Chapter III
Once Linnet had gone to sleep, Atalanta and I left the room with my owl familiar to watch over Linnet.
"What is this threat that has you concerned, Master?" Atalanta asked, back in her huntress' dress, as we stood atop a tower in the city, with myself watching down at the nightlife below.
However, as I continued to stare down at the people, I couldn't help but think how envious their lives were. To be so completely ignorant of the Moonlit society that had more precedence in the world than any mundane person could even contemplate. That we had more say in the world they would even know, or care to admit. Though it would be funny to see the reactions of the world's "leaders" of how much certain families or organizations had manipulated events in history and that almost everything taught in the worlds' education systems were either manipulated, abridged, or hell outright lies. Of course, we magi held the true record of events that occurred or didn't occur in some cases, in the course of the history of this planet we call Earth, Atlas being the organization to have the most complete record to date.
"Master?" I heard Atalanta speak louder.
"Sorry," I smiled sheepishly at her, "got lost in thought. Can you repeat that?"
"I asked as to what the threat that has you concerned is," she replied.
"Ah, right," I nodded. "It's my uncle."
"You're uncle?" my Archer Servant raised a brow inquisitively. "What does your uncle have to do with anything? I thought mage families were often united in their efforts."
"Typically," I shrugged, "but my uncle broke away from the family several years ago, before Lin was born, to pursue his own goals. Which was odd at the time given that he was named heir over my sister."
"You seem quite nonchalant about this, Master," Atalanta frowned. "Earlier, I saw a slip that you were angry that your uncle was in Bucharest."
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I slowly released a sigh, "Let's just say that my uncle is a topic that I do not wish to broach and leave it at that for now. Right now, I recognize that he is a threat to not only myself but to Lin as well. I can defend myself well and while I do have my strongest familiar keeping an eye on Lin, I wouldn't put it past my uncle to plan to abduct her for his own purposes. That, and I also remembered that I have recently come upon a Servant who is also willing to protect said sister."
"Ah, I see," Atalanta nodded, her lion ears twitching. "Am I correct in assuming that you wish to hunt your uncle down?"
"Like a goddamn bloodhound," I growled, looking at the sight of the city, before sighing once again. "But, that's what the familiars are for. We're here to simply shoot the shitstain once he's been flushed out."
"He must've made quite the impression if he causes you to cuss like that," Atalanta commented.
"Like I said, I don't want to talk about it," I dismissed. "But while we're here waiting, why don't we talk about the upcoming Holy Grail War."
"What about?" she asked.
"Tactics and your Noble Phantasms specifically," I replied.
"What of them?" she asked, guarded.
"I don't see any issues in you using Phoebus Catastrophe, in fact if you see an opportunity to use it effectively against the enemy, feel free to use it," I spoke as I looked down at the city again. "But the other one…"
"Agrius Metamorphosis…" Atalanta uttered, though I heard a tinge of shame coloring her tone.
"Yeah, no offense, but I'm calling it here and now that you're forbidden to use it," I almost deadpanned. That Noble Phantasm, I didn't have a complete idea as to what it did exactly, but I knew enough that using that particular Noble Phantasm allowed her to take on the characteristics of the Calydonian Boar that she is famous for hunting. And given how destructive said magical beast was recorded to be, I wasn't exactly keen on my Servant taking on its characteristics.
"I have no qualms to your decision," she nodded.
"Good," I replied. "Now as for tactics, I think it prudent that we use your status as an Archer to conduct reconnaissance on the enemy when the Grail War begins proper. Hopefully since Berzinsky summoned you earlier than intended it means that the enemy's Archer hasn't been summoned yet and we can use that to our advantage."
"Agreed," Atalanta nodded and after a moment spoke again, "to change the topic back to the more direct threat, what kind of threat is your uncle?"
"My mother's family's magecraft is centered around the manipulation of metals as well as combining them," I replied, not minding the shift in topics. "As such, my uncle is able to create simply stabbing and slashing weapons with whatever metal materials around him."
"Are you able to do the same?" the Archer Servant asked.
"To a degree," I shrugged, "however, I have preferred the use of runes rather than either of my parents' magecraft. Though it is more strenuous to manipulate any metal the further it's away from the user. My mother likes to keep an ingot or two of titanium on her person and I'm sure my uncle has some sort of metal on him as well. No idea what it is exactly though."
"So taking him from a distance is key," Atalanta surmised.
"Bingo," I nodded, "and since the arrowheads on your arrows aren't made of metal but are instead made of condensed mana…"
"It makes me a prime candidate in ending him," she followed my thoughts.
"Exactly," I grinned before one of my familiars began sharing their vision, having tailed my uncle to an abandoned building in the outskirts of the city. "And we finally have a location, south of the city in an abandoned metalworks factory. How fitting." I scoffed at the end before turning to my Servant again as I grinned, "Race you there?"
"Are you forgetting that I was one of the fastest foot racers in all of Greece, Master?" she raised a brow at my challenge.
"Scared you'll lose?" I taunted.
She narrowed her eyes at me as she faced the direction of the factory, lowering herself to a ready stance. "Fine then, call it."
Facing the same direction I got into a ready position after ensuring all my gear was secured and wouldn't get lost in the ensuing race, "Ready?"
Directing mana to my limbs I began to use Reinforcement as my circuits began to glow from under my skin.
"Steady."
Still, I couldn't help but feel excited. As an enforcer, much less one of the Vice-Director's, I rarely got to test my skills against anyone in a friendly competition since my fellow enforcers were either out hunting Sealing Designates and Dead Apostles or partaking in much-needed rest after said hunts. And while other mages weren't just simply bookworms, they took competition to the next level. So even if I lost this race, it would be nice to know how I would compare to a legend made into existence once more.
"Go!"
…
Landing on the rooftop of a building adjacent to the factory a few moments after my Servant, I couldn't help but grin in triumph as I lightly for breath. Of course, I lost the race, I wasn't expecting to win against a Servant in terms of speed, but the margin wasn't that far that I would feel stupid for challenging a Servant who had an A in agility.
"I must confess, Master, I am impressed that you were able to keep a pace that close to mine," said Atalanta, appraising me with approval. "Perhaps once you reach the peak of your abilities, you may be able to keep pace with me."
"Coming from the quickest foot racer in Arcadia, that is indeed high praise," I nodded back at her in thanks before taking in a deep breath to calm my beating heart. "Alright then, let's get to hunting."
"Of course," she nodded as she began to look around the factory grounds from her perch. "Hmm, the roads have definitely seen some use and I see wear on the grounds to the main entrance of the facility. Though I do not see any hint of a familiar of any kind watching the area. How do you want to play this, Master?"
"Going in would be suicide," I commented as I began drawing runes on the rooftop of the building we were on. "There's little doubt my uncle put in traps all over the entrances as well on any chokepoints in the building, and to add to that, he probably has a Bounded Field over the factory to boot. But given that he just arrived only a few hours ago, he probably hasn't had the time to set up a big one, since we aren't fighting him already. So we'll just put up a field to ward off the mundane and then I'll be the bait to draw him out to give you a clear shot at him."
"Understood," she nodded as she watched me work. "No reservations about killing your uncle?" she asked after a moment.
"Nope," I replied.
"None at all?" she arched an eyebrow at me.
"Well, since you're so curious," I sighed, "my uncle kidnapped me when I was a child, at first I thought he was going to ransom me to my parents, but then that didn't make sense. He was declared heir to the Argantiuss family and had already inherited the crest from my grandfather. And after he took me to one of his workshops, it became clear why he kidnapped me. Apparently, he bought into the claim that my father's family, the Ashfords, were the closest living bloodline to Gilgamesh."
"The King of Heroes?" Atalanta's eyes widened considerably.
"One in the same," I nodded as I finished the line of runes before I began my way to the rooftop of the building nearby as Atalanta followed me. "So he wanted to use me as a catalyst in order to summon the King of Heroes in order to get a glimpse at the all Noble Phantasms that Gilgamesh is reputed to have."
"What for?" she asked.
"My uncle was hoping Gilgamesh would have a Noble Phantasm made by the Fae," I replied as I got to writing runes on this rooftop. "King Arthur's Avalon and Excalibur are one of, if not the greatest examples of Fae crafting, but Avalon has been lost to time and Excalibur was returned to the Lady of the Lake. And my uncle got it into his head that he could create an alloy similar or recreate the metal used by the Fae that is capable of replicating the same effects of at least Avalon."
"Recreating the ability of immortality through regeneration," said Atalanta, no doubt using the Grail's knowledge on Heroes that occupy the Throne.
"Quite an attractive prospect to a mage," I sighed as we continued around the buildings' rooftops around the factory. "All in the effort to reach the Root."
"I assume your parents did not agree," asked Atalanta.
"You have no idea," I snorted in amusement, "My mother is kinda a mama bear and she broke through my uncles' villa and his workshop, bringing with her an entire division of enforcers with her that either owed her or called in favors to. While my uncle was the better practitioner of the Argantiuss family's magecraft, my mother had the numbers to subdue him. Though she always told me that he died that night."
"Perhaps she lied," Atalanta offered.
"No, it's not in her nature," I shook my head. "Whatever method my uncle used to cheat death, we just have to make sure we confirm his death and properly dispose of the body to ensure it doesn't happen again."
"Should you not contact your mother then?" she asked. "This is a family matter is it not?"
I paused in my rune writing as I considered her words. "You're right, it is a family matter, but this is personal I guess. I wasn't close with him before he kidnapped me, but he did kidnap me, and I want to end this with my own hands." As my left hand tightened into a fist, I resumed writing runes to create the barrier with my right.
A moment of silence stretched between us as she considered me. "I see," she said eventually.
"Do you?" I smiled sardonically at her.
She averted her gaze, looking instead at the factory that contained our target, "I understand how complicated family can be sometimes."
Oh right, her father abandoned her on a mountain and then when she went to see him years later, forced her to marry.
"Yeah," was all I said as silence fell upon us again. Once I finished on the last rooftop, I looked back at the factory as Atalanta stepped forward by my side. "Once I activate the barrier, my uncle will definitely notice it."
Atalanta nodded as she surveyed the rooftops before pointing at one, "I will position myself there, it offers a vantage point with a clear shot at most of the building's entrances while being in a blindspot of the main one. If you can draw him out of that one, it will be most ideal for me."
"Understood," I nodded as I stepped onto the ledge, as Atalanta dematerialized into her spirit form, and stepped off the roof. Using Reinforcement on my limbs, I made my way to ground level, catching myself on window sills to delay my fall.
On the ground, I began walking towards the main entrance of the abandoned factory. Atalanta was right earlier in that there wasn't any familiar keeping watch, at least on the outside. Maybe perhaps since he didn't have access to the Argantiuss family treasury, he had to be frugal with whatever funds he did have on hand. After all, the Argantiuss' magecraft was expensive to conduct, having a constant need for metal to perform on. Though, while some common metals such as steel and copper were easily acquirable and cheap, the best examples of the magecraft were done on superior metals such as palladium and iridium.
Seeing Archer materialize on the rooftop she had indicated, an arrow notched on her bow at the ready. Looking at the double doors, I used the Kenaz rune to enhance my sight but didn't see any indication of the doors themselves being booby-trapped, but a trap definitely laid in wait behind the doors. Or rather, I would've put at least one trap at the door, I would be stupid not to, so I assume that my uncle isn't stupid.
Bending down, I grabbed a nearby brick and inscribed a rune of animation on it before throwing it into the windowed double doors. It easily smashed the glass of one of the doors and sprung the trap behind it, causing metal spikes to spring forth and impaled the brick. Well, would you look at that, my uncle isn't stupid. Taking a knee, I began grabbing rocks and bricks, animating with runes before tossing them into the buildings. The trap at the door has already been sprung and therefore useless, the other bricks and rocks were meant to go around the building and springing my uncles' other traps. One trap may be overlooked, but all of them? No, my uncle would come to investigate what was taking out his defenses.
Though I do admit that throwing bricks into a rundown building is reminding me of my time as a high school student…
Soon, however, as I was inscribing another rune onto another brick, I had to let it go as I sidestepped an incoming spear of metal that pierced the brick and sent it somewhere behind me. Keeping my eyes on the building's entrance, I was soon treated to the sight of the sorry state my uncle was in. Dressed in old, faded clothes, a far cry from the suits and robes he used to wear, he looked like an old hobo, especially with his longer and grimy hair and the unkempt beard.
"Took you a while," I taunted with a smirk, "thought I would have to tear the building down brick by brick for you to come out."
"Faelan..." the hobo that was my uncle rasped.
"Uncle Camden," I replied in turn. "I guess the years have not been treating you right given the state you're in. What? Doesn't trying to kill your nephew in a stupid attempt to summon a Heroic spirit not give you a discount at a mall?"
"You ruined everything," Camden hissed, "all you had to do was die and I would've had everything I needed to reach the Root!"
"Would that before or after Gilgamesh killed you?" I snorted in amusement. "Really, what were you even thinking, summoning a Servant outside a Grail War? With no Command Seals to keep him in check, Gilgamesh might've killed you the moment he realized where he was or at the very least when you asked him to show him his treasury."
"Irrelevant, all he would've been was a simple familiar with more autonomy," Camden glared at me with hatred in his eyes. "Once his purpose would've been completed, I would've dismissed him like any other useless familiar."
"Yeah, sure, okay," I snorted in amusement. I didn't know Gilgamesh's personality, but I knew a Heroic Spirit would have their own reservations regarding being summoned for something so trivial as a peek at all their belongings and dismissing them right after.
"Why are you here?" Camden demanded. "Is my bitch of a sister lying in wait the moment I step out of the building to finish what she started all those years ago?"
"One of my familiars tagged you leaving from a freight train," I replied as I ignored the insult to my mother. He would get what was coming to him anyway. And thankfully, it appeared that he didn't know that I have a younger sister who was more powerful than I. "And really, a shipping container on a train? Grandpa Edy and Grandma Lily would be so ashamed that their once designated heir of the Argantiuss family has fallen this low." One of the worst weaknesses of most mages was their pride and Camden had an ego the size of a dragon. And while he was far from weak, Camden wasn't as fearsome as a dragon. "Oh wait, I'm sure you shamed them after kidnapping their grandchild in a stupid attempt to summon a Servant who could or could not be related to said child."
"GRAHHH!" Camden yelled as he charged forward, metal pipes coming from the sleeves of his coat as they extended into spears.
Not even moving from my spot with a smirk on my face, I watched him sprint forward only to pause as Archer loosed her arrow, which turned from one into a dozen. A couple of them found their mark as Camden turned to transform one of his spears into a shield, but it didn't cover his whole body. Using the distraction, I pulled a pair of knives from my belt and charged forward, making a few shallow slashes to his abdomen and to his left shoulder before jumping back to avoid the swipe and stab of his remaining spear. But that left him open to Atalanta's arrows once more as several more found their mark past his shield.
Taking advantage as he roared in anger and pain, I went forward to inflict some more small cuts. I typically used my knives as they were intended to, to be thrown, usually to give me an opening to fire from my 5.7, but with it low on ammo, I couldn't waste it or my knives. And because of that, it meant that I couldn't outright kill him, not with his shield and spear in the way. But with Atalanta keeping him distracted from her firing position, I could inflict enough damage to tire him out before going up to him with a finisher and an execution.
Atalanta, displace and fire from a different angle, I told her as I leaped back from another swipe from Camden's spear. Keep him confused.
Understood!
The arrows from Atalanta's bow began to fire from random directions, keeping Camden guessing as he barely got his shield up to protect himself as I took advantage of his confusion, making more and more cuts until a majority of them began crossing one another. His shield still up in Atalanta's latest direction, Camden kept his shield facing Atalanta's way as he retreated behind an abandoned car.
"Not like you to use arrows, Aella!" Camden called out as he pulled out some of the arrows and tossed them to the ground.
"Mom's not here," I scoffed as I flipped one of my knives between my fingers, "she's still in England, but I'll tell her that you thought about her in your final moments. I'm sure she'll be touched."
I couldn't see him because he was hiding behind the car, but I could tell that my uncle was glaring at me. Atalanta, keep him pinned down.
Understood.
I smirked as several more arrows peppered Camden's shield as I went around his blind side to flank him. Uttering the name of the speed runes inscribed on the soles of my boots, I flipped my knives into a reverse grip as I sped forward with my aim going for the man's jugular and back of his neck. With two stabs of knives, this chapter of my life would finally end.
Or at least, it would've if my instincts didn't scream at me to back off.
And I was glad I did, for out of nowhere, metal spikes sprung forth from his spine. Backflipping into a crouch, I was momentarily shocked that metal began to burst forth like a lizard hatching from its egg, except the lizard was living metal and the egg was Camden's body.
"Well, that's disgusting…" I commented aloud.
"I wanted to do this with Aella here, but having only you is fitting enough," Camden's voice began to distort brokenly as the metal began to burst forth from… everywhere on his person.
Master? Did you know he could do this?
No. Like the Ashford family, the Argantiuss family was also interested in Noble Phantasms, but they were more interested in making new ones, not… whatever this is. Obviously, Uncle Camden has been up to many things while no one was looking. It might explain how he managed to survive that fight with my mother and her team.
The metal finally enveloping into some sort of nightmare version of the T-1000 from the Terminator movie, Camden released a metallic roar as he faced me once more and rushed me. And thank the Root I had my own inert agility and the speed runes on my boots, otherwise, I doubt I would've been able to dodge all the haphazard swings and strikes Camden made at me.
"Take a good look around you, Faelan, this will be your grave!"
He could at least stand to be original, I got that exact threat at least once a day on the job.
What do we do now? Atalanta asked me as I ducked underneath a horizontal swing of his shield and sidestepped a vertical slam of his spear.
Unleash your Noble Phantasm.
Master, are you insane? You are still in the blast radius! My Noble Phantasm is indiscriminate, you will be targeted by it as well!
I know, but I'm the only thing keeping Camden to this area. I move, he moves. I'm trying to angle myself to get closer to the entrance of the building so that I can take cover in there. And I was, but Uncie Cammy was making that difficult given his random strikes.
You will only have a very small window of time between me unleashing my Noble Phantasm and it impacting the target area, Master! Even if you are able of almost keeping pace with me, I doubt I could even outrun my own Noble Phantasm if it was targeting me.
I trust you, Atalanta.
… to Hades with it all, fine! I will unleash my Noble Phantasm when I see an opening. But you better find cover, Master! I refuse to be the first casualty of the War when it hasn't even started!
Chuckling under my breath, I spared a glance at the main entrance to the factory before having to backflip to avoid a slam from Camden's shield. 25 meters, give or take, it would be one hell of a sprint with a T-1000 on my tail, but I think I can make it. Because Atalanta was right, it would be embarrassing to be disqualified when the war hasn't even officially begun yet.
"Stay still, you little cretin!"
"No," I deadpanned at him.
Feinting with a head-on attack, I smirked as Camden readied up only to be dumbfounded when I instead slid under him and stood up behind him. Was he going to… yes! Like I hoped, he responded to my move by swinging around with his shield. Making a leap toward it feet first, I crouched on it to jump and let the momentum from the force of Camden's swing to propel me toward the double door entrance.
Atalanta, now!
What happened after I could barely remember later, as what I could remember was targeting the main entrance doors to the factory, shouting the name of the speed runes at the top of my lungs, using Reinforcement on my legs, and running. Lots of running. That and a flash of light.
When I did finally come to, it was to the rather concerned face of Atalanta shouting at me. Not that I could hear her, the ringing in my ears was still prominent.
"-ake up, Faelan!"
"Wha?" I uttered as I shook my head in an attempt to clear my ears. Looking around, I could see that I was on my side on the floor of the factory building with a clear view of the broken battlefield that used to be the factory's parking lot. Thank god I set up that bounded field before the fight and while I do know what a human pincushion looks like, I'd rather not see it right now, because I'm still on vacation.
"Well… since you're here… I'm guessing we won?" I turned to her, having caught my breath.
Sighing in irritation, Atalanta sat back as she crossed her arms, turning her nose up at me. "Yes, the deployment of my Noble Phantasm was successful and there is little evidence of your uncle besides of what used to be his leg."
"Hmm, shame," I chuckled rather morbidly. "I would've loved to send his body to the Clocktower for research as to how he became what he had become."
Not hearing any response at my rather crass attempt at dark humor, I turned back to Atalanta to see that she remained in the same position. "Uh, sorry, I use some rather bland humor sometimes."
…
"Uh, Atalanta?"
She finally turned to properly address me, and to be honest I kinda preferred it when she wasn't looking at me due to her anger, "You were cutting it close, Master! Had you been even half a second slower, you would've been cut down by my Noble Phantasm!"
"Er, right, sorry," I offered, rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly.
Glaring at me for a long moment, she rubbed her temples and muttered something so low under her breath. Probably some Old Grecian cussing. Though now I wanted to hear it for enjoyment purposes.
"Still, thank you for the concern," I said gratefully.
"We are partners in this Grail War, you and I, of course, I would be concerned," Atalanta scoffed as she rose to her full height before offering me a hand up.
Taking it, I let her pull me up to my feet before looking back at the carnage outside. "Damn, you know before I used to think it sucked that your Noble Phantasm was only an Anti-Army one, but now I'm glad. If it had been an Anti-Fortress type, the whole block would be gone, with me in it."
Atalanta narrowed her eyes at me causing me to sheepishly raise my hands in surrender. Though to be honest, I couldn't tell if she was angry that I had inadvertently insulted her Noble Phantasm or was angry that I reminded her that she had been close to killing me.
"Uh, right, shutting up now," I chuckled nervously.
Releasing a sigh, Atalanta looked around the destroyed lot and nodded to herself. "Yes, as I said before, nothing of your uncle remains, save for his leg over there," she said, lifting an arm to point at said detached limb which was the leg from the knee down.
"Well it's a shame to lose most of the Argantiuss family crest, but I'm sure Grandpa Edy and Grandma Lily will be alright with it," I commented as I went over to the limb, grabbed it, and threw it up in the air for one of my familiars to swoop down and catch it in its talons, it's new destination being the Clocktower to take the limb to.
"Mm," Atalanta hummed noncommittally.
"Right, well, back to the hotel," I said aloud, before turning to Atalanta, "I'd challenge you to another race back there, but uh, to be honest, I'm too tired."
"Of course," she nodded before smirking, "obtaining a win from a weakened opponent has no meaning anyway. It would be akin to, what's the modern saying? Taking candy from an infant?"
"A baby, but I get your point," I grumbled, patting my pocket that had my phone. It would be smart to walk out some distance from the factory before calling for a cab. "All right, let's get back."
"Of course," Atalanta nodded.
…
We made good time when we got back to the hotel room and given that it was only half-past one in the morning, I could get some sleep in before I had to get up later to entertain Lin for our vacation. That word, vacation, I was supposed to be relaxing with my sister who I hardly saw anymore, and yet here I am doing what I would usually be doing while at work.
"I need a clean up in Bucharest…" I told the person I called as I stood on the roof. Atalanta had gone into the hotel room to keep an eye on Lin.
…
"A Bounded Field was erected to keep the mundane away, however, a Noble Phantasm-"
…!
-yes a Noble Phantasm, anyway, it was deployed by my Servant in order to deal with a Sealing Designate."
…
"Who was it? My uncle, and before you ask yes it was that uncle. Look, if you can keep it on the down-low, I'd consider it a favor."
…
"You know I'm as good as my word, especially since you know who exactly I work for."
…
"Fine, you can have whatever you want, just please, can you deal with it? Technically, I'm supposed to be on vacation, not dealing with my crazy uncle who turned himself into a T-1000."
…
"You're a lifesaver."
…
"Yeah, yeah, I'll try not to die. Talk to you later."
Ending the call, I stuffed my phone into my pocket before releasing a big sigh as I massaged my temples with one hand. Deciding that nothing would be done by me lamenting my fate on the roof, I decided to go back to the hotel room and get some much-needed sleep. Root knows I earned it.
"Anything happen while I was gone?" I asked Atalanta, spying her from the corner of my eye sitting at the table.
"No," she shook her head.
Going through the luggage bag for a change of clothes, I grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a tee-shirt and headed for the bathroom for some privacy. Quickly getting changed, I released a yawn as I stretched a little, wincing when I heard bones crack.
"You should get some sleep, Master," said Atalanta, minding the volume, at my sigh as I got out of the bathroom, "you sound tired."
"Well, I am, but that's not it," I rubbed the side of my head. "It's just… I'm supposed to be on vacation, not work. Not that I'm blaming you, Atalanta, in fact, I'm grateful that you're here, dealing with my uncle otherwise would've been more difficult." I looked to Lin's sleeping form, who had once again kicked off the sheets in her sleep, lying on her back with her mouth ajar. "It's just… I don't know…"
"Sleep on it, Master," Atalanta advised, "you'll feel better in the morning, I will keep watch over the both of you."
I stared at her for a long moment before giving her a grateful smile, "Thanks Atalanta," I said before I had to cover a yawn. "Wake me if you need me." Slipping into bed, I pulled the cover over myself before reaching for the lamp and turned it off, leaving the room in darkness. Not that Atalanta needed the light and feeling secure that Linnet would be safe under the huntress's watch.
...
The next morning, I had woken up before Lin did. Sitting up in bed, I raised my hands to the ceiling to stretch before I had to cover up a yawn. As light filtered in from the curtains, I got up and walked over to the window to see that Bucharest was enjoying a cloudless morning. At least we wouldn't have to worry about rain while sightseeing again.
"Good morning Faelan," spoke Atalanta as she materialized.
"Morning Atalanta," I replied, "Anything happen last night?"
"Nothing of note," she shook her head.
"Mm," I grunted as I made another stretch. "Wanna take a shower first?"
"Any perspiration disappeared when I went into my spirit form," Atalanta shook her head. "It would be wasted on me."
"C'mon," I rolled my eyes, "humor me. Even if it doesn't serve a purpose, a shower would still feel good. Think of it as a reward for a job well done last night."
She raised a fine brow at me dubiously, arms crossed, for a long moment, but then sighed when she realized I wouldn't be backing down in this. "Very well."
Smirking as she entered the bathroom with a set of her modern clothes in hand, I began to do some light exercises and stretches to loosen my body. Unlike my Servant who was summoned in peak condition and would stay that way for the whole duration of the war, my body needed regular maintenance. Especially since I had been using my mana circuits near nonstop during the fight with Camden last night.
Hearing a yawn from the bed while I was in mid-stretch, I turned my head to see Lin rubbing at her eyes as she sat up in bed. "Morning sleepyhead," I chuckled as I held the stretch for one more moment before relaxing. "Sleep well?"
"Mm," she made another noise before yawning again.
"Jeez, cover your mouth Lin, I don't want to smell your stinky morning breath," I joked as I poked her tummy, eliciting a giggle from her.
"Where's Atalanta?" she asked after taking a look around the room.
"In the bathroom getting ready," I replied. "And you're next, missy because we have a lot of sightseeing to do today." And we did, on the list was the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum where'd we take a route through Herastrau park again, head over to the Zambaccian Museum, take a break for lunch, and then to the Botanical Garden. Maybe I could actually relax for the whole day without something getting in the way. "Why don't you watch TV while you wait."
"Mmkay!" she grinned before climbing down the bed and headed for the sofa and grabbed the TV remote from the table and turned the flatscreen on, immediately flipping through the kids' channel and found Spongebob playing.
Shaking my head at her, I went to the minifridge where I kept my water bottle and took a swig of it before joining my sister on the couch. But soon, just as Atalanta left the bathroom, fully dressed in her modern attire, Lin's stomach growled loudly, causing her to look up at me pitifully.
"Faaeee, hungry…" she whimpered.
AN: So I know I said it would take me longer to chug out this chapter, but inspiration hit me literally minutes after posting my updated chapter 2 and kinda snowballed from there. And before any of you call bullshit that Faelan was somewhat capable of keeping up with a Servant with an A rank agility, there is a reason for that. Will I reveal it anytime soon? No. That won't happen either until near the end of the War or after it, still deciding. Still, you're free to speculate. Also, I updated chapters 1 and 2 after seeing some grammatical errors.
But will Faelan discover his true destiny? Will Atalanta come to fully trust Faelan and tell him her wish? Will Linnet ever be not hungry? (Probably not) Find out next time on Digimon: Digit- yeah, I'll stop now. I'll see you guys next week!