Fate/King

Goodbye Father

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In the morning when they pack their belongings a solemn silence hang in the air.

Icarus hosted his travelling bag up in silence. Not trusting himself because if he opens his mouth, he'll explode in rage.

So he stayed quiet because at the end of the day, Daedalus is his father. It doesn't matter if he's reincarnated or not, Daedalus raised him. So he respects him.

Nonetheless, the journey to Thebes was a calm affair. Icarus doesn't know if Athena made it so they wouldn't encounter any beasts but if she did, he's thankful for that. Icarus never entered any battle and his father didn't learn any offensive magic, it'll be hard to say if they'll get out of the conflict unscathed.

Icarus has a sense of reason, unlike those reincarnators who like to claim.

Regardless he and his father trudged, their goal set before their eyes.

.....

It was a day later and around noon when Icarus and his father arrived at Thebes.

Icarus sighed as he stood at the port, before the ship that'll depart to Crete.

"You're going." Icarus stated.

"En." Daedalus nodded.

No matter what people may tell, moving out is harder than what people may portray as. As Icarus stands there, he feels like he's moving out of his father's crib. It got him feeling all nostalgic and moody.

Before Icarus could go down the rabbit hole, a rough big hand landed on his head and ruffled it up.

"Why are you sad? It's not like I'm dead or anything." Here, Daedalus laughed. A booming laugh, that attracted attention to them but neither Icarus or his father paid them attention.

Icarus didn't respond, still having that sullen expression on his face.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Daedalus lowered his voice and said. "Hey, You can visit me when you complete your quest, okay? You know where you can find me."

" Well, ye—" Before Icarus could finish his sentence, a loud voice was heard.

[Attention! All passengers enter the ship. The ship is leaving.]

[I repeat, the ship is leaving.]

"Hm? What is it you wanted to say?"

Icarus swallowed his words and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

"Nothing, father."

Daedalus sent his hands behind his neck and came up with a necklace.

"Here, this was a necklace of your mother."

It was a silver piece with long chain that when Icarus wore it, it came around his belly. It had a ring on it, the ring was also silver. But it was plain as there aren't any writtings on it or any diamonds.

"M - Mother?" Icarus stutterd. His father never mentioned his mother. It's one of those unwritten rules in their house.

"Yes. Oh and here." Daedalus gave Icarus a straw hat. "Hold this for me, okay? You'll return them when you come to see me okay?"

Icarus caught on the unspoken meaning. Not all people who go on quests come back. This is one of the reasons why Heroes are worshipped.

"Yea, I'll come to visit." Icarus murmured.

Daedalus gave him a last ruffle and chuckled. "Be strong, okay? I'll name an Invention after you."

Icarus pretended to be upset. "Hey! That's so insignificant! Try something bigger!"

"O-oh, dear. Then what about a boat?"

"More!"

"A ship?"

"You Don't love me do you?" Icarus sniffed and turned his head sideways.

"Hahaha, then...uhh" Daedalus put on a thinking expression. "Oh! Then what about an Island? Or my labyrinth?"

Icarus finally smiled. "Now, that's better."

Daedalus pulled and pinched Icarus's checks.

"What a greedy child I have."

Distantly they heard the broadcast again.

"Well, I should get going now." Daedalus waved at Icarus and walked into the ship.

Icarus watched Daedalus's back disappear in the ship. He held his father's strawhat and put it on. He bowed his head slightly and pushed the hat to cover his face.

Icarus hiccuped. Then his whole body trembled. Finally, Icarus cried. Again, this week. Regret was choking Icarus out, now more than ever he'll like to be isolated with his father. Talking about innovation all day, laughing and joking around.

Now, more than ever, he regretted accepting Athena's quest. He regretted not stopping his father killing Perdix. He regrets, he regrets and he regrets.

'One of the most painful things in life is saying goodbye to someone you love.'

'You don't know if you'll ever see them again.'

Mayhaps, for the first time since he came into this world.

Icarus dislikes the Gods.

It's illogical but who said love is logical and comforting to common sense?

If life was a book.

Then...

'Are we just another page of someone's life or is there something more?'

Icarus turned around and wobbled out of the city.

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Hundreds of miles away.

Above the clouds, Heaven.

Athena sat on her giant throne, looking into the divine flames that show the mortal world. Right now, it shows Icarus saying goodbye to his father.

Athena sat with a book and a quill in hand, writing.

"Another book of a new hero."

"Now, Icarus. What kind of hero would you be?"

Sounds of jotting can be heard in Olympus.

'I should tell Apollo to spread this book after I finish writing.' Athena mused.
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