Chapter 8: Freedom

We reached the train just in time, and I fell asleep once the ride began. My mana wasn't going to restore itself and we were going to be in the same place for a few hours. I took the window seat, and he sat near the aisle. I told him that way he'd be closer to the wine. Gilgamesh didn't seem to mind me sleeping, it only meant I could annoy him less.

I dreamt of fighting. It calmed me down. Not exactly normal, but I guess the confidence boost helped. Most of the time they were flashbacks from when Rikki and I worked for the Mages Association. The people we fought, and killed. I remembered back then, feeling like I was serving a purpose. There were terrible things in the world, but at least I could move forward.

The past was in my dreams, and I began to see my father. His kind brown eyes and glasses. I was in the workshop where he kept the artifacts. Some being very valuable. It seemed so long ago that I had a home and a mentor. That I wasn't lost and could trust so easily. However, a thought occurred to me, once they announced we were exiting China. I realized I wasn't in that reality. I knew that something would kill me, being Kirei and Gilgamesh had a connection.

Though I wanted to think that Gilgamesh came just for the show, I felt that there may be something more. Kirei may have expected I'd go to the compound, and Gilgamesh was insurance that I wouldn't make it out. How could I be blind to that? I had to prepare for two battles. I couldn't trust anyone in the world, no matter how perfect it seemed in my dreams.

When I opened my eyes, I noticed that was resting on his shoulder. I moved away.

"I was wondering when you were going to move your head." He didn't open his eyes. I didn't know what he was thinking, but the smirk on his face made me guess he was planning something.

"Sorry to be a bother, I know you're used to having women at your feet." I was aggravated and looked out the window. He laughed.

"I didn't mind." My attention was focused outside.

"Good." I said and crossed my arms.

"You're rather direct." Was he unable to see what I was trying to do? I had to funnel my rage toward this event, I had to block out what was unnecessary.

"I'm focused." I tried to close my eyes again. We would be to the first stop in about an hour, I had time to sleep.

At our first stop I took care of dealing with the stewardess. We had three more transfers after this but Gilgamesh seemed curious as we walked onto the train.

"So what is the path?" He asked. "Where are the stops on your campaign?"

"We only have one place to go." He didn't know. He probably thought the train rides wouldn't take this long. We'd be too Europe soon enough, but Kirei was the only one who I mentioned where I was going, and that was a lie. My only hope was that I would still be able to surprise them. "I don't need to get involved in other situations. There is only one place that caused me grief." I was doing my best to keep my mouth shut about Kirei though I wanted to ask. I had to wait for him to say something.

"Then be free to stew on your plan." He crossed his arms. I didn't have many snarky comments to throw his way. I had to think of how I would go about killing. Talking to Gilgamesh would only take my attention away from the plan, which is probably what Kirei wanted him to do.

I decided to remain silent for the rest of the train rides unless I had to discuss transport. I had to keep my mind off of the past until I got there. Gilgamesh seemed to question the silence, at least when I looked at him a few times, but he didn't raise any concerns.

The tickets did take us to our location, after a couple of transfers at the boarders. We had to go up through Kazakhstan and Russia. It didn't make sense to me, but it was the cheap route. Otherwise I would have taken a plane if I was by myself. I hated flying, one was the price, but primarily it was not being able to jump off and land on the ground.

After that we began to walk, which is when Gilgamesh dematerialized. I hitched hiked with a few travelers heading toward the Mediterranean Sea. Though Rikki and I were taken to a facility in England originally, the actual compound was located in the south of France. Rikki and I were transported after begin knocked out from the operation with the amplifiers. My guess was they didn't want use to know the location at first. At least until we got older.

I was silent, Gilgamesh vanished but I assumed he was around. I stopped jumping in cars when I got to Romania. I mostly wanted a change of pace. The walk was relaxing and helped me play scenarios in my head. I managed after a week, to sneak onto a cruise ship that was heading to the right location from a Grecian port. I stayed in the lower levels so I wouldn't get caught. It was weird knowing that he was present but not visible. However I had an idea for him to show himself. At one point I stole a bottle of wine and glasses from outside of a honeymoon suite. I didn't feel too bad considering they could complain and get compensation.

When I opened it I noticed that is was bottled before I was born. I poured myself a glass and I saw a flash of gold next to me.

"I thought this would bring you out of hiding." I said, and poured a glass and handed it to him. He smirked.

"You stole wine for me?" He asked.

"I've never gotten drunk before. Figured this would be a good time to do it." I thought he wouldn't like the taste. He seemed to be picky, but then actually drank it. After a sip he set the glass and bottle down and took out his own from a golden portal. He poured me a glass. I was surprised.

"I'll admit it was a good effort." He said, and handed me the glass. I took a sip. Wine wasn't my favorite, but this was quite good. Probably because he only wanted to the finest things. Though this wasn't on my bucket list, but getting drunk with the King of Heroes would be enjoyable.

After four glasses of wine I had reached my limit. I looked over the railing because it was at least something to grab onto. I was still coherent, but I laughed more, and couldn't stop smiling. He faced the water too, we stood there in silence for a moment.

I thought that this may be the last time I could enjoy myself. I was always guarded with everyone I met. I actually felt relaxed for once since I had come to Fuyuki. I was looking out at the sea, the water rustling. It was relaxing.

"We'll be there soon. But I thought it would be nice to relax with some wine." I didn't look at him, though I could tell he was closer to me than before.

"Tell me, if you could have anything in the world, what would it be?" This was a question I was prepared for, even if I was inebriated.

"Now that's a question." I could feel my face was numb, but I wasn't going to get this question wrong. "Because you see everything in the world as your possession, right? This is your garden." I let go of the railing to gesture to the sea but I almost fell over. I smiled at him and he smirked in agreement.

"That's true." He moved closer to me, I kept looking at the water. "But humor me for a moment." The wind was blowing. I felt I could give him and honest answer. No one else would hear it.

"To experience true freedom. Be able to go out in the daylight and not have to hide behind books and cafes. Just to be a person, not a monster."

"So to be unbound is your wish?" He took another sip of his wine. I could feel a single tear run down my face. That is all I wanted now.

"Yes." His face was close to mine. I thought he was going to kiss my cheek, but he whispered in my ear.

"Then you should turn back." I backed away.

"Excuse me?" I asked, now facing him. My guard was up again.

"In time the world will forget you. One soul taken from the garden will not make a difference. If you are patient then you will fade out of existence." The words twisted in my head. He was saying how worthless I was, that he was in control and that this wouldn't matter. But what I felt mattered, and revenge was the only way the Mages Association would understand my pain.

"I've tried but they won't stop." I put the glass of wine down on the tray. "Don't drag me out of this fight, Gilgamesh. That is my only focus, and no matter how worthless you say I am…"

"I did not say that…" His tone had changed but I knew what he meant.

"If my death won't make a difference to you then why are you here?" We stared at each other for a moment. Maybe he would admit that Kirei wanted him to kill me. Either way, I was done with him until we reached the compound. "I won't play into your hand. We'll be there in three days."

"You are a stubborn woman." He vanished. That was the last I saw him on the cruise line. He took the last of the wine which was expected. I guess it wasn't so terrible. But I couldn't back away now. He knew now, the one thing I wanted, whether it be dead or alive.

It was late when we came upon the compound. I found the main electrical panel outside of the barrier and was able the trace the shape and security system. It was still the same shape with one main entrance and a circular structure that was underground. The outer hallway went around the perimeter and the sphere in the center.

The sphere was set up in layers, with the main sparing area at the core. I would have to fight through each layers, all seven, before I got to the center, which was likely where Augustus would hide. The others would most likely try to fight me before doing so. But If I had control of the electricity, I could open and close the gates when I wanted. I'd have power to manipulate who to fight.

"Do you have a plan?" Gilgamesh showed up. I wasn't expecting it but it was a good thing he came.

"Yes." After tapping the wire for the generator, I was able to take control of the security system. "I'll close the gates and shut down the power. Just take care of the guards."

"Hazel."

"What? Is that too much for you?" I was being sarcastic but he didn't get the joke.

"Don't get short with me. A dagger can go two ways." That was it. I knew now that he would kill me. He made it clear. But like Kirei, he was only important for a moment, then I could ignore him. Besides, he already told me that over confidence was the key. I wasn't going to lose that principle.

I tapped into the security system, and locked down the doors. The guards scrambled. There were only five. Gilgamesh opened five small portals and took them out with swords through the chest. The fact that he was so calm, and do it with little effort was crazy to me. He didn't have to work, because he had every weapon imaginable. I had to go now while there was an opening, and slid through the skylight above the main entrance.

"What would you suggest now?" He asked.

"If anyone escapes, kill them. I'm going in." I began to walk and he grabbed my left shoulder.

"Hazel. What do you hope to gain from this?" It was hard if he wanted me to turn back, or continue. His inflection was uninterested, with a small hint of sincerity. But, I may have just been imagining that.

"Closure. An end to the cycle." I smiled and turned to look at him one more time, to stare at his serpent eyes. I let out a sigh before. "Any wise words, King of Heroes?" He chuckled.

"This is a chaos you created, and if you feel you must end it, then go forth and kill. But the world will still be a terrible place if you escape." He too was overconfident, and now the time came where I had to ignore him. I turned my back.

"Once I do." I had to take him up on his advice. Being over confident and not holding back. This had to be my focus for the next step of my plan, but it was also like a dream come true. "I always wanted to die in battle. And if I get revenge that is even better." I walked forward and stopped before the muddy hill. "Also, now I get to impress my favorite hero." I slid down and began to run towards the compound.

It was true. Out of all of the artifacts and stories my father told me of legendary heroes, Gilgamesh was my favorite. It was the power he possessed, that no one could defeat him. If he was to kill me when I got out, then I couldn't paint a better ending.

I kicked the skylight in and came through. It was the only opening since I locked all the escape routes. There were footprints I heard coming from my left side. I walked forward, I was in control. I began to walk along the perimeter which would eventually lead to the sphere. But when I got to the last hallway before the first layer, about fifty mages stood before me, ready to kill.

Before they could touch me, I used the electricity from the lights and created multiple blades. They came from the ceiling, like icicles, killing at least half of the crowd. The rest began to charge but I had been saving this trick for a moment like this. It was no use, I didn't even have to move, and they all began to fall until all that existed was a field of bodies to step over.

The blood began to soak into my shoes. I made sure people were dead by slitting throats just in case. The compound was a maze, but the idea was that the center was where the experiments took place. That is where the majority of members would retreat to. This was just the first wave. More would come.

I opened the first door and two other mages were there. I prepared my blades and charged towards them. They tried to strike me but I got to them first, and blew holes through their chests. More joined, and ten managed to pin me to the wall. I shocked them with my shield and just kept slicing through them like meat. I focused on the chests and nothing else. I wasn't going to look at their faces. They didn't deserve that, they saw me as expendable when I was here. That's how Augustus viewed all of us, and this is what happened when you caged a beast for too long.

Blood flew onto my face and hair. The smell was something I had to block out, but the taste was real enough. I had to keep moving, the mage I wanted hadn't shown his face yet. No matter what weapon or spell, my blades could pierce them and my shield could protect. I was moving at an unthinkable speed. I lost count of the layers because the process was on repeat. Open the door, kill, and close the door. They were all experienced mages, but they seemed unaccustomed to my fighting style. Some managed to cut my arm or leg, but my injuries went unnoticed. If they didn't kill me, then I was fine.

I came upon the final room. The door was something I couldn't forget. This was the last place Augustus could hide. It appeared I had killed those who would guard the door prior. My footprints left a streak of blood on the white tile floors. I would be Death knocking at his door.

Memories of the sparing room came back into my head. I waited a moment before opening the door. This was where I learned to fight, Augustus was planning this. I finally had a chance to confront the man that took everything from me. I was ready to rip his throat out for all the times he said that he was our father, he was going to be torn apart.

I opened the door. When I stood up I saw him with his grey hair, still carrying his pistol at his side. He was smiling.

"So Hazel." Augustus paused. "You've come home."