I love being showered with affection, and being able to shower Mom with affection in turn. I love the feelings I get from the moon and forest.
I love having someone to count on when I need them.
And I truly love how real Mom makes me feel.
"Atalanta, I told you to tell me the whole truth."
"I did give you the whole truth," I responded with a sour expression.
"Have you forgotten who I am? I am Artemis, goddess of maidens, and you are one of my followers. I can see into your heart, so confess the truth."
Mom tried to sound tough while saying that, but she didn't. Her voice was wrought with concern. It was far worse than if she just sounded tough. I couldn't help by give a response.
"You say I'm your greatest creation, but I don't deserve that title. I don't even deserve to be your child."
It almost seemed to physically hurt me to admit that.
"Why don't you feel worthy?" Mom's face was filled with confusion.
I started to shake. This moment is the perfect opportunity to tell Mom about my past life, but I don't want to. I decided not to tell them earlier, I can't go back on that.
The confusion on Mom's face turned to worry as I thought about my response.
I can't let my own fears get in the way of helping Mom. I won't tell her the whole truth, but I can tell her a version of it.
"It's because of my strange dreams," I turned my memories into dreams.
"What do you mean?" Mom asked me.
"For the last few years, I've had horrible dreams. They include things like killing people, or betraying the trust of those around."
"Atalanta, demigods have unique dreams. You shouldn't take your dreams seriously," Mom tried to comfort me.
"But Mom, those dreams they don't feel like dreams," I said before realizing what I was doing. "They feel like memories."
"Memories?" Mom repeated.
I swallowed, there's no going back now, but I didn't feel scared. I felt relief. Like I wanted to tell Mom the truth.
"Those dreams and the actions that happen within them, feel real. Everytime I have one of those dreams, I feel myself doing the actions in them. But it doesn't feel like myself but at the same time it is myself."
For some reason, I felt Mom rubbing my back. "Atalanta, have you seen your reflection in any of these dreams."
I looked at my mother confusionly. "Yes."
"Was the reflection your own?"
"Yes... No, maybe? The reflection in the dreams wasn't my own, but it felt like my own. And since I've first had the dreams, I felt my own appearance is off."
"I see," Mom nodded before pulling me into a hug. Her warmth was a comforting as ever. "My daughter, forgot those dreams. They are useless to you."
I hugged Mom back as she said this. "Why?"
"I don't know for sure, but I think those dreams could be echoes of your soul's previous incarnation. And based on your expression, you agree."
Mom saw through me in an instant, but she didn't know the whole truth. Right now, she probably thinks I've only remembered part of past life, not the entire thing.
But, then why does she want me to forget it?
"In the end though, that doesn't matter at all. You, your soul's current incarnation, are clearly superior to your soul's previous incarnation. There is no reason for you to bogged down by a past that isn't your own."
I didn't say anything. But I do wish getting over my past life was as easy as Mom made it out to be.
"Do you have any idea why I'm having these dreams?" I asked my mother.
Moms a god, she might be able to figure it out, even with false information.
"I blame your stupid father for this. He must have past on his ability to remember his past life to you, but only a small fragment of it."
"Dad really messes everything up, doesn't he?" I asked, not knowing if Dad was actually responsible or not. But it is fun to blame him, though not as much fun as seeing Apollo in pain.
"Yeah, he does," Mom responded as she kept hugging me.
We didn't let go of each other for awhile longer.
I had feared that revealing my past life would hurt my relationship with my parents, but I was wrong. Our relationship is to strong to be broken by something like this.
Insert Scene break here.
Hello, and thank you for reading
Managed to get half the chapter out this month, woah! (Leaving the Kane stuff for next chapter)
Anyway, first things first- I made a mistake in characterization during the boar fight a couple chapters ago, I realize know that OUS Shirou, and by extension Atalanta, shouldn't be like heaven's feel Shirou and care about there lives, so I went back and edited it (fixing it).
Also, as I previously said, I'm going to go through the fic and update/fix mistakes like grammar, and things I was told to improve on. I was going to do it at a 100k, but now I'm going to do it now since were at the end of the prologue section of the first part of the story, and the next chapter will start off the first real adventure/arc for this fix.
To give y'all an idea of things I'm going to improve – grammar mistakes (as previously stated), the tone of the characters, breaking up some of the exposition paragraphs in chapter 1, Improve the ending of chapters, and putting in scene breaks in the earlier chapters. There is not going to be any massive changes in terms of content. (Also, I'm going to go over this chapter too. (I haven't even gone through chapter once yet, so sorry if its low quality))
One of the big things I've been told to fix is the tone of the characters. For Poly, I'm going to try and make current!Poly sound more like a goofball, maybe by making his speech shorter? And make the differences between his parenting with Atalanta and Artemis's more prominent.
Quick question if anyone knows- does anyone know if updating a chapter will cause a story to go to the front page, because if it does, then I'll just update the chapters all at once, instead of as I do it.
For Artemis, I'm going to try and give her three different manners of speech. The affection Artemis, cold (neutral) goddess Artemis, and angry Artemis.
Atalanta's going to stay sarcastic, but I want to make her dialogue more natural, and remove any more exotic English words from her speech. Basically, showing that she is perfect at English, but is advanced for a kid. I also want to show her ADHD by having her thoughts wonder way of topic at points.
The truth about this chapter is that I was originally going to have it go longer, but at some readers prompting, I decided to have Atalanta partially reveal her past life to her mom, and soon her Dad. I hope that it worked out. (By the way, Artemis was completely using her divine powers to get a response from Atalanta Moonlit, not Shirou Emiya. In other words, Artemis pulling out Atalanta's feelings, without regard to herself as Shirou Emiya.) Once I got to Atalanta talking to Artemis, I thought that was a good place to end the chapter.
On choosing OUS Shirou- I choose him because he was the best Shirou for the story, and is one of my favorite shirous
I like how he became a villain for Miyu, while HF!Shirou became Sakura's hero. I like that difference between them. I also like exploring how his background is different from the other Shirou's and how that makes him difference. Plus there's the fact that his character arc isn't over, while the other ones are. Then theres the question of becoming real of his, which fit in well with Atalanta question if she is real, and just who she is.
I think I'm going that topic now, since I don't feel like writing a multiply page analysis of each of the Shirou's and why I like some more than others, and just stay with that short overview. (FYI, fate!route Shirou is my favorite.)
By the way, Astarte's name is just a reference, she's actually a hunter from ancient Egypt from when Alexander the great conquered it.
Completely off topic- But Nasu said in the newest type moon ace that he was changing some of the Dead Apostle Ancestor line up. Completely crazy theory, but what if the difference between Fate timelines and Tsukihime timelines is weather or not Zelretch became a dead apostle? I mean Nasu's stated that his mere presence affects timelines, and this is further backed up by his appearance in fate/strange fake. And dead apostle reject human order, so it would make sense that a timeline watched by a Dead Apostle Zelretch would have a weaker human order, and that Gaia could over come it.
For Atalanta's power- I made a chart with someone (thanks Faea!) that's meant to give a rough overview of everyone's powers compared to each other. Its just a rough draft for now though. Current Atalanta'a like an overall C to C+
E= Average demigods of minor gods, that are weak enough to not be hunted by monsters, untrained, and possible don't even know there're a Demi-god. This rank would also include all those weaker than the average demigod of a minor god, meaning most mortals. This would basically be the average human tier. These people would most likely be killed by even the weakest monster.
E+= average demigods of minor gods, with mortal training, such as martial arts, but who are still too weak to be hunted by monsters. The average young (10) magician apprentices of the house of life. Clear sighted mortals are also included in this rank but are weaker than the others of this rank. This is basically anyone who is slightly superhuman in any regard. Very weak monsters are at this rank.
D= Untrained demigod children of the 12 Olympians, minus the big 3. Average magician apprentices in the house of life. Monsters in the category are slightly weaker than average. Most demigods of minor gods, who receive training, would rank here. Those in this rank have a chance to escape, or outwit, average monsters but can't beat them in a straight fight.
C= Average trained children of the 12 Olympians, and exceptional untrained children of powerful Olympians (Artemis, Apollo, Athena). Average magician in the house of life, and most monsters would rank here. A mortal or Demi-god of this rank would have a 50/50 shot of beating an average monster. A demon from Set's army in the red pyramid would go here
C+= untrained children of the big 3, and highly trained demi-gods of Olympians rank here. Percy at the beginning of the lightning thief would go here. This is the rank were famous, named, monsters start to appear. Someone at this level world more than likely defeat an average monster.
B= Slightly trained children of the big 3, and magicians with the blood of the pharaoh. Most demi-god children of the 12 Olympians would need a powerful magic item to reach this rank. Exceptional Greek magic users like Madea would rank here to. People at this rank can take on several average monsters at the same time and have a good chance to beat above average monsters.
B+= Veteran magicians, and Demi-gods, who reach rank B, when in environments that boost their power.
B++= Very powerful children of the big 3, and once in a generation talents. These are unmatched warriors. Thalia, and Nico di Angelo (with just his undead army), are examples of the former. Teenage Atalanta without magecraft and Luke (without Kronos/curse of Achilles), are examples of the latter.
A-= Those who reach this rank are near the top of their respective mythologies and can only be matched by the strongest of monsters. Seven heroes of Olympus Percy and Jason would rank here. Old Iskandar, and the Kane siblings, when using their avatars, rank here.
A= Those at this rank can take on powerful gods and are stronger than any normal monster. Percy Jackson in the last Olympian, with the curse of Achilles, would rank here. Curse of Achilles Luke would also rank here. Sent might also reach this rank. Teenage Atalanta, using her magecraft and authorities, would be at the top of A rank.
A+= At this point, one reaches the pinnacle of power of their respective mythologies or possess some sort of hax that puts them above everyone else. Kronos/Curse of Achilles Luke and Curse of Achilles Percy, in water, reaches this rank. Percy also reaches this rank while channeling Nekhbet. Young/Prime Iskandar reaches this rank (his dead spirt was able to freeze a god, he should be at this rank when he was younger.)
A++= The A++ rank refers to beings that reach the pinnacle of power across all mythologies. These are the only beings that even have a chance of fighting Doomsday beings. Teenage Atalanta inside Unlimited blade works, where she can spam divine constructs, and her authorities are enhanced, would rank here. Carter and Sadie's attack that completely killed Apophis would rank here. (They themselves are not A++ rank.)
EX= Doomsday being likes Apophis, Typhon, and Surt. Primordial gods such as Gaea would rank here. Even an entire pantheon of gods fighting together might not be enough to bet them. They also possess conceptual advantages over their enemies.
That's all for now, I'll leave y'all with a half written deleted scene of the HIGH BAR! And if you don't want to read it, have a great day! (Not that anyone wouldn't want to read about the HIGH BAR!)
On a different world, in a different life.
I was at school, standing a running distance from the high jump bar.
It was snowing slightly, and the ground was already covered by snow. Just like always.
I ran and tried to jump over the bar, but I ended up failing.
Let out a sigh, I got up and walked back to my starting position.
I didn't care about clearing the high jump, I just needed an excuse to stay away from the Emiya residence. To stay away from her.
The more time I spend with Miyu, the more doubts appear in my mind.
Is it right to sacrifice Miyu to save the world? Should I help her become human? Would Miyu's death truly save the world?
I clenched my fist as I reached the starting position. I got in a running position and ran towards the bar.
Doubts assaulted me, even as I ran towards the bar.
I lived when no one else did, and the only way to make up for that is to sacrifice Miyu. I must do it!
…
But doesn't that go against my dream. I want to save everyone, including Miyu.
I tried to jump over the bar, but I ended up it again. Unlike last time though, the old bar broke in two.
I ended up landing in the snow.
Saving everyone is impossible, isn't it? So, how do I know who to save?
"You blockhead!" I heard the familiar shouts of my friend Julian.
I sat up and turned to look at him, "What's wrong Julian?"
Julian almost seemed to growl at me when I pretended to smile.
"You ******** moron! You just destroyed school property!"
"Oh that. Don't worry about it, its not like our school has a track team any way," I pretended to smile sheepishly.
"That doesn't make it any better!" Julian growled, "looks like I'm going to have fix this bar!"
I looked at Julian, slightly confused by his statement. "Sorry. But the bar was going to break soon anyway. You should just get a new one."
"I'm not going to waste school funds on something nobody uses," Julian responded with contempt.