I do not own Percy Jackson or Fate/Grand Order
Mihaly age 7- Two years since meeting Atalanta and unlocking the Throne of heroes.
"You must be swifter master!" Came a woman's voice.
Mihaly had only a second to react as he was pelted by small stones. Atalanta was relentless when it came to training.
They started with speed. And that involved Mihaly running through the forest as well as improving his reaction speed.
Originally, Echidna was going to protest. Claiming that it was too soon. But after a short argument, as well as asking Mihaly himself on what he wanted to do, Echidna agreed. As long as there was no permanent scaring on Mihaly, she made it very clear to all servants that if they responsible for harming Mihaly and doing more than necessary, she would show them why she was called the Mother of All Monsters as well as being classified as 'a possible bane of Olympus'. The threat being accompanied by a sickly-sweet smile, and a dark miasma leaking out of her very being.
Suffice to say, she got her point across.
Mihaly managed to dodge the first, second and forth wave. However, when the fifth wave came, so did blunted arrows. Arrows that were being launched by a servant.
He managed to dodge three, before one managed to hit him between the fifth and sixth rib on the left side. He was sent flying backwards from the impact, but he managed to quickly recover, he flipped himself and landed on all fours. Using his momentum Mihaly propelled himself forward and then to the side, dodging another hail of arrows and stones.
Even to a well-trained eye, he was but a blur. But Atalanta wasn't a heroic spirit for nothing. She notched two arrows and fired. She then shot three arrows and then four. Having her master dodge as fast as he could.
Mihaly all but disappeared from her sight in a second. But her well-honed instincts proved themselves when she jumped up, and unleased another hail of arrows, deciding the small stones were no longer needed.
Mihaly moved back again. Almost losing his footing. He took deep breaths as the onslaught of flying objects suddenly stopped.
"That's enough for now. Rest for fifteen minutes and we'll start again." Atalanta told the exhausted boy, who all but collapsed onto his back, but she managed to catch him before he hit the floor and gently put his head onto her lap.
Mihaly was exhausted. Although he's been training with Atalanta to increase his speed for six months now, he still wasn't used to moving so fast and at such sudden intervals. According to Atalanta, he's been improving at an outstanding rate, and had inhumane stamina. He summed it up to being a demigod.
In the past two years he managed to meet all of the servants residing within the Deck of heroes, which would expand from time to time whenever a new card would be added. Suffice to say, he got mixed reactions. Some positive, some odd, some concerning, and some seemed like they could not care less, especially a certain golden king.
In order to appeal to other servants a bit more, as to not have any complications as well as the fact that they were apparently stuck with him for the rest of his life and wanted to make their life as pleasant as he could and getting along with them would be the first step, he asked Atalanta for guidance.
Her answer was to simply spend time with them, get to know them, as if he was making friends. Sounded simple enough.
Mihaly allowed himself to relax. By the position of the sun, he figured that he'd been running around for two hours non-stop.
As he laid there, he didn't notice Atalanta started to idly rub his head. A small smile on her face. But her smile soon turned into a frown,
'I still don't understand why my lady abandoned him. Why save me when I was abandoned but leave her own child. Was it because he was a boy? But that doesn't make sense. Why save me when I was abandoned, but abandon your own child? All children deserve to be saved and get a chance to redeem themselves.' Absently thought Atalanta, though a small smile did return to her face when she saw Mihaly's serene expression. 'That's why, I'll do everything in my power to keep Mihaly safe. No matter the cost. That is my pledge to you, Master.'
"It's time to continue with the training." She informed Mihaly, who stood up and went a distance away from her. "This will be today's last session. So, put into this everything you have left. I will start to train you in archery next week, so be prepared."
Mihaly didn't respond. He simply stood there and waited for the lesson to start.
Atalanta notched several arrows and let them loose.
Mihaly age 8
He deflected the strike that was directed at his chest. The crimson spear in his hands glowing with bloodlust. Scáthach had been a very harsh teacher, but the results spoke for themselves. It was his last lesson with the warrior woman. And as such he was given one task, defeat her in a duel. Easier said than done. Almost impossible in fact. Mihaly knew he couldn't defeat her. While he was developing incredibly in terms of power, fighting ability and wisdom under his mother and 'servants' that volunteered to teach him, he knew that he couldn't defeat Scáthach. Not only did she have many more years of experience fighting true life or death battles and teaching many heroes and warriors of Celtic mythology, but she also knew his fighting style and tendencies when fighting. Mihaly figured that this was a test of will and determination, or something along those lines.
He thrust the Gáe Bolg provided by his teacher, managing to slightly nick Scáthach's cheek.
"Not bad" She said, before twirling one of her spears around her and going through a slicing motion. "Now, time to end this."
A crimson aura surrounded the spears in her hands, red energy rushing out like blood from a severe wound.
"Stab and penetrate-" Purple lightning began to cackle around her "Thrust and impale-"
Mihaly's breath caught in his throat. She was releasing her noble phantasm?!
'Oh, Mother is not going to be happy about this. Not one bit. Well, I guess I should respond in kind.' Mihaly gave a small grin, as a second spear appeared in his other hand and both started to give of a soft red glow.
"My devotion, my absolute technique-" He chanted preparing to engage in a final clash.
The bloodlust in the air was almost visible as the cursed spears glowed blood red.
"Gáe Bolg Alternative!" They yelled and threw the spears simultaneously. The three spears shook violently as they scrapped against each other, trying to overcome the power struggle.
'Wait, three?' Wondered the witch of Dun Scaith. She quickly turned around and brought out another spear to defend. But she saw that it was too late.
Mihaly was already there, the other spear glowing strongly and posed to strike.
"Gáe Bolg!" Reality was re-written. A power of the Cursed spear of mortal death.
The end of the spear was sticking out of her back, blood leaked out from the wound and Scáthach simply stared at Mihaly.
'Oh, how foolish of me. To allow my emotions to cloud my mind.' She berated herself. Scáthach looked down to the child that she's been teaching for about a year. She couldn't help but smile.
"It's your win. Well done Mihaly. Atalanta was right. Your growth is unnatural. To be able to fight like that, would be impossible with only a year's worth of training." She pulled out the spear out of her chest and let it disappear in a red flash. "However, it is not to say that I am unpleased." Her wound was already gone. Her usually mischievous and teasing smile became gentler and more sincere.
"Did I pass?" He asked tilting his head slightly.
She couldn't help but laugh. The queen of the land of Shadows couldn't remember the last time she had so much fun. Maybe when Cu was still alive when she was teaching him.
"Yes. You passed perfectly. As of right now I have taught you everything you will need. However, don't forget that you can always come to me if you are ever troubled and seek an answer that you yourself don't have. While I won't hold your hand through everything, I will help you whenever I can, Master." She gently put her hand on his head and ran her hand through his long hair. Which was now mostly midnight-black with auburn tips.
Mihaly couldn't help but smile himself. "Thank you. For everything, Scáthach." His smile was infectious. And soon, the witch of Dún Scáith found herself laughing. Honestly. "I think it's best I return to mother before she gets too worried. No doubt she felt the bloodlust and is very upset as it is."
"Indeed. An angry mother is a dangerous and often irrational mother." Scáthach laughed, returning to the throne of heroes.
Mihaly age 10
He set down the last of plates onto the table, finishing setting up the table for breakfast. Usually, it was his mother that prepared this, but this time, Mihaly insisted that he prepare breakfast himself.
He's been studying under Emiya and Boudica for a while now, roughly seven months. Neither were harsh teachers, and were happy to teach him their culinary skills. He thought he'd put them to the test today and have his mother taste his cooking.
"I see you haven't burnt the house down yet." Teased his mother, leaning against the doorframe.
Mihaly gave a good-hearted chuckle, placing down the food he prepared. "If I did then I would probably die many times over. I've finished setting the table mother, so come and eat. Surely you wouldn't want to waste all this?"
Echidna smiled and sat down. Even though Mihaly was busy with training as well as interacting with the spirits in the deck of Heroes, he still made an effort to spend time with her. Honestly. Such a clingy child.
"I see you went European for breakfast?" Asked the Mother of Monsters as she sat down and started to put food on her plate.
"Yes. I thought I'd try to make something from central or eastern Europe, although the food is quite similar, though I hope that you don't mind that it's simple." Mihaly gestured, getting some food for himself.
There was some simple white bread, along with butter, cheese and some ham. There were also some hard-boiled eggs sitting in a bowl. A small bowl of a salad, made up of peas, diced boiled potatoes, diced carrots, parsley and onion. There was also a full tea pot in the middle of the table.
"I don't mind at all. I'm happy that you would even try to make something like this for me." A small tear ran down Echidna's cheek.
Mihaly looked a bit surprised, and also was a bit worried at the sight of his mother's tears. "It's just a simple breakfast. Is something wrong mother?" He asked, setting down his food.
Echidna stayed silent for a bit, before wiping away her tear and sighing, albeit sadly.
"Even though I still have the ability to see most of my children, be it in Tartarus or the mortal world, I don't have a great relationship with many of them. Probably the only one I have a good relationship with is the chimera and even the I rarely see him. Most of my children are bitter about their situation or for the fact that their constantly killed for 'Heroes' to claim some glory. I can't see Ladon because he's in the garden of Hesperides guarding the golden apples, Cerberus is guarding the Underworld, and the Manticore, that now goes by Dr. Thorn, and got it into his head that he's the greatest monster and everyone is below him! Even his own mother!" She huffed angrily.
Echidna took a calming breath. She sipped a bit of tea her son had made and calmed down almost instantly. Through the whole thing, Mihaly simply sat and listened. "Add that to thousands of years of being around, I have seen many families torn. With children killing their parents and vice versa. Or relationships being strained, sometimes for absolutely pathetic reasons, between both parent and child." With a final hiss of anger, Echidna finished, setting down her cup of tea.
Mihaly stayed silent. He knew that he didn't need to say anything. Instead, he poured his mother some more tea. As he set the tea pot down, Echidna grabbed his hands gently rubbing her thumb gently across the top of his hands.
"I don't know what to think when your…father, brought you to me. But now. I can say without a doubt. You are the greatest thing that happened to me in the past two thousand years." She smiled and ruffled his hair slightly.
Mihaly smiled himself. "Thank you, mother."
Three months later
"You wanted to see me?" Mihaly asked. He set down the arrow he was sharpening and looked at the group before him. The group consisting of berserker Heracles, Medusa, Atalanta, Asterios and Medea. "Is there any reason we couldn't talk over this through our bond?"
Medea, who stood in front of the rest, chose to speak first. "We felt that it would be more appropriate to talk about this face to face."
"I understand." Was his simple reply. He put the last arrow on the pile and stood up. "So, what is it. If the group is anything to go by, I'm guessing this has something to do with the 'Greek' servants?"
"An accurate observation. Yes. You see, this reality is much different than the one that we, or at least I know. For me, the age of gods ended during the Arthurian times, but the Greek gods were gone long before that. To know that the age of gods is still here…is quite disturbing. The Hassan, as well as myself and the Golden king, have attempted to gather information-" She was interrupted by a rather annoyed voice of Echidna.
"You could have just asked me about anything, and it probably would have been just as good." She hissed slightly and leaned against a nearby tree. "I'd rather be present when discussing something like this. Especially if it concerns Mihaly."
While Medea looked slightly annoyed, she didn't voice her complaints.
"In that case I'll get straight to the point. In order to reduce the burden on you as a master, as well as for us to better support you and helping you fulfil your…wish, we want to take over and anchor ourselves to our counterparts in this world." Finishing, Medea summoned her staff. "I'm willing to be the first one to try and anchor myself."
Mihaly stayed silent for a second. His heterochromia eyes scanning across the group. He sighed.
"While I do see the benefit, and I know you mean well. But I don't really like the idea of stealing one's life and taking one's body like we're in some sort of crappy supernatural/horror movie. Call it naivety, but those are just my views. But I do see the value. What do you think mother?" His eyes turned to Echidna, her posture not changing, but her eyes were slightly emptier.
"I would do it without a second thought. In this world, the more power you have the better. Zeus is a paranoid bastard. Anything he deems a threat he destroys or enslaves, and there are those who are much worse than him. You being the child of who you are, you have unlimited potential. If it means that you'll have to commit a lesser evil, then so be it. Besides, some simply deserve it." She kicked herself off of the tree and started heading towards their home. "I'm going to start preparing dinner. You want anything specific?"
"It's been a while since we've had Italian." Mihaly smiled, somewhat mischievously.
"Alright. It will be ready in two hours. And also, I'd be careful about having Heracles doing it. The one in this world has ascended to godhood after all. Ah! I almost forgot. I'm not sure if it will be any good, but the Romans are also present and have a camp. But instead of only having direct descendants in the form of demigods, also have 'legacies'. Descendants of the demigods as well as the gods." Her yellow eyes narrowed slightly at the servants, conveying a clear message.
'If Mihaly gets harmed as a result of this, then there will be no place for you to hide.'
Suffice to say, the mother of Monsters was rather protective of the boy.
Mihaly turned back to the group. He mulled over it for only a moment before smiling to himself.
"Even if I say 'no', you're still going to go ahead with it, aren't you?" His look fell on Medea specifically, who held a small smile, which he couldn't tell whether it was teasing or scheming.
"Oh? Seems you have been paying attention to my lessons after all!" She exclaimed joyously.
"Of course." Mihaly gave a short laugh himself, before turning to the rest of the group. "And I understand that you are all in agreement with this?"
He received an angry growl of approval from Heracles and Asterios, the two giants dematerialising shortly after that. Medusa gave a silent nod, before she too dematerialized, but nit before giving Mihaly a small smile, that only he saw.
"I was originally against it. However, if it's to help you, I won't have a problem with it. Considering I'm most likely dead in this place, I probably won't be able to be anchored like the rest. Anyways, I'll be seeing you later for Archery practice." With that Atalanta dematerialized. Leaving only Medea and Mihaly.
Mihaly's heterochromia eyes flashed in slight concern. "Are you sure about this? I don't doubt your abilities. You were, and still are, one of my teachers in terms of mage craft and manipulation. However, I remember you saying that while servants are powerful, they are but fractions of what they were when they were alive. So, I can't help but worry." While he may have grown in maturity much faster than a normal child or even demigod, Mihaly was still a ten-year-old boy.
The witch of betrayal laughed, but not in her normally twisted way, her laugh was oddly gentle. "Did you already forget? I pledged myself to you did I not? I believe my exact words were: 'My, who would have thought a traitorous witch like me could turn herself around? I just can't betray you. I suppose that means I shall pledge myself to you. Use me as you wish.' So worry not. I can't be of use to you if I'm dead. Have some faith in your teacher." Medea took off her hood. Her bluish-purple hair falling to her mid-back. Her smile and eyes both gentle.
She gently cupped Mihaly's cheeks in her hands. "I promise on the river Styx, I shall return to your side, my cute little master."
She took a step back, put her hood back up and disappeared within a dark vortex.
Two weeks later
"Is there something bothering you, Circe?" After Medea's successful procedure of attaining a body as well as anchoring herself and not requiring any support from Mihaly, other Greek servants started doing the same, with Asterios, Medea, Circe and Medusa all now having true bodies; Circe being the one who returned yesterday.
Their appearance also changed slightly. For example, Medea's hair had darkened considerably as well as her eyes gaining a slight green tint to them, she said that it was the result of combining herself with the Medea of this world, she explained that since their combination was forceful, the one with the stronger will was in control, if a fusion was done with consent of both parties, it was possible to create a completely new 'person' in a sense, but they'd still retain the memories of both parties. Or they'd choose one to be the dominant personality while retaining the others memories and switch who controls the body when convenient. In Medea's case, she destroyed any trace of the 'other self' and only retained the memories. Just to be safe Mihaly checked himself, he asked Medea's permission to instal her card. She was hesitant but allowed it. During his tutelage under Medea as well as other caster servants, Mihaly learned how to 'instal' them onto himself. In essence, giving him their strengths and memories, while also making himself the dominant personality, even under a madness enhancement of a berserker he kept his sanity. Meaning he could temporarily gain the strength of Heracles while being able to think or even gain the poisonous body of Hassan of Serenity. I installed Medea's card and the effect was immediate.
He saw her memories. From the moment of her leaving, the 'casual' interaction with the other Medea, their battle, the struggle of will power and finally standing in front of him once again. After that he apologised for doubting her, but Medea simply laughed. Stating that 'It pleases me that you took my lessons to heart.'
Medusa's change was not as large as Medea's. Her skin slightly darkened, looking like she got a light tan, but other than that, no significant change.
Circe's hair also darkened considerably; now being brownish. She also grew taller, slightly towering over him. Her Pinkish eyes now also holding a tint of green like Medea's. She's been unusually miserable ever since she returned and it worried Mihaly. Every time they interacted, Circe has always been light-hearted and a bit mischievous, but never outright depressed or gloomy. And her lack of response made it even more worrying. "Circe?"
Still no response. Mihaly reached out to shaker her gently, but before he could do so, Circe turned to him.
"You know Master, I think I'm happy that I faded when I did, with the rest of the gods." Her voice was devoid of her usual chirpiness.
It was a great surprise to Mihaly. Never had he seen her like this or felt anything like this through our 'bond'.
"What brought this on?" He sat down next to her. She reached out and started to rub his head.
"I'm happy I didn't turn you into a piglet. You're much cuter like this." She laughed slightly, but it sounded more like she was trying to convince herself of something. "I did terrible things, well the other me did. Things I…I didn't even think I'd commit in my worst nightmares. After Odysseus lied and left me, I became bitter with resentment. Men would turn up to the shore of my island. I'd turn them into pigs at first, but later, I simply started to kill them. Then when that wasn't enough, I tortured them until they died. A few years later, women started to wash up on my shore. I took them in. I taught them sorceries that I learnt from the goddess Hecate and made them my Handmaidens. For years this cycle continued. I even gave my Handmaidens partial immortality. Eventually, I started to turn the men into guinea pigs instead." She took a break. Breathing in and out to calm herself.
"You understand that it was not you Circe?" Mihaly tried to comfort her, but it fell on deaf ears.
"As time passed, the number of my handmaidens grew more numerous. I eventually set up a spa resort on the island; 'C.C's spa and resort.' I treated the women to a spa treatment, while I turned the men into guinea pigs, torturing and killing them not so often anymore. At one point, I captured the crew of a demigod so of Ares, named Edward Teach. I turned him and his crew into guinea pigs. Many years pass. And the cycle continues. Men and women keep coming to my island, either by accident, searching for and finding my island or getting manipulated to go to it. About, thirteen years ago, a yacht beached at my island after a they got lost in a surprise storm. A small family. A father, a six-year-old son, and a mother, five months into her pregnancy." Once again, she paused. Her breathing becoming slightly uneven and her form shuddering slightly.
Mihaly didn't like where this was going. While he was naïve, he was not a fool.
"After a week the father started to get suspiciouse. Though it was only natural, I guess. He and his son we're the only males, my handmaidens we're making a very poor job keeping it hidden that something was going to happen, to them that is. The mother started to ignore them both. At one point, her son was trying to get her attention, but she smacked him away. The son ran crying. While they we're staying at the resort, the father was trying to fix their yacht. On the seventh day, the father figured it out. What we were going to do to them. They tried to escape. We captured them both. Tied them down. We waited for the father to wake up." She cursed at herself in ancient Greek. "When the father woke up, I revealed to him that the gods still exist. I charmed his wife, made her kill their son. I made sure the father watched. I used enchanted barbed wire to tie him down, ever little movement drew blood. He kept screaming, begging his wife to stop. I rallied her on. 'Kill the little pig!', 'men are nothing but swine to be put down!' even after the boy was dead, she kept stabbing him and stabbing him! The after that, after that, the child still in her womb! I…-I!" She broke down.
Mihaly understood the implication. He wasn't really surprised. He understood that the gods were often cruel, and it was not a secret that it upset him. He couldn't help but wonder if the Circe he knew would become the same if she was left alone once again.
He wasn't very experienced in comforting or interacting with others that much. Other than His mother and the members of the deck of heroes, he had no interactions. Granted, the deck housed hundreds of individuals, if they had problems, they rarely ever spoke to him about them. So, he did the only thing he could think of.
Whenever he got upset when he was younger, which was very rare according to his mother, she'd hug him, and he'd calm down. She told him that having another's body warmth tended to calm one down. So he did just that. As well as using his 'adorable child powers' as his mother put it.
"Circe. That wasn't you. The Circe I know is cheery, likes kykeon and piglets, doesn't like being alone and can be a bit annoying at times, but would never do anything like that. So don't be upset. Please." He comforted, allowing the falcon witch to have a moment.
She didn't cry. Not anymore, she used up all her tears. Mihaly's words did manage to cheer her up slightly from the looks of it.
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to all the handmaidens?" He inquired, his heterochromia eyes, shining in slight curiosity.
"I put them to sleep. I was thinking whether to not simply destroy the island all together but…" She trailed off, gaining a somewhat empty look.
"Then how about…you take over and make it an actual spa resort. Wipe the memories of the handmaidens, and establish your own rules and grounds? It would be better wouldn't it?" Mihaly inquired, tilting his head slightly. "That way, maybe you'll start to feel better. But please remember, that was not you Circe."
The witch of falcons sniffled slightly. Still clinging onto Mihaly, she giggled to herself, hugging him a bit tighter.
She let him go and wiped her tears away. "Ok. I'll do it. It's not often that the great Circe would give someone this honour! I'll listen to your advice little piglet!" She exclaimed as she started to fade away and returning into the throne of heroes.
Mihaly could only laugh at the servant's antics, happy that his friend was no longer in such a pathetic state. He prepared to go back home but was suddenly stopped by a servant manifesting themselves in front of him.
A relatively short figure, with lightly tanned skin and greyish hair. With eyes that were yellowish-brown in colour. She was also dressed quite shamelessly, with only a piece of cloth wrapped around her chest, though she was slightly better clothed below her waistline. With a crimson red half-cape covering most of that area. Metal horned shin guards protected her legs and her posture spoke of confidence and inner rage shone behind her eyes, though not directed at Mihaly.
Penthesilea let out a huff and rolled her shoulder, muttering something under her breath that Mihaly didn't quite catch. He didn't notice, but her eyes softened ever so slightly when her fierce gaze fell on him.
"Master. I have come to ask a request to ask of you." Her voice was rigid, but a slight growl came from her throat.
Mihaly was slightly surprised. Penthesilea never asked for anything. Well, other than demanding for Achilles to be brought out so she could kill him. But other than that, she only ever left the deck of Heroes to spar with him, as she was one of his unarmed combat instructors.
"What is it? Has something got you bothered?" His enquiry seemed to be a close hit. Seeing as a flam lit itself behind her eyes.
"Yes. I guess it is. I asked for Hassan of a hundred faces to see the state of the Amazons. And I've heard some…disheartening things. I wish to make a trip to the island itself and the confirmed locations of where the Amazons conduct their…business." Her voice was rather grave, and was that shame he saw behind her eyes?
Mihaly had to think for a second. What could have upset the Queen of Amazons that included her people? Ah! The slave trade. He had requested Hundred faces to scout out and report the state America and Canada was in. While he trusted his mother to give him accurate information, its best to be safe.
The Greek 'Heroes' had mixed reactions to Echidna being his 'mother'. The Gorgon sister didn't seem to mind. It was mainly ones such as Achilles, Jason and Atalanta had the biggest problem to begin with, but everything settled down after a few years. Now It would be best described as them tolerating the others existence.
According to Hundred faces, the Amazons created a corporate business called 'Amazon'. A multinational technology company based in Seattle, Washington, which focuses on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. Selling and exporting goods for both mortal and immortal customers.
"Would it have something to do with what Hundred faces reported? About the Amazons' selling men off as slaves and servants behind the scenes, as well as raising young boys to be the perfect servants for any who would buy?" He already knew this was the reason. He just needed confirmation.
Penthesilea snarled, whirled around and punched a tree. Punching straight through the trunk and causing the great oak to fall.
She huffed and looked down. "I apologise master, it's unbecoming of a queen to act the way I just did. But yes. It is to do with the…rumour. I wish to see for myself. And if what was said be true, then I will take things into my own hands, and restore honour to the Amazons! This I swear on the river Styx!" With her proclamation, thunder sounded in the distance, the oath accepted.
Mihaly looked up to the sky. His mother had told him that the perimeter of the home was surrounded by a powerful barrier that shielded their location from 'the prying eyes of gods' as well as regularly transported them to different forested areas around the world as an additional safety precaution. Right now they were somewhere in Tennessee according to his mother. The fact that Lady Styx still could held influence here was both impressive and worrying. He looked back to the Queen of Amazons. It didn't matter what he would say. She's already made up her mind and it would do him no good to start degrading their relationship.
"Very well. I'll be sure to provide the mana required for you to maintain your presence outside of the deck of heroes. If you require more for whatever reason, tell me through our bond or simply draw from it yourself if you don't have any choice." Mihaly learnt quiet a bit ago that being blunt with the Berserker of El dorado was her preferred way of communicating.
He saw a ghost of a smile appear on her face. "Thank you master, I'll try to bring results as soon as possible." She jumped away and disappeared behind the tree line.
He didn't move from his spot for a few seconds. He sighed and gave a small smile. 'What a troublesome life I have.'
Mihaly age 12
Mihaly stood before a golden throne. On said throne sat the 'king of heroes. The golden king, Gilgamesh of Uruk. The king has called for Mihaly earlier today, and while he has managed to form a stable understanding with him, he still couldn't help but be slightly on guard around him.
Mihaly's appearance hadn't change much in the past few years. His midnight-black hair reached his back and was braided at the right side of his face. His skin was pale, but not unhealthily so. His heterochromia eyes had a small shine to them, both bordered by an abyssal black ring. His silver-grey eye seemed to give off a gentle glow, while his monster-like yellow eye held a dangerous gleam. He was of average height and had an overall 'cute' look to him.
"At least you didn't keep me waiting. We will be departing soon, and you shall begin your journey into the true world, start to build a name for yourself and grab your fate with your own to hands. Is that right?" Inquired the king. Summoning a golden plated jug full of the finest wine from his Gate of Babylon.
Mihaly slightly straightened his back. "Yes, that's the basics of it. Well, maybe not the 'carve a name for myself'. At least not yet. I want to lay low for a bit, not earn the ire of the Gods. We'll, not as 'Mihaly' that is."
Gilgamesh gave a grunt of acknowledgement. Pouring the wine into two golden cups. "Well then, it seems that the lowly mongrel is starting to become more independent. But a mongrel nonetheless." He presented Mihaly with one of the cups of wine. "That dose not mean it's not a decision worth praising. Be glad mongrel. The king is willing to part with some of his finest wine to celebrate your departure. Be grateful" With that the King of Heroes took a small sip, a rare, pleasant smile on his face.
Mihaly didn't drink the 'wine'. Something seemed off. While he knew that Gilgamesh wouldn't poison him, not wanting to waste such fine wine of course. But such generosity was quite…unbecoming of the ancient king.
"I think it's too early for me to drink wine. Especially one such fine as this, if what you said was true." He responded, a bit cheekily. Swirling the crimson liquid in the cup.
This earned him a harsh glare and an angry snarl from the golden king.
"You'd dare question the kings' judgement? Insolent mongrel. As if I would waste anything. Accept the king's generosity and drink you fool. Unless you deem yourself above such things?" Accused the king.
Mihaly gave a slight nervous smile. "Yes, yes. No need to get so worked up. Just know that mother will most likely kill you for this." He chuckled slightly. Bringing the cup to his lips.
Gilgamesh huffed in dismissal. "It matters not what she thinks or says. She's irrelevant when the king's decree is said. Now drink."
Mihaly frowned slightly. But soon smirked. "Such arrogance. But then again. 'What is a king without an ego?'."
He took a sip of the wine. It was slightly sour, but not unpleasant. The texture was smooth, and it had a slightly sweet after-taste. He slowly drank the rest of the wine. It was truly great, and it had rightfully earned its place in the kings' treasury. But Mihaly still couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something off about the supposed wine. He set the cup down and turns to Gilgamesh, who was still sitting on his throne, his eyes closed.
"It was quite the delightful wine. Well, I don't really have anything to compare it to. But I can freely say that wine isn't really for me. At least not yet. I'll have to leave now king of heroes. I wish to spend time with my mother before I depart. After all, I don't know when I'll be able to see her again after I depart." Mihaly didn't wait for dismissal and simply left. Cutting his connection from the deck of heroes.
"He's probably going to be quite angry when he finds out what you did." A gentle voice called out.
The person had quite an effeminate appearance, yet at the same tame could be considered a man. Long green hair that reached the floor, a white cloak and a gentle smile. Enkidu looked to his friend and awaited an answer.
The king of heroes simply huffed. "It matters not. I will simply cross that venture when the time comes. Fir now let the fool remain oblivious." Gilgamesh summoned a bottle of wine and poured himself a cup full. Crimson serpentine eyes fixed into a slight glare. "With the age of gods still present, he will need every advantage however, I will not hold his hand through anything, I will sometimes provide some form of support. He needs to struggle for himself and harden his skin, otherwise his growth will be hampered. He is simply amusing to watch, that is all."
Enkidu didn't give a response. Simply smiling and walking away.
Two days later
Mihaly stood at the border of the barrier surrounding their home. His mother next to him. Echidna was proud but was also worried. Normally she wouldn't admit to such a thing. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, she developed a soft spot for Mihaly in her heart.
Mihaly was dressed quite casually. With standard jeans and a simple white t-shirt, he also had an eye-patch on his right eye. He wore a rucksack on his back, containing extra sets of clothes, some currency from different nations including the American dollar, British pound and some euro. He also had some dried food and a few bottles of water.
"Remember Mihaly. Do not trust anyone easily. Keep away from Manhattan if you can, do not earn the ire of any gods. And don't you dare let me catch you speaking with some slutty Empousai!" Reminded his mother for what seemed to be the tenth time.
Mihaly could only smile and chuckle to himself quietly.
"Mihaly Echidnason, I am serious!" Yelled his mother. Her eyes glowing menacingly. "I will not tolerate any of those prostitutes anywhere near you. Do. You. Understand?"
Mihaly kept his smile and nodded. "I know mother. I'll try to stay out of trouble. Besides, you said that I have your scent, monster shouldn't bother me that much. And I don't really plan on revealing myself to the gods any time soon. Who knows what the huntress would do if she found out I'm still alive." His tone dulled slightly at the end, but his smile never wavered. "I'll be off now, mother."
He stepped forward and embraced Echidna tightly, small tears escaping his eyes. Echidna smiled sadly embracing her son tightly in a crushing hug. "You will always have a place here with me. Remember that." She whispered. "You know, I'm considering doing what Demeter wants to do with her daughter. Lock you in a place only I know of and keep you there. You'd be safe that way."
Mihaly gave a nervous chuckle. "I wouldn't really like that mom. I love you too, but I think that I'd prefer to be free. I'll be sure to visit whenever I can."
"You better." Echidna said, letting him go. "Otherwise, I'll hunt you down and go through with locking you up in a location that is known only to me and keeping you to myself. Now off with you! Before I do it anyway." Echidna shooed, chuckling slightly herself, but she was dead serious with that 'threat'.
Mihaly gave one last smile. "I guess I'll see you later then mom. Stay safe."
With that, he filled his legs with prana, and launched himself forward. Disappearing behind the treeline in a matter of seconds.
Echidna stood there for a few more minutes, before sighing to herself. "He really left. Honestly, it feels like yesterday when he was crawling around and sleeping in my arms." She looked up, the suns position telling the time of noon. "Time sure flies buy."
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