Chapter VII
I didn't see Atalanta for a while, in fact, I waited so long that I fell asleep for an hour while waiting. And when I woke up from my nap, she still wasn't in the room. She was still on the train, my bond with her told me she was moving about the train. From the way she moved from one end to the other when I checked in on her periodically, it was aimless. No doubt she wanted to be somewhere she could move freely, maybe get lost in the woods, or go on a hunt.
Though given her A-rank in both Agility and Independent Action, she could have easily gotten off the train while it was still in motion, wander off, and catch up with the train later quite easily. Maybe it was due to the Baile Herculane incident, given that a low-class enemy, even if they were a Phantasmal Beast, had managed to get by her. Not that I was blaming her for that, I mean, I got caught with my pants down too. As an Enforcer, I would be looking back at the Baile Herculane incident with shame and embarrassment. With nothing to do and feeling too exhausted to do some further research into Trifas' topography, I reached into my pocket and my backpack, taking out both my phone and a set of earbuds. Plugging the listening devices into my phone, I pulled up my music library and pressed 'Random' on a likewise random playlist.
Only to jerk when heavy metal and screaming lyrics began playing. Pulling the earbuds out of my ears, I stared at my phone to see that I had pressed on my workout playlist. Sighing and internally deriding myself for such a blunder, I paused the current song and backed out of the playlist. Going through the assorted playlists I had set up in my spare time, I immediately went for the one I played when I was trying to relax or simply enjoy a calm moment. Putting the earbuds back in, I relaxed a bit when I heard the soft strums of a guitar. Looking out the window at the passing scenery, this was how I spent my time waiting for either Atalanta to come back or for us to arrive in Sighisoara.
I was listening to a guitar instrumental version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight when Atalanta quietly opened the door to the room compartment and walked in. I didn't bother to turn to who it was, my bond with her told me whenever she was close by, usually when she entered the train car the room was in and walked past the door. Wordlessly she took the seat she left beside me, which surprised me a little, I figured she'd want to put distance between us. Not that it's like we fought or didn't trust each other anymore, but what I insinuated and what I said about her wish for the Grail was not something that could be forgotten or ignored.
Feeling her tap her shoulder on my shoulder, I turned to her and was about to pull out my earbuds to hear what she had to say when I saw her point at her own ear and then at the earbuds. Understanding her unspoken request, I only took out one earbud and offered it to her. She took it easily and placed it in her ear and sat there as we listened to the strums of the guitar, leaning close to me so as to not accidentally pull one of the earbuds from either of our ears. Fun random fact; whenever Atalanta dematerialized her lion features, especially the ears, her human ears came back. And when she let the lion features show, the human ears went away. I once asked her about it while we were out walking in Herastrau Park with Lin on our way to the Botanical Gardens, telepathically of course, but even she didn't know why her features worked the way they did.
"I'm sorry for what happened to you," she eventually said, almost quietly as I had to strain my ears a bit to hear her. "I won't assume to know what happened or how painful it must have been, all I can do is offer my condolences that it happened and support you as a person and as your Servant."
My minute shifting was the only form of evidence I made that proved I heard her.
"Have you… have you talked to anyone about it?" she whispered.
"Not… in its entirety," I replied just as quietly. "Both my parents know about the incident, but I never told them the exact details, not that they don't know what was done to me. Mom led the team to rescue me and I have little doubt they found the research notes and records of my abductors. It was after my second kidnapping," here I noticed Atalanta wince, "that Mom and Dad began losing the mage parent role and became just regular parents who happened to be mages. But I'm getting a bit off-topic…"
"A counselor from the Clocktower was hired by my parents to see to my mental status and needs and I still see her from time to time whenever I have some free time at the Tower and she has an opening in her schedule," I continued. "But even I haven't told her everything yet."
"May I ask why?"
I can't exactly know when it happened, so lost in my own thoughts, but somehow we ended up leaning against each other's shoulders.
"Fear mostly," I said quietly, "I don't want to relive the fear and terror I felt when they had me, torturing me, experimenting on me. Too afraid I'll lose myself if I recall those memories too soon."
"You don't remember them?" I could hear her frown.
"My counselor and my parents had them sealed when the first several appointments ended up with me screaming my head off and huddled in the corner," I chuckled mirthlessly. "It would take hours for me to calm down, they told me. So they had the memories of the experience sealed, kinda like the way I sealed Lin's memories. I've been working with the counselor to steadily unseal the memories and work them with her each session. The last ones, the most painful ones, are the last of the memories I have yet to work through."
"I- were you supposed to see her again after your vacation with Lin was over?" Her tone was anxious like she understood how grave the consequences of an action she might've made unknowingly had become.
"No," I assured her, "since the memories are twelve years old now, we've been doing them with large breaks between intervals so as to allow my brain to process them before opening the next set of memories. I may be an Enforcer, but I am still human."
"Of course," I saw her nod, though I also noted that she relaxed from when she had stiffened momentarily.
"Atalanta, I've seen the memories of how your father abandoned you on that mountain," I spoke, feeling her freeze again. I knew I was treading in dangerous territory by bringing this up, but I had to. "What he did to you, an infant no less is despicable as was his later actions concerning you. So I understand why you would want to make your wish for the Grail. For every child to be saved like you were by the Goddess of the Moon, Artemis. I cannot fault you for having your wish, it is not wrong. Just… it's just not possible, not with humanity as it is now. Humans are capable of being more crueler than the gods at the height of their reign than they are capable of great compassion and love. No matter how I wish it was otherwise."
"I know," she breathed, her voice trembling, "but I have to try, because… because…"
"Not doing something is the worse you can do, the worst anyone has done," I finished for her. Indeed, some of the worst tragedies that happened in human history were not simply tragedies because they were done, but because they were allowed to be.
"Yes…" she whispered.
"I won't ask you to change your wish," I said after a moment. "But maybe you can alter it, tweak it so that is possible while still maintaining your goal?"
"Do you have any ideas?" she chuckled mirthlessly, sadly.
"I'm sure we'll figure something out," I replied before silence settled between us again. Though this time, I was glad that the silence wasn't uncomfortable, rather it was of quiet acceptance. Of what, I had no idea, and to be honest I was okay with not putting a name on it. But if I had to liken it to something, it was like the first night we met when we accepted each other as Servant and Master, just a bit more… something…
…
"You listen to some rather sad music," she spoke up.
"I can change it if you want," I offered.
She shook her head gently, "Mm, no, it's okay. This song is from that movie about the lion and his journey to be king, is it not? The one Lin insisted we watch the second night since my summoning."
"The Lion King? Yeah," I smiled, my finger tapping the beat to a piano version of Can You Feel the Love Tonight, though this rendition was a bit sadder compared to others. "It took everything from me to refrain from laughing when we were watching it given that there was an actual lion not even three feet away."
"Be careful what you say, Master, I may let the enemy allow a pot shot at you when the War starts," I saw her shift enough to glare at me from the corner of my eye. "Especially if the enemy is the Black Faction's Archer."
"Right, right, I'm sorry," I apologized, chuckling nervously.
"Hmph…" I felt her return to her earlier position.
"Atalanta?"
"Hmm?"
"Are we okay?"
"..."
"Atalanta?"
"Things are different, Faelan, I will not lie. But they are not for the worst, it will take time for me… to be okay, we are talking about the very reason why my Spirit Core and Origin answers the call of the Grail from the Throne of Heroes after all."
"Is it really that drastic?" A stupid question, but really I just wanted to keep the conversation going.
"Faelan, I may not be well versed in magecraft and magic myself, but even I know that my original self will be affected by this so much that should I change my wish and be summoned again in the future, with no memory of this Grail War, my wish will be changed to reflect the one I will alter it to. That's how important our wishes for the Grail are to us Heroic Spirits who answer the call of the Holy Grail. It's a vital aspect of what makes us Servants."
"Of course," I replied, unable to say anything else.
After a moment of silence, Atalanta spoke again, "Thank you, Faelan…"
I frowned, "For?"
"Hmm, I'm sure you'll figure it out."
I could sense that there was a small amount of teasing in her tone, but there was something I couldn't identify. And to be honest, while it was a little frustrating that it was unknown to me, a part of me was okay with it. That same part of me also told me to just enjoy this moment. Finding no valid excuse to argue it, I decided to follow it.
…
When we finally arrived in Sighisoara, I couldn't help but feel different. Atalanta was the first person besides my therapist, Axelle, that I've confessed to being tortured and experimented on. Sure, I didn't go into specifics, but maybe it was the fact I finally told someone who didn't know prior that made me feel this way.
Reaching into my blazer, I pulled out a pair of red lensed sunglasses and slipped them on as I walked out of the train station. With the backpack that Dad brought with him on my back and the rifle case, which a rune made it look like a guitar case, was held in my left hand. As for Atalanta, well she had dematerialized into spirit form a few moments after we got off the train in a private area so as to raise suspicions with the locals, the magical sort anyway.
See anything?
Walking down the street, we had agreed and decided that it would be better if Atalanta began acting like a Servant, now that we didn't have to put up a small lie for Lin's sake. Though, I saw that Atalanta seemed sad about it, even though it was she who suggested it. After all, Sighișoara was closer to Trifas than Bucharest was. Although the Mages Association and the Church had a heavier presence in the city and made it their territory, there was little doubt the Yggdmillenia had stationed some of their spies in the city nonetheless.
No, Atalanta replied. No magi are in the area, though there is a familiar watching us from the rooftop. Should I get rid of it?
No. It's probably one from our side given Sighisoara is supposed to be our faction's base of operations. Even the Black faction wouldn't be so brazen so as to leave an obvious familiar in broad daylight. Ignore it for now, besides, it's not like they can see you and I'm wearing a glove over my Command Seals, so as far as the familiar are aware, I'm just another regular person.
Right. Though, Faelan, you do know where we're supposed to go, do you not?
Yeah, Dad left directions in one of the bags he brought for me. We're to head to one of the churches here in the city. A representative, a priest, has been sent from the Church, he will be the Director for our faction here.
… you don't intend to stay, do you?
Am I that transparent?
Hmm, no. It is only after familiarizing myself with your mana as well as your thought processes and tactics that I can make a guess as to what you may or may not be thinking, even without accessing your mind. You wish to take advantage of my class as an Archer. With my A- rank in Independent Action, allowing me to infiltrate the enemy's territory and scout it out will give our side a better fighting chance.
…
Are you sure I'm not transparent?
What would you say if I said you were?
I couldn't stop the little smirk pulling at the corner of my lips as I adjusted one of the straps on my backpack.
Eventually, I made it to the address that the note Dad left, and indeed it did lead to a church. It was a quaint little place within the city's limits but was on a hill far from the city's center. It didn't show off as some other churches, much less the ones in Rome. Those churches were literally money pits that donations were continued to be thrown into. Honestly, why pour gold, jewels, and money into a building that professes love and understanding for their fellow humans? A portion of the funds, which probably numbered in the billions, could've been used for other things, like actually helping its followers besides the usual? Honestly, and churches worldwide of all pantheons were wondering why faith was being discarded for science.
Watch my back, we may be on the same side as these guys, but in the end, there is only one winner for the Grail.
Of course.
Opening the door, I entered the church as I took off my sunglasses to find a man kneeling in front of the altar, praying.
"Uh, excuse me, Father?" I spoke up deciding to be respectful, noticing the clothes he wore. Definitely a priest.
"Yes, my son?" the man raised up to his full height and turned to face me with a pleasant smile. "How may I help you?"
"Are you Father Shirou Kotomine?"
"Indeed I am," the priest nodded.
Biting the edge of my right glove, I yanked it off before taking the glove in my left hand from my mouth. Raising my right hand, I turned it to reveal the Command Seals that were shaped like a paw print imprinted on the back of it. "I am Faelan Ashford from the Clocktower and I am here to register as a master for our faction of Red."
Shirou blinked once before smiling rather serenely. "Oh, I see. Then as Director, I welcome you, Master of Red to both this humble church as well as to our faction that seeks to regain the Holy Grail," he bowed to me before straightening his back to look at me again with the same smile plastered on his face. "And let me say what an honor it is to meet the infamous Crimson Wolf."
"The honor is mine," I bowed my head. Great, I hope he doesn't ask for a repeat of what happened at Dullahan Castle. That shit was stressful. "Am I correct in assuming that you as well are a Master for the Red Faction?"
Shirou nodded, "Indeed I am."
He turned to a corner at his side, causing a beautiful woman with long dark hair and pointed ears to materialize in her corporeal form. Dressed in black and gold with golden, slitted pupil eyes to match, the woman reminded me of a snake. And it wasn't a fond reminder. This woman was akin to a cobra, waiting, rearing their head to make the world acknowledge their presence, and waiting for a fool to make a mistake before inflicting a poisonous bite.
"This is my Servant, Assassin," Shirou introduced his Servant.
"Greetings," Assassin curtsied perfectly, "my True Name is Semiramis."
I raised a brow in intrigue before bowing cordially to the woman, Servant or not, this woman was the Assyrian queen who conquered much of Asia and restored Babylonia for a time. "Hail, Queen of Assyria and restorer of Babylon," I replied respectfully.
"Oh? You know of my legend?" I could hear that she was pleased by her tone, probably by both my knowledge of her and my manners.
I straightened to properly address her. "I do," I nodded. "I enjoy reading the legends and tales of the past. As such, I am impressed that you reigned for forty-two years and restored Ancient Babylonia, especially given the time when the thought of a woman as a ruler was nothing more than a jest and idle romanticism." I then eyed the priest who was looking on with intrigue. "Though forgive me for saying this, but I find it a little ironic that a priest of the Church summoned you when it was the Christians who were the ones that slandered your legend and legacy."
"Man is not perfect," Shirou spoke up with a cordial smile, "there are many, both affiliated and not affiliated with the church of God, who have committed sins against mankind and history. The only thing we can do is simply forgive one another and continue on for a better tomorrow."
I blinked.
"Forgive me, Father Kotomine, but that sounded like it came from a fortune cookie…" I deadpanned.
Shirou laughed sheepishly, probably telling that it did come from the American made treat. "Yes, well, even advice from a poor man can be just as profound and enlightening as the words from a Prophet. But I think we are getting off-topic here. You have summoned your Servant, yes?"
Show yourself, but without the ears and tail.
Atalanta did as I asked, materializing in the black/green dress she was summoned in.
"This is my Servant, Archer," I introduced my Servant.
"Hello," Atalanta simply nodded in greeting.
"Ah, your Servant has quite the stats," Shirou commented, looking at my Servant as he was no doubt discerning Archer's power as gifted to him as a Master. "Besides her Strength and Endurance, all of them are rank C or above." He looked back to me with an impressed smile, "You will be quite the capable Master for the upcoming fight." He then gestured to the pews. "Please, sit, I will tell you the current situation with the enemy faction."
I sat on a pew on one side of the room while Shirou sat on the pew in the same row on the opposite side, and between us, our Servants stood diligently. "As far as we are aware, the Yggdmilenia clan has only summoned two of their seven Servants thus far; Lancer and Caster."
"Do we know their identities besides Lancer?" I asked.
"You already know of Lancer of Black's identities?" Shirou's brows raised appraisingly.
"I do work for the Vice-Director of the Clocktower," I reminded him, "As such, I am privy to details of the goings-on in the world that many in the Clocktower are not. I have read the reports of the survivor of the team sent by the Clocktower."
"Ah yes, Lady Lorelei Barthomeloi, how could I forget," Shirou smiled sheepishly. "Tell me, how is she doing?"
"You know her?" I raised a brow.
"We've met on occasion, hunting Dead Apostles," Shirou said amicably while giving a small shrug. "She is definitely skilled, it is a shame that she ended up in the Clocktower. She would've succeeded well in the Church as an Executor. And on the note of her skill, it means you must be of a high caliber if Lady Barthomeloi took interest in you enough to take you under her wing, your title as the Crimson Wolf aside."
"Meh, I do my best," I shrugged.
"Which is all anyone can do," Shirou replied. "To get back on the topic of the enemy's Servants, I'm afraid to say that we do not know the identity of the enemy's Caster. There is little doubt that their Caster is preparing for the upcoming war since we have rarely seen anyone besides Lancer reveal themselves, even if briefly."
"A shame," I sighed.
"Indeed," Shirou nodded. "As for our Servants for our faction, however, their quality is quite outstanding. With your Servant added to our roster, the only Servant remaining to be summoned is Saber."
"I see," was all I said. Sisigou was lucky to be the last Master whose only option was to pull a Servant that was lauded as the best Servant class.
The best Servant, Master…?
My eyes widened for a moment. Oh shit. Glancing out of the corner of my eye, Atalanta was the picture of calm and collected. But only visible from my side, I could see her left eye twitch a bit. Before I could try to scramble to come up with an apology, I was saved by Shirou speaking up.
"Now if that's all, why don't we meet the others," Shirou suggested.
"Mm, actually if it's all the same to you, I'll be going now," I said, standing up with Archer making way for me.
"Oh?" Shirou blinked.
"You intend to work independently of us?" Assassin raised a brow.
"Mm, yes and no," I replied. "Archer's best role, for now, would be to insert into the enemy's territory and scout it out for enemy fortifications, traps, and places that would be advantages to us for the upcoming invasion of said territory," I shrugged nonchalantly. "Reliable information is only half of the battle, am I right, Your Majesty?" I asked Assassin. "Surely one as accomplished as a Queen as you know the value of up to date information on the enemy."
"Hmm, indeed you are, Faelan Ashford," Assassin hummed, looking quite flattered, before looking at Atalanta. "Better keep an eye on your Master, Archer, that honeyed tongue of his may attract danger if he isn't too careful."
Atalanta's only response was to narrow her eyes at the Assyrian queen.
"I see your point," Shirou nodded with a contemplative frown, before giving another smile. "Very well, shall we then at least then trade contact information so that you and Archer may report your findings?"
Nodding, I left the priest with a way to contact me via the normal means used by magi as well as the number to a burner phone I purchased back in Bucharest.
"We'll be counting on you," Shirou bowed as we left.
Once the church door closed behind me, Archer dematerialized into her spirit form as I walked away from the building.
Is anyone following us?
No. As an Archer, I would see any Assassin in any direction if they made a move even in the darkest of nights. And even an Assassin would have to materialize into their physical form to attack.
Good.
…
Master, the priest and his Servant…
I know, I got a bad feeling from them too.
Is that why you flirted with Assassin?
…
With Atalanta in her spirit form right now, I couldn't look at her incredulously. Well, not without looking crazy to any passerby. Instead, my reaction was simply a twitch of the corner of my mouth.
Um, Atalanta, are you mad at me?
Oh? And why exactly would I be mad at you, Master?
Um, I, uh, I don't know?
How disappointing that my Master is such an incompetent, dismissing his current Servant and chasing after queens and those of the Saber class. Perhaps I misjudged you and you actually are just another boy who lusts after royalty and cares for nothing but his sword.
…
Atalanta, are you jealous?
Wh-Why would I be jealous? I'm not jealous of anything! Of what would I be even jealous over, hm?
I dunno, you tell me. Look, Atalanta, I'm sorry if I made you feel bad or uncomfortable back there, but I figured that if I acted respectfully and made my argument for leaving clear, then they wouldn't put up a fuss by us leaving. Besides, do you think Assassin would be just as good with Lin as you are? C'mon, Atalanta, I'd never trade you for any other Servant.
Oh…
After a silence fell between us, a thought popped into my head.
Ah, we'd better get some camping supplies.
What for?
We're going to be staying in the mountains for the time being, hopefully there's an empty cave near a leyline out there.
I see, well, that is quite smart, Master.
Thanks, now hopefully there's a hunting store somewhere in the city…
…
"He's hiding something," said Assassin after Faelan and Archer left.
"Oh?" Shirou raised a brow at his Servant.
"I couldn't tell what, but he had something in his bag that smelled of compressed mana over one of its pockets," Assassin narrowed her eyes. "Unfortunately, it was all runecraft. As it is not my area of expertise, I couldn't begin to guess even the dimensions of what the runes were hiding."
"Mm, interesting but unfortunate," said Shirou leaning back against the backrest of the pew. "Luckily I was able to discern the identity of his Servant."
"Oh?"
"Atalanta, a Huntress of Artemis," Shirou replied. "Though it was a good move on their part to not reveal her lion features given that they are a giveaway of her legend that speaks of the curse she was sentenced to. If I were any other person, I would've been unable to discern Archer's identity through deduction."
"The Chaste Huntress, eh? She is indeed a fine Servant of the Archer class," Assassin nodded approvingly before giving her Master the stink eye. "It is a shame that you let them leave like that however."
"Ashford raised an excellent point," Shirou shrugged, "anyone must admit it was a good one. With Archer scouting out the Black faction's territory, it will allow us some peace of mind in the coming battle, even if we are using the Hanging Gardens to invade the enemy's territory. The last thing we need is a surprise from the enemy that could ruin our plans."
"There is nothing that can take down the Hanging Gardens," Assassin frowned.
"That we know of as of yet. Remember, Semiramis, Yggdmillenia still hasn't summoned their Saber, Archer, Berserker, Rider, or Assassin. Depending on their Archer or Rider, they could slow us down considerably. Likewise, we still don't know the identity of their Caster yet either. They could be erecting a Bounded Field powerful enough to resist the Gardens depending on who they summoned as their Caster."
"Fine," Assassin sighed, "you've made your point." She then turned pensive. "Whatever he's hiding aside, the boy does interest me though."
"Is it because he complimented you?" Shirou laughed.
"As Empress, it is simply common courtesy to complement one such as I," Assassin said haughtily, flicking her hair. "The fact the boy did so merely raises him from the common rabble of this era, knowing royalty when he sees it." She turned serious again, "But no, that's not it."
"What was it then?" Shirou asked, curious.
"I cannot say for certain given this one face-to-face meeting," Assassin began with uncertainty in her tone and expression, "but I believe his core is different than other mages."
"Different, different how?" Shirou frowned.
"For a moment, it pulsed, it was subtle and nearly minute," said Assassin. " In fact, the pulse was so low that had I been a regular Assassin, I wouldn't have detected it all. When it did, it was not normal in any way, even for a magus."
"Oh?" the priest raised a brow, his interest piqued.
"In that moment, his core reminded me of that of a Phantasmal Beast."
…
"Hello?"
"Hello, Professor, it's Faelan Ashford, I had you for Modern Thaumaturgy Theory two years ago." As of the moment, I was sitting at a park table, leaning forward on the tabletop as Atalanta sat across from me, dressed in some of her modern clothes while going through the purchases I made for our time that would be spent in the forests of Romania.
"Ah, yes, I remember you. You were the only student who came from a Noble family that year. And if I remember correctly, you passed my course with flying colors."
"All due to your teachings, Professor," I replied with a smile. This teacher at the Clocktower was one of my favorites despite his low ranking as both an instructor and as a magus. "However, that's not why I called."
"Of course, Ashford, please continue."
"As an Enforcer of the Vice-Director, I am privy to many events that occurred around the world concerning magecraft and even magic. Such as the Grail War that you participated in the United States."
"I see. What is your interest in it?"
"I am currently registered as Master of Red for the Greater Grail War in Trifas," I said, getting to the point. "All I am asking from you is for any friendly advice."
…
"Professor?"
"Is your Servant strong?"
"Undoubtedly."
"Do you trust them?"
"With my life."
"I see… then I suggest you not waste my time like this again, Ashford. You already have all you need in fighting a Grail War. As you no doubt know, every Grail War was different, including the lesser ones that have occurred. Any advice I may give would be irrelevant to your situation. That said, good luck. However, while I have you on the phone..."
"Yes, professor?"
"There is something happening in Romania and given that there this Greater Holy Grail War is happening at the same time, it's more than likely that the events are connected. While we are still gathering information to confirm our hypothesis, I would like to request your assistance with this issue if you are able to once we confirm our findings."
"If I'm not too busy with the war or otherwise incapacitated, of course," I replied.
"Thank you, Ashford. I will soon contact you with the details. Will this phone number be the easiest way to contact you?"
"Yes, it is."
"Very well, Ashford, I will contact you when we have compiled our data."
Hearing the phone on his side click and ending the call, I pocketed my smartphone as Atalanta was stowing away our dried food stores into proper containers.
"Who did you call?" Atalanta asked curiously, still continuing in her work.
"An old teacher of mine who participated in the previous Grail War," I replied. "I wanted to see if there was any advice he could give me."
"A smart move," she nodded, "seeking the advice of the experienced. What did he say?"
I smiled, "Mm, nothing I didn't already know. But it was nice to hear it confirmed for me." And indeed it was, I guess it really was a waste of time calling you, Professor El-Meloi II…
"I see," she nodded, frowning a bit before going back to what she was doing. After a moment, however, she spoke up. "Master, do you still have no wish for the Grail?"
"Mm, more like I don't know what to wish for," I shrugged. "I could wish for the torture I was put under to not have happened, I could wish that I did not panic during Lin's kidnapping so that I could've killed that Lamyros before he took her. But that torture helped make me who I am today, made me the kind of big brother who loves his baby sister that I am today. And as for Lin's kidnapping… she will still have to process those memories and confront them just as I do when she gets older. Perhaps she will grow up to hate vampirism, perhaps she will find a cure to vampirism. Who knows?"
"Those sound selfish," said Atalanta, putting down the plastic container in her hands.
"I'm a bit of a selfish kind of guy," I chuckled softly.
"Hmm," she hummed noncommittally, "but they are not wrong."
"Maybe I'll just wish for an anti-planet type kind of Noble Phantasm," I joked, "and just keep it in my back pocket just to say I have one."
"Really, Faelan?" she deadpanned.
"Sorry, but it is a thought I consider from time to time considering the Ashford's family magecraft is in the study of Noble Phantasms and replicating or mass producing their abilities," I shrugged. "My family actually has the shards of King Arthur's Caliburn hidden away."
"The Sword of Selection once wielded by the King of Knights, truly?" Atalanta's brows arched in wondrous surprise.
"Yeah," I nodded, "but to be honest, the shards are useless without King Arthur since the sword was meant for him. We can't even reforge the sword to make it whole again either and believe me, my family has tried for centuries. Even I tried taking a whack at it once. All that happened was that it sat in the smelter for hours on end."
"A shame, but unsurprising," Atalanta shrugged.
"Unfortunately," I agreed with a nod before looking down at our supplies. "On an unrelated note, are you done?"
Closing the last container, she nodded. "And with this, yes, I am." She then eyed the large rucksack backpack. "Still, are you sure we need this much food? I don't need to eat and if it comes down to it, I will hunt the local game, I am both a Servant and a Huntress of Artemis after all."
"You may be my Servant, Atalanta," I began, rolling my eyes before starting to stow everything away, "but you are also my friend. Plus, it'd feel awkward on my part if I just sat there eating with you just standing there doing nothing."
"Hmm," she raised a brow, tilting her head. "Very well then."
Once everything was stowed away properly, I crouched down to put the large rucksack on properly before grabbing the rifle case. Atalanta took the backpack that held my gear and slipped that onto her shoulders.
"Alright," I couldn't help but smirk in excitement for the coming war, "let the games begin…"
…
Truly, an amusing prologue. This play is looking to be quite the tale, wrought with drama and tragedy, but it is only in the end, does a tale truly gains its real value.
So live and fight… mongrel.
AN: Another Monday, another chapter.
This marks the end of the prologue arc and in the next week's chapter, the war begins. And fair warning, if I don't write any scenes that don't deviate from what happens in the Apocrypha canon, then nothing much has changed, especially with Sieg's and Yggdmillenia's sides of the story.
And as for the ending, you're all free to speculate as to what it means.
Until next week, my dudes.