Ocho - The Sixth Night - Vampiric Urges
Linkin Park - Session
The calm before the storm. The middle of the first's journey. The dawn of the third day. The stained glass - perfect.
§ ~ § ~
The darkness was comforting, Sakura thought. If only because it allowed her to unsee the slimy, rancid things that wriggled around her. Yes, in this pit - there was nothing but the absence of light, the darkness of her thoughts, and the piercing teeth of the Matou's crest worms. The worms dug into Sakura's body, burrowing into her rectum, her vagina, and her mouth.
Grandfather had forbidden the crest worms from entering into her other orifices. She had to see. She had to hear. She had to smell how utterly revolting the Matou magecraft truly was. It was for her own good - the pain was good. At least, that was the comforting thought that ran through Sakura's head.
What else could the pain be?
"Hm," Matou Zouken said. "It seems that the Tohsaka and the Emiya have formed an alliance. Against the combined might of Saber and Archer, Rider will surely face defeat. And the Matou will not win the war - I cannot let this happen."
Grandfather often talked to her while she was in the pit. Sometimes he taunted her. Sometimes he simply talked about the weather. And sometimes, he told her what a good pet she really was. Yes, those times were the best.
Nee-san and Senpai? Ah...
Zouken scoffed. "If only Shinji was as powerful as you, Sakura-chan. But no matter."
The book of false attendant in Zouken's hand burned. Sakura felt her magic circuits crackle.
No. She didn't want to fight. She didn't want to fight senpai.
"After all, this old man still hasn't made his move."
Zouken cackled, the basement lighting up with an eerie light. Thousands of crest worms wriggled in the dark - a sick mockery of the ebb and flow of the ocean's tides. On the wall was a black mirror, its clear surface showing a bout between two servants.
Sakura closed her eyes. She had to unsee. She had to remain sane - for senpai. For Nee-san.
Emiya-senpai... save me.
§ ~ § ~
"Idiot!"
Archer glanced at Rin. She had been stressed ever since the night that Berserker attacked - ever since the night that she had nearly died. Was it because of...
"Hey, Rin!"
The two masters stopped working on the ritual circle on the side of the building. They looked at Archer. He was perched on the roof, maintaining a perfect lookout over the school grounds. In his hands was a thick tome detailing magic. Behind him, the sun's red and orange hues faded into the darkening skies.
Soon, night would fall. Soon, the Grail War would resume once more.
Soon, they would meet again.
The static hummed. Archer shook it off. It wasn't the best time to be reminded of what he was. It wasn't the time to remember anything.
"You're not stressed because you're on your period, are you?" said Archer, smirking.
Rin raised a fist. "No, Archer. And unless you want me to blast you with Gandr-"
Emiya winced. Archer had heard from Saber that their masters had formed an alliance - but only after Rin attacked Emiya, demanding his command seals.
It was bold of his master. And stupid.
Fortunately, Rider attacked and didn't do much damage except for a bloody arm and a wounded pride. He'd have to thank the purple-haired servant for that one. Well, after she stopped attacking the townspeople and making a damn mess.
"Then you'll shut up and let me finish this!"
Archer chuckled, watching as the sun fully set behind grey clouds. "Fine, Rin-chan. I guess I'll fetch you some sanitary pads later."
"ARCHER!!!"
Archer smirked, deftly tilting his head to the side. The reddish-black ball of prana passed by harmlessly.
Annoying this Rin was the best past time ever, Archer decided. Even better than annoying Ilya. The fact that this Rin looked cute whenever she was angry was just a bonus.
§ ~ § ~
That night, the Holy Grail War made its presence known at Ryuudou Temple.
Lancer climbed up the giant stairs. As he did, he cursed whatever sadist engineered the stairs to the temple.
Whatever.
He'd simply vent his frustrations on Caster and her pet Assassin. Kirei had ordered him to put an end to Caster's schemes. They were attracting far too much media attention. Too much attention in fact, that Kirei's contacts in the Magus Association told him that the Japanese government were planning to send a specialized task force to get to the bottom of the gas leaks. That would bring the roof down on their heads.
Normally, Lancer would have refused Kirei's orders. At least, until Lancer forced him to use a command seal. Unfortunately, Lancer's Magic Resistance wasn't sufficient enough to resist the power of a command seal.
This time however, Lancer had the prospect of a good fight.
"So you've returned, Lancer."
Assassin nodded curtly, his extremely long blade held over his shoulder. The swordmaster's probing eyes watched Lancer.
Lancer grinned, brandishing Gae Bolg. This was going to be a good fight.
The servant's clashed - only one would walk away.
§ ~ § ~
"That dog of yours amuses me, Kirei."
Gilgamesh took a long sip of his wine. He savored the rich taste of the drink of the gods, smirking as Kirei frowned at the vice. The priest was far too amusing - which was why he still alive. Gilgamesh supposed that the universe had kept Kirei alive to be the king's entertainment. The long years would have been... *boring* without the priest's company. That was, until his Saber had been summoned.
Oh beautiful Saber, Gilgamesh thought, soon you will be mine.
For everything belonged to the one true king. Including Saber herself. Gilgamesh would take her from the insolent mongrel who dared lay his claim on her - by force if need be.
"Are - are you Kirei Kotomine?"
A blue-haired boy entered the church.
§ ~ § ~
That night, Rin dreamt. She dreamt of a princess in black. Of purple flames and knights clad in red.
The princess ran through the trees, her lips taut with grief, pain... and anger.
Anger at what, Rin didn't know. Nor did she know the name of the princess who looked so much like her Archer. The petite girl was trying to outrun the fire - the malevolent purple flames that scorched the forest in pursuit of her.
The flames weren't alone. Knights clad in red armor, who bore a small cross on their vests, hunted down the princess as if she was a dog. At the helm of the squadron of knights was a familiar black-haired girl, flanked by a blue-cloaked mage.
Rin couldn't remember why the woman seemed so familiar - rarely could she even think straight in the visions brought to her by the Dream Cycle.
Will you love me if I fall?
The princess broke through the treeline.
Beyond it, was a desert. The stars blinked above, casting their frail light over the princess. Her delicate hair, stained with dirt and leaves, clung to her sweaty skin. Her onyx bodysuit was torn in places, her black cloak barely hanging to her clavicle. Her arms were bare, and they were red and raw from the stinging branches of the trees. Her red eyes were streaked with unshed tears.
The princess grit her teeth and stifled the sob in her chest.
She willed herself to move.
Her steps were uneven as she descended into the desert. Her heeled boots were unfit for the sandy terrain, and she kept slipping and turning on the desert sand. Much to her frustration, the galloping of the horses were getting closer. There was no cover in sight - the desert was filled with desolate and treacherous sand.
The twin swords on her back grew heavy.
And so, the red-eyed princess collapsed into the the desert, Archer's blade clutched in her tired hands.
Rin woke up. Sticky sweat seeped into her white sheets. It was still dark outside. Archer's comforting presence was nowhere to be found.
§ ~ § ~
Servant Matrix
Name: Weiss Valentine
Sex: Male
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Class: Archer
Combat Parameters
Strength: C
Agility: B
Magic: EX
Endurance: B
Luck: A --
Class Skills:
Independent Action [A]
Magic Resistance [D--]
Personal Skills:
§ [D-]
Protection From Arrows [C-]
Battle Continuation [A]
Pioneer of the Sword (True) [EX]
Eye of the Mind (True) [A]
Charisma (False) [C]
High Speed Thaumaturgy [A]
§ Magic [EX]
Noble Phantasms:
Oath Under Snow - § [D]
In life,Weiss Valentine swore an oath to § . The oath still binds him even as a Heroic Spirit. This supportive Noble Phantasm raises all combat parameters except Luck by one stage, and compels the Heroic Spirit to be honorable.
§ - The Sword of Dominance [§]
One of the § of § - the precious sword of §. In life, § wielded it with such skill that the saints and angels above wept in despair. In death, §. When drawn, §. The blade is proof of §, and possession of it sets Pioneer of the Sword to [True]. It is one of the ten armaments of legend.
The Boy Who Could Fly - For § [§]
A § that grants Weiss Valentine the power to subvert §. Passively, §. When activated, §. Allows the actualization of § and §, provided that §.
§ - The Cursed Redhead [D]
A cursed § that §. A § Noble Phantasm.
Key Words:
Flower Vase
Rebellion
Ishtar
§ ~ § ~
This is definitely a short set up chapter. But don't worry, this will be the only slow chapter in the first arc. It's necessary in order to prepare for the next chapters. Also, I'm going to be busy for the next week since my father is going on field work and he's going to need my help. I may or may not be able to update. But don't worry. I already have the first arc written out, including the interlude.
Read and review. Eren out.
§ ~ § ~
Replies to reviews:
Guest: Yep. Archer is Ephraim. Technically. His memory's a bit fuzzy on that one. Just kidding. You get Weiss Valentine's backstory in an interlude after the Ilya arc. Be patient, mate.
