Atalanta awoke from her slumber. The first half of the night had been restless, disturbed by certain unrestrained individuals, but the latter half brought restful sleep.
Rising, she stepped onto the deck, gazing at the rising sun. She stretched and yawned, feeling invigorated from the rest, her body brimming with energy.
"Atalanta, you're up! Come eat!" a somewhat familiar voice called. She turned to see Morpheus's group, with Heracles among them.
"We're on the ship, so Jason had food sent over," Heracles said, waving a large piece of roasted meat.
Artemis, under her alias Diana, greeted Atalanta with a smile. "Come join us for breakfast!"
"Y-Yes!" Atalanta replied, hurrying over. Looking at Diana's face, she felt an inexplicable warmth, her usual wariness easing.
Strange. Is it because Diana's so beautiful that I'm letting my guard down? That shouldn't be it. Maybe it's because we're both women, and she seems so lively?
Puzzled but not dwelling on it, Atalanta quickly washed her face and mouth, then joined the group to eat.
As she ate, her eyes drifted to Morpheus, recalling his words from last night, stirring her doubts again.
I didn't think it through last night... guess I was too tired, my head all foggy. Now, why does he want me to learn magic? What's he to me?
We didn't know each other before. Why's he suddenly offering to teach me? Is he after something? My body? Plenty want that, but he didn't act like that last night…
Unable to make sense of it, Atalanta forced herself to focus on the food.
Though it was breakfast, the meal was lavish... vegetables, meat, and grain-based staples, perfectly fueling a hunter's needs. Atalanta successfully shifted her attention to the feast.
But once sated and relaxed, Morpheus's words crept back into her mind.
What's he really after?! She was tempted to confront him directly, demanding answers. Offering to teach her without mentioning any cost was baffling.
"So, what's troubling you?" a voice interrupted. Atalanta started, realizing she hadn't noticed someone approach... again. It was Diana, whose voice she recognized.
Is this woman that skilled? Her introduction suggested she's not that strong, but she approached silently, and her movements scream expert hunter!
Atalanta was stunned but smiled. "Nothing's troubling me."
Glancing at Morpheus fishing nearby, with Medea mimicking him, she turned to Diana. "Not fishing?"
"I'd rather dive into the sea and catch fish by hand," Artemis said, making Atalanta laugh. "Your clothes would get soaked!"
"No big deal, they'd dry quickly," Artemis replied casually, then asked, "You looked distressed earlier. Something wrong?"
Atalanta hesitated, then said, "Someone offered to teach me magic... a spell to stay calm. I'm wondering whether to accept."
Artemis immediately knew this involved Morpheus, recalling his promise to address Atalanta's future crisis.
"I think you should learn it," Artemis said. "More skills are always better. You're an incredible hunter, and calmness is almost instinctual for you, but what if something disrupts that, making you lose control of your emotions?"
"Lose control?" Atalanta echoed, puzzled.
"Yes. This world has magic that can manipulate emotions, like the power of the love goddess. It can amplify feelings... love, hate... until they dominate you. Imagine someone feeling a twinge of jealousy because another is more beautiful. The love goddess could magnify it, driving them to kill."
Atalanta knew of such powerful magic but never imagined it targeting her. The magic Diana described was the kind only gods wielded.
Why would a god bother with her?
"Don't let your guard down," Artemis continued. "This adventure is guided by the gods. If you face something beyond your power, the gods might intervene. Besides, Atalanta, you're so beautiful. If I were a man, I might pray to the love goddess for a treasure to win your heart!"
"N-No way…" Atalanta's confidence wavered. She knew how obsessed some men were, willing to risk their lives in deadly races against her.
Their desire to conquer her was overwhelming, driving them to any extreme.
Her guard went up, but she hesitated. "He offered to teach me but didn't mention any cost. I don't believe in free gifts. Even if it's my body, I'd consider it if he said so outright, but asking for nothing feels… sinister."
"Why not just ask him?" Artemis said, snapping Atalanta out of her confusion. It was so obvious.
Right! I'll ask him what he wants, what price I'd pay!
Artemis added, "Ask him, then seek guidance from your goddess. You're so devout... she'll surely respond!"
"Thanks, Diana, you've helped a lot!" Atalanta said cheerfully. "If you ever need help, just tell me!"
"If I do, I will," Artemis smiled, enjoying sitting beside her devotee without revealing her divine identity.
…
"You want to teach me magic. What do you want in return? You're not doing this for free, are you?" Atalanta asked Morpheus on the beach.
Though Morpheus expected her to seek details, he hadn't anticipated this question first.
While not a follower of the Christian faith... leaning toward the unorthodox Golden Dawn system... he was devout in his own way, often visiting churches in the Toaruverse, singing hymns, and partaking in weekend communion.
He'd volunteer, distribute food to the needy, and discuss theology with priests. A pastor once suggested he join the Anglican Church, noting he'd make a fine priest.
Morpheus declined, preferring his wandering lifestyle over being tied to a church.
These experiences shaped his habit of helping others without expecting reward, just as he'd seek "help" from churches for trivial issues like "it's too hot to cook."
Hearing Atalanta's question, he realized her confusion stemmed from this.
Rubbing his chin, he thought briefly and gave an answer that left her stunned.
"Pay what you think it's worth. Just a little is fine... something like a meal would do."
Atalanta froze, finally managing, "You'd teach me magic… for just a meal?!"
"Yup, just an example. A meal, some coins, maybe a song or dance... I'd be fine with any."
Seeing her dazed expression, Morpheus frowned. "You're right, asking for a song or dance might be too much, more than a meal's worth. How about you grab some vegetables or fruit from the city instead?"
***
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