Chapter 2: The Past and the Priest

I didn't get the best night's rest but it was enough to restore my mana. The holes in the mattress meant the springs would occasionally poke into my back. It was better that a dagger, but it still woke me up throughout the night.

The sun was up which meant I would begin a typical day in the life of Hazel Matterhorn.

During the day I would try to go to public places. Diners, libraries, places where if the Mage's Association were to go after me, they couldn't attack with witnesses. They would not risk the lives of others and the exposure. I was smart and in my mind it wasn't really cowardly, I just wanted time to relax, and controlling the environment was something that made it easy to insure my safety.

The library was my favorite place to go, even if I couldn't read the languages fluently. People looked at me and were surprised. I guess dressing like a punk means I should be smoking cigarettes on the stoop and vandalizing private property. Whatever; everyone has an excuse for why people behave the way they do. I kill mages and executioners to protect myself, while others call me a murderer.

I ended up in the world literature section. I figured if I could find a copy in English, I could read the Epic of Gilgamesh again. There was one, with corners ripped and a title that had faded over time. It had been a while since I read it, the last time was when I was ten.

I had a life before this. I wasn't always killing to protect myself. I did have a family, but they were taken from me.

My father, Charles Matterhorn, was a mage but worked as an archivist. He collected rare and sacred artifacts from around the world. He would switch sides between the Mages Association and the Church, depending on what supplies were needed and who paid him more. Though he was seen as weak for basically being a librarian, he was a strong fighter and mage. He saw that knowledge always gave an upper hand, and that the fighting would come later.

My mother Leila was a seventh generation mage, just as he was, which was rare to find. Though our family's magic was strong, we were humble about it. We did not live in a big mansion to expose our wealth, but instead lived in suburbia.

He would call me his little explorer because I was always looking through his things. I would often help clean weapons, and whenever he brought a new artifact back I would try to guess where it came from. I learned a lot from him and it still sticks with me. I always read what I could to understand and identify where things came from. I caught on quickly, and my dad was so proud that someone would carry on his family legacy. But that didn't keep the Mage's Association away from us.

I began flipping through the pages of the epic. It was short, so I took my time enjoying the prose. It was funny how after meeting the King of Heroes, I could see more of the selfish acts. I had always been reminded by my father how powerful these legendary heroes were, and that still didn't help. I guess when you are that powerful you are bound to have a god-complex. Heck, I even act like that.

I managed to get to Enkidu's death but my mind kept wandering back to the past. My father always let me read and discuss these books with him. I closed it, I couldn't focus. I put the book back and walked out of the library. I just needed to clear my head.

My mother was kind, she mostly spent time with my sister, Richelle. I always called her Rikki. She had the best smile, with big brown eyes and the same black hair. She was shy unlike me. I would always have to ask for things or take blame because she was too afraid to be a burden or be wrong.

Of course that changed when we were taken. It was winter, we still had the tree up though it was after the New Year. I was helping my father with dishes and Rikki was playing with a doll under that tree. Mother was with her. She was 6 at the time and I was 10.

I heard a knock at the door. It was almost ten, I remember that. And my dad looked, fearful of what they had come for.

"What is it Father?"

"Wait here, Hazel." He set down the plate but I saw he had a dagger in his pocket. I believe it was his father's, and was given to him when he became a full-fledged magus. I stood and watched them enter.

"Where are they?" My father pointed at me. They came at me and held me down. One in particular had silver hair and glasses. He stared at me then scoffed.

"They'll do." He walked out and I was taken. I could see my father's face holding back tears. My mother was emotionless. Rikki seemed to go quietly, as though she was prepared. I was confused, Father gave me a hug though they tried to restrain me.

"Hazel, I'm sorry. Please, go be my explorer."

"Father. Please, what's happening?" Rikki had already been taken to the car. I was walking out. And the man with the silver hair remained in the house. Through the crack of the door I saw him pull out a gun. There was a few shots fired but there was still motion. The car drove away before I could see if my parents were still alive.

They are dead now, I'm sure of it. Mostly because when Rikki and I were brought to the Mage's Association, the silver haired man was there. He stared at my sister and I like we were specimens, which is exactly what he thought of us.

"You should feel honored. You've been chosen for a special experiment."

"Where are our parents?" I said. "What did you do?" He chuckled. That's when I saw the dagger in his pocket. Blood still on the blade.

"We're your family now, Hazel." He stared into my eyes. "But you will call me Augustus. Think of me as your new father." I didn't do anything. I just pouted.

"I want mommy." Rikki began to cry. The one time she couldn't stay silent, but she didn't understand what was going on. Augustus kicked her in the head, across the room. I ran over to her.

"She's dead. This is your life now." Rikki had a bruise. I was enraged but remained stoic. He was one of the Mage's Association. But he became my worst nightmare for the next five years.

Both Rikki and I were implanted with amplifiers. It was painful. Rikki's went into her back and I had one in each arm. I remember that they bounded them to our magic circuits, seeing the blood and feeling each circuit be ripped and put back into place. It was worse than any injury I could imagine. But I took it and so did she. I tried not to scream because Rikki was hysterical and I couldn't bear to see her cry. That was only the beginning. My hazel eyes turned gold, and Rikki's became a bright fuchsia.

For five years we trained and worked for the Mage's Association. For the most part Rikki and I were practicing how to use our amplifiers, fighting various weapons and spells to know how to defend ourselves. But once in a while we were called when they were unable to eliminate a target the first time. That's how I saw them, not as people. Rikki and I were able to take them out on the first try. It was easier for me than Rikki, she still had hope that we didn't have to kill, but then she would get tortured. Most of the time I took the final blow and lie so that I would get the brunt of the punishment for not finishing the job.

But it was here in Fuyuki where I had turned my back on the Association. Rikki and I were told that the bridge had been attacked and that a giant monster was spotted. There was something about a gold blast but they had mostly told us to check it out, and I didn't ask further.

When we arrived there was a black cloud that formed in one of the suburbs and we had a disagreement. I didn't know what that cloud was, but I had a feeling that it would explode. I wasn't going to see who caused it because it was a powerful force, I felt it was better to evacuate people in the area. However, Rikki was scared and said to leave them. We had been given orders that if it was too dangerous to let it be and leave. We had killed innocents in the past because they had seen too much, but this would be genocide.

I hadn't realized it but as I walked I had wandered into the suburb. Guess fate has a funny way of taking you where you don't want to go. It was a forest now but the ground still felt like ash. They hadn't rebuilt it, probably because it was a mass grave site. The night came back in my mind, I sat down on a bench as I remembered the flash of fire.

My instinct was right that night. The cloud erupted in flames and I put up my shield. I couldn't protect her, She was too far away. If I expanded the shield it wouldn't be strong enough to protect us from the flames. So I grabbed the closest person I could find, and little boy with red hair. I encased him in a gold shield, and Rikki stared at me. The fire in cased my shield but it broke just before the blast resided. The boy flew and hit his head on a rock. A piece a metal hit my calf before the blowing flames ended. I covered my wound with cloth from a dead person's clothes and began to search.

I called for Rikki, but I couldn't see or hear her. She had to be dead. I had no family now. As I walked amongst the bodies, I realized that the Association could have prevented this. Why would they tell us to let it be if we were supposed to investigate? Unless they knew what was going on and felt that if it was in the final stage to let it be.

My only guess was that they would want to wipe out anyone who saw the bridge incident. Pass it off as a terrorist attack or something. I just wished it had never gotten to that point, but being that I was alone now I felt it was best to explore. See the world and the places my father would talk about. After that explosion I thought they would declare me dead and find the next kid to experiment on.

I sat on the bench for a bit, enjoying the breeze. The sun was beginning to set and I was glad that for once I could sit and feel the sun on my face without having the past echo in my head. I closed my eyes but it wasn't long before I heard a familiar voice.

"You're still here." It was Gilgamesh. Seems I can never have one second to myself.

"Yeah, I needed to recharge." I thought it was strange that he would have followed me. "Have you been watching me all day?" He sat on the bench next to me.

"I was told to. Trust me I have better things to do." Did someone want me dead? I wasn't sure. Thinking that he was that King of Heroes only meant that he wouldn't work under anyone, unless he respected them.

"Look I was going to get out tonight so you don't have to follow me. You can go back to your business."

"Why leave so soon? I have an acquaintance who would like to meet you." So there was someone else. I figured it was who would know my name.

"Is he going to kill me?" Gilgamesh chuckled but there was hesitation, as though that would be a possibility.

"Please Hazel, this would be a civil matter. He said that you may remember his name. Kirei Kotomine?"

I remembered him. My father was good friends with the family, and often did business with them. I was little when I met him but he seemed to be a kind man. Silent, but did not appear to be harmful unless he had to be. I could trust that he would not attack me for one night.

"Yes, the name sounds familiar." I stood up. "I guess I could pay him a visit."

"Good. Come this way." I wondered what he had been up to. He had a reputation as one of the more ruthless executioners for the Church, but he had since retired. Personally trusting him would be a mistake. But I can at least hold conversation with him, to see what he wants with me.

We walked in silence, I would occasionally look around the forest. We got to the church and I opened the door. Gilgamesh vanished in a gold mist and I enter.

"Hello?" I asked. There was no lights except what was left of the sunset.

"Hazel Matterhorn." I forgot how low his voice was. But a priest has to make sure his presence is known.

"Yeah?" I stood in the middle of the aisle. I didn't want to go closer unless I knew it wasn't a trap.

"Please sit. You don't have to be afraid." I didn't move.

"I'm not. Just cautious."

"I wouldn't invite you here if I were to kill you." I had heard that many times, but he wouldn't kill in his own church. I stepped forward and sat in the first pew.

"That's true. Executioners believe in ambush, kill, and run. Mages like to present themselves."

"So you have a record. Over one hundred kills in the past five years. That's impressive for your age."

"Thank you."

"And you took no mercy in killing. Like you enjoy it." That wasn't completely true, but I had to play along.

"I always like a good fight. But none of them were challenging, they were simple to kill."

"So you want a challenge?"

"Well it would be nice to have peace and quiet. But as long as they are in my path I'll kill them." Though I was alone, my mind was never clear. The past would always be imprinted on me.

"So you don't care for their families?" He was asking the morality questions. I guess as long as I am in a church I can answer honestly.

"They made an oath as you do. They vow they would die for the Mage's Association, and their families understand that."

"So that's how you justify it." It was Gilgamesh. "At least you don't have remorse for them."

"They're dead. They don't need my sympathy. And if someone wants to avenge them. Then fine, I'll kill them too." Kirei had a grim smile. The moon silhouetted his face.

"I like your demeanor. Your father had the same ideas."

"I remember you." I paused. "My father said he could trust the Kotomine family to finish what they begin."

"Charles spoke about you often. Told me you would be the next archivist. He also said you helped him clean my blades, right?"

"I recall it." I was scared to do it. When I was younger, I thought of how many people he killed with those blades. Never thought I would become someone with as many kills, but a child can never know what the future holds.

"I was sorry to hear about his passing. He was excellent at his job."

"I appreciate that."

"You can stay here for the next few days if you'd like."

"Thanks. I will, but under one condition." I paused. "Tell me where I shouldn't go." He hesitated.

"You think I have secrets?" Did he think I was stupid? Of course he did. A secret room or closet that I shouldn't enter. I would hate to be killed over a mistake.

"I can hear the blood on your lips. You enjoy violence and chaos. I saw the blood on your blades as a child. Which only means there are places I should avoid, things you don't want an outsider to know."

He just stared at me, I could see Gilgamesh smirking in the corner, Kirei must not be used to being put in his place. But I just had to cover my grounds.

"So tell me where I shouldn't go; that way you don't kill me."

"There is a corridor in the left wing of the church with a shelter. As long as you avoid that, you'll be safe." He answered quickly. I almost thought he was going to say nothing.

"Good."

"You're clever." He said "That is good to be in a world like ours. Now if you excuse me, I have other matters to attend too." He walked out calmly, and Gilgamesh remained in the corner of the church, sipping a glass of wine.

"You must fear death so much that you avoid it."

"I kill don't I? I don't fear death, but if I can die in battle instead of by trespassing then that would be preferred."

"For a mongrel you speak so formally."

"My father always told me when dealing with powerful beings to be formal. But, if I felt they were not a threat than I could say whatever I want."

"So you find Kirei and I threatening?" He knew they answer to that. But, being a King, probably wanted a peasant to give him a compliment.

"I'm no King of Heroes. And I have seen Kirei's work. I will not tread where I'm not wanted."

"So you understand your place. That's good Hazel." He offered a glass of wine which I accepted.

"Call me a coward, but I can't do anything if I am dead." I tested it first before I took a sip. Checking for arsenic or other spells. There was nothing but Gilgamesh picked up on what I was doing.

"You're smart." He laughed. "To think I king would give you tainted wine. I can respect your caution." He took a final sip and put down his glass.

"Pride kills most, because they do not understand when to surrender."

"I wouldn't say that exactly." I paused to take a sip. "I know the stories, the epic, but I have yet to see the reality."

"So you do wish to challenge?" I could see a golden gate begin to open. We were not going to fight, which meant I had to talk him down.

"I only wish to see you in action. If I stay more of those mages will come. You'll have plenty of mongrels to kill."

"Fine." His gate closed. "But they should come soon."

"They will." I got up. I was just going to sleep in a pew. "May I just make one suggestion?"

"And what would that be?" I laughed.

"You should change your look. Snake skin pants will get you mugged." He glared at me.

"And you think I couldn't kill a thief?"

"No, but if you want to be able to wander in the city, you may want to dress so you don't draw attention."

"You'd expect me to dress as a commoner?" He didn't understand, and wasn't going to.

"Nevermind. It was just a suggestion." I turned my back. "I'll be sleeping in the pews."

"There is a bed upstairs."

"It's fine, I'm used to sleeping on the ground."

"You might as well enjoy living as a Queen, even if it is only for a night."

"Fine." I gulped the rest of the wine and went upstairs and he disappeared without a word, probably because I didn't consume my wine properly. It was strange talking to people again. Not always having to worry about the voices in my head, reminding me of the past. It was time again to rest, being certain I would have a battle to fight soon. But that could wait. Gilgamesh was right, I might as well enjoy a bed like a Queen, depending on what tomorrow would hold.