Aeaean Spring Breeze - Ch. 2: Once Upon a Time

[queenofnohr]

[We open with a “storybook” segment.]

Once upon a time...

On a certain island, there lived a very powerful witch.

Witch: I can do anything. Healing people, transforming people, making poison, giving advice, dispensing prophecy— there is nothing that is beyond my power.

And it was true. Living all alone on an island didn’t hinder her at all. But, even if it wasn’t a hindrance, it was lonely. In truth, when she walked along the sandy beach, or looked up at all the stars strewn about the night sky, or when she ate her meals, or when she would lie down at night to sleep— she was always faintly longing for another to stay with her.

—However. She was a witch. And as a witch, loneliness shouldn’t exist for her. Those who knew the witch thought as much, and she, herself, thought so as well. It was a small thing, really, but it was enough to bring about a fatal discrepancy.

—Some time passed. A boat came ashore on the witch’s island. The warriors on the ship were finally on their way back home after a long, long war.

Witch: —That man looks like he’s made of iron.

One look, and the witch took a liking to the ship’s captain. So she thought she would do to him what she did to any other warrior.

[Storybook segment over]

Mash: The Great Hero Odysseus! You mean he’s the same Odysseus who’s not only celebrated for his feats in the Trojan War, but also the origin for the very word that encapsulates “adventure”!? 

Ah, but that would also mean he’s Circe’s—

……Oh, pardon me. 

Circe: I don’t mind if you say it, Mash. Go ahead and say whatever you were going to!

> So he’s your ex……

Circe: HE’S TOTALLY NOT!! Or, no, would he be considered one? …...No, no, it’s totally different. He’s definitely not my ex.

Orion: ……Here’s my interpretation. This smell…… Yes, it’s the stink of a 24 karat, undistilled, 100% romcom. Or something like girls gossiping about the guys they like at a slumber party……

Mash: Girl talk!

> Romcom!!

Circe: Kuwah! (She made a totally weird noise)

Orion: Be honest, you!

Circe: Well, let’s see……

……

……

……No, it’s like…… or is it? I give up, I don’t really understand myself. Even though I’m a Great Witch.

Orion: In any case, we should return to the others. If you’ve got lingering feelings, bring ‘em up. If you don’t, leave it be. Even separation is important when it comes to romance.

Circe: Being lectured on love by a stuffed bear is so humiliating……!!

Orion: Kokokokoko. (He’s laughing.) I may look cute, but on the inside I’m a romance veteran!

> It’s because Artemis is far a—	> Only because a certain goddess isn’t here……
Orion: YOU’RE MISTAKEN!!	Orion: Hyohyohyohyo (He’s laughing) Circe: (One of these days, this guy is gonna get slapped for going along with this)

Circe: Well, wait a sec before we head back. I’m gonna give myself a little something so I don’t act out. 

> A little something?

Circe: ......

......

There we go.

Orion: What did you do?

Circe: I put a little limiter on my emotions. This way, no matter what happens, it’ll be like I’ve reached enlightenment.

……Well, I don’t really know if “reaching enlightenment” is the correct turn of phrase, it’s just the feeling I get!

[back at the beach]

Arjuna: Oh, you’ve returned. What happened?

Circe: Well…… this and that. Anyway, about that guy—

Arjuna: Speaking of that Servant, I have some deeply disappointing news.

Circe: ?

???: It seems I’ve lost my memory.

Circe: Your memory......?

Georgios: I thoroughly interrogated him, and it doesn’t seem like he’s lying.

Orion: Oh, don’t worry, we know his True Name.

Arjuna: How?

Orion: Circe knew it. His name is Odysseus. It goes without saying he’s a hero from the Trojan War.

Arjuna: —I see. Odysseus, huh? If that’s the case, I want to gauge his skill.

Circe: Oi, oi, are you really picking a fight?

Arjuna: I’m a warrior. Even a small glimpse of his conduct in battle, and I’ll have a good grasp of his skill level.

Odysseus: ……So, I’m Odysseus.

Georgios: Did hearing your name bring back some memories……?

Odysseus: Unfortunately not. It’s like being caught in a maze. Odysseus…… Even if you tell me it’s my name, even if I know it’s my name, I can’t quite comprehend it.

Georgios: This is quite the pickle. Circe, do you have any potions that can restore memory?

Circe: If I can think I can make it, then I can make it……

......

......Ugh. L- Let me troubleshoot a little. I don’t know what’s interfering.

Odysseus: Please do.

Circe: ......

......

[Circe does magic]

Circe: There’s residual magic on him. This can’t be treated with a potion. This means—

Someone robbed him of his memory.

Everyone else: !!

Georgios: Then what should we do? I believe that perhaps he has a deeper connection to this Singularity than anticipated.

Odysseus: I think you should account for the possibility that I’m the culprit.

Jason: In that case, maybe we should tie him up and leave him be.

> Are you able to come with us?

Odysseus: Certainly. By learning that my True Name is Odysseus, the only thing I remembered was how to use my Noble Phantasm.

……It seems that as a Servant, there is some inherent knowledge and records I possess. If it isn’t a problem, I should be able to use that, at least.

Arjuna: That’s promising. Then we’ll search for the solution to this Singularity together with Odysseus.

Circe: ......

......

Mash: Circe, are you okay with that?

Circe: ……I guess I’m fine with it.

Odysseus: Oh, so you’re Circe?

Circe: Right on the money, Odysseus.

…...Well, I suppose I’ll work with you until your memory comes back.

Odysseus: I look forward to working with you.

Circe: *being unsociable*

Odysseus: ......

......

Orion: Circe, you’re a little, uh- maybe smile a bit……?

Circe: What are you talking about? I’m always like this. Well, let’s go, Master!

> What’s with this strength……!?	> Circe?
Circe: Don’t be rude to a Great Witch!	Circe: It’s fine, it’s fine. Let’s go!

Odysseus: ......

......

What a close Master-Servant pair. That’s nice to see.

Orion: (……She’s totally gonna break their wrist……)

[we’re in the jungle]

Circe: For now, let’s follow the residual magic left on him. Though it’s hard to track with all these Phantasmal Beasts hanging around……

Well, just leave that part to me.

Odysseus: I’m counting on you.

Circe: Oh, uh, right. Well, let’s give this a go……

> Seems like you're having a hard time……	> Is Odysseus weighing on your mind?
Circe: Of course I am!!	Circe: Can you stop with that tepid look, Piglet!? I think you totally have the wrong idea!

Odysseus: What’s wrong, Circe?

Circe: It’s nothing so don’t you dare come over here!

Odysseus: ......Okay.

Arjuna: ……I have a problem with the way you’re acting right now.

Georgios: Even if you’re only joking, aren’t you being a little impolite to someone who was an old acquaintance?

Circe: What is this, a combo attack from the righteousness police!?

Jason: No, from a third party’s perspective your behavior is totally that of an evil woman persecuting someone who’s already demoralized by having his memories lost.

Circe: Yeah right. That guy is iron. He’s a man whose bones, flesh, and nerves are all made of steel.

Odysseus: I see. So that’s how you see me……

Certainly, it’s as you say— I’m not hurt. Because I understand you have a reason for acting this way.

Jason: He has total faith in you, O Great Witch.

Circe: ……How about I toss some cursed pancakes on you for blessing us with your horrid laugh?

Jason: I’ll stop.

Circe: Hm. Sorry, but can someone take care of the Phantasmal Beasts ahead of us? We could go around them, but it’ll make it even more difficult to track the residual magic.

Jason: Hm. Then looks like you’re up, Odysseus.

Odysseus: Me?

Jason: Show us the hero who could compare to  Achilles and Hektor in the Trojan War. Oh, the greatest hero in Greece is Heracles, of course. I won’t concede that fact, but you can compete for second place. 

Odysseus: Understood. It’s certainly true that I can verify my existence with my behavior in combat.

Georgios: If you’re apprehensive, I will follow you into battle.

Odysseus: Please do. It’ll be welcome in the unlikely event that I’m defeated.

Jason: Isn’t the usual response, “I’ll do it alone”?

Odysseus: With how I am right now, even if I had said that, it wouldn’t be from my pride as a Heroic Spirit…… it would simply be arrogance. I don’t intend to solely rely on another, but I won’t refuse help. Now then, Guda. Your orders!

[battle]

Odysseus: ……Right, how was that?

Arjuna: There’s a solidness to the way you fight. It’s beyond reproach. Rather than a warrior, the way you fight is like that of a strategist. 

Odysseus: That seems to be in-line with how I lived. Circe, can you continue tracking now?

Circe: ......

......

Odysseus: Circe?

Circe: Oh, er, yeah. That was just the first time I’ve seen you fight.

Odysseus: Really? Since we knew each other in the past, I assumed we fought alongside each other.

Circe: No, Aeaea Island was peaceful.

Jason: Because you turned everyone into beasts?

Circe: That’s right! Because I’m a Great Witch!

Orion: I feel like that isn’t something to brag about.

Circe: By the way, I turned your subordinates into beasts. What do you think about that? Awful, right?

Odysseus: No, not really. I don’t think it’s acceptable to make snap judgements about a situation. If I’m going to blame someone, I’d want to have all the facts straight first…… 

To begin with, I’m just a vestige of who I was when I was alive. I have no intention of continuing to hold the grudges I had when alive, especially over strange circumstances.

Circe: ......

......Hmph!!

[she storms off]

Odysseus: ?

[Odysseus follows; they're separate from the rest of the group]

Mash: Circe?

[with them]

Circe: Sorry, it’s nothing. No, let’s see. I’m blaming you for things you didn’t do. But it really is nothing.

Odysseus: ……Because I don’t remember, I wanted to avoid answering.

Circe: —Fufu. As expected of the Achaeans’ #1 strategist! Alright! The trail is clear again with those Phantasmal Beasts gone. With this it’s a straight shot!

Odysseus: Yes, let’s go!

[they walk away, and a picture is snapped]

Jason: Do those two get along or not……

Arjuna: Are we being underhanded and rocking the boat by butting into their business? By the way, Georgios, what did you take a picture of just now?

Georgios: Oh, those two looked quite good on camera so I snapped one unintentionally.

Jason: So you’re a battlefield photographer……

Mash: About Circe, do you think that she’s still, you know, toward Odysseus……? Er, I mean, do you think she still loves him?

Orion: No idea. You’d probably have to ask her yourself. My guess is she finds it amusing and wants to mess with him.

Jason: I agree with Orion. That witch wants to take advantage of his weakness. And wants to use him as a shield in a pinch.

Arjuna: Ah, I see. So this is what Lady Medea had to deal with as a wife…… 

Jason: That’s in the past! Circe is Circe, and I’m me! I won’t comment on anything ‘cause I’d like to continue living, thanks!

[switch to Circe's PoV]

—Even lacking his memories, there’s no change in his personality or the way he acts. It’s infinitely frustrating, but also relieving. Because that means he didn’t change how he acted just for me back then.

……It’s reassuring. Even though it’s me, he treats everyone the same.

……It’s also just a bit frustrating. How complicated a maiden’s heart is.

Odysseus: ……I see something.

Circe: That’s……

Odysseus: This is your island. Any idea what it is?

Circe: ......Not at all. No, to be specific I know what this building is, but……

Why it’s here…… I haven’t the faintest idea.

Odysseus: Hm.

......It seems like this is a matter of great interest.

Circe: Piglet, can you come here for a sec—?

> What is it?

Circe: Take a look at this.

Jason: The stairs lead underground......

It’s bad, that place is giving me a bad feeling!

Arjuna: Circe, what do you think of it?

Circe: Well, an underground staircase never existed on Aeaea Island!

Georgios: If that’s the case, then this place is a clear discrepancy with the original.

Odysseus: In other words, we should go down there. Now then, Guda, what do you want to do?

> We have no choice but to go.	> Any objections to going?
Odysseus: Roger that.	Jason: Yes! I say we abandon this Singularity and go home! Georgios: Ha. Ha. Ha. That’s not a valid answer. Denied. Jason: Tsk. ……Isn't this just an open invitation to an underground labyrinth? This is like saying you need a tiger cub— no one needs a tiger cub, not even a little.

 

Orion: ......Well, I second that bad feeling.

Arjuna: Then I’ll be the scout.

Georgios: I’ll join you. Master, Circe, and Odysseus will be in the middle. Jason and Orion will bring up the rear.

Jason: Oho, that sounds good.

……

……

Orion: Jason, if you desert, you’ll become a wandering ghost.

Jason: Don’t read my mind!

Odysseus: Then, shall we go? Guda, your orders.

> All units, forward!	> Let’s go—!
Arjuna: Roger that. Go, go, go! ……Why did I do that. Jason: Aren’t you the one who did it!?	Orion: Right! [he goes, then comes back] Orion: Are you coming or not!? Everyone Else: Sorry.