𝐀𝐓𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐒 》 MILO THATCH

𝔎𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰 𝔈𝔶𝔢𝔰

𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦
𖣔𖣘𖣔

(NAME) SWALLOWED, TRYING NOT TO CHOKE ON THE ITCHY FEELING IN THE BACK OF HER NECK. Her eyes were willing up but she refused to acknowledged it in front of Rourke. The smoke cleared, her vision took slightly longer, and she could see the king on his seat.

''Knock, knock,'' Vinny said, throwing and catching a stick of dynamite. Personally, (Name) had never been so disgusted in her entire life. No - she had to remind herself. These were her people, they were just like her. They didn't know people were going to be down here, they didn't know things would escalate this quickly and they certainly didn't know they'd use their tools as weapons out of fear of their commander.

A horrible thought struck (Name)'s mind. Had the other, lost soldiers, known? Were they even aware of their mission? Or were their deaths just heads Rourke could strike out on the percentage list?

''Tell them to drop their weapons, now,'' Helga said, spinning her gun as if it was an extension of her own limb and prodding Kida's side with it. The King waved a hand, speaking Atlantean. She couldn't understand what he was saying, but (Name) could bet it wasn't anything pleasant.

Unfortunately, though, it seemed he had complied as the guards dropped their spears. 

The others were yelled at to separate and search, whilst (Name) and Kida were kept in the grip of Helga. (Name) was rather embarrassed, she had to admit, whilst Kida stood their confidently, she had tried to weasel out of the blonde's grip - and couldn't. Seriously, she was being held with one hand. Helga's had was like a metal vice, freezing cold and sure to snap her bones if it was pulled too tightly.

Rourke shoved his gun further toward Milo, lifting his chin up with the edge of it to force them into eye-level. ''You're not applying yourself, son. There's got to be something else.''

''Well, there isn't!'' Milo said, shoving his beloved book further away from him as he glared back. ''It just says 'the heart of Atlantis lies in the heart of her king'.''

''Well, maybe Old King Cole here can help us fill in the blanks.''

Milo was discarded harshly to the side whilst the commander and two others cornered the king. (Name) gulped, her mind was playing out various scenarios and not one of them ended in any of their favour - (except maybe Rourke, but by all accounts (Name) no longer included him in the term 'their' anymore).

''How about it chief? Where's the crystal chamber?''

''You will destroy yourselves.''

Rourke twiddled his toothpick between two fingers, leaning in closer. ''Maybe I'm not being clear.'' Suddenly, she was struggling again, Kida doing the same this time as her father hunched over, wheezing and spluttering as he clutched his torso; where a soldier had just punched him.

Sweet dropped to his knees beside the kings head. ''This wasn't part of the plan.''

Rourke rolled his eyes as he sauntered past the scene. ''Plan's change, Doc. I'd suggest you put a bandage on that bleeding heart of yours. It doesn't suit a mercenary.'' (Name) scowled as the commander took a seat on the throne as if he was back at him, his feet plopping down on the fruit table in front of him. ''Well, as usual, diplomacy has failed us. Now I'm going to count to ten, and you're going to tell me where the crystal is... one.'' He cocked his gun, (Name) could see her friends flinch from the corner to her eye.

This was for real, it was actually happening. Her chest was getting tighter and she clenched her eyes closed, turning away from the scene.

''Two. Nine. T-'' He stopped mid-word and (Name) un-froze, relaxing slightly as she slowly blinked her eyes open, turning her head to see what had caught the commanders attention.

He was looking right at her.

Oh no, what had she done?

He glanced at the Shepard's Journal before back at her, and then at the floor. What was going on?

''The heart of Atlantis lies int he eyes of her king.'' The king released a deep breath from where he forcefully knelt, his head sagging in defeat. ''This is it! We're in!'' Throwing the book to the side, the commander began striding towards them, dropping into the water and wading to where he came to a stop in front of Helga, Kida and (Name) who stood on a stepping stone just off the centre.

''Rourke, for the last time, you have to listen to me! You don't have the slightest idea of what this thing's capable of,'' Milo tried pleading as he followed after the man.

''True, but I can think of a few countries who would pay anything to figure it out,'' Helga said before dropping her captive's arms and pushing them forwards. Kida rolled into a crouched position, clutching her arm in distaste whilst (Name) went for the more - sophisticated route. She stumbled once her feet hit the floor harshly and nearly toppled over.

Glancing up, (Name) saw that Milo had been the one to grab the front of her shoulders and pull her back up - but he wasn't looking at her. It wasn't like last time, when he did it out of habit and hadn't realised, this time he knew, and he didn't want to acknowledge it. (Name)'s heart pinged. Did he still blame her?

A sudden urge overcoming her, (Name) waited until the others were just out of earshot before lunging and latching onto Milo's forearm like a desperate puppy. ''Milo - Milo look at me,'' she pleaded, wanting to get her explanation out before the commander noticed them lagging behind. ''I tried to tell you, I swear I - Milo!''

He had tugged his arm out of her grip and joined the others, leaving (Name) to trail after them too. Alone.

𖣘𖣔

Lmao sorry this is slightly late, someone commented 'cliffhanger' on the last chapter and it took me a while to get down from that high.