(100% of the credit and ownership goes to the creators of Fate/Apocypha. I do NOT own any of it!)


Chapter 9: Broken Hallelujah

Present Day, The Reverse Side of the World

Sieg had seen everything. He witnessed Ruler fainting shortly after seeing Rider for the first time since the Grail War had concluded. He didn't think he'd ever felt so weak. He wanted to hold Ruler close and tell her she was going to be okay. He watched her face go white and look at Astolfo as if he was a ghost from a long-lost memory from a life lived long ago. Ruler… do you not remember me, our memories? He didn't think his heart would ache as badly as it did, but was proved wrong. His entire being threatened to crumple in on itself.

He heard Saint George and Rider's conversation back and forth detailing the events from the past leading to the present. It was interesting listening to it from Rider's point of view and being only a bystander to the tale. Sieg had seen Georgios's conflicted face throughout the story and the gentle looks he'd sneak at Ruler when he thought Rider wasn't paying attention. The way Saint George's face contorted whenever Sieg's name was said out loud, unable to defend himself.

He was envious while watching Saint George casually stroke his hand through Ruler's long hair as if he'd done it a million times before. Knowing Georgios had the luxury to do this at his leisure, it turned Sieg's blood to ice. Sieg listened intently upon discovering Ruler had been previously engaged to Georgios for centuries before Sieg had even met her. His heart, his world felt as if it was put on pause for the world to see. He held his breath until his mind went faint. How could he have never been made aware of this? Sieg had not the slightest clue of this small but immensely important detail. Do you love him Ruler?

He felt insecurity knowing Saint George could be there for Ruler. To hold her and assure her that her world wasn't going to sink into darkness while all Sieg could supply was a fading, faint memory, a burden on her existence. If Ruler wished for it, she could pick Georgios at the end of it all. If Ruler had never met Sieg, she could have lived out her eternally blissful life beside Saint George. Sieg felt his body begin to shake in anguish, picturing the woman he held so close to his heart love another man. Ruler, do you regret meeting me? I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I interfered. Maybe it was I who had no right to love you.

This Saint George seemed like a well-intentioned kind man, one who loved Ruler fiercely. He appeared strong, flawless even. Sieg saw the intense love Georgios felt towards Ruler with his powerful non-verbal communication. One would be blind not to see it. Sieg knew it all too well, because he used to look at Ruler the exact way Georgios now was. He knew Astolfo saw it as well and although Rider may not admit it out loud, Rider was worried for Sieg's sake as well.

Now, Ruler would have to risk her very life to retrieve Sieg from the Reverse Side of the World. The journey that lay ahead of her would be a complicated and an extremely dangerous one. For what? To be reunited with him? Was he that important? Although that was what his heart desired, what Sieg wanted more than anything in this world was Ruler's safety and happiness.

Would Sieg be her demise? Could he not provide even the slightest support? Sieg felt utterly powerless. Sadness pushing itself onto the surface of his relaxed composure. Tears falling from his ruby-eyes. Ruler, why? Please, I'm not worth it. Stay safe. Find happiness with Saint George, have many children with him, and spend your eternity with laughter and among friends. I know you will be loved. I can bear an eternity alone if it means at the end of it all, you are safe and well.

Then, he saw Ruler wake up from her slumber with a forceful new look of determination. Ruler… Sieg couldn't stop looking at her, he couldn't even bring himself to blink, in fear that she would disappear before his eyes. He stopped breathing.

"Astolfo… Georgios… I am so sorry to have worried you. How long have I been asleep? Where are we? Astolfo, I heard about your dream, it stirs feelings in me I haven't felt for quite some time now," Ruler spoke agilely.

The woman with the striking long daisy blonde hair that flowed freely around her. She wasn't wearing her traditional braid, leaving her hair naturally loose from its usual confined up do. His heart stopped… Breathe Sieg.

Her enchanting amethyst eyes didn't change in the slightest from their last encounter as they looked up to Rider and Saint George. At the very top of her eyes in the corner, still had the reflection of the evening sunset, making her stand out, as she so often did. She still had a curvy body frame and wore a concerned soft smile on her face. His tears stopped and he cursed himself for ever doubting her. He loved her so much it threatened to break him into varying shaped pieces.

"I assure you both in great confidence that I'm far better than I have been for months now. My health is in impeccable condition now that my memories have rightfully returned. Astolfo, I'm positive that your dreams are connected to what Sieg himself may be seeing. By that same rationale it can be implied that Sieg may very well be seeing what you yourself are currently seeing. Have you spoken to him? Communicated with him for even just a short bit?" Ruler asked curiously.

Sieg felt his frown turn into a humored smirk. It was refreshing to see that his uptight and constant worrying Ruler hadn't changed in the slightest. He knew by the tone in her voice she hadn't given up on finding him and didn't plan on stopping until she finally found him. The doubt and second thoughts he had been experiencing shortly ago, dissipated with each passing second. Ruler, I'm okay. I wish you could hear me. I arrived at the Reverse Side of the World a month or so ago. My travels were safe and fast. It would amaze you how quickly a dragon can travel. I've never stopped thinking about you, not for even a mere second.

He felt excitement bubble in the pit of his stomach. She was okay, she remembered him, and recalled their precious memories. Sieg had been made aware that he shared a strong connection with Astolfo for quite a while now. If only Rider and himself could communicate in some form beyond that of watching the other's memories from a back seat. He was determined to do whatever he could do to find a way to make this connection stay or go even further.

Ruler and Rider spent the next few hours discussing strategies for how to move forward in finding him. The two most important people in his life cared so desperately for his retrieval from the sanctuary of beasts leaving him touched beyond measures. He longed to hold Ruler's hand firmly in his own and to hear Rider's bubbly carefree laugh light up a room again. It wasn't long until Sieg noticed Georgios's uneasiness with the conversation at hand. Ruler… Rider… I miss you with every fiber of my being. I long for a world where I can reside among you. I'm truly sorry Saint George. I do not know you, but I can empathize with you and your love for her.

Sieg felt for the Saint, he truly did, but he was unapologetic for having fallen in love with Ruler. He could never nor would he ever regret it. Ruler had become his world and reason for living. She had saved him in every way a woman could save a man. She had supported him and accepted him unconditionally, always pushing him to be the best possible man he could be without regrets or reservation. He had ultimately drawn his strength and endurance after watching the selfless way she had lived her own life. Ruler... Jeanne d'Arc had become the light in his world of darkness.

Saint George stormed out of the room suddenly radiating betrayal and disbelief. Sieg saw Ruler go right after him, in hopes of attempting to calm him down he was sure. What Ruler didn't know was that Rider had been listening against the door after Ruler rushed after Saint George. Astolfo and Sieg had heard the entire emotional conversation between Georgios and Ruler.

Sieg wanted to defend Ruler's honor and be there to shield her from Saint George's cruel words. Sieg was the one to blame for all this, not Ruler. He desperately wished that he could be there to console Ruler and assure her the spiteful statement conveyed by Saint George was that of a hurt and heartbroken man, nothing more. Ruler, you are passionate. You are poised. You are elegant. You are beautiful. You are loved. You are the reason I continue to breathe even now. You are none of which Georgios unrightfully accused you of.

Sieg had absolute faith that Ruler would find a way to him and that they would reunite again. He would continue to say and believe this statement without fail. If he was destined to have his heart shattered by anyone's hands, Sieg knew it was on him and no one else. He trusted Ruler with his destiny and his very life. He would lay down all that he was and entrusted it to Ruler.

Ruler slowly opened the door back into the room. Astolfo quickly booked it to stand a few inches away from the door and made it look like he had been daydreaming out the window during Ruler's absence. Sieg knew that Rider was tremendously worried about Ruler and was very close to decking Saint George straight in the face for his careless remarks. 'Stupid mean jerk' was said several times in Astolfo's mind during the whole incident with Ruler and Saint George.

"Ruler, I'm always going to be here for you. Always and forever! Never forget that simple fact," Rider said affectionately as he moved closer to stand in front of Ruler.

Astolfo suddenly embraced her into a huge bear hug, and smiled into Ruler's hair as he closed his eyes. Sieg and Rider breathed in Ruler's familiar yet soothing smell of lilac and honey.

"As I will always be here for you my dear Astolfo. Let's find Sieg, shall we?" Ruler replied resolved.

Astolfo and Ruler separated slightly from their hug, holding dearly onto each other's forearms with happy tears spilling from their eyes and goofy smiles on their faces.

"About damn time! Let's do this!" Rider responded happily.

Abruptly, Sieg felt the warmth of the evening breeze seduce him back to his deep sleep. All he knew while closing his eyes was that nothing in the world mattered more to him except the comforting presence of Ruler and Rider together and the short distance between them all. Although Ruler and Rider were in an entirely different universe, Sieg felt as if they were joined together as one in that moment.

Sieg wasn't afraid of the daybreak that lay in front of them whether it be united together, or destruction apart. We will find each other again Ruler, I'm sure of it. Rider, stay strong for all of us, Lord knows we all need a good smile every day. I know you both will find me.


(A/N: Happy Easter! This chapter is a much shorter one and a bit different than how I've done the others. Let me know your thoughts! Listened to 'Soundscape to Ardor – Bleach' the entire time while writing this (so emotional). Thank you SO much from the bottom of my heart to the people that have just started following, recently favorited and are continually reading my story. It means the absolute world to me! If you want the story to continue, PLEASE continue to review/favorite/follow. Thank you always for the constant support of my story and characters, xoxo!)


Thank you Nerf585, giacomoX, derrickfoo0, and KitsuneRose16 for taking the time to review! You guys have been so loyal and it's super rewarding seeing your reviews after each chapter. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how invested you are so thank you for being such a reliable support team. Keep telling me your thoughts! Thank you for being supportive of the story. I appreciate you guys dearly!