Hello everyone!
It has been a while, you will tell me! The vacations were good, and made me want to explore my files and my fanfics in progress. I managed to find a more advanced version in my secondary archives than the one I had in my main archives. I have reread what I have written so far, so I can share it with you.
Do not be surprised to find familiar characters, including OCs. It is normal, this is an independent Alternate Universe located in the "Archetype" multiverse. However, their role, age and history may differ, that is normal. I have adapted them to the particular context of Spirits of the Past.
As usual, I will be happy to listen to you. Do not hesitate to leave a comment or to contact me by PM!
Have a good reading,
Lenia41
Update : Corrections done (2023/11/30)
Chapter 1 - The Dawn of the Aegis
Academy of Magi, London, England. 2004, one month later.
The mages were shaken by the bloody dawn that followed the long night of the Grail War. Bruised by an unexplained injury, the Holy Cup had emptied of its dark streams. Tears of Heaven or Hell, its cursed blood had spilled over this world in furious showers of mana.
The flames that were eating away at Fuyuki were finally extinguished by the heavy rain that fell on the city, leaving in its wake only the ashes, the soot and the inert bodies of the victims of the district where the last clashes had raged. The reconstruction work started again in the following days, as if to erase as many traces as possible of these terrible confrontations.
The human world was disfigured forever and would never again be as it had been. Indeed, they would never again be the only conscious and civilized beings who populated these lands.
Everywhere on the surface of the globe, legendary figures emerged from the shadows of the past and from oblivion. In this way, they were freed from their chains and confused Heroic Souls began to search for the meaning of their new existence, freed from their enslavement to the mages and the Holy Broken Cup.
Karim Salar had always been a modest teacher at the Mage Academy in London. He was a twenty-five year old Iraqi who had obtained his British citizenship some years ago and lived a quiet life with his wife and children who had emigrated with him. Enjoying this humble and uneventful existence, balanced between his lectures, conferences and archaeological expeditions around the world, he was only remotely interested in the confrontations surrounding the Grail War that had raged in the distant lands of Japan.
He was more concerned about the consequences of this, worried about the preservation of archaeological sites that might be contested between mages, non-mages, and the ancient Servants. The professor was also concerned for the local populations, trapped in the midst of violent fighting, who were still weakened from a long series of civil and religious wars.
Television, radio and the Internet only exacerbated these burning tensions.
One of the Middle East's leading archaeologists and specialists in magical civilizations stood with a slightly rounded, well-built figure as he gave his lecture in the amphitheater. His thick black hair a little disheveled, his square and dry face with a short beard on his chin, displayed a severity belied by his brown eyes sparkling with mischief and intelligence and by his frank and composed smile. Rather than following the dress code advocated by many of the Academy's teachers, Karim liked loose-fitting pants like sarouels and comfortable shirts, complemented by a short jacket with many pockets here and there.
He was passionately recounting the roots of the ancient magical civilizations of the Arab regions when the double doors of the lecture hall opened with a loud crash.
The student's gasped and loud protests began to rumble through the benches.
Accompanied by two mages of high and solid build, a young blonde woman who could not be much older than he was walked up the stairs leading to the heart of the amphitheater.
- Professor Karim Salar? Asked the newcomer in her cold and even voice.
- It is me," the teacher answered calmly.
- In the name of the Council of Mages, I will ask you to accompany us.
The young woman walked with aplomb towards the center of the packed amphitheater, superbly ignoring both the stares of some students and the hisses of disapproval. Karim could understand his students, the end of term exams were approaching fast and they could not suffer the slightest delay if they wanted to prepare them in all serenity.
Noting the doubtful eyebrow that the teacher had raised at her approach, the stranger pulled a badge from one of her jacket pockets to prove her authority. The badge was genuine, bearing both the colors of the Intelligence Service of the Mage Section of England and the coat of arms of the new organization founded by the government. What was the Aegis doing here?
Suspicious, Karim crossed his arms on his chest and put a calm but firm look on this agent.
- Far be it from me to defy the will of the Board, but I wonder, madam. I have about 15 minutes left in class and my students will have this topic on the exam. Can it wait until after class, please? I will be happy to follow you as soon as I finish my subject for the day.
- I understand your concern for your students," said the impassive officer, glancing briefly around the room, "but I can't give you that. You must come with us immediately. I think you are reasonable enough to count on your cooperation, Professor Salar.
The young woman's tone, behind her impeccable politeness, concealed an implacable firmness. An iron hand in a velvet glove... impressive for someone so young. Karim noticed the presence of three other mages who were guarding the exit doors of the room. The archaeologist stared at his interlocutor for a few minutes before replying with weariness.
- I do not understand your haste, but I suppose I have no choice.
- You assume well. It is in your best interest to comply, given the excellence of your academic record and your promising career within the walls of this old institution.
The situation did not please him. Although he had nothing to reproach himself for towards the law and the government of his adopted country, Karim did not like such cavalier procedures at all. After a slight sigh, the teacher put an end to the chatter and student protests with a wave of his hand before turning to the young listeners of his course to address them.
- The class is over. I will send you the course material, the readings to go through and the passages you will have to translate for the next class. Have a good day and see you next week!
Noticing the worried looks of his small group of PhD students, Karim gave him a look that he could not linger and reassured them that their questions would wait until he returned. The professor then turned to the agent, affable but without masking his slight discontent.
- Let's go to the teachers' lounge and get my things immediately, in view of your eagerness.
- As long as you do not linger. We're running out of time, indeed," commented the stranger.
It was under good escort that he left the classroom. The rigidity and the silence of his companions did not reassure Karim much, his interlocutor being only little loquacious.
They looked like professionals, even military. What kind of trouble had he gotten into this time?
Aegis Headquarters, London, England. 2004. Twenty minutes later.
The leaden silence seemed to him more and more oppressive, more especially as Karim had no idea of the place where his 'interlocutors' were leading him. If they did not pronounce a single word, the Iraqi-British could perceive without difficulty the weight of their vigilance on his facts and gestures, like a leaden screed or a sword of Damocles placed right above his poor head.
The curious characters had insisted at the corner of a corridor that he wear a blindfold. Haunted by memories of an expedition to Uruk that had gone wrong before the Fuyuki War, during which he had almost perished buried under ruins demolished by a rocket, Professor Salar had expressed his reservations. Protests that, of course, were not listened to.
Clumsy and blinded, he was held and guided by the iron grip of the young woman whose name he did not know, since she had not even bothered to introduce herself.
This irreverence surprised the researcher, especially from a British national and mage.
Shivers escaped him as he felt the magic crackle around him, like a small discharge of static electricity. They had crossed a barrier, the power of which he could feel. Where in Anu's name were they taking him, blind and under close supervision?
He may have had great patience, but it was beginning to wear thin.
As if sensing his growing impatience, the officer's neutral voice reached him.
- A little more patience, professor. We are almost there.
- With all due respect, madam," began the Iraqi with some annoyance.
- Stay cooperative and everything will be fine," cut off the great stranger of the day with dryness.
- That's good," ironized Karim. Has anyone ever told you that you have the gift of reassuring others?
- No, and that is fine. Reassuring others is not really one of my prerogatives, sir.
Moreover, she had a dry sense of humor, the woman! The teacher-researcher's mood did not improve much with this observation. He almost had the feeling of being accompanied by a robot.
He had to rely on his other senses to find his way around. He heard the paved floor of the Academy give way to the crunch of gravel. He could feel the warm air from outside caressing his skin, telling him he must be somewhere outside. They changed directions several times, before he was led up a series of small stone steps.
He was stopped for a moment before they took a few steps forward. A characteristic ringing sound informed him that they were in an elevator, which was taking them up.
A few more meters in the dark, which made him a little nervous. The terrorists who had sought to slaughter them one after the other in Uruk had done so to hinder him. While he did not think his 'guardians' were hostile to him, the researcher had no guarantee as to the nature of their intentions toward him. Their methods were annoying.
Something titillated both his curiosity and his concern. He could feel it; the magic seemed more concentrated in the places he was being taken than in the corridors of the Academy of Mages.
He was immobilized with dryness before being forced to sit in a chair. Jostled by the maneuver, the blindfold that covered his eyes was abruptly removed, so that the archaeologist was blinded by a sudden and close light source for a few moments. Irritated by this new proof of a lack of manners, the professor grumbled curses in Arabic language.
A male voice, which surprised him by its warmth and low tone, was soon heard.
- Good morning, Professor Salar. Please forgive my colleagues their abruptness, they meant no harm. Their only concern was to transfer you here and to ensure your safety.
- Director," the woman said seriously. With this mission accomplished, may we be excused?
- Permission half granted, Agent Blackbird. Your counterparts can leave now, but I will need you soon. Go and meet your partner, who is waiting for you in the next room. She likes you a lot, so relax with her.
- Yes sir. One remark though, sir. Letting my guard down is contrary to everything I have been taught.
- Then you will have to unlearn what you were taught, in this particular case. Dismissed, agent.
Karim could not help but feel a certain satisfaction when he noticed the slightly pink cheeks of the authoritarian young woman. The jaw of this last one was tightened but she did not make any comment and was satisfied to sketch a military greeting before leaving without asking for its remainder.
Her slightly sardonic smile became more serious as she felt a piercing gaze watching her. Salar turned his head in his direction, his features calm but inquisitive. A figure stood slightly apart. His face was hidden in the gloom, which revealed only a long white toga, bare feet and pale skin. The male voice interrupted her observations.
- Well then, you seem to be intrigued by him. This is a change from previous visitors.
The retreating figure did not answer, remaining motionless and lurking in the shadows. It inspired in Karim rather contradictory feelings: curiosity on the one hand, distrust on the other, and something that the professor had difficulty in defining and distinguishing. The researcher turned his attention to the man who had spoken, quite surprised by the one his eyes saw.
The man was not very tall. His blond hair was sparse with white streaks, especially at his temples. He did not look very old, though, because of the few wrinkles on his oval face. His fine and haughty features surprised the professor, who had expected to find himself facing a solid military man. However, he was well dressed in a navy-blue officer's uniform, with a shoulder full of distinctions. The particularity that marked the researcher the most were the bandages that covered the left half of his face and protruded from his sleeves. His brown eyes, on the other hand, were alert and piercing like the eye of a bird of prey.
It was then that he noticed that the individual was sitting not on a seat, but a wheelchair.
- Professor Salar, a pleasure to meet you. I am Director Edward de Clare, the officer in charge of the organization in charge of interventions related to spirits, the Aegis, where we are.
- It is an honor to meet you, my lord, though I do not know why I am so pleased. I am not a magician of excellence, merely a teacher and researcher among others.
- So do not be so modest, Mr. Salar. I have had ample time to review your file, which has attracted the attention of our offices and encouraged me to invite you to an interview as soon as possible. In all honesty, I was surprised that a civilian like you got their attention, pleasantly surprised.
- Their attention? Karim asked, frowning slightly with intrigue and suspicion.
- All in good time, professor. I have a few questions to ask you, starting with your vision of the spirits. You are aware of their existence, I suppose.
- No offense, milord, but that would be difficult after witnessing the Flood. As for the spirits, I have not had the opportunity to meet them personally. I understand that they exist, and I know of the lands that we wish to reserve for them to avoid conflict.
- What is your opinion about them? Asked the Director with an affable face.
- I have no adoration or animosity towards them. I respect their existence as entities with a conscience and a soul of their own, in many ways our equals. I am not, however, candid enough to believe in the possibility of a cohabitation between mortals and spirituals, for fear of the aberrations that this could cause. A distinct coexistence seems to me wiser so that the two worlds can live serenely, by consensual decisions.
It did not take a genius to come to this conclusion, according to Karim. Anyone with a semblance of common sense would see the perils of both worlds being completely apart and the dangers of getting too close. Salar was not an expert on the subject of spirits, although he was quite well versed in the legends of the Middle east and in particular their ancient civilizations. Having nothing to hide, the professor preferred to lay his cards on the table with his interlocutor. These government sleuths were anyway trained to distinguish lies from truth. Also the archaeologist was not too worried and kept a calm, patient and intrigued attitude.
- Interesting. You have anticipated my question, so I will move on to the next one. Therefore, you are not opposed to the prospect of a collaborative work between their company and ours. The officer replied.
- I do not see any harm in it, as long as rules are defined and respected by both sides. In all humility, the way of the collaboration is wiser than the recourse to the force and the ruse by considering our state of mortals and our limits as mages in the light of their specific aptitudes.
- Cautious and lucid. I can see now how you survived Warka's attack.
- What do you mean...?
- Let's start again, if you will," De Clare cut him off in a friendly but firm voice.
Karim was getting more and more confused as to the purpose of this 'interview', which looked very much like a formal interrogation. The Iraqi professor tried to remain polite and not to lose his patience, but his interlocutors were testing his patience to the limit. After a few questions of a personal nature, they came to the expeditions that he had carried out during his studies and then during his university research. Salar was surprised that they went so far as to test him on his knowledge of oriental mythologies, especially Sumerian.
A rustle of fabric broke the silence that had temporarily settled on the room.
Following the piercing gaze of the officer, the professor turned his head to his left and remained silent.
The figure that had been in the shadows until then came into the light. An androgynous being with a slender waist, draped in white and with bare feet was advancing towards him. Her clear skin underlined the emerald glare of her long and stiff hair, framing two eyes of a peaceful and attentive blue-green. Without a word she glided, like a dancer with infinite grace, to the researcher's level. The stranger crouched down just enough to be able to plunge her lagoon-blue eyes right into his.
Karim would usually take offense at being stared at like this for no good reason. However, he did not feel any annoyance now. A wisdom and an endless serenity were coming out of those so peaceful and expressive eyes, as if the being was trying to read the depths of his soul. The researcher had the sudden intuition that he was not facing a human being like himself.
This entity was neither mage nor mortal.
The entity gave off a presence, an authority and a strength that was at once rumbling, wild and quiet. The aura seemed to seek out him and his own mana and deeper nature.
The primal instinct should have made him feel in danger. Yet, he did not feel threatened.
A serene and crystalline voice, with a surprising politeness, escaped the entity's lips.
- Hello Karim. It is a pleasure to meet you, my real name is Enkidu. I decided to follow the path of the humans. I answered their call for help in order to fight alongside them.
- Hello Enkidu, the pleasure is mutual although I admit to being surprised by the situation.
Enkidu', neither more nor less? The professor was amazed. As a connoisseur of the legend of the Epic of Gilgamesh and its Sumerian legends, he could not ignore this heroic figure. How could he not know the name and the stories associated with this exceptional, almost divine entity, who had achieved the triple feat of being the only friend of the tyrannical King of Uruk whom he had made better, of having withdrawn from the authority of the Gods and of being the equal of the King of Heroes in combat? He who was usually very comfortable speaking and even talkative on his favorite subjects was currently without words, literally surprised by this meeting which seemed to him rather surreal. Without taking offense to his remark, the Heroic Soul turned to the Aegis officer.
- He is interesting. I think this man might be able to handle me well in combat.
- That's great news," De Clare replied with satisfaction. If it is all right with you, Lancer, we could evaluate his magical compatibility with you and consider taking him with us.
- I'm sorry," Salar interrupted them before continuing, "I'm afraid I misunderstood. You mention a fight, but I am neither a soldier nor a mage of excellence. I am only a teacher, an archaeologist and a curious scholar, you see. I am afraid I am not the wiser choice.
- Fear not, Professor," replied the Spirit with equal serenity. You may use me as you wish; I will follow your directions. You will see that I do not break so easily.
The so-called Director of the Aegis moved away from his desk and rolled his wheelchair over to the table where they were sitting. Stepping around it, he placed himself on the researcher's right and put a cordial but firm hand on his shoulder, a smile that looked affable but was as implacable as steel.
- Don't be so modest. Your science in thaumaturgy and elemental magic is well proven. We will not force you to join our cause, Mr. Salar. Let me only give you some elements that will enlighten you on the reasons of our request.
Karim was dealing with a skillful orator, he could already be sure of it. The man had certainly not reached his position and kept it without some oral talent and without enough cunning. The turn of phrase was very well chosen, handling the flattery with the right proportion to touch his ego, as well as an apparent deference to arouse his curiosity and temporize his annoyance.
- I thank you for that," De Clare said with a slight bow. I take the liberty of insisting, sir, because our country is in great danger now. A danger so threatening that His Majesty has agreed to consider innovative and unorthodox devices to succeed in thwarting it.
Her Majesty? A rather powerful argument of authority, considering the situation of delegate of his authority that his interlocutor enjoyed. Karim would have gladly jumped to his feet and left the room, slamming the door behind him in the face of the character's arrogance, if it had not been for the curious look of the Spirit that remained riveted on him. The Heroic Soul had been very polite, he had to respect him. Karim decided to remain silent, his suspicious eyes on the military man who continued.
- Do you know the nature of the missions that were given to the Aegis, sir?
- I doubt it, considering the taste for secrecy that your organization enjoys.
- We are both mediators and guardians of the Spirits," continued the unflappable military man - or Servants, as they were called before the Flood during the Grail Wars. You should know that important negotiations are currently underway between the emissaries of His Highness and the envoys of the kingdoms constituted by these Spirits. Some are inclined to find an agreement that benefits both parties. Others... are far more belligerent.
- Again, I do not see the place of a teacher on conflicts. No offense to Enkidu, but I doubt I am anything more than chains that would impede your operations.
- Chains are exactly what we need," the officer replied, ignoring the rest of his words and placing his hands on the table. In addition, those chains, Mr. Salar, Enkidu could not make them strong enough for this threat without the help of a mage. We need a disruptive element to upset the balance of power between this enemy and Lancer here.
The fact that the military man was not even making an effort to hide his desperation and frustration worried the teacher-researcher enough. He seemed so sure of his victory that he acted like an eagle watching from above for his prey, trying to corner it before swooping down on it.
He did not like the implications of the speaker's words very much. If his intuition was proven, the pieces of the Aegis wanted to rub up against a particularly dangerous, even deadly threat. Therefore, he retreated into silence and began to search for a polite answer to decline the offer. Clare's officer, however, did not seem to be inclined to bow out any time soon and continued his remarks.
- We have called in many potential profiles before you, Professor. Military men, mages of excellence, and even rare Masters who survived previous wars. Profiles that we thought, like you, would be better suited to the harsh trials that await us... without success. Few caught Lancer's eye, and none of them proved to be compatible with him.
The military man proved to be as much a detestable character in his eyes as he was a very good speaker. He knew how to identify the heartstrings to pull on, such as guilt. He liked to select all his arguments and to sweep them away with a wave of his hand using felt counter-arguments. Standing in front of him, De Clare stared at him and concluded in a firm voice.
- You do not have a monopoly on reason, Mr. Salar. You have the potential to help your host country, to think outside the box and to protect your family. Think about it carefully.
The austere but comfortable-looking room seemed to him to be draped with the air of a trap in which he had been cornered. The officer's words echoed in his mind like invisible threads that tightened around his arms and legs, like truths that would be difficult to refute. The bastard of the State servant had just placed him, knowingly, in an awkward position.
Salar could sense trouble brewing off shore. He was not much for unnecessary thrills, although he was curious and did indeed enjoy exploring new horizons and areas. The mention of his wife and three children did not reassure him about the means that the leaders of this strange state service were ready to deploy to obtain his cooperation. He was worried. He could hardly have a clear conscience by refusing to protect them from danger, no matter what kind of danger it was. He thought, by derivation, of the students he was supervising.
His dark gaze shifted to the Spirit who waited in silence. The latter's features remained friendly and reserved, although the entity's gaze remained fixed on him, its eyes very expectant.
There was a truth, however, that neither his bad faith nor his distrust could ignore.
A link, obscure and tenuous, connected him to the legendary entity that was waiting patiently for his decision.
Taking a deep breath, Salar shook his head before running a hand over his face. He had a bad feeling about a whole thing, but he could hardly back down now.
Giving a slight nod to the Spirit, he looked sharply at the officer after quickly consulting the pocket watch that never left his side when he was on the move.
- You have already made me very late for my classes. I am not an hour behind, I guess.
- Excellent! There is just one more little formality to do, and then I will introduce you to the fine folks.
He did not like the officer's satisfied smile, aware of his victory. His arrogance contrasted with the softer smile and the look of Enkidu who thanked him in silence.
Karim only hoped that he would not regret the choice he had just made at this moment.
A 'small formality', he said...
Karim had not given the slightest credit to this Director's propensity for euphemisms. The latter had given Enkidu a look, who had hastened to signal the Iraqi to follow him. The Sumerian Heroic Spirit intrigued Salar in many ways, although the professor saved his questions for a more appropriate moment out of politeness and respect.
Enkidu... a figure at once enigmatic, transcendent and a decisive link in the destiny of Gilgamesh.
The teacher had to admit, he felt both honored and excited by this impromptu encounter, he who had studied so much the texts, artifacts and literature associated with this folklore from his roots. He had noted the archaic use of the class according to the outdated classification of the Grail Wars, divided into seven main categories: Saber, Archer, Lancer, Caster, Assassin, Rider, and Assassin.
Was it an expression of melancholy for a lost heritage, a hard habit to break, or a concern for the anonymity around these living legends of a whole other age?
As if suspecting his curiosity, the long green-haired being turned to him and gave him a smile that might have seemed amused. They were taking him further away from the buildings, in the direction of a small adjacent wood, much quieter and less frequented than the Aegis' courtyard.
Karim felt more serene in a natural space. It was also one of the reasons he loved his job as a mage archaeologist, he appreciated being able to escape for a while from city life, from its rush, its wanderings and the frantic lifestyle of those who experienced it. The quiet of the woods was a much sweeter melody to his ears than the cacophony of the big cities.
With an almost ethereal grace, the Spirit's delicate figure stopped and turned to face the mage. Their undulating eyes looked into his, serene, before they bowed his head slightly.
- I am Enkidu, of the Lancer class. I believe your spiritual presence is compatible with my own magic. I am willing to be your weapon, Karim. If that is your wish, it is up to you to seal a contract to formalize our agreement and begin fighting side by side.
Karim found it difficult to see the slender form facing him as a fighting force, although he knew not to judge a book by its cover alone. He could feel the great spiritual power of the entity, whose raw strength and purity seemed almost divine.
- I will call you Enkidu then, if you will allow me. I will do my best to be worthy of your trust. You mentioned a contract. Could you tell me a little more about it? I am afraid your director forgot to tell me what it was about, and I appreciate it when it is done well.
The question may have seemed silly, but Karim assumed it was. In magic, there were certain things that should not be botched due to lack of knowledge of the process. This was true in alchemy, but not only. The Spirit took the time to explain it to him, clearly and concisely. The procedure reminded him a little of the pacts made with elemental spirits or by necromancy.
To say its true name, its nature and what one was ready to 'offer' in return of what the other would bring.
The archaeologist, although surprised by the instruction, drew a magic circle around them without any pattern, with an outer circle and a concentric circle using a vial of mercury. The circle soon began to glow with a soft golden glow, steady but certainly vivid.
Lancer stepped into the circle and reached the center at the same time as the mage. Under Karim's calm eyes, the golden halo of the circle began to crackle around them and to halo with a faint glow the figure of the Heroic Spirit who first spoke in a solemn voice.
- Shaped and broken by the Gods, my blades have watched over the Men and beings of this world. I, Enkidu, answer your call. Child of Men, I present you this pact. If you accept it and as long as it lasts, I will walk by your side and assist you. Reformed, my chains will be the Sword that will fall on our enemies and the Shield that will guard you from the perils you will face.
- Air, Earth, Fire, Water and Ether. Governing forces of this world, I place myself under your authority and place you as witnesses. I, Karim Salar, elemental mage, accept the alliance of Enkidu. I will give them the assistance and energy they needs for as long as this pact lasts.
Blue-green eyes with golden hues were focused on him, the folds of the tall white robe twirling a bit under the breath of concentrated magic, in chorus with the long deep green hair of the Spirit that faced him and set their expectations for the pact they wanted to make with him, a humble mage. The entity presented a solemn hand to him.
Calm and resolute, the teacher seized the outstretched hand and shook it with a frank and confident grip.
From that moment on, he saw Sumerian morphemes being traced between the inner and outer circles of the seal, while arabesques and graphemes interweaving elements of his family's magical seal with others with which he was unfamiliar weaved into the inner circle.
Clenching his jaw, Karim felt as if a fiery shock shot from their clenched hands to his right arm, galloping from his forearm to the point of his shoulder.
When Enkidu released their grip on his hand, the mage reflexively squeezed his aching right arm. He was feeling pretty tired and dizzy to be honest, a headache was beginning to show and he was feeling more and more as if he had cotton legs. It had been a long time...
Salar leaned against a tree and slid gently to the ground, his back against the trunk.
- Would you mind if we stayed here for a while? I wouldn't mind a nap to recuperate a bit before joining the others," Salar asked the Spirit with a tired smile.
- I do not mind. You can rest without fear; I will stand guard until then.
The serene voice of Enkidu reassured him a little. Even though he did not know him very well, Karim had the impression that the Heroic Soul felt more at ease in the woods than indoors. The officer was going to grumble that they were taking their time, but the professor did not mind. It would serve as a lesson to the military man who was playing the boss and had fun putting him under pressure.
"Patience and length of time are more important than strength and rage," said a wise fabler after all.
Lying on the grass not far from his ally, Karim closed his eyes, an amused smile on his lips.