The Great Heracles Hunt - Redux (IC)

[Bird of Hermes]

Saturday 10^th April, 1999
Morning (Phase 1-1)

It was a deceptively calm Saturday morning in Sicily, with the usual tensions, grievances and growing positivity. The Mafia had been greatly weakened and unemployment has been falling dramatically. Decades ago the release of Pope John XIII's final encyclical, Pacem in terris (Peace on Earth), addressed to all men of good will, which stipulated that conflicts "should not be resolved by recourse to arms, but rather by negotiation" and that "every man has the right to life, to bodily integrity, and to the means which are suitable for the proper development of life..." People were now feeling that positivity and hope.

Magi had little care of the Church. It was a rival in their world, constraints upon this world… yet they were only interested in what they could perceive, such was their limitation. Ever since the secret of the infamous “Holy Grail War” ritual had been leaked, what was once secret and sacred was spreading like a plague with magi fighting and dying all over the world to attain the fabled Holy Grail.

And to have their wish granted.

The Church once intervened with these rituals as neutral mediators and as to prevent unnecessary bloodshed but the sheer inflation meant that the Church is no longer able to regulate them safely, with most without intervention. Their forces were stretched so thin that even when close to the Vatican, magi were free to do as they pleased in order to achieve their goal.

Sicily shall bear witness to such individuals; Agrigento to the south is home of the Valley of Temples, where ancient artefacts - including the world-famous Temple of Heracles - can be found, and in advance of one of these wars, magi seek a good catalyst.

With such a thing, one could summon a Heroic Spirit from the past to fight for them in the Holy Grail War.

But this isn’t where the story truly begins.

---

Prologue

---

Casimir Zaleski
Zaleski London Family Residence
A few weeks before…
Morning (Phase Null)
300/300 MP

It was a painful truth to stare oblivion in the face. Of course you had been doing that for a while now, although the pain was numbed from accepting the fact the truth was it was still very much there.

Previous attempts at strengthening the bloodline had failed. You will never reach the Root. Your heirs will never reach the same heights as you.
‘I have failed as a Magus.’ You have told yourself.

To be a Captain of a sinking vessel was truly diabolical.

Now although it would have been all to easy to just stop and wallow in your own misery, you could not do that. You were better than that and to do so would be an insult to all those who have stood as previous heads of the house hold.

Fortunately there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

The ‘Holy Grail War’, the worst kept secret of the modern day magus.

Through one way or another, you have managed to acquire a few sources of information and compiled everything into a single tome of knowledge for you to study.

The history of the wars, the families who had maintained it, masters, servants, command seals…

You had a long day ahead of you, the question was simply where to start?

---

Myles Alcott
Porto Empedocle - Docks
A few hours before…
Afternoon (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

The Holy Grail War hadn’t even started in earnest and you were already painting a big target on your back.

As an Archaeologist/Dashing Treasure Hunter, you hadn’t taken too kindly to the men who destroyed the priceless artefacts you had just uncovered in what may have been the worst attempt at theft you had seen.

Naturally you ran and were pursued. After some unpleasant scuffles, you had managed to deduce the truth of the situation you had been flung in.

‘Holy Grail War’

Wasn’t that a deathtrap for every single mage that entered these strange contests?

That’s what you thought when you first head of them but the truth was almost more unsettling.

‘Heracles Catalyst’

What was that?

A Heracles Catalyst… it sounded like treasure, though not something particularly useful, as the demand for it had put a target on your back the size of the London Eye as you guessed. What did it even mean though? Would the person who found it get one of Heracles’ abilities or something? Indomitable strength, or armor crafted from the hide of the Nemean Lion? Or maybe just a really big sword?

From what you could piece together, you had figured out that whoever had this ‘Heracles Catalyst’ would win the ‘Holy Grail War’ and had a chance to reach The Root.
The goal of all Magi.

However given a few attempted assailants and one that almost blew your head off not long ago…

These people shouldn’t have their wish granted. Plenty of regular spellcasters identified as mages. If one of them acquired the Grail and were of the same mindset as the people you’d already encountered, they wouldn’t be aiming for the Root. They’d have far more dangerous things in mind. As such, your only option was to start hunting for this artefact yourself. You would need to take matters into your own hands.

The question was what to do before leaving for the upcoming battle royale?

---

Rangdris Keyron
Derelict Scottish Mansion
A few months before…
Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

The body hits the floor.

The crimson smeared across the walls and the squelch of the corpse, though once sickening had begun to feel almost songlike.
But it was never enough. Your thirst for vengeance was never able to be quenched. This however was very satisfying.

This man had cost you much and you took away everything in turn. It was easy to track him down and although tearing down a magus in his own workshop was difficult, it made it that much more rewarding. He was face down on the floor begging for his life and you told him a single word.

‘No.’

You refused to learn his name, as that would make him human. All you needed to know was what he had done to you and how many more were left. Now that this was all said and done, you had what was left of the workshop at your disposal that hadn’t been destroyed in the ensuing onslaught before moving onto your next target.
But a lead would be good…

---

Raven Cornelia Gardner
Clock Tower
A few weeks before…
Afternoon (Phase Null)
600/600 MP

You could hear your father downstairs, rustling through the drinks cabinet. The glasses and mahogany wood was firm but he was as subtle as a bull chasing drunken tourists in a Spanish alleyway. You weren’t looking forward to the celebrations, not because of any opinions on your fathers taste in alcohol but rather the forced socialising it would entail.

Your father would have a few too many and attempt a speech only for you adorable little brother to derail it and bring up an embarrassing old memory, your mother… She was a busy woman unfortunately.

A shame since your family was about to reach The Root.

A ‘Middle-class’ mage like yourself was going to become the greatest in history.

As you looked through your record selection, looking for something suitably powerful to set the mood, you hear a knock on the door.

“Sister, are you ready? We’re about to begin.”

---

Xherdan Knellwulfr
Tyndareus’ Safe Room Basement
A few weeks before…
Afternoon (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

You had facilities all over the world but it felt good to come back to where is all started every now and then.
Selling bootleg Mystic Codes was easy enough to keep profit margins in the black when done right.

Given the recent influx of these ‘Holy Grail War’ death battles, you focus had switched to catalyst peddling. Not that you had any real interest in them yourself, your personal goals were more in tune with the material world and actually viable. In these so-called grail wars… chances were that you’d die. Everyone always lost in these games and you didn’t play games unless you could rig the system and guarantee a big pay day.

You’d managed to establish yourself as one of the best in the market when it came to catalysts. It was easier to profit from other peoples bad decisions after all.
Genuine authentic holy relics that ought to summon the greatest spirits… worthless replicas… you sold them both and everything in between. It’s been what making your fortune as of late.

A new opportunity had arisen, so like any good dealer at a casino, you were loading the deck. You didn’t have long to plan out your two week takeover of Agrigento; bribes, cameras…

You had orders to make-

But first-

You had to wake up an old friend.

---

And here are the beginnings to the battle for the right to control the worlds greatest hero.

Will you claim the catalyst?

Will you summon the legend?

Or will you all slaughter each other.

The Great Heracles Hunt

[Draconic]

Myles Alcott
Porto Empedocle - Docks / Valle dei Templi
Saturday 9^th April, 1999, Evening
500/500 MP

There was a thump as the box hit the concrete, then three knocks followed by two more. There was his signal. The one that meant 'No one else can see you, now get out of my crate you finicky bastard.' Myles climbed out of the box and take a deep breath of fresh air.

"Thank god I'm outta that thing!” he gasped. “Also, thank you for the lift by the way," he added, turning to the sailors. That had gotten a bit stuffy, but at least there were no mages around here and he wouldn’t have to worry about anyone knowing he got here. Legally speaking, he didn’t exist here yet, but that was beside the point. "At least I got out of Greece without another mage attempting to blow him up or kill him in some other horrific fashion," he murmured under his breath. "Bonus points for not losing any of the crew either."

And it really was that bad. A major haul of mystic codes, gone. All he wanted was to do was get his hands on some treasure, but no~. He nearly got diced into cubes by ancient trap mechanisms six times, and those bastards didn't even steal them! They just destroyed them like so much garbage! Myles heaved out a sigh. Why did half the mages he met have to be insane? Was it a career requirement? Because if so, he didn't get the memo.

If he was honest with himself, he knew he was overreacting. He knew plenty of perfectly decent mages, but it really felt like every magecraft wielding scumbag in Greece had been out to get him. A least he’d manage to get one of those psychopaths in Athens to give him some info. Fortunately, he managed to get one of them to mention a ‘Heracles catalyst’ and the Holy Grail War.

Some mages were smart, and their folly was their hubris. Those ones were just thugs, as indicated by the fact that they killed each other once they thought he was down. Why had they even turned on each other before he was dead? Was it for the right to kill him? He didn’t think they even figured out what it was that made him so special, but then again, neither could he… Except in that dream he sometimes had where he was an acclaimed archaeologist in both the world of humanity and the moonlit world of mages. But he wasn’t famous. He was nobody.

However, he did know more about finding treasure than any of those mages in Athens. They were nowhere near their prize. They were so far off the mark that they might as well have been on another planet. When looking for something involving Heracles, there were only a handful of places one needed to look. And no, Gibraltar was no one of them.

After a brief perusal through a few library books, Myles decided which location was his best bet.

The Valle dei Templi was actually on Myles’ list of places to visit for his studies on the subject of Ancient Mysteries. It was an excavation site containing no less than eighteen structures, many of which had been identified as temples, hence its name. …And these included one dedicated to Heracles himself. That said, he wasn’t idiotic enough to expect that a magical artifact, whether such properties could be identified or not, would just be laying out for him to find.

…Also, it was located near the scenic southern coast of Sicily, which had, of course, fallen under the sphere of influence of Greater Greece…during the Age of Gods. Which, as he was sure at least a few of the mages lurking about in Athens would be flabbergasted to discover, was not in modern day Greece. But at least Italy was very nice this time of year. Needless to say, it was nowhere near Athens.

Not that he’d ever tell the remaining scum. Even approaching one was tantamount to suicide after all, at least if he didn’t want to become a serial killer. So he’d let the imbeciles who’d attacked them continue as they were: Running around like spastic, hyperactive raccoons that were all under the same ludicrous delusion that they were clever and important. He didn’t need psychic powers to know that they all harbored delusions of grandeur.

He did too, after all. His were just a bit further off.

He twisted his arm around to press on his back to work out a kink there. That box had sucked, even if it had only been for boarding and disembarking. Still it was better than the alternative. Heck, he hadn't even been able to get to an airport without being assaulted. Thus, the whole smuggling himself into Agrigento in a crate. At least he was here well ahead of schedule. And Porta Empedocle was actually closer to the archaeological site than he could get via any legal transportation.
…

The sailors picked up their crate and headed back to the ship. Myles knew that was his cue to get moving himself. ‘Goodbye, Woodbox,’ he thought to himself. ‘You may have been too small and smelled of dates for some reason, and weren’t even a particularly comfortable box either, but for a time, you were my box. I'd keep you, but you're very heavy and smell terrible. And I don’t want you. And you’re not mine.’

At least he still had his luggage, not that there was much that would would be of value to a mage in there, other than his favorite mystic code, which had arrived after that incident anyway.

He had only the vaguest idea what this whole thing was about, so he'd need to figure all this out as he went along. Hopefully he’d be able to find some clues.

He hailed hail a taxi and headed to the dig site immediately. No sense dawdling. Besides, if he was early enough, he might even have the chance to look around. This was a gold mine for archaeologists after all. It was only about seven kilometers away from Porto Empedocle. The ride didn’t even take ten minutes.

Pulling his luggage out from the seat beside him, he thanked his driver, added a generous tip because he was angry at how loathsome certain other people could be, and began his short walk to the entrance. He looked out at the valley…


EEEEEEEK NONANIMATED IMAGES!
“Wow,” Myles allowed himself a faint smile. “I’m actually here. Heh, I can even see the Temple built in Heracles' honor from here. It's really not as grand as the Temple of Concordia, though." He let his gaze rise to the mostly intact structure overlooking almost all the other temples. "If I were treasure hunting for fun and profit, I'd probably start with her.”

His only regret was that these priceless ruins would likely be turned into a battleground soon. If they did though, he was going to make it one their builders would be proud of.

He looked up at the sky. The sun would be setting soon…

It was time to get to work.

[Shiki]

Rangdris Keyron
Derelict Scottish Mansion
Late Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP



"Spare you?.. Are you an idiot?..."

The room was silent. It returns to the state on how it was from the beginning, the only difference is that there is a corpse lying at the floor and several stains of red painted on the wall. Sneaking inside a magus' territory is not an easy task however with my skill this is nothing but a child's play. Foolish old time magus who only relies on tradition, that is the only way I can describe him. I pulled out a small notebook from my back pocket and take the pen lying at the desk. Pulling a chair, I nonchalantly flipped thru the pages.

"Well then.. This one is finally down! Amusing~ My notebook now looks like a crossword from all of these lines! Now who among you wants a reunion with god?"

An evil grin formed on my lips as I gladly flipped thru pages. As I flipped thru, I noticed that the succeeding entries were lacking some of the info. Photographs without name, names without photograph, some names but without location etc. are what is filling the rest of the pages.

"This won't work.. That idiot, seems he didn't manage to get all of the necessary details huh? How will you expect to locate someone with just a name?"

Heaving a heavy sigh, I stand up and return my small notebook at my back pocket. The lifeless garbage now lying at this dusty floor is one of the big families at the tower. Maybe, this person has an information for all the others?

I look around the room and noticed several stacks of paper and parchments on top of the nearby desks. That must be his work desk. As I stepped forward, I almost got tripped by the corpse. Fortunately I managed to stop myself on time.

"Damn.. your still troublesome even if your dead huh? Well then, it's dangerous lying you here so..."

Dragging his body behind, I reached the nearby wall and took the nearby knife. Lifting his fatty body, I pushed him towards the wall with my one hand and channel my mana towards my other.

Hey fat-ass.. Do you know the proper way to display a portrait? It is like this~"

With my other arm holding a knife and empowered with my strengthening, I stabbed his throat with a great might enough to pierce it through and dig behind the wall, pinning it in place.

"Cleaning done~ Now time to sniff some stuff~ Yay! Yay! Yay!"

I reached towards the several parchments and papers at the desk I had saw earlier and look at their contents. Amused by the data I am reading, majority of these stuff are most likely his research notes. As I read more and more and flip more of the other documents, for some reason his theories and some of the elements are familiar to me

"Now look at that! I don't know that we even have a fan, to go as far as using our research! Hahahaha! Maybe I charge him with a hefty amount of fee once we saw each other in hell."

I separated some of the documents and bundle it with a string. I will take this things, these are ours after all. As I continued flipping the other books at the shelves and after throwing several of them at the floor due to how useless are they, I stumbled upon a folder with several papers inside. Flipping through it, I read something interesting.

"Holy grail war... Artifact.... Heracles... Several families... Hou.... This fat-ass is doing something interesting huh."

A huge devilish grin formed at my lips as I continued flipping and reading and after a while, I closed the folder. A wave of excitement and joy fills my chest. I leap lightly on my feet and twirl around the room while laughing maniacally. As I twirl and laughing loudly like a mad man, I stopped towards him with my outstretched arms pointing towards him.

"Rejoice fat-ass! This rangdris-sama will inherit your will and take that artifact, summon Heracles and win the war! Hahaha are you happy? Yes? Of course you do! Your several years of research will now finally bear fruit and your sacrifices will not be in naught as your dreams and ambition of every magus will be carried by the great me! Hahaha!"

Stabbing his body several times with different pointed objects, I mutilated his body over and over while laughing

"But don't worry fat-ass~ As your reward, I will promise you that your friends that night will join you being burned in hell! Aren't you excited? All of you will be punished, so better sit down there and wait for them okay. Clasp there hands once you see them and be forever damned! SQUAD GOALS RIGHT!!!!"

My laughter fills the room as I looked up the ceiling, imagining their grief stricken faces as the light of their eyes are vanishing slowly. This great opportunity, I will use this artifact to lure them in. I am sure, that no magus specially them, can resist the holy grail or the artifact of one of the strongest heroes on earth.

Well then.. I took too much time here, I left the room and went towards the garden outside. After I judged that I am now in a fair distance. I look back towards the mansion.


"Well then..."

I snapped my fingers and suddenly,

*KABOOOOMMMM!!!!!*

Loud roaring sound reverberated. Several explosions came out from inside the mansion and after a while, the whole place was filled with bright red of fire consuming everything and anything on its path. As I watched the bizarre scene in front of me, I took out my phone and dial a number. After waiting for a while, I heard a sweet voice of a girl belonging to a person who clearly got disturbed on her sleep.

"Hello? Rangdris? It is already late for a phone call you know.."

"Hello there. I am sorry that I disturbed you. I didn't know your already asleep and well you know.. I couldn't sleep so I decided to called you."

"Ehh~ You are just doing something amazing again aren't you? Prodigy people like you have too much time eh~"

"Oh c'mon who are you calling prodigy? I am just grilling barbecue here at our terrace because I got hungry. Hey! Say~ do you want to have a date tomorrow? There is something I wish to talk to you about."

"Oh my~ Rangdris, what could it be? It is very rare for you to invite someone out. Is my spring is finally coming? Hehe"

"Probably? Haha.. Say, would you mind telling me more about what you had talked to me last time.. Hmmm what is it again.. Hmm~ Yeah that Holy Grail thing~"

"Oh are you perhaps planning to join?"

"Oh no. It is just for the sake of having a conversation with a beautiful lady such as yourself. So what it will be? Tomorrow at Cafe by 2pm okay? It's a promise!"

"Hehe okay then. See you tomorrow"

l hang up the phone and look towards the great fire in front of me. Yes this fire... it reminds me of that time. So how does it feel that the same thing has been done to you? Don't worry I will let your friends feel the same way too.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

And with that, the man laughing maniacally had vanished on the dark.

[Express]

Raven Cornelia Gardner
Clock Tower
A few weeks before…
Late Evening (Phase Null)
600/600 MP

It was all said and done, wasn’t it.

But that was fine, it had gone almost exactly as Raven predicted. The cheers. The champagne. The self-congratulatory back-patting and hand-shaking. Whoever had been in charge of the tunes hadn’t helped either; it had felt like a fever dream out of Amadeus the entire night--a fact she could only bring up with her brother, but obviously chose not to.

Usually these kinds of stuffy galas she was inevitably dragged to by her family were easy to ignore, or at least blending into the background was a simple enough process. She didn’t make approaching her an easy task, which was fine. The black clothes, the dark makeup, and the constant aloof frown were all defense mechanisms of the modern gothic maiden. Or something like that.

And yet, the landscape of the party shifted around her the entire night. Like the story of Moses and the Red Sea, the ocean of faceless names and nameless faces parted in her wake, leaving an open enough trail for her precocious brother to tag after her consistently. But that comparison felt cliche, and more than a little inappropriate, but maybe one of those movie princesses and the animals of the forest--

No. No way. She wasn’t that far gone yet.

But then why--?

You already know why.

Oh. Right.

“This is all for me, huh.” She murmured to herself in the safety of her room.

Laying on her bed, she tried to recall the exact words her father had used during the toast, but they just wouldn’t form concretely in her mind. Maybe it was just a rejection of embarrassment. It was difficult to not think like that, even if he was her father. As both a daughter and a magus, can’t you just hurry up and have a bit of decorum already…?

Her mind drifted to the thing hanging up in her closet.

Her ticket to ride, as it were. Even the other families like that Tohsaka girl didn’t have something like this. Probably. She thought back to her Moses analogy when an anecdote from Latin Exodus crossed her mind. That made her feel a bit better, if only a little.

“I’m pleased to announce--”

And then a line from Revelation. Silently she wondered where all the Bible verses were coming from. Probably her mother.

“--our very own Raven Cornelia Gardner will join the hunt for mankind’s greatest hero--”

Maybe she’d see her over there. Now that would be a story to bring back to her father.

“--little girl will become the youngest Brand in the Clock Tower’s history!”

A soft smile crossed her lips. She really was proud of that old weirdo. Proud that he was proud of her, even. Every young magus got into some major trouble at some point in their lives, right? She was running out of time to do something colossal before she inevitably became a teaching assistant or something. So what the hell, let’s make the best of it and have a grand old time. It was every girl’s dream to travel to Italy at least once, after all.

“--anything to say, sweetheart--?”

Yeah. Yeah, I do.

“Arrivederci, pops.” She echoed the words she spoke to the small gathering in a whisper. See you when I get back. Make sure tea’s on for when I show the old man my prize.

She was on her way to Sicily.

[SpoonyViking]

Casimir Zaleski
Zaleski London Family Residence
A few weeks before…
Evening (Phase Null)
300/300 MP

Where to start, indeed, mused Casimir as he sat back on his chair, sipping on a glass of red wine. It had been a long day of studying and consideration, but also fruitful, and he undeniably needed all the knowledge and preparation he could muster if he was to stake his family's last hope on a desperate gamble.

The Holy Grail War. A fight to the death between seven magi and the seven Heroic Spirits who answered their call. At least, that is how it worked in the original ritual held in far-Eastern lands; the myriad "subcategory Grail Wars" throughout the world seemed to have looser rules. Regardless, one thing was obvious to Casimir: summoning the proper Heroic Spirit was essential to winning the battle. "Proper", not "strongest"; Casimir was in a much better position than most magi to know that, when dealing with familiars with such levels of self-awareness and independence, compatibility with the summoner was just as important as raw power.

How, then, to balance both concerns? A Heroic Spirit of the Caster Class would probably be more suited to Casimir's personality and methodology, but the Knight Classes generally seemed to be more powerful, and the heroes associated with them also tended to be loyal and honourable. The question, then, was which hero to try and summon? His own cultural background led him to think of several - Hunor and Magor, Álmos, the Seven Chieftains, even Attila the Hun -, but he knew that fame played a part in the Servant's power, and few magyar or slavic heroes were known throughout Europe.

He stared at the ceiling in thought. A hero known in all of Europe whose deeds were deserving of a legend and who would be as bound by duty and honour as Casimir himself...

A smile slowly spread on his lips, even as it never reached his eyes. A most fitting choice, indeed - certainly there was no better choice for a Heroic Spirit as a Servant than the great Herakles himself! Securing a catalyst for such a hero would be a struggle on its own, though, not least because he had no idea of how to find and secure one.

Fortunate, then, that he knew of someone who was in the business of acquiring things of a rare and occult nature.

[OFF: Casimir will get into contact with Xherdan.]

[Bird of Hermes]

Myles Alcott
Porto Empedocle - Docks / Valle dei Templi
Saturday 9^th April, 1999, Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

Aside from the bumpy journey, the area you were in was quite beautiful.

If not for the situation you were in, you felt as if you could monologue about the greatness of the place; aesthetic beauty, historical importance, the wealth of knowledge with the connection to the Age of Gods... That said, the urge to talk could be contained until the next time you saw Tamara. You had a feeling the riffraff you scuffled with before didn't care about the sheer wealth of knowledge and history. Especially given the thoughtless destruction of the artefacts you uncovered not long ago-

A twinge of anger passed through your system, not enough to rile you up properly though. You could control yourself.

Still the way they treated such importance with utter disregard was still a sore spot for you.

The urge to scream out sucessfully repressed, hailing a taxi was simple enough. Your shared language skills were enough to get by. That said it was more expensive than you thought, the man probably charged you tourist prices.

Another bumpy, but thankfully brief, ride later, you emerged to see the valley.



It was beautiful. Truly something Heracles himself would be proud of.

However as you turned to leave, you felt a hand touch your shoulder.

Your alarms set off! You turned to see-

"Sir."

Oh, just the taxi man with his rather broken English.

"I was told to give you this."

He reaches out to pass you an envelope, set with the Lieber seal no less.

Perhaps getting to work could wait an hour?

[Bird of Hermes]

Raven Cornelia Gardner
Clock Tower
A few weeks before…
Late Evening (Phase Null)
600/600 MP

And with that quiet declaration of yours the party continued. This time the red sea, once parted, had now collapsed leaving you in a centre of a deluge.

It was almost overwhelming as the people came unto you en mass; people who you clearly knew from Clock Tower, others you had never seen before but were eager to get a piece of you before you left and a few you were certain were only their for lip service. The noise of incessant rabble grew greater and greater with all their faces almost seeming to blur into one with the intensity of how quickly you came and went. The overwhelming stench of too much perfume mixed with the alcohol on the breath of one woman in particular was almost repugnant.

That said if you were to become the youngest brand as your father so proudly declared, you would either go to much more of these parties or finally be able to ditch them to do something more productive and actually enjoyable.

Through the fire and the flames of it all, across the self-congratulatory party you could see someone across the hall. A beacon of hope almost shining like a light. You'd been separated from each other in the chaos of it all but it would be easy enough to weave your way through the crowd since despite the attempts of your father to keep the subject of your success, the people here seemed more concerned with patting themselves on the back and drinking more overpriced champagne than anything else. Nevertheless, your precocious little brother seemed to be your ticket out of the mess.

Sneak away with your little 'Bea', get one last word in with your old man or make yourself known to the crowd and establish yourself as a socialite worthy of recognition as these people stood among your achievement.

Your choice was-!

[Draconic]

Myles Alcott
Valle dei Templi
Saturday April 9^th, 1999, Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

Tamara’s seal…

Myles frowned.

Maybe she was just annoyed that he’d missed her family’s Seders? Passover had only ended about a day ago, so… no, that was wildly wishful thinking. Besides, he already apologized to her when he last called her. Also, she wouldn’t be mad; she’d be too happy about being allowed to eat regular bread again. Also, the cab driver had been told to give it to him, meaning that she’d sent a representative to check up on him… or worse, come herself…

He wanted to ignore the letter. He had things to do here. For his own sake, for that of humanity, and most importantly just to make sure he could live out the rest of his life with a clear conscience.

But he couldn’t leave it be. If she had something to tell him after what he’d explained to her already, it was likely important.

He wasn’t being given any options here. He stowed the letter in his pocket. He needed to stay the night here, and it was too late to get inside the Valley without his absence being noticed amongst the visitors leaving the he park, so he snuck his way inside instead. He made for the Necropoli Paleocristiana and settled into one of the graves.

But he hadn’t been given a real choice.

“Damn it…” he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger.

He broke the seal on the letter and began to read.

[Bird of Hermes]

Rangdris Keyron
Derelict Scottish Mansion
A few months before…
Late Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

The smell of cinders was soothing. It was a reminder of a job well done and the fact you'd erased one of the people who wronged you from this world. The pain was dulled after all this time but you revelled in it now. A sign that... Admittedly you weren't particularly sure what it was exactly but that which once pained you now gave you strength. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes. With the mansion all crispy now, it was too late to double back and check and see if there was something useful but you got what you wanted, but it sent a message.

'Everything burns.'
'I'll burn the heart out of you.'

Looking down from the glorious blaze for a moment, as useless as that stupid fatass was, he did give you a lead.

Heracles.

Sicily.

Seven families.

It would be easy enough to have seven more bodies hit the floor. You'd gotten pretty damn good at smoking these so-called big shots and with a titan like Heracles on your side? You were pretty sure none could stop you. All you had to do was get there and get a suitable catalyst to make sure you summoned the guy. While thinking of these strange 'classes', maybe Berserker or Assassin might suit you-

You remembered. There was a temple to Heracles. It was perfect, you'd swoop in and get what you wanted when you wanted like you always do and if someone got in your way? It was amusing to think about. It would be their own fault after all. It always was.

But first thing was first, before making plans and burning down those bastards, you had a date.

Well, if you felt like it.

[Shiki]

Rangdris Keyron
Keyron Mansion
A few months before…
Late Morning (Phase Null)
500/500 MP


"Ronove. Do you still remember what I told you last night? Have you checked on the documents I gave to you?"

Rangdris was sitting on his chair at the dining room as he sipped his tea prepared for him. While he is reading the newspaper spread in front of him, his butler named Ronove stand by his side as he pours again an another cup of tea. Ronove, is the Keyron's Family butler since then. He is already on his forties but still a single, what a pitiful guy. Does he plan to die as a virgin?

Ronove with his tall stature, a shoulder length black curly hair and wearing a typical butler uniform has an always menacing expression. Anyone who come across him feels very pressured however in contrast to that, this fellow likes to give a gentle smile to break that impression. Without knowing his master's rude remarks for him, Ronove answered:

"Yes I did read all of them, it is quite interesting. The research of that mage are very useful, however I need more time to analyze those for it to be usable for us. As for the holy grail war, I am still currently researching about it. It looks like the ritual will be held next year as the association are busy for the preparations. I can provide you the information in regards with Heracles tomorrow once I received all the information from our sources. I believe master that you have an inkling about it isn't it?"

Without shifting his eyes from the newspaper, Rangdris drinks his tea and answered him casually.

"Yes. Heracles is famous, so there should only be one particular place where we can find his artifact. However I am not that much interested on it but it won't hurt to give it a shot. I am more concerned on how we can use this opportunity. Once you get information about Heracles, relay them to me out once. Also, book me a ticket a month from now to Greece. The tools we had ordered how are they?"

"The tools are already prepared and being packed master. I am already asked someone to book a place for you to stay at Greece. It is a bit difficult to look for smugglers these days but we managed to get a hold one."

"I see that's good. I will do my own preparations tonight. For now focus on the information gathering and those tools. I have a date to attend today."

Rangdris stand up after emptying his cup. He walks upstairs going back to his room while Ronove is bowing behind him. He turn the knob on his room and entered, inside was casual clothes laid on his bed. He picked a random clothing and changed. As he look himself on the mirror, what he saw was his face grinning from ear to ear.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rangdris Keyron
Commercial District
A few months before…
Noon (Phase Null)
500/500 M

"Sorry for being late Kathryne. Hehe, as my apology, you can take anything you like. It is my treat"

I arrived later than I expected. The girl in front of me who has a long caucasian hair with braids on from here and there and wearing a casual dating dress, is my fellow classmate and a close friend of mine named Kathryne. She came from a well known Tristan family. The girl in question was waiting for me here at this cafe for several minutes. Not my fault as the train got stuck on my way here. I have a car but its a pain to drive as this place is packed with people and knowing the time, there would be no parking slots. I figured I just commute here by using the subway, but who would have thought it will have some technical difficulties? Talk about luck.

"Well.. I didnt wait that long. It is just surprising that an ever punctual Rangdris is just late today, I wonder if something happened?."

Kathryne stares at me grudgingly. Despite of what she said, she is pretty much irritated. After all, this gal doesn't like to wait anyways. Ill try to smooth things over for this bitch. Damn how troublesome!

"Hehe I'm sorry. But to be honest, I have a troubled picking up my clothes too earlier so probably it delayed me a bit and unfortunately got stuck on train. I want to be atleast presentable for a pretty girl as yourself."

"Fla...Flattery won't take you anywhere. So uhm.. I believe you want to ask something? That is the reason we are here right?"

"Well yeah, I was curious about something. But I hope for you to not misunderstand it. I want to meet you because I want to. I am always busy therefore atleast let me use my free time to spend it with you."
Blushed from ear to ear, Kathryne forcefully cough to clear away such embarassment. She looks at me again and casually ask:

"So what is it you need to ask? Oh right, before that I want this parfait here okay~"

"Well sure. (hey is this a bit expensive)"

"Thank you dear~"

"I think it is too early for you to call me dear, Miss Kathryne. Anyways setting it aside, you had mentioned before about the holy grail war. Can you tell me about it?"

"Oh right.. Well to give you a quick summary, holy grail war was a ritual...."

We casually chatted for that whole noon, she explained to me in depth about the holy grail war. It seems the Tristan family was planning ti participate as well as she was well knowledgeable on this. I tried asking her about other things while we went from store to store and walk around different stalls. At first she is a bit hesitant, but as we converse more she eventually disclose other things. I focus on the essential details she is saying and ignored the unnecessary things. Then after some patience, I managed to get from her the suspected families who will participate on the war. However, since the holy grail war chooses the participants itself, the families she had mentioned are just a candidate and not absolutely the participants. While she is looking at the hats, I tried asking her again:


"By the way Kathryne, have you heard about Heracles? I heard some rumors that some people are trying to go to Greece and look for this guy."

"Ah those? Well Heracles is known to be one of the strongest heroes on ancient times. So everyone was trying to get some artifacts related to him that can be used for his summoning. I mean, having to take a hold of a powerful servant gives you an advantage right?"

"Hmm I see. That makes sense, do you have an idea who are those? I think one of the professors are interested to go and plans to book a ticket. It is pretty ridiculous because he filed a vacation leave despite it was an exam season for us. Our classmates talks about it and was grateful but some are disgusted by it."

"Ah you mean that professor? Haha I believe his leave was not accepted and now he was dejected. You should have see his dejected face."

"You have a promising attitude there miss."

"Quit with your sarcasm. Anyways, I think the families from..."

An evil grin floats on my face as she starts to mention one by one the individuals that will participate on the treasure hunt. Though it is not certain atleast it gave me an inkling who might I see there. As expected from Tristan family, their ability to gather information was top notched. I wonder how many people have they brainwashed for them to gain this much information. It doesn't matter, thanks to you Kathryne, my hands will again be joyful.

"Ah right by the way. Remember the time our professor told you to gave a lecture on one of our classes?"

"Yeah. What about it? To be honest, it doesn't sit well to me. But seeing how frustrated is he after I gave a lecture that he is supposed to give, it feels nice."

"Well the boy who congratulate you that time who sit's there temporarily. I forgot his name, but I heard from our sources that he is also planning to go there. Do you happen to know him?"

I tried to remember the boy she is referring to. There is one who matches that criteria but I forgot his name too but I definitely remember his face. He is a weird one after all.

"I see.. I don't quite remember the name but I think I know who you are referring to. No I don't know him much, we just saw each other during that lecture."

We spend the remaining time dating casually like a normal couple do. It is far from being sweet, but I can only do up to this level. As we walk at the dimly lighted streets, I walked her to her dorm and part ways there. As I walked alone on the lively streets of the commercial district, I took out my phone and put it at my ears.

"I am about to return. Prepare the tools."

After an affirmative response from another line, I return my phone back to my pocket. In this lively streets of commercial district, a lone man is strolling casually with an evil grin on his face.

[Xaodzilla]

Xherdan Knellwulfr
Agrigento - Safehouse
A few weeks earlier…
Early Morning (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

“Sir, we’ve arrived.”

Xherdan raised an eyebrow. It’s not as if this was a surprise. While the taxi from the airport had taken less time than estimated, the sound of car tires stopping over hard gravel was enough of a tip-off that their journey had come to a close. He rolled down the window to his left, his glasses slowly lowering down his face to give him a better view of their destination. Armored door. Secure structure. And if he didn’t know any better, hidden. It couldn’t be better.

“Thank you, Chloe. It was so nice to see you again. Do say hello to the mister for me,” Xherdan said, smiling kindly at the cab driver.

“I will make sure to, Mr. Magrina. It’s good to see you’re back in town.”

He pushed his sunglasses back onto his eyes, beaming at the young driver as she drove back towards the main road.

Magrina…why did he give her a fake name? For the life of him, he couldn’t remember. He had some vague memory of an assassination plot, but he didn’t remember her from that. Maybe it was⎯

Xherdan pushed the thought from his mind as he strolled up to the building before him. Let’s see how would they have⎯

The large door before him suddenly shot upwards, disappearing into the doorway above him.

“Well, there we go.”

As he walked into the warehouse, the corner of his eye caught a number of soldiers lowering readied firearms down to their sides. Good. He expected nothing less. Anything less wouldn’t be good enough. This job had to be completed with the utmost care. The building was in still in disarray, but that was to be expected, as it had been purchased only a day before. Boxes were stacked in corners, filled with beige folders containing mountains of information about the city the Holy Grail War was to take place in. They had done their research. Good.

Xherdan walked through the entryway, watching as men ran from one side of the compound to the other, hastily installing computers and testing cameras. The sight of the bustle soothed him.

Yes. This is going to work.

“How is the setup process going?”

A soldier found his way in front of Xherdan, his body armor glistening in the flickering light of the warehouse.

“Sir. The surveillance systems are almost ready for use, with almost 70% of the city now tapped and 80% already being monitored. The rest of the cameras are being prepared as we speak.”

Smiling. It felt nice to smile. Knowing that everything was going to plan.

“Is everything conforming to your specifications, sir?”

Xherdan looked down at his watch. 4:16 AM. Ahead of Schedule.

“Yes. Yes, I’m happy to say it is.”

4:17. Something was still missing.

“Has the asset arrived yet?”

The temperature of the room dropped at the mere mention of the creature. The soldier in front of him shuffled in place for a moment like a teenage girl before homecoming. In any other situation, he would’ve been fired, but Xherdan knew that most people got tense at any reference to it.

“Y-yes sir, Unit 18 should be here within the hour.”

He didn’t know why, and he didn’t have any right to, but he definitely missed seeing the big guy.

[Bird of Hermes]

Myles Alcott
Valle dei Templi
Friday 9^th April, 1999, Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

Dear Myles

Thank you for the warning regarding the current situation but my news is not so helpful.

I was away from my family at passover, I was actually already in Sicily. One family in particular has been resistant with trying to gain my hand in marriage and they didn't handle continued rejection well so my presence was necessary to resolve the situation. I think we may need to head to the potential 'Marriage of convenience' pact of our friendship clause, no attempted courtship ended well other than the one with Cassie a while back.

As I'm already in the area, a hurried escape back to Clock Tower or home would be to conspicuous and I've already had an encounter with a would be "Master". I've gotten a decent enough amount of knowledge on the situation so I believe that we would be more productive if we worked together and lets face it, you need me to stop you doing something stupid.

Meet me on Saturday the 10th in the morning in the foyer of the Hotel Villa Athena.

Good luck,

Tamara

x

P.S

This letter will disintegrate when you finish reading it.

[Draconic]

Myles Alcott
Valle dei Templi
Friday April 9^th, 1999, Late Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

She was in Sicily this whole time?

Myles smiled helplessly and barely resisted howling “TAMARA, YOU IDIOT!” into the air. No good would come of revealing his continued presence here. Also, it wasn’t really her fault. More like Murphy’s Law taken to it’s natural, if illogical, extreme. What were the chances even?! Seriously! He wanted to see the odds.

Also, who was Cassie? Wait? Cas—Casimere, right. He’d kind of hoped that things would work out between them but they were really too different in the end. Nice guy that one. Seemed kind of depressed, but still better than most.

The fact that she’d already encountered a prospective Master was troubling enough, but on top of that, she was in the Hotel Villa Athena?! Good gravy! He knew a lot about that hotel just by way of expecting to stay there on his dream archaeology trip around the world.

Established in 1972, the Hotel Villa Athena was a five-star hotel that basically personified the word 'luxury' in a building. Quite frankly, he was tempted to get the Villa Suite with a balcony and a view overlooking the Valley, because he could afford it. He could easily afford it. But it had floor-to-ceiling windows. And, you know... a balcony. He didn't want a mage capable of launching themselves into the air getting into his room that easily. Besides, all he needed was a place to sleep during the daytime; he could just book a Junior Suite so he’d have a place to lie down. He hoped his competition had fun with his machinations.

She was counting on him paying for her stay there, wasn’t she?! She didn’t have the money for that kind of thing!

Well, this was just freaking fantastic. He almost wanted to stand her up just to teach her a lesson. He was running out of funds already, so God help her if she’d ordered spa treatment! But then he’d spend who knows how many years feeling guilty about whatever happened to her…

Worse yet, he also had to start playing matchmaker. Neither of them wanted to marry the other, not to mention the fact that her grandparents would skin him alive!

She was right though. Not about the marriage failsafe, about the other thing. If she had an idea of what was going on, it would make sense if they worked together, and whatever info she had for him would be helpful, that much was certain.

Wait, hold on, what was that about disintegrating?! He couldn’t throw it away or he’d risk giving away his position…

The top left corner of the letter seemed to glow a molten red.

“Oh, sonofabi—”

—fssssh—

He let go of the page as it crumbled to ash without giving off so much as a spark. He released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

“I don’t know whether to feel relieved, or just… incredibly disappointed.”

Whatever. This wasn’t something he could afford to spend any more time thinking about. The park would be finished closing up soon.
The moment the sun sank beneath the horizon, he snuck out of his hiding spot. He took a deep breath.

"Let's do this."

[Bird of Hermes]

Casimir Zaleski & Xherdan Knellwulfr
Many Miles Apart
A few weeks earlier…
Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

Casimir knew someone, he was the best place to start.

Many magi, particularly those of the higher classes looked down on modern technology. He was not one of them, able to enjoy some modern conveniences that others would turn away from. Now while a Lord may attempt an incantation to transmit a single message across continents, he knew a far simpler tool that could allow you to comunicate almost seamlessly with minimal interference.

It was called a telephone.

Writing letters took too long, machines that created things called 'faxes' were unreliable, computers to write letters electronically were expensive and difficult to transport. This however, this was ideal.

Although the previous transaction failed for a few reasons due to a relative of yours, he had an eye and left you a means of quicker contact.

The phone was picked up and the dialling process began.

---

You missed him.

The big guy was all muscle and no mouth. Talking to him felt like talking to a wall at times but he had a level of diligence that was quite admirable. 'Unit 18' was both feared and respected by your employees. They knew his loyalty, his capabilities and that, frankly, comparing them to him was like comparing gnats to a war elephant.

While waiting, you went through equipment. You had people to do it for you and they were paid handsomely considerably but sometimes it was nice to take apart a pistol and build it back up, making sure everything was to your standards. It was a nice way to relax more than anything else.

While cross checking some amunition, one of your newer recruits, Jimouthy you believed his name was.

"Sir!"

He was stood firmly to attention, nice to see but it showed he hadn't seen the same level of actions your other troops had. He would be tested in the coming days. However somthing about him caught your eye and it wasn't the cut of his job, it was what he had in hand. A faint buzzing.

"For you," a hands free mobile set for customers that needed a hands-on touch. "Your latest client, one from the northern europe peninsula I believe."

Curious he would call now of all times but an opportunity was an opportunity nevertheless.

Whether it would be more or less was up to you.

You reached out and heard a voice.

His voice.

[Bird of Hermes]

Rangdris Keyron
Commercial District
A few months before…
Noon (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

"Rangdris!"

Behind you, you could hear her voice call out to you. Even through the bustling noise of the commercial district, you could hear her above everyone else.

Kathryne's face seemed brighter than usual, it wasn't the kind of stary-eyed cheer that you'd expect after those particularly expensive parfait's. But it was much more than that, deeper, deliberate, much like you on your hunt. Kathryne wasn't capable of such things as you, she had no idea you were capable of anything like that at all. Despite how little she knew about you at all, she had seemed to imprint on you like a baby animal and was now striding towards you with the same intent.

You'd more important things to do but there was no escape.

The gait of each step was too great. She couldn't be outran

Her voice called out too loud. You couldn't pretend you didn't see her.

Time almost seemed to slow, your eyes widened and pulse heightened and you felt like a deer in headlights. Well, if the car in question was a 20 year old woman. In what felt like forever... or rather no time at all, she was here.

"Oh, I've had a brilliant idea!" her voice echoed out, as subtle as a ton of bricks "Why don't we both go to Greece? Two heads are better than one and we win together! What do you think?"

Loud, unsubtle and not-at-all fitting to your style of work, alone. But there could be benefits, a backup or at least a distraction for you.

There were an equal amount of pro's and con's.

No way to get out, unless you ran.

[Shiki]

Rangdris Keyron
Commercial District
A few months before…
Noon (Phase Null)
500/500 MP


What a pleasant day... I mutter to myself as I walk around this place under the sun. The temperature is just right and though it is noon, it is not that hot to make me too sweaty. I am in a good as all my preparations are doing well. It will take a bit of time until my departure so maybe I atleast roam around the city and sniff some things.

After my date with Kathryn the other day, I went to the academy and ask some people around and tried to gather other information as much as I can. Fortunately, I gather some in regards with other participants albeit some of them are rumors. For now, the suspected participants on artifact hunting is 8 persons. Though I believe some of them are just rumored while some are really true. I heard from one of my connections that it indeed one of the fellow pupils I encountered before as Kathryne had told me could possibly going there. Judging from the background, the youth in question has fond of artifacts and came from a respectable lineage though I am a bit skeptical as if I know, that lineage is already in decline because of the previous head or something.

I sort various information on my head and think some ways on how to deal with them if ever. I even heard that there is an alchemist who employs some strange creatures under him, there is a prodigy mage and there is a magus that is in related with various businesses. Though I am a bit suspicious with this magus who is related with various businesses, I have an instinct that I am somewhat connected this person. I wish to investigate more on this type. But as like I mentioned, rumors are still rumors. My connections only to that extent, maybe I'll ask my butler to gather some specific details.

As I walking leisurely I heard someone calling me behind...

"Hmm I am hearing an awfully familiar voice... Oh well, must be my imagination..."

I dismissed the familiar sound as nothing and continue my phase however it is really bugging me. The sounds of footsteps are getting closer and closer. Something tells me not to look back...So..I look back and what I see is...

"Oh, I've had a brilliant idea!" her voice echoed out, as subtle as a ton of bricks "Why don't we both go to Greece? Two heads are better than one and we win together! What do you think?"

Oh shit.. it's Kathryne! How the hell did she find me here? What should I do? Can I pretend that I don't see her? Well let's do that.

I tried to shift my eyes away but I realize something. This girl, base on personality, is hard to shrug off. See, she even enthusiastically looking at me with that ridiculous expression... Let me think the pro's and con's for now.

Pro's:

1. Good meatshield
2. Good to use for seduction
3. Can cook.. Probably
4. Can take care of my laundry... Probably
5. Can do some logistic work..Probably
6. Two minds better than one... Nope, she maybe intelligent but overall she is an idiot.

Con's
1. Can be a hostage.. Pain in the ass
2. Might be controlled ... Pain in the ass
3. Pain in the ass
4. Pain in the ass
5. Pain in the ass

Shit... I think there are may cons. She is useful when sniffing info but I cannot say the same if I involve her on the field. Besides, my strategy is incompatible with her and as much as possible I don't want her to know more about me. Well...maybe she has other uses?..

I shift my eyes on her and with a poker face, I instantly tell her


"Go home..."

[SpoonyViking]

Casimir Zaleski & Xherdan Knellwulfr
Many Miles Apart
A few weeks earlier…
Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

Xherdan Knellwulfr. Casimir didn't particularly consider himself a student of human nature, but he had noted how ironic it was that the people more predisposed to treating others as commodities were often the most - well, not trustworthy, but reliable ones. He supposed it was due to how they, more than most, depended on their reputations. Even so, Casimir had been a magus for too long to just naively trust another one; it was best to pick carefully what information to share.

- Mr. Knellwulfr? This is Casimir Zaleski. I don't believe we've ever met, but you had a business transaction with a relative some time ago. I was wondering if you might be interested in performing another service for the Zaleski family?

On the other hand, he had no compunctions about discussing such matters over the phone; not only was he not yet in a position to attract the attention of the other families (no more than usual, at least), he was fairly certain most magi would have no idea of how to spy on a phone call.

- Forgive me if I seem blunt, Mr. Knellwulfr, but I will be brief: I am interested in conducting research of a most sensitive nature in the general vicinity of southern Sicily, one which I want to not attract the attention of... ...curious onlookers. I wish to employ your services in assisting with the transport of certain materials, and also in investigating the area for others of our kind.

The Zaleski magecraft required a variety of tools and materials to be performed, things which had to be transported in a discrete manner so as to attract the least bit of attention possible. However, Casimir wouldn't rely solely on Xherdan's services; he would set up a base of operations himself, away from Xherdan's own prying eyes. His aid with the initial stage would be most helpful, though.

[Xaodzilla]

Xherdan Knellwulfr
Agrigento - Safehouse
A few weeks earlier…
Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

Mr. Knellwulfr? This is Casimir Zaleski. I don't believe we've ever met, but you had a business transaction for a relative some time ago. I was wondering if you might be interested in performing another service for the Zaleski family?

Xherdan was mostly silent as the Casimir spoke, taking in every word like it was his last. He remembered the last Zaleski who had come to him for aid. The proceeding didn’t go exactly as planned, leaving a broken wand and a disgruntled Mage.

He didn’t feel too bad though. He was kind of a dick.

Xherdan had begun pacing around the main room of the compound, phone held in between his shoulder and ear as he continued fiddling with the gun in his hands.

Forgive me if I seem blunt, Mr. Knellwulfr, but I will be brief: I am interested in conducting research of a most sensitive nature in the general vicinity of southern Sicily, one which I want to not attract the attention of... ...curious onlookers. I wish to employ your services in assisting with the transport of certain materials, and also in investigating the area for others of our kind.

Click

Oh, this is going to be an interesting job. An interesting job indeed.

“All of this can be arranged. I am going to need some paperwork for the shipping, and I'm assuming you already know my rates, down payment etcetera. I can accommodate everything within a day or two. When can my people be expecting you in Sicily, Mr. Zaleski?"

[SpoonyViking]

Casimir Zaleski & Xherdan Knellwulfr
Many Miles Apart
A few weeks earlier…
Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

“All of this can be arranged. I am going to need some paperwork for the shipping, and I'm assuming you already know my rates, down payment etcetera. I can accommodate everything within a day or two. When can my people be expecting you in Sicily, Mr. Zaleski?"

It was a simple enough question, one with a simple enough answer. But Casimir's philosophical nature couldn't help but ponder how it seemed to carry an air of finality:

"Immediately, Mr. Knellwulfr."

[OOC: I'm not sure if you have anything else planned for the prologue, Hermes, but for my part, I don't believe Casimir has anything else to do for the moment.]

[Bird of Hermes]

Myles Alcott
Valle dei Templi
Friday April 9^th, 1999, Late Evening (Phase Null)
500/500 MP

Well Tamara seemed about as unsubtle as a ton of bricks. As usual.

It wasn't that you disliked it about her, quite the contrary, but it was a mixed bag to say the least and could make work difficult. Tamara's positive aspects far outweighed the negatives; fierce, loyal, strong in countless ways... it made the occasional bad idea and groin shot when you got a little out of line worth it.

While the Hotel Villa Athena was a very obvious target, it was if anything too obvious. It got a lot of attention and the people who went there were the obstinately wealthy kind who had a tendency to be insufferable and never shut up in a way that only the upper classes seemed born with. That meant there was no way that an assailant could attempt something there as he'd be seen and broadcast to the entire city. The downside was that it would put a dent in your bank account.

Would it be worth it? Probably.

Would you regret it? Possibly.

But that was tomorrow. Tonight you were in your element.

You knew your history, you knew your capabilities and you had a respect for the temple that your foes did not possess. You weren't a killer, you weren't your father, you were not the people who had attacked and belittled you. You were better than that.

But most importantly...

You already were forming a plan in your head.

With the sun now set, you yourself set off to the temple. As you had said to yourself earlier, there was work to do.

---

Myles Prologue: End