A restful breeze, not unlike ones from the Aegean, tickled the leaves above into gentle laughter. Many different birds flocked and chirped in the tropical canopy and all around them. Some even slalomed through the air among the feint streams of light that bordered the little meadow. A lone stream echoed with its blissful chime of flowing water, completing a sanctuary where one could lose themselves in meditation.
This place was a distant voice compared to the Greek Isles, but even here the ancient hero could find a nostalgic mirror; Yet not quite. Had he been wearing a tunic of ages past, rather than a weathered pair of jeans and a jade muscle shirt. Or had there been bunches of firs and pines shaded them from Helios' chariot while it tugged its gift across the sky. Or the subtle resort boundary stretched into rolling hills of emerald grass rather than illusionary, misty mountains…
No, Fantasia Resort was no replacement for Ancient Greece, but Achilles hardly minded.
There were more than enough comforts and promises in this new land to keep him content. Countless heroes were present to spar; Even more awaited in the singularities for him to challenge outright. His quest for heroism could be fulfilled forever, yet it was here, in Chaldea, where he found his first seemingly insurmountable challenge. After all, the warrior life was all he knew and craved, but one needed more than that to get by in the stillness between deployments.
No doubt, that's why he was even happier he was far from alone. Quietly, he stared across from him as his teacher finally arrived. They'd found and met in this meadow a few times since their arrival a week ago; Often with Heracles. Today, it was just them, but almost like another glimpse of nostalgia, Chiron always changed into a white tunic. As much now as he was then, even without his calming aura, his teacher looked ever the wizened sage.
Just like then, Achilles felt like an inexperienced pupil as the archer's calm gaze fell upon him with a tiny, inquisitive smile. "Have you been here long?"
"No, teacher. I just needed a bit more time to sort my thoughts." There was no hiding the hesitation in his voice; An unusual for the proud, defiant hero of the Trojan War. His strong ego would usually dismiss such a voice from his childhood; He'd learned enough to become legendary, after all. Yet, in the past days, that ego too had begun questioning itself in the fog of uncertainty he walked through.
Never would he admit that to anyone. He didn't need to for his teacher; Chiron could always tell. He did now. That glint of understanding from scholarly eyes proved it to anyone else who may see it. His silence was patient acknowledgement, and a promise what they talked about stayed between.
Thus, feeling like a child again, but with troubled eyes, Achilles hoped for a good lesson. "…I feel lost. You know what I'm trying to do, but I don't know if I'm on the right path or not. I'm second guessing, confused… This isn't me…"
"Neither were you the renowned hero when you were just my student. Between my lectures and training, you second guessed yourself then too. Rarely, but you did," Chiron calmly interjected amid his pause, making Achilles stare. The archer only smiled gently. "Are you certain this can't be you too?"
"But it's not as easy as just… getting with Atalanta. She's a mother. She has two children, and they a doting godmother. Then there's her friends. The goddess Artemis… Hector…" He'd said that last name a bit roughly, and laced with a feeling he dared not admit. He sighed. "I only know how to be a warrior. That's not what she needs. They need. They need someone who can fit into their family."
"And you have the chance too, Achilles. You just need to see things a bit differently than how you're used to."
"What do you mean?"
"Before I begin, I'll offer you this. The pursuit of heroism is obvious to you. To earn glory in war. To accomplish great deeds so you may be recognized by all and the gods," Chiron declared simply, though he didn't need to. He was right; This was all Achilles knew and pursued. So why… "In this day and age, heroism merely wears different faces. Though you may laugh at the idea, many became heroic in ways outside of life or death situations. One doesn't need to follow the warrior path to be a hero anymore."
Of course. As an ancient warrior, he found that concept laughable, but he wasn't about to toss it away during his teacher's lecture; He knew better than that. He merely continued to listen to him obediently.
Chiron smiled. "I'll spare you, and get right to the point then. In this day and age, many have their own ideas of what being a hero means. Whether they search for it or not, everyone would welcome a hero who could help brighten their lives in all the right ways. You already know how to be a hero, Achilles, you just need to understand how to be the hero they need."
"Be a hero they need…" he mouthed silently, as this wisdom churned in his mind for the first time.
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Fragment 97: To Be a Hero Again
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Weeks had passed since that discussion. Everyday since then, Achilles held the lesson to heart, but the opening words remained the most profound. Not that the rest of his beloved teacher's lesson wasn't eye opening or impressive as ever. The opening just sang the odes of his lifelong pursuit.
Relentless passion. Endless defiance. Praiseworthy deeds. Brave actions. Everlasting achievements.
These were the immovable pillars of becoming a hero. Achilles had embodied all of that. Though his arrogance had led him astray several times, it delivered lessons to better himself now. They were simply goal posts, yet they rested on ledges atop the highest peaks of mighty Olympus itself; He still reached them. He still proved he was capable, and he'd do it countless times more, for his heart endlessly yearned.
It had taken days of thought to apply the lesson, but, ever eager to impress his teacher and pursue his dream, Achilles took his first steps down that untrodden road. It was difficult. Every twist and turn, he second guessed his awkward actions; Much laughter and reassurances which answered steeled his resolve. He pushed forward and persevered, learning from mistakes and successes alike until he finally accomplished what he truly doubted he could do.
Yet, becoming Atalanta's beloved and her children's father was only the beginning. Like the heroics of the past, there was always room for growth and refinement. There was always another challenge to meet, but now, more experienced and confident in what was once uncertain, he'd met each one head on. He'd continue to do so, because the goal he pursued was more rewarding than he'd imagined.
…No doubt, that's why he felt the first constricting vines of true, growing fear in the past day.
For a hero, there was nothing worse than being incapable of action. He, the famed legend known the world over, found himself in a pit with no escape. He'd had no sleep since Penthesilea had been summoned yesterday morning; By necessity, the masters requested he shouldn't even manifest from spirit form, and should wear two layers of concealment cloaks.
'A hero who can only watch and hide in the shadows…' The thought endlessly hammered at his ego and being; His soul hadn't been able to accept this order since their return from the singularity. But what choice did he have? That Amazon Queen, who he never wished to fight again, had just been summoned so soon after he caught his first glimpse of her on the Roman Theater's projectors. Agartha had only been so long ago… or maybe it was sooner?
Achilles couldn't count in his anxiety. Gripped with growing fear, his mind still lied blissfully to him: This wasn't happening. Though his intangible form stood secretly within Da Vinci's workshop, listening to Chaldea's unaware Council arguing over direction, his mind reassured him it was just a nightmare. Yet, his ears still fished the truth through broken tranquility as the discord within grew.
It was late afternoon, and this meeting only bore one new fruit. "No! We have to try my plan! No one else has figured one, and I refuse to force the potion on her! We absolutely can't! I'm not agreeing to that!"
"I don't accept it either, Gabby, but what other choices have we found!?" It was surreal to see the masters so riled, especially the often quiet Anishka. Yet, beneath their uniforms, the tension leaked from them like a suffocating mist; From the present battleclad servants too. The Indian master breathed to calm herself. "We're not even sure if your plan will work! Even if she agrees to deploy, I don't think her Mad Enhancement can be tempered so easily!"
"Please calm down, you two. Yelling hasn't gotten us anywhere before." Though calm, even Gudao, with right arm slung and sitting at a table, looked visibly frustrated. Mashu too, who gently held onto his cast while Fou sat atop the hem of her uniform's skirt. Achilles stared at the cast, where his shock had slowly been replaced with anger towards Penthesilea for wounding their master so recklessly. It mattered little the master would recover in another day thanks to Nightingale's supreme treatment skills.
The storied nurse sat at Gudao's other side, but like Fou and Achilles, only watched as the council failed to gain any ground. Gabrielle fumed in her seat. "This plan with the casters has to work! There's no other safe way! And I will never allow what I did to Kiyohime to happen again! We can't! We all agreed to that before! It was an absolute breach of trust! We're family and friends! We don't backstab family and friends!"
"I'd argue Penthesilea's tenure is still growing, and not truly part of the community yet…" Lord El-Melloi II stated calmly, though his scowl remained aimed at the table before them. "I remain convinced her mad enhancement has to be removed if she is to stay. Consent or not. That quick plan of yours feels like a band aid on a severed arm at most."
"I remain unmoved as well," the uniform-wearing David replied behind the silent Da Vinci; She was busying herself aimlessly, gently spinning her model ornithopter. "It's wrong. To go against a hero's pride is unforgivable, but to allow the peace we've built here to be ruined due to such a severe case would be irresponsible on our part. Dissatisfaction for delayed action has gone on long enough. I will not see what my son helped build ruined by an uncooperative newcomer."
"Consent is not a necessary precursor to treatment when one's life is on the line. Her life is not clinically in danger, therefore it is an ethical requirement," Nightingale countered. Though not part of the council, that didn't stop her from voicing her word. "But her condition is placing bystanders in harm's way. She remains an unprecedented and potential physical danger to many. If she can't be contained properly, then she must either be incapacitated or expelled from Chaldea."
"But that's not treating her fairly…" Gudao voiced again, like he had in several meetings. Achilles still couldn't fathom how much optimism and belief he had in others, especially those who nearly killed him. "She answered the call. We should treat her as fairly as possible. It's not her fault she was summoned as a berserker! If we can do something to help her, everything should return to normal."
"Your faith usually works well, Gudao, but need I remind you once more. Penthesilea is lucid, yet she is also far more destructive than Lancelot was with Arturia. At least he could be handled with minor minimal damage," El-Melloi noted skeptically. From what Achilles heard, separating the two was easy enough. Penthesilea was actively waiting for him to return from 'vacation'. She even pursued and confronted Heracles on two occasions since her arrival, and she was acting more 'controlled' against his fellow student when compared to her wrath when he was mentioned.
There was zero question: Something must be done. But so many options had graced the table only to fall off. To imprison her securely and force her to take the potion was morally inexcusable. To manipulate her into drinking it was equally as refuted. Waiting for her to mellow was also discarded due to how aggressive she could be at mentions of him... Their options thinned quickly. But few courses of action or not, something had to be done.
"Leona…?" David asked quietly. Eyes turned to the director again, but she only closed her eyes and sighed. "Have you decided yet?"
"I'm going to shoulder responsibility either way, no…?" she mumbled quietly, then let out a dry chuckle. "If Roman were here… he'd probably have fainted with the stress and I'd be propping him up. I'm glad he's not, but I want Chaldea to remain standing for when we finally decide to bring him home."
Her declaration sent a chill through those present. Achilles couldn't understand it, but he could practically feel it. From the kind words to the honored cenotaph in Memorial Hall that bore his name, Roman was the Hero of Chaldea. It made Achilles a bit envious, but more than anything, he'd like to meet that 'cowardly but lovable' man… in better times.
In the pause, Da Vinci shook her head. "We've argued enough. Chaldea has been growing uneasy, and we need to do something. So we will… I'm sorry, masters. Giving a chance to every servant who comes is a beautiful ideal, but it was only a matter of time before one presented an impossible situation. I thought it'd be Mephistopheles or Angra Mainyu but… No. I'm giving Penthesilea twenty-four hours to consent to take the potion. You're cleared to deploy and try Gabby's plan this afternoon, but the ultimatum remains. If she doesn't consent, she must be banished from Chaldea."
"But that means…!" Gudao started. There was no questioning it. Penthesilea would chase Achilles down relentlessly if she was allowed to live, which meant the obvious. After growing anxious Chaldea remained as indecisive and uncertain as he was, Achilles felt a pit open in his stomach after an executive decision was reached.
"Right. We would have to execute her to send her back to the throne. I doubt she would go willingly… I'll shoulder the weight of that order, but if it must be done, it will," Da Vinci admitted, and quickly earned shouting from Gabrielle. Once more, El-Melloi was trying to settle growing discord while Achilles remained in the corner, undetected from all save for the Director. She turned her gaze silently his way, where no one else knew he was there; Her bounded field was mighty indeed.
The hero didn't return her gaze. How could he? He was too busy trying to settle a growing anger in his gut. No one had even been banished from Chaldea before, and now, just past lunch, he'd heard such a controversial call. To think he'd have been part of such a terrible situation… his shock and fear was subsiding for pure anger.
Achilles could barely control it. Regulating his breathing, he could feel the anxiety roil within like a earthquake. It was more chaotic that the battlefields he'd visited in life. He wanted to lash out at them for giving such a short time frame; As if the volatile situation gave them any choice. He wanted to yell at Penthesilea for letting such a grudge control a proud Amazon so uncontrollably.
Most of all, he grew furious at his inability to do anything, for if he did, Chaldea could suffer greater consequences.
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Achilles left the workshop while the arguments continued. An ultimatum was made, whether many liked it or not. The council was merely a smaller example of the wider discussion that swept Chaldea. Whether Penthesilea heard it or not, he didn't know, but she likely saw and felt it with uncertain gazes. Achilles got to see all of it unfiltered while he wandered in spirit form.
Chaldea had never looked so divided.
Whether the halls or public rooms, wherever he roamed, each group had a different opinion; The tension around many was profound. Some, like New Camelot, still believed in the masters' case, that there can be a way to get Penthesilea to stay. Many others, like the Babylonians and Egyptians, grew convinced she needed to be dealt with accordingly and quickly; They fell more dissatisfied by the hour. Others remained on the fence, yet every individual's opinion were more varied and colorful than Serenity's paint palettes.
As he ghosted down a hallway, it was almost mind-numbing had it not boiled his anger. What was once a peaceful and calm atmosphere had been replaced with a smothering blanket of anxiety. Furious and incapable, he wanted to ask Li or Cu for a spar to vent, but doing so would only attract the queen. Why… Why could he not do anything to make the situation more tolerable? Why did she have to come and ruin the peace?
That's when she turned the corner ahead. Unaware of his presence, she looked calm in her battle attire. Younger and less beautiful than the ancient warrior 'goddess' he'd fought, but she still emanated the pride and might of an Amazon queen. She walked calmly as Hector followed a few steps behind, but Achilles could only see red.
Penthesilea walked along with a blank expression while the rider bore a hole through her. His profound anger wanted to confront her, but what would that bring without any plan? He wanted to roar and vent for the situation she'd caused with her arrival… Why…? Why'd she have to take such a simple word so personally? Calling her beautiful was really that offensive!?
It was ridiculous; Such a simple idea crushing someone so heavily. He hated it. He felt a loathing for her he never understood, even if his soul never wanted to fight her again; She was one of a few. But the frenzied urge to do something rocked him like a bireme at the mercy of Poseidon's wrath.
But he didn't. He couldn't.
Achilles only glared with clenched fists as she walked down the hallway quietly, but calmly, as if nothing was amiss. It made his blood boil.
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He'd continued to wander that afternoon. Though his anger boiled, his nomadic flight turned aimless. Tugged by little curiosities that floated in his wrathful sea, he found himself within an office only employees frequented often. It was a small, two-part room on the Agora's second floor, but the anxiety within was thicker than his own; Even he felt it slam onto his shoulders as he curiously faded within.
Yet the layout did everything to try and calm that surging tide. A fairly spacious, little room was filled with Sunscape windows that covered nearly every inch of pale blue walls. Potted plans, fresh with overwhelming fragrance, flanked the large frames. There was a lone desk with a bookshelf and filing cabinets, yet its wood-themed design made it blend in to forest windows beside it. In the center of Elsa's Office, rested a chair and a long, red therapy couch, isolated like islands in a sea of nature.
But his first greeting was the estranged cries of a man on the couch. It was a wail the rider almost never heard, and one his ego and era scoffed at; Men shouldn't cry so helplessly. Even afraid, they had to appear brave, strong, and defiant; A few tears of mourning were acceptable, but this man's act was far from that.
"W-What if she los-ses c-control again!? I don't w-want- …be out there!" I-I-I…!"
"It's alright, Marcos. You're safe here. She won't come to hurt you, Marcos, not with Raikou and I here," Elsa gently soothed as she placed a tissue box at his side, within reach of his arms. Shakily, but like a cobra, his hand darted for the first scrap of comfort. His tear-stained face was contorted with grief. "You're safe here. Let it all out."
"I-It's h-happening a-again, Elsa…! It's the e-end again…!" As much as the sight of a man crying in terror frustrated him, Achilles wouldn't reprimand the man. Though a man, he was no warrior. As a Chaldean employee, he wasn't expected to see the horrors of war; That's what the masters and servants would do.
Yet this employee lived it, by choice or not. Though he was part of something dangerous, Achilles likened the man to a commoner in a city-state working to support a war effort. Chaldea was just unfortunate enough to see the frontlines and leave lasting scars.
All previous employees had some, and it was even great enough for a few to leave. Most survivors stayed, but some, like this man, had been in therapy ever since. Of the few times Achilles saw this tanned man from logistics, he didn't think anything of it. He looked fine, if just a bit skittish. Yet here, the façade was destroyed, and he saw firsthand something he'd only heard about: Those mentally scarred and broken survivors who remained among them, still willing to help despite their state.
"You're braver than you believe you are, Marcos. And you're not alone. I'm here for you. Chaldea is here for you," Elsa soothed gently as the man was racked with grief. "Please remember that. We're here for each other… You won't stand alone, Marcos, so long as you're willing to stand again."
Though still crying, the man wiped at his eyes. His nod was painful and slow. "I-I'm… not alone… I'm not alone… I'm not alone… but I'm scared. I'm r-really scared, Miss Elsa…!"
In his quiet stare, the sight dared to make Achilles wonder: Would he ever cry in terror? His angered mind scoffed and denounced such a ridiculous idea. Having seen more than he wanted to, he chose not to let the anger flow greater. He floated past the potted plants and through the wall to the next room. Such a sight wasn't doing his emotions and thoughts any good.
Though Elsa's office was suffocating, the entry room was serene. Raikou, battle-clad but smiling gently, sat beside a baby stroller. The few comfortable blue couches were lit mostly by the Sunscape windows that offered calming views of forests, seas, and wind-swept plains. Potted plants offered gentle aromas, and the calming lounge music that played on the wall-mounted videocom could ease the soul of many.
It couldn't tickle Achilles' heel as the stressful wrath blinded him.
Still, he gazed towards Raikou who smiled gently and rocked the baby carriage in soothing motions. Within, a mobile gently spun with images of cartoon rockets, stars, and spaceships. Giovanni, nestled within, safely in the warmth of his blanket, snoozed at the berserker hummed a lullaby. Though the room did nothing, the sight pierced through the haze.
"Look at you… so cute and gentle. You're going to grow up so well and make your mother proud~…" Raikou cooed gently. The mighty Japanese berserker, who was often a tornado when near the Onis, was so calm and relaxed. A legendary Miyamoto, whose battle prowess sundered the skies themselves with wrathful flares of lightning, could also be this gentle. A tiny baby could break instantly with but a roar, yet the delicacy of every motion ensured even a little discomfort from her act was an impossibility.
He wasn't sure how long he stared. Silently, he just watched as the berserker gently take care of the baby while his unseen mother cared for another soul mere meters away. His gaze remained on Raikou, whose own madness triggered uniquely. He found himself wondering, even past his frustration, about what could be. It started as a mere fleeting idea his ego would have tossed away. As the minutes passed, his teacher's lessons held fast, and he didn't discard the wary thoughts; In battle, anything and everything must be considered.
The same could apply to people and life. Didn't others only see him as a legendary warrior, yet what had he shown he was capable of now?
Slowly, as he gazed at Raikou, the gears in Achilles' head started turning, even though his frustration mired his legs in mud.
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For the first time since yesterday's return, Achilles was safe to leave spirit form. He felt the growing winds of the Training Grounds howl and snap at his skin. Bits of snow flaked on his armor as the infant blizzard hungered. But nature's icy grip melted against the heat of his frustration. After aggressively putting away both his and his teacher's concealment cloaks, the snow exploded before him. A conical wave flared forward, bulldozing the snow across the ground before fading into the shrouded distance.
"Damn it, damn it! Damn it!" A platter of aggravation was offered to the snow again. A third strike gutted part of Mount Meru's ancient rock as the sparks flared from his spear's tip. But there was no fourth strike. With weapon gripped in his hand, and muscles still tense beneath his ancient armor, he scowled towards the distance where the faraway mountains rested beyond the veil. Only the winds answered his fury, but these attempts to vent were hollow. 'I hope Li or Cu are up for a fight…'
"It's probably better to shovel snow after the storm passes." A servant appeared from spirit form behind him.
Hardly in the mood for dry jokes, he glanced back towards one of the few he'd rather not see at the moment. It appeared the joke was dryer than he heard as he studied the approaching lancer's face; Hector wasn't smiling. Then again, that lazy, content smile of his was usually absent whenever they talked. Today it just came with a noticeable furrow of the brow and a worn-out gait.
Achilles said nothing in return as Hector stopped only a few paces before him and crossed his arms. They stared for but a moment until the lancer sighed. "The masters told you?"
"Not their plan. Only that Penthesilea agreed to try it… and that Atalanta and Artemis are following just in case." Achilles expression lost some of its aggravation, but he still held his spear tightly. Hector only glanced at it calmly. "Safe to say it's not a routine supply sortie?"
"Yes and no." If Hector was perturbed, it didn't look it. Then again, they'd been talking more often. "Gudao and Gabby will be handling the plan while Annie directs the supplies. Whether it goes well or not… I have no doubt she might hate Shakespeare after this."
Achilles actually raised an eyebrow and his voice. "She agreed to be subjected to that?"
"Not his usual routine. Just the part to produce a copy of you she'll hopefully confront and feel better." Hector didn't even looked convinced when he just said that. He only shook his head. "Another idea was to have Scheherazade form some strange dummy that Medea could cast an illusion on… except Scheherazade is too scared to be anywhere her. That charm only goes so far for her confidence. Can't blame the poor thing though."
"So they're just betting this calms her enough to agree…" While Achilles appreciated Hector delivering news, none of it was hopeful. But the lancer was concerned too; He was his girls' cinephile uncle who takes too many naps. Plus, he was closer to Penthesilea than most in Chaldea. He likely desired a good resolution as much as Achilles did. But was it even possible in twenty-four hours? Achilles cursed quietly. "That Queen… she's really making a mess of all this."
"Don't make me remind you it was your words that birthed this. You're as much to blame." In his focus to find an answer, his mind failed to connect the presented dots: Hector approached face to face, which meant he likely had something more to say than just delivering simple news. "I know a hero is supposed to make a lot of fierce enemies, but must you kick them when they're down too?"
"It was a slip of the tongue!" Achilles snapped back. "I only said what I meant! Wouldn't you say that too? Exhausted and exhilarated after such a worthy fight? To see that your opponent was both powerful and beautiful? I almost mistook her for a goddess! If I knew she'd throw such a childish tantrum over a-"
"Childish tantrum?" Hector scoffed as he finally glared at the rider. "You offended her at the highest level, Achilles! An Amazon Queen trains their whole life to become strong! To stand defiant over men! Men, who the world has always touted as superior fighters! She finally finds a worthy opponent in you, ready to die if she wasn't strong enough, and then the first thing you compliment her on is her looks?"
"I can't take back what I said, Hector!" Achilled yelled. "It was just a simple word! I never intended it to sound like that!"
"Hm. Can't help but wonder if you did…" That loose pondering made an enraged Achilles take a step towards the offending lancer.
"What do you mean by that!?"
"I mean some of your acts have been so questionable one can't help but wonder if it's not just coincidence or slips. That you're letting that ego of yours flood your head." Hector didn't even flinch as he unfolded his arms and took a step closer. "That for a legendary hero, you do a damn fine job of acting like a villain sometimes. Or did that… childish tantrum of parading my corpse around Troy go well with the gods? Was I informed wrong?"
Achilles' Anger peaked at the sharp words. If he were almost anyone else, Achilles' fist would have cracked their nose immediately. But this was Hector, the Prince of Troy. One of the ones he'd never want to fight again. Even boiling with anger and frustration, his body refused to budge. The urge to strike rested on the surroundings, and not the lancer; Achilles knew he felt the same as his glare pierced him.
Despite their current anger, they got along… decently around each other. His teacher and family were trying to help; It was working, but slowly. The rider's resentment for the death of Patrocles would likely remain. Just like the secret, new envy of how easy Hector made taking care of his daughters look. Even if they finally found even ground, Achilles would never admit his envy the lancer could be both a perfect family man and a mighty hero.
Perhaps things would get easier if they finally apologized, made amends, and found even ground on their past. But now was not the time to be grinding spears over unspoken words when a simple mouthed one was the root of a current hell. While he worked to calm himself with heavy breaths, that sole idea frustrated Achilles to no end that his slip could do this much.
Had seconds passed? Minutes? In the deathly silence of a growing storm, Hector finally broke the tense silence with a shake of his head. He took a calm step back, not out of surrender, but dismissal. He took a few more away before he stopped and glanced back tensely; For Achilles, it pierced further than a glare.
"…The queen is spectacular. I'd like to talk to her more… and I think her and Atalanta could restart on a better footing. For all the zero chance that it has, I hope this ridiculous plan calms Penthesilea down just enough to be manageable. For everyone's sakes."
"…Yea." As he continued to struggle between calming himself, he scrambled to latch onto Hector's words. Anything to distract from that accusation just moments before. A thought came to him, if only so they both didn't leave on a hard note; The last thing Achilles needed to do right now was cause another problem. "I heard she was… apologetic to you. That she was too late to help."
Hector paused in thought. His brow lightened just a bit as he nodded slowly. "She was. Between wrestling with her bouts of anger and frustration, I can see a proud, honorable Amazon. Someone more than you likely think of her right now… Maybe others will see it. In the end, she was a person once too. One who's more similar to you than you think… Hope for the best, Achilles."
The rider stared as Hector scratched the back of his head, let out a little curse, and walked further away. Soon, he disappeared into spirit form to leave the snowy haze, leaving Achilles to his calming breaths and rampant frustration. His anger still boiled, and he gripped his teacher's lessons hard to better focus his emotions. All the while, Hector's words lingered fresh in his mind like rotten milk.
…But that offense of a single word and Hector's harsh accusation sparked in his mind. With every repeat, a revelation grew in his frustrated state. 'A simple word…'
A chill raced down his spine. A quick insult could be painful; Everyone knew that. However, Achilles was now realizing there were chosen words that could strike deeply and leave scars that weren't so easy to forget. Knowingly or not, Hector had just proved that to him by daring to mar the ideal he loved so much.
Hector's words echoed time and time again amid the howling winds. Slowly, he pieced together the puzzle of exactly what his slip of the tongue did. Relating it to himself, his frustration grew, but now because he was beginning to understand just how much pain he likely caused her: He'd invalidated her life's work and effort until then, just like Hector slashed at his with a heated remark.
"No wonder she's a berserker…" Achilles chuckled dryly. Yet, he wasn't wrong either. There was no taking his words back, but could there still be a way for a hopeful solution? After being so blind to the obvious?
For minutes, he stood there racking his brain for possibilities. So many servants in Chaldea, with just as many different needs and ideals, somehow found niche and balance. Couldn't she… even with mad enhancement? He didn't realize he slowly paced in the snow with spear drawn for half an hour, lost in thoughts. The small sight of Raikou gently taking care of Giovanni finally rang like a bell.
His thought from before returned as the haze of frustration parted just enough. There was a chance that even in madness, there were silver lining that could provide an answer. And with Penthesilea away, he had a chance to talk to one hero about exceptions. Achilles wasted no time reaching out telepathically.
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Barely a minute later, Achilles stood within Fantasia's forests. The main path to the springs and massage parlors rested just out of sight, and the unseen boundary of Lobo's claimed domain was several dozen paces behind. No one was likely to eavesdrop or bother, because the last thing they needed was any distraction.
Da Vinci gave her word he'd be alerted before their return. That didn't make him any less anxious or hasty. The clock ticked, and he'd rather have a conversation face to face. It was far more respectful, which he wished to be. It was also necessary to understand.
…As close as possible anyway.
Achilles glanced up as the hulking presence appeared from spirit form. "Thanks for coming. I didn't tear you away from anything, did I?"
Only a grunt and a shake of the head was his answer; Likely one of the easier answers he'd have. As much as Chiron should be here to help better understand what Heracles may be saying, he didn't want to bother his teacher. He was already doing a lot, and was currently monitoring the sortie in hopes of gleaming a new possibility. No. Achilles wouldn't use him as a crutch. Sooner or later, he needed to better understand his fellow student too.
"I'll get right to the point." A time for bonding and merry stories could come another time. "Do you remember anything from when your madness was amplified? In Agartha?"
Heracles quickly shook his head. Achilles quietly cursed; He was hoping it was just Fergus who didn't remember anything. There goes the easiest path to an answer… but he had other options. "Hmm… The way you acted instinctively. To protect Illya. She means that much to you, huh? As a former master?"
Achilles watched the tiny hints of a smile tug at the hulking hero's lips. He nodded quickly and grunted. The rider never did learn just how much she meant, only that he often protected her and her sisters like a bodyguard. Honestly, Achilles would have smiled if not for the tension that gnawed within. "So she made that much of an impression through the Mad Enhancement… What caused it?"
Realizing he just asked an unanswerable question, which was met by a long grunt, Achilles nearly slapped himself mentally. Steadying his haste, he played the binary game. "My fault… Hm. It wasn't forced obedience, was it?"
He quickly shook his head. "Was she in danger? Was her life on the line?"
After a slow grunt, Heracles nodded firmly. Achilles was on the right track. "So she was injured and in pain?"
The berserker nodded. "You never left your master's side after that? Or disobeyed her wishes? Even with your madness?"
Nothing but positive responses and grunts. One last one then. "Did she ever use a command seal against your will?"
He shook his head, but there was a long series of grunts like he was trying to say something. Achilles couldn't make heads or tails from it, but it didn't sound very agitated or displeased. It sounded normal? Part of him wished his teacher was here. Yet, from what he'd quickly gotten to, he found some semblance of hope.
Madness or not, that was now two cases: Him and Raikou. Two possibilities where a powerful and often unpredictable servant held holes in their madness in some fashion. If an act or sight was powerful enough, it could possibly smooth a raging storm. If it worked for Heracles, who was far more crazed than most other berserkers here, then something profoundly symbolic or desired could get through to Penthesilea.
Heracles tilted his head as Achilles nodded with a tiny, growing smile. 'She might not have to be exiled after all!'
Maybe then he could work to help undo what he created… To give her options to soothe her displeasure like sparring? Maybe then talking things out would be possible, and he could finally explain himself to her. Didn't Gudao say that she also wanted to get to know Atalanta? It was a strange idea, but maybe he'd wind up being the one soothing their rough start; He was technically the culprit. The least he could do was help fix that too.
As the seconds passed, Achilles fell further and further into a hopeful spiral. His mood gradually grew with an optimistic smile, and he quickly nodded to his fellow student. "Thanks, Heracles. I think… I think there might be a way to fix this whole mess. I'd rather Chaldea be free from the plague of Ancient Greece's drama."
After a grunt, Heracles nodded firmly in agreement. Achilles scratched the back of his head as the possibilities continued to bloom in his mind. "…I need to do more thinking, but I think I'll have a plan soon. Maybe I can get through to her. Help ease the tension between you too. That… whole incident wasn't your fault, was it? There's a lot of tales about what occurred with Hippolyta…"
Heracles neither shook his head or nodded. There was only a bunch of grunts as he crossed his arms and stared towards him. Worried he stepped on a toe, he raised a hand in apology. "Uh. I don't understand what you're trying to say, but I'll drop it. Hopefully you can explain things to her too someday... Hm, but one last question before I go. Frankenstein and Caligula took the sip… but you still don't you want to?"
To his surprise, Heracles shook his head, grunted, and made a shrugging motion. "Are you waiting for something? Like a Memorial Essence? Class Change?"
More grunts followed with another shrug, but there had been a nod too. Achilles slowly nodded in turn; That was something he'd like to talk to the berserker about at a later date. For now, his growing eagerness and frantically working mind were on overdrive. That didn't mean he was going to close this conversation without his gratitude. He quickly took a step forward, smiled, and offered his hand to the larger man. "Thank you, Heracles. And may the gods smile upon my next act. Hopefully I can fix this mess the right way."
As the larger hand enclosed his, confidence clasped to his thoughts. He could feel it. That steady beat as a challenge loomed; One no longer impossible. It was a small shot in the dark, but it could work. Olympus could be scaled.
In doing so, he could honor the masters' profound hopes. Though they each had their reasons, their hopes of allowing any servant to feel welcome was both a ludicrous and beautiful ideal. Thus far, they'd make it work, and damn him to Hades if Achilles wasn't going to have a hand at ruining it. No, he'd continue this unique Chaldean tradition by throwing that javelin through the loops.
Isn't that what a hero was best at? Grasping the impossible?
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He'd been blessed with two more hours to find possible solutions. He wasn't the best thinker or tactician, but by Athena's wrath, he wasn't about to bother more with his problem. Nonetheless, it had all worked out. He made several courses of action and plenty of contingencies in case her madness needed a more profound strike to breakthrough. He even made several more just in case, and was ready to share his plans with those best suited to help him.
…But when the teams returned, Achilles didn't know whether to laugh or yell in frustration.
The masters' plan failed utterly. The masters pitched it to Penthesilea as a way to vent her frustrations while Achilles was on 'vacation.' Shakespeare's act produced a copy so she may warm up, and so they could see what she was capable of or how she really felt about him. It had taken a command seal to get her to stop her vicious rampage, and that was after the target was utterly destroyed.
She'd ignored the other servants. None of the masters had gotten through to her. Not even Artemis, the blessed goddess who meant so much to the Amazons, got so much as a glance as she tried to get her under control. Fighting 'Achilles' had set her off so profoundly that she managed to breakthrough Shakespeare's noble phantasm and level a forest. The only one who had been excited at that was Paul as she raced off to gather the lumber.
Suddenly, all of Achilles' plans and hopes sank even further. Were they even viable at all? Several hectares of woods levelled by an Amazonian tornado. If a fake could send her into that, then would the real thing be worse?
Once more, Achilles felt helpless as he wandered the halls of Chaldea in Spirit form. He wasn't looking where he wandered anymore. His thought merely tried to find a reasonable answer among the new revelation, but there was none to be found. All that remained was the idea a profound moment or catalyst could still pierce her angered veil, but how intense would it have to be to get through absolute bloodlust?
He wasn't sure how long or how many laps he'd done around the facility. Past the Auditorium… Through Salon de Marie… the sight blurred, waxed and waned. His thought bound him. Every glance, he was somewhere else in the haze, or passing different servants. Now, he found himself by the Gymnasium again.
Achilles paused as he glanced through the closing doors. An employee speed walked away, but Achilles wandered through. He passed through the metal barrier to stare into the nearly empty room. Some exercised warily on the outskirts, but his eyes remained glued to the center. There, Penthesilea stood with crossed arms over her charge. A tiny glare was fixed towards Delaqua at her feet.
"Two hundred… One hundred more to go." The berserker's calm statement was met only by the heavy breaths of the supervisor. Her fiery hair was damp with sweat like her black sports bra and matching shorts. She let out a cough, but her eyes remained focused and glued to a single spot between her hands. A pool continued to expand as she quickly, and fiercely, knocked out several more pushups in a moment.
Yet Penthesilea's gaze only narrowed more. "You staggered for a moment. Is your body giving up already? I will remind you my warriors warm up with this."
Penthesilea's answer came as Delaqua increased her effort. Achilles approached silently, but stopped a fair distance away; The concealment capes were his only barrier. Still, risk be damned, he watched as Delaqua let out a pained groan. Achilles' eyes didn't grace an ounce of weakness or failure.
Not even a minute later, Delaqua stopped. She didn't collapse. Her breathing was labored and her eyes dazed, but she quickly shot to her feat. Achilles wondered if she was going to faint, but she only stood quietly and waited as Penthesilea stared her down. Finally, the berserker uncrossed her arms. Her gaze even lightened. "Are you alright, Val? You may take a break if you need it."
"…No… I'll keep… going!" she breathed out. It was admirable, really. The tank looked empty, but she was unafraid to draw unseen gas. It reminded him much of the warriors of his time, and by the hidden approval in Penthesilea's eyes, he knew she did too. But Achilles' attention focused on the queen again.
She nodded. "That's what I like to hear. We'll move on to pull ups then. A hundred should be a fair gauge. You have three minutes. Plenty of time."
Achilles followed them as they began their quick jog over towards pull up bars at the corner. Penthesilea began to follow the track for a bit, and he wondered if he was going to make her run before then. Maybe a lap to ensure her heartbeat remains high and fatigued? It was giving Achilles some flashbacks to his teacher's-
Delaqua staggered and tripped on her own shoe. But Penthesilea was unbelievably quick, just as Achilles remembered. The queen had been leading them, yet in an instant, she'd swung around and picked up Delaqua before she could even fall halfway. Carefully, with a gingerness that made Achilles stare in wonder, the mighty queen returned the supervisor to her feet. Her voice sounded far more concerned than he ever thought possible. "Val. If you're pushing your body too hard, you need to tell me."
"But you… said this was… what your…" It was honestly a miracle she could even get words out with such heavy breathing. Carefully, Penthesilea helped her into a sitting position. Upon doing so, she dashed away like a whirlwind, startling several other gymgoers.
She landed by a discarded backpack by some weight racks. A battle-ready Artesia stared at her warily while her former master stared blankly nearby; Skyler didn't seem fazed in the least. Yet, the uniformed man didn't look like he was working out either. He just sat and watched as Penthesilea quickly searched the backpack before jumping to her feet again. In a flash, she was back with a large bottle of water.
Her fierce glare had been replaced by an almost blank expression. Almost. Maybe his mind was still grasping at any possibility, but he could have sworn he caught his first glimpse of the caring queen in worried amber. She even had to stop the supervisor from trying to pull herself to her feet. "Sit. Rest. Take tiny sips, Val. Tiny sips. You're overworked."
"But my… test… did I-?"
"Failed? Not yet you didn't. You're passing. Smoothly."
The supervisor stared in a haze of disbelief and overwhelmed fatigue. Achilles knelt down to get a better view of Penthesilea's face past her bangs. The kneeling queen was… offering a tiny, reassuring smile. As Val gingerly held her bottle, Penthesilea nodded. "I didn't lie. My warriors have handled far more waking up. They've trained their lives for it. You've only trained for so long and you're a modern woman. But don't let that get you down. My eyes know might, and you are mighty indeed. Though your body has far to go, your proud spirit is truly Amazon. One who would rather die than surrender."
It took a moment for the words to sink in. It took a moment more for Val to finally flip open the built-in straw of her bottle. With heavy breaths, she glanced one final time to the queen for approval. Penthesilea nodded instantly. "Drink. You've earned it. When you're ready, we shall continue, but you must promise to be more honest with me. I will not have you injure yourself out of blind desperation. Your potential is incredible, and there are few better than I who may help you reach it… if I may remain..."
The words speared Achilles in his heel. Seeing this caring yet proud side of her so closely made his guilt rise. To see that she can get along just fine with others tore at him, the real source of her problem. Just over a day here, she had already invested herself in a new task. Hector wanted to get to know her more too. Did she also want to understand why Artemis was rather quirky?
How many more bonds were growing already? How many was he going to shatter because he was there first? If he had come later, when she may have been graced with more time to consider the proposal, would that have been better? The questions raced through him, and the shame mounted. Fate had frowned on them, but his offending comment was punishing someone else.
He glanced over, and grit his teeth in embarrassment as Delaqua's disappointed gaze turned to her shoes. Her breaths were still caught in her throat, so her voice was a rough whisper. "…I hope you can stay… I'm sure. I'm sure of it. They're backtalking your madness, not you. You're not in control… So if you…"
"I'm not letting go of it. Not that grudge." Her words filled with anger quickly, and he feared he was going to have to do something to save Delaqua; That'd make a bigger nightmare. Gripped with dread and despair, Achilles glanced to Penthesilea. Her snarl was already present, and her eyes seemed darker than but moments before. Yet only her breathing grew wrathful.
"I can't... I can't, I won't, I never will! I can't forgive Achilles for that comment! He dishonored me in my final moments! That is a grudge I will never relinquish until I set things right! I would rather die than give it up! So if I must be exiled, then they should at least allow my last moments to be fighting him!"
Achilles felt dizzy in the growing whirlpool. He remained vigilant in case he needed to save Delaqua, but it was like staring to another drowning victim as his own head bobbed in the vicious pulls. He'd hurt her to this extent. It was hardly the first time his seemingly trivial actions had sparked landslides. Gripped with shame, it only courted his growing despair that any chance he had to prevent a terrible outcome have been washed out to sea.
Penthesilea, proud and disgraced, only wanted to release her hatred in one way.
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"I see Leandre gave a few more of your favorites."
"…Hmm. I could use that."
Once more, Achilles found himself under the growing darkness in Fantasia's forests. The canopy was growing still, but the birds still occasionally fluttered about and chirped. The sun had set on the distant horizon, yet the clouds were still shimmering with hints of golden bliss and pink tranquility. They did little to soothe Achilles' soul, just as the food did nothing to please a nonexistent appetite.
By now, he was just chewed the first breadstick to keep his mind from darker thoughts.
Thankfully, his teacher had agreed to join him; It should have brighter. Any time spent with such an important soul in his life should be filled with satisfaction, celebration, and jubilant jest. Yet, the battle-clad archer seemed just as troubled and disappointed in expression. The rider wondered if he bottled more frustration within, just as he did.
Their little meadow remained quiet. Concern rested with the berserker eating dinner in the salon with everyone else, rather than the still aggressive Lobo in the vicinity; At least the avenger was a smidge calmer thanks to Kintoki and Geronimo's persistent efforts. Achilles' main anxiety was keeping the concealment capes tight to his form, lest Penthesilea sense him in any way.
"If you're that anxious, we can just have a bigger feast tomorrow when this all blows over," Chiron offered, though his voice was dissatisfied. His concerned eyes remained planted on the rider's left hand, which clutched the concealment capes in a death grip.
Unmotivated, Achilles merely went through the motions and let his other hand grab another garlic bread from the basket. It was warm to the touch, and he could already taste the buttery smoothness. It was one of his favorite discoveries, yet he couldn't relish it as much as he wanted. It still brought him comfort as he stared at the next morsel between his fingers. Chiron let out a long breath. "Achilles."
"I'll risk being manifested, teacher. I hate hiding." He was no assassin. He was a frontliner, and a hero who was supposed to embody fearlessness. Hiding away, unseen, while the trouble moved around him stabbed at his pride and instinct. Yet, he knew the risks and the dangers. His thoughts wrestled among each other, but in the end, his grief over the continuous helplessness won out.
He just wanted some reassurance, if only for a little bit. Achilles grit his teeth. "…You don't have any ideas either?"
"None that weren't already on the table," Chiron admitted. "The best option requires her consent. Everything else is too volatile to risk… I'm sorry, Achilles. But you only need to wait a day."
"I don't want her to be forced out, teacher." His quick admission made Chiron pause in calm observation. Achilles bit into his breadstick, letting his teeth vent anger into its delicious body before speaking again. "…Not for my mistake. She hasn't even been given a proper chance."
"She's been offered several times to take the potion. She is aware of the ultimatum, and that others are trying to help."
Achilles shook his head. "She doesn't need help. She only wants one thing, and I don't blame her for it… I crushed her pride. Her lifelong ideal and hardwork was stained because I couldn't keep my mouth shut. Her only fault was that fate made us cross paths, teacher."
"I see… So that's what you've come to understand…" Chrion's tiny mumble barely met Achilles' ears, but he didn't even pay attention to it. Even when the archer spoke up, Achilles remained in a daze. "Her interest and mad enhancement jeopardize the community at large. No one blames her for her what she was summoned into, but she's lucid, Achilles. The conflict isn't that she can't understand, it's that she refuses to let go."
His teacher's words were a whistle in a storm; At least he was aware of that truth. He was filled with sympathetic frustration and disappointment. Hints of the solemn pool in his stomach might have even shown through. He didn't care how weak he may have seemed to let it do so. After watching Penthesilea help Delaqua up until dinner, he'd come to understand much about her.
Penthesilea deserved to stay, but he didn't want her pride and honor to be marred by any new offense. But the remaining options were… Achilles gripped his head with one hand. "Teacher… What can I do? I want to do something to fix this…"
As he glanced up to the sage, Chiron only stared back sympathetically. After a long breath, he shook his head. "We both know the answer to that. There's nothing you can or should do. You have to leave it to the rest of us to hopefully convince her. If not, then as Hijikata says, an example must be made… So trust in your comrades even off the battlefield, Achilles. You know how many care for you and your family's wellbeing just as much as their own."
Achilles didn't want to. He didn't want to bother everyone with a dilemma they had no part of. He brought this onto Chaldea, not them. It irked and saddened him they would be the ones to shoulder the weight of action. He even wondered which of the masters would take this the worst; They'd all feel they failed a servant.
Chiron calmly smiled, even if his eyes betrayed concern. "…Let's leave it there. I shouldn't be stressing you further… Want to talk about your family instead? I heard Jackie named a new stuffed centaur after me."
Though he was far from in the mood, that thought did allow a tiny smile to breach his gloomy expression. Achilles even let out a quick chuckle. "Not exactly, teacher. She didn't want to confuse you two, so she named it Kai. She said it was close to Chiron. That and Kite."
"Doesn't she usually name them after…?"
Achilles tiny smile grew just a smudge bigger. "Yea. She does. But the centaur was her first stuffed mythological themed toy. So she thought she'd name them after those who made her home so warm. You're the first."
While Achilles finally took a bite of his breadstick, Chiron chuckled. "Then I am privileged… Hard to believe she's the same Jackie from our war. A bundle of childish happiness… You treat her well, but don't pamper her too much, Achilles. Spoiling can do a lot."
"I know, I know… It's still difficult not to. You know how she is." They shared a smile. Trust his teacher to impart any lesson, whether or not he's heard it countless time before. Trust the centaur to make Achilles feel a bit better at the same time too. "Even if I say no, Atalanta wouldn't."
"I suppose I should give her some advice too…" Chiron joked lightly, and the birds above chirped pleasantly. "Though between that wish of hers and Jackie's existence, my words would likely fall on deaf ears."
"We're not exactly your usual modern parents, teacher."
"And you'd be right. But you're a wonderful pair. One who knows how to show appreciation," Chiron pointed out. Achilles could almost feel the envy in his voice. His wish was so simple, yet he could only watch as others felt it. Yet, it never weighed his smile down. "You make me proud, Achilles. I knew you could become a great parent."
"I surprised myself… I just wish I could be better still." Though he meant it more for how often he still made mistakes, there was some truth in the present too.
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It was another big risk, but there was a window. Penthesilea had decided to spar with Leonidas and Quetzalcoatl at the Training Grounds; Spartacus said she wasn't going to let sleep oppress her. With her distracted and much further away, Achilles felt comfortable enough to risk repercussions in favor of a blissful moment. One that brought him a new sense of satisfaction that his heavy heart could really use right now.
So, with lights dimmed, he found himself in Jack and Nursery Rhyme's room. Though they were cheerful and happy he was here, they kept their enthusiasm down. It tripled in their expressions instead. Even Kirby seemed happy as he flapped around the room like some sort of cartoon blimp. Achilles plucked him out of the air by his foot. "Poyo!?"
"Time for bed means you too." When he'd done reading on family pets, the last thing he expected to deal with was a flying puffball. But, there were many quirks in this family, and in regular living, that he still didn't quite grasp. "Let's get you tucked in. Jackie could use her cute friend, right, Jackie?"
"Thank you, Daddy~!" Jackie quietly cheered as she grasped the small, pink pet in her arms. Now clasped to her pajamas, Kirby squirmed happily as Jack hugged him. Yet, she didn't lay back onto her bed. "Mmm… Can you read us a quick bedtime story?"
"I don't think he can, dear," Atalanta, in a slim jade nightgown, offered quietly from the other bed. In it, Nursery Rhyme was already gently tucked into the sheets. The caster beamed as Atalanta gently planted a kiss on her head, then glanced back to her other daughter. Though she smiled, her frown was prominent. "Penthesilea's at the training ground, but…"
At the mention of her name, Jack pouted. Kirby seemed to match the expression. "She's a meanie... Daddy, she yelled at me for saying you were my Daddy!"
"As long as she didn't do anything more than that," Achilles said with slightly narrowed eyes. Yes, he wanted to reason with the queen, but protecting his children came first. He counted his blessings she didn't outright attack any of his family by association. That didn't mean she didn't come close, or so he heard. "Don't worry, Jackie. Alice… It'll all be over soon. Then everything can go back to normal."
"Back to a happily ever after!" Nursery Rhyme declared cheerfully. As Atalanta rubbed her head with a warm smile, the caster glanced to her sister. Then to Achilles. "…Mmmmmm… If not a bedtime story, maybe a quick cartoon? Pretty please?"
He and Atalanta shared a quick look. They knew what that was likely going to end up being. And as much as it was a terrible, terrible idea… he smiled lightly. "…Alright. A quick bed time story."
"Achilles…" Atalanta warned hesitantly, but he shook his head as his two girls happily cheered.
"I'm tired of hiding, Atalanta. It's been a day since I could be their father. We'll… just make it quick."
Though she still looked conflicted, Achilles reached out telepathically. "Leonidas. Can I ask for a colossal favor? I'll figure out how to repay you later."
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Of course there was only one way it'd end up. It was the same routine every time his daughters asked for a bedtime story, cartoon, or movie. Tonight, they wound up sitting on their plush rug among comfy pillows. Atalanta would be nestled into his side, while Jackie would happily sit in his lap; Nursery Rhyme would be in hers. He and Atalanta would hold the book with one hand each, taking turns reading for their daughters.
And, of course, the girls would fall asleep and curl into pleasantly sleeping balls that refused to move. The parents would be cemented there. The only difference these days was that Kirby rested between his daughters, gently snoozing while balled up into Jack's side. Stuck, Achilles usually wouldn't be escaping until morning lest he wake them up.
Which is why he hoped Leonidas wouldn't be warning him about Penthesilea changing her mind about training all night.
"Achilles? You're certain he'll…" Atalanta began softly. He gently squeezed his arm around her, ensuring she felt his reassuring affection.
"You know him and Quetz. They'll keep her occupied… If not, I'll just wake the girls sooner before anything happens."
"You're taking a big risk," Atalanta complained softly, but she laid her head on his shoulder to betray her own admissions. She breathed softly, and her furry ear tickled his neck; He missed this so much in the span of a day. "…I'm glad it's almost over. This was exhausting."
"Yea…" he quietly admitted. As Atalanta reached over to gently bring the makeshift blanket to them, Achilles carefully tried to adjust his two concealment capes. They couldn't just fall off, but he needed to sit comfortably. As he sat up partially to give it more flex, he paused as his movements made Jack pout and squirm. He quickly fixed the offending tug, sat back, and felt himself smile as Jack settled down. Her small hand clutched onto his cape, and she nuzzled her head into his chest.
The warrior life was all he knew. Comfort of home were a far-flung fantasy, but one that had become a new calling. He saw it as a necessity to get closer to Atalanta at first, but now, he'd admit, it had grown on him well. There was something about being looked up and depended on to so eagerly by two enthusiastic girls that just bolstered the heart like no other.
Perhaps its only rival was to feel that same appreciation and dependency from his lover.
"…I'm sorry for dragging all of you into this…" he voiced quietly. He gazed over his daughters, then met Atalanta's eyes as she finished carefully winding the blanket over them. Before she nestled back onto his shoulder, she reached over and planted a quick, chaste kiss on his lips. He smiled, but sighed. "You're too forgiving."
"I can spare some leeway for my girls' hero," she simply smiled back, then lounged back on his shoulder. Their hero, for that was what a proper father was to his family. A protector of their happiness and his lover's beautiful dream. Her smile faded slightly. "…You'll stay up all night?"
"It's for the best. I can't afford any hesitation while…" Achilles didn't continue. Instead, after a moment, he rested his gently head on Atalanta's. "Mm… Good night, Kitten. Love you."
"I love you too," she quietly murmured. He felt the exhaustion leak out into her breath and onto his shoulder. He would have sighed, but he didn't want to disturb any of them anymore; Part of him did. He didn't want to be left alone to his thoughts. Nevertheless, moments later, after Atalanta drifted off to join her daughters, Achilles was alone in silence.
Only the gentle breathing of her girls and the family pet joined him. Their orchestra that pulled at his heart deeper than ever before. These girls, who meant the world to him, had been in danger because of him. Their realized dreams could be ruined because his past came back to haunt him. Sure, Atalanta was a strong woman, but the thought of her facing a maddened Penthesilea, who may have seen her as a way of exacting revenge on him… Or to go after his daughters…
No. That thought was impossible. As much as it concerned him, it wouldn't happen. Penthesilea was proud and honorable, so her vengeance would be exacted on him alone in bloody combat… Yet madness could do anything, like making her turn on Gudao for 'lying' against her own wishes. Nothing was certain while dealing with her in that state.
But what remained certain were the facts that taunted his mind. There's a split in Chaldea on what should be done, but Da Vinci made the order. The deadline for her decision was this afternoon. Penthesilea is firm on her grudge; Her answer to the ultimatum was unmovable. Soon, Penthesilea would be removed from Chaldea against her wishes…
Throughout the night, Achilles, awake and alert, was haunted by those words.
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Penthesilea had decided to catch some sleep just shy of four in the morning. Though his daughters pouted when he had to wake them up, it had turned to sad concern moments later; Those expressions were as powerful as their happiness. Regardless, after quick kisses, he vanished into spirit form.
Though his thoughts bothered him all night, the early hours and ticking clock had given him a sense of… clarity. Achilles struggled to find an answer, but there were only so few unviable ones; He'd come to accept that, even if he didn't agree. Yet his ambition, that which has always driven him forward, declared nothing was impossibly. He had yet to actually act on anything. The only guaranteed miss was to never take a shot at all.
Thus, in the last hour, his mind worked frantically on a possibility. The option was an old, nonviable one… but he could make it viable. That's what heroes did: They made the impossible possible through their sheer defiance and strength. Minute by minute, as he carefully planned, he grew confident. Hopeful. Overconfident.
Placing his trust in this wild shot, he appeared at the Training Grounds. 'No wonder they called it…'
The blizzard was at its peak. Winds and snow battered against his armor, but it couldn't move him. His mind was set. Only his concealment capes billowed among the howling expanse, blinded by white. He trudged forward through the snow towards the edge of the plateau. All the while he kept alert in case the queen had detected him; He felt nothing.
But, he did see something peculiar.
As he walked through winter's wrath, his servant vision could pick out a faintly glowing peculiarity. Mixed with the white, he nearly missed the kimono, which stood eerily still by the cliffside; The wind barely even thrashed long, black hair that fell down her back. No, strangely enough, the woman who watched his approach only stood like a beautiful winter mirror beneath an aurora sky. After a tiny smile as he stopped in momentary confusion, Shiki, or who he thought she was, vanished into the haze of white and growing twilight.
His mind only hung up on it for a moment. The minutes after were wreathed in final, careful calculation and contingencies. He knew what he was about to do was crazy; He'd accepted it. Achilles didn't want to, but he had to so she might have a chance to stay. He understood the grim worst-case scenario, but if anyone was capable of avoiding the worst, it was him. The rider could do it. Impossibly agile and confronting an opponent he knew well, he could manage this with minimal aggression.
Sadly, only a part of Achilles screamed he was being arrogant as he quickly ripped off his concealment capes and stuffed them into his leather messenger bag. As he threw it safely to the wayside by the mountain, he committed to his decision so none in Chaldea was forced to. But he could do this.
The legendary hero would right what was his responsibility.
"I heard you've been looking for me? Meet me at the Training Grounds. I'd like to have a word with you."