Rodorio Village
Athens, Greece
01:48 PM

Mulder spent most of lunch trying to figure out what was going on between Shaka and Aphrodite, who kept chatting quietly and glancing in his direction. It didn't take a genius to know they were talking about him. They didn't even try to hide it.

"Mulder?" Scully leaned in a little. "What's going on?"

"I don't know, but I feel watched…" he whispered.

"It's not that bad… I just think they're talking about you for some reason," Scully replied softly.

Mulder grunted. He was used to being talked about – just usually behind his back. The only comfort was that these guys clearly had no bad intentions.

Scully seemed to forget the whole thing soon after, thoroughly engaged in conversation with Camus and Saga about something Mulder couldn't begin to follow. A scientist, a philosopher, and a literal knight of ice – whatever they were discussing made psych theory at Oxford seem like kindergarten.

After a long, delicious meal, the group left the restaurant. Mulder and Scully were sluggish – the lamb had been phenomenal. Even Scully, usually careful about heavy meals, had eaten more than Mulder had ever seen her eat in one sitting.

"We'll pass by the arena again – fewer steep climbs that way, okay?" Milo once again led the way, proudly using his English.

Mulder silently thanked him. They'd walked so much already… but it had been a great day, full of things he knew even Frohike would never believe if he tried to explain.

Nearly thirty minutes later, they could already see the familiar training arena.

"Eh, Shina!" Deathmask called out to the silver Amazon from afar.

Most of the trainees had already gone, and the few still around were beginning to scatter. They walked in groups, giggling like schoolgirls. It was hard to believe these same girls had been through brutal training hours earlier.

As they got closer, they saw that only three adult Amazons remained.

"Hola!" Shura greeted them. "Still training under this sun?"

"Oh come on, Capricorn – don't tell me the sun ruins your workouts?" Shina shot back, sarcastic.

Shura only smiled. There was no winning with that Amazon. Whether he was kind or snarky, she always had a sharp comeback. What a tongue.

Deathmask shook his head, grinning, and decided it was best to introduce the women before another Shina-vs-Shura episode broke out.

"Agents Mulder and Scully – these are Shina," he smiled at the Amazon, silently begging her to stop glaring at the spaniard, "Silver Saint of Ophiuchus." He turned to the red-haired woman beside her. "This is Marin, also Silver Company, Eagle constellation…" Marin gave a small, formal bow in Japanese style. "And June, of Chameleon, Bronze Company." He beamed. "You probably know by now, but these are Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, from the United States' FBI. June, Marin – how's your English?"

"I think is okay," June replied, with a strong accent. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Fox… er, Mrs. or Miss Dana?"

"Just call me Scully," Scully said with a modest smile.

"And you can just call me Mulder. No 'Mister.' I'm not that old, right?" Mulder added with a half-flirtatious tone – and quickly noticed Scully's expression shift.

"You're right… um, Mulder. Well, it's nice to meet you both," June said, a bit shy after the agent's grin.

"Yes, welcome," Marin said, her English slightly more fluent. "I'm glad to see you're doing well. I heard how you were found…"

"Oh yes, we're fine now. Thanks to Mu – he saved us," Scully answered, watching Mulder's reaction out of the corner of her eye. Two could play this game.

"Hypothermia is extremely dangerous. You were very lucky Mu saw you and brought you here," Shina added. Her tone was so polite and soft it was hard to believe she was the same fierce woman from earlier. "At first it might feel strange, being stuck here and unable to return home right away… but trust me, this is the best place for you right now. You're safe – and here you'll have access to knowledge that may prove very useful when you do return."

Mulder was surprised by her level of insight. He hadn't realized how fast news traveled around here. Clearly young Saori had informed more people about their situation than he expected – and in record time.

"No need to be alarmed, Agent Mulder…" Marin noticed his tension. "Everything Athena shared about you was meant to ensure your stay here is peaceful and discreet. It's simple: when the right people hold the information, there's no confusion or chaos."

"I know someone who believes the opposite…" Mulder muttered. "Hide the truth to avoid panic."

"Whoever it is needs a few good lessons in strategy," Shina replied dryly.

Just then, one of the few remaining trainees approached Shina. Scully and Mulder recognized her immediately – the girl who'd taken quite a beating earlier. Scully was surprised to see that despite her bandages and bruises, the girl looked happy, completely at ease with her mentor.

Shina inspected every bandage, adjusting the sloppy ones, checking the girl's neck, arms, fingers, and head as if scanning for fractures or cuts. Then she gently brushed back her hair, quickly braiding it and tying a small ribbon at the end. It was surreal, given how intense their training had been.

"Sensei, can I go to the lake with the others?" the girl asked.

"You can, Lin. But tomorrow I want you working on your shielding techniques. Find a quiet place – no distractions, understood?" Shina replied, firm but not harsh. "We'll train again the day after. I want to see solid blocks."

"Yes, ma'am!" the girl chirped, and dashed off toward the others.

"That girl…?" Mulder began.

"She looks badly hurt," Scully managed, still uneasy – seeing an injured child never sat well with her.

"She's far too distracted," Shina said casually. "It's her age. She's growing up. I'll pass her to June soon."

"How old is she?" Mulder asked.

"Eleven. Don't be fooled, agents – she's incredibly strong." Shina glanced toward the girls disappearing into the distance. "At her age, I couldn't even dream of having that much power."

"She's reaching that age, huh…" Camus chimed in. "Alexei was a nightmare after twelve… le petit wouldn't listen to anything!"

"It passes – tante grazie!" Shina exclaimed. "That's why I pass them to June – she handles dreamy teens and raging hormones way better than I do."

"You divide the girls by age group, then?" Mulder asked, intrigued.

"Not officially," Marin explained. "Shina focuses on survival, defense, and combat. June connects well with teenagers – she gets them interested in intellectual training. I usually concentrate on psychic work."

"Marin prepares them for the transition," June added.

"Transition?" Mulder wasn't letting this go – he was fascinated.

"Yes, the moment they become full Amazons. They have to compete for armor, just like the knight candidates. But whether or not they win one doesn't determine their worth. The transition is for all – the duty and the vow too," Shina explained as neutrally as she could. The American was getting very inquisitive.

"Vow?" Mulder again.

The tension in the group was immediate. Deathmask picked up on it fast.

"Andiamo via?" Deathmask interjected, turning to the Amazons. "We're heading to the beach. Want to join us?"

"No, Maschera, grazie – we have to get back to the village," Shina replied politely.

"It was a pleasure meeting you both," Marin said, bowing slightly.

"We're around if you need us," June added with a wave.

The agents thanked them, and the group moved on. Mulder was frustrated. He wanted to know more about the Amazons – and that mysterious vow. He'd heard legends… but did they apply here?

Another thirty minutes of walking took them to the base of a small hill. Mulder deflated. It wasn't high, but after everything, it felt like Everest. Scully turned to him and saw her own exhaustion mirrored in his face.

"Milo, how could you make them walk all this way? They must be exhausted!" Mu appeared, flanked by Aiolia and Aldebaran – and Scully's face lit up.

"Scully… didn't peg you for the type to swoon," Mulder whispered. "You should've seen your face when Mu showed up – like you just got rescued from having to take another step."

"What? No. I'm just happy they made up," Scully said, mock-serious. "Besides, who are you to talk? I know you're at your limit."

"Touché, Scully," Mulder chuckled. "You got me."

"Hey, Mu – it wasn't that far… and besides, you disappeared!" Milo protested.

"Everything okay, you two?" Saga asked.

"All good," Mu replied, and Aiolia nodded.

"All good as it should be," Aldebaran added with a broad smile.

"Then shall we?" Mu stepped between Mulder and Scully, smiling.

In the blink of an eye, they were standing on the sand, facing the sea. Behind them was the cliff they'd come from. Scully silently thanked heaven that Mu had arrived – there was still a long way to go.

Mulder stood still, quietly taking in the ocean.

"And the others?" he asked.

"They'll catch up. Don't worry," Mu said with a smile. "Come on, let's sit over there."

It was a patch of shade under a thick tree growing out of the nearby slope. The sand was dry, with bits of pale, soft grass poking through – almost unreal. Mulder didn't wait – he sat and took off his sandals. They were comfortable, but that cool grass beneath his feet felt like therapy.

"Come on, Scully – lose the sandals, feel this," he said.

Scully began undoing the straps but struggled with a tight knot. Mu, sitting closer, leaned in to help.

The rest of the group arrived to find quite the scene: Mu, kneeling and gently untying Scully's sandal while she looked very content – and Mulder sitting beside her, glaring like he wanted to shoot someone.

"Oh for crying out loud…" Aldebaran facepalmed.

"I don't believe this…" Shura muttered.

"Ma che cosa…" Deathmask murmured, not sure whether to laugh or whack someone.

Aphrodite was speechless. Aiolia and Shaka had flushed faces – but for different reasons. Virgo was furious. Aphrodite saw it instantly and gave him a sidelong glance.

"Calm down… that's just Mu being his usual innocent self," he whispered to Shaka. "He has no idea what he's stirring up, right? I mean, it's not like anyone told him anything…"

If Shaka were a lion, he'd be roaring. Aphrodite's sarcasm stung – but he wasn't wrong. If Shaka never said anything to Mu, how could he expect the Aries Knight to just know? There was no reason to be mad. Mu wasn't to blame. Neither was the red-haired agent.

Still, he intended to keep the peace that afternoon.

"I doubt it," Aphrodite muttered, as if reading Shaka's mind.

TO BE CONTINUED...