CHAPTER 7: SINISTER SHADOW CITY PART 7

"I'll now give you the rundown on our investigation." Joshua began now that everyone was situated in their new base. "Shortly after being summoned here, I came across Mr. Crockett and the two of us teamed up. From there, we searched the city to get the lay down of the situation. It appears only the main island was dragged into this Impact Point. The bridges off lead to nowhere. With that established, we searched for what the cause of this disturbance was and came across Central Park like you. Whatever caused this is definitely in the castle they've established. As for the enemy, we've uncovered five of them; two on the outside, one guarding the castle, and two in the castle. The two on the outside seem to be free to roam the city, however we've dealt with one. No doubt given the personality of the other one, they'll flaunt their newfound territory, so they may be a bit harder to locate. The one guarding the castle is without a doubt an Assassin, but that's all we have. Unfortunately, the two who hang out in the castle aren't much better. All we know is that it's a man and woman."

"This is all good to know." Mash said. "Senpai and I have been with Arsene, Marie Therese, and Mulan since we've arrived, so we know as much as they do."

"And we know little more." Arsene stated. "We've been trying to keep a low profile while exploring and recruiting. Those patrols of knights, in addition to those Servants, have made traveling hard."

"Fortunately, one of those difficulties is gone now. We should be able to move more easily." Mulan added.

"Then let us think of how to move next. Until then, we'll keep watch and wait it out." Joshua said.

"Everyone, we have a problem." cried out a familiar voice. Davy Crockett entered the room, drawing everyone's attention.

"What's happening?" Mulan asked.

"We've got another Servant searching through the city for us. At the rate they're searching, we'll be found in no time. They're not far from here."

"It seems even here isn't safe. I'm sorry for the misfortune." Joshua said.

"We knew the dangers would find us again." Arsene responded.

"Which Servant is it?" asked Joshua.

"It's one we've rarely spotted. The bearded man in the blue cloak." Davy answered.

"Crockett, take Mulan, Arsene, Mash, and Saya. Marie Therese and I shall remain here and determine our next course of action. If one of the ones from the castle has gone out, should we take them out, we could change the tide."

—

"Nothing yet, your majesty."

"No sight yet over here, sir."

"Damn it! I want them found and brought before me now!" the Servant cried out to his knights. "If they are not here within the hour, I'll have you all executed in their place!"

"I've got my eye on them." Mulan muttered, watching from above.

"The others are almost in place." Davy Crockett said. "When I take off, lay down some arrows. We'll strike then."

"Got it." she replied.

Down below, Saya waited. The Master was prepared to back up Mash and Arsene once the signal was underway. Since arriving, it'd been one thing after another. She was starting to feel it, but she'd been through worse. Gazing at the enemy, the bearded man in the hat and cloak continued to bark orders. He was their target.

From above, a volley of arrows descended on the thrall of knights closest to the Servant. The knights defended him, a few arrows finding their way to their armor.

"Up there!" one of the knights called out.

With their attention drawn, the group moved. A gunshot echoed in the empty streets as the first knight went down. Now alerted to the other Archer, the knights divided their numbers.

Mash leapt forward, taking out the first knight approaching them. She pulled up her shield, deflecting the swords aimed at the two Servants. She lowered it, Crockett firing more shots at the enemy.

"Useless soldiers!" the Berserker shouted. "I'll-"

"Careful there." Arsene said. The thief held a small blade next to the bearded man's neck.

"A lowly Assassin dare raise his blade to me?" the man said. "Do you not know who I am!?"

"Enlighten us." Arsene goaded, knowing it would help their side to know their enemy.

"King Henry VIII of England. Summoned here as a Berserker Class Servant. That explains your lack of decency and decorum. Ultimately, you talk a big game, but you don't have much to fully back it up." a voice called out.

"Who are you!?" Henry VIII shouted back.

Walking from behind Saya, Mash, and Crockett was a man with long, white hair that blocked his left eye. He bore heavy bags under his eyes. His white coat adorned with black straps, golden chains, and a large tan collar made it hard to quite tell where he was from. He paused beside the red headed Master, looking at her.

"Worry not, Master of Chaldea, this matter has little to do with you for now. You are needed for what will spring from here. Now, King, I need a few things from you."

The man walked forward as static crackled a bit.

"Saya, Mash, we picked up another reading." spoke Da Vinci from the communicator. "It seems to be a Servant, but it's hard to make out. What exactly is it?"

"You, stop him." Henry VIII commanded the nearest knights.

Two knights flanked the man. Mash, Crockett, and Arsene stood by, waiting for what was about to go down. They swung their swords as the man dodged out of the way. This footing seemed deliberate as he came to a stop not far from one of the knights. Once more, they swung as he got out of the way. However, the knights didn't account for their proximity as the blades sliced through each other. With the two dealt with, he continued forward.

"Servant, lower your blade. There is no need for it." the mysterious man spoke.

"That eye…" stammered Henry VIII, staring at the halfway hidden left eye of the man.

"Now Servant, back away." the man spoke. He gripped at the air, grasping it tightly.

Careful of the situation, Arsene leapt back. With him out of the way, Henry VIII knew something was going to happen. He stormed forward, charging the man. His cloak fluttered, a saber being revealed and pulled forth. Yet, his charge was stopped as a flurry of arrows rained from the sky, a lucky arrow finding his forehead.

"You…"

His further words were stopped as the last of the arrows impaled the man. He collapsed to the ground, drawing his last breath. Having been filled with arrows, his spirit origin gave out and he dispersed in a display of light.

"My king!" the few knights cried out. They stopped their assault towards Mulan and retreated back to the area.

The man turned towards the few survivors. He glared at them, his eyes firmly on them. Knowing what had gone down, they stopped in their spots.

"Where is your Crystalized Seed present?" he asked.

"Are…does he speak of what the Queen holds private?" one asked another.

"I suppose that looked like what that would seem to be." another responded.

"So it's contained within the castle in Central Park." the man spoke. "Do you hear that, Master of Chaldea. Go there and you will find what you need to seek. It is not merely enough to destroy the enemy's forces. Now you are free to go."

The knights ran off, presumingly towards said castle.

"I must go attend to other matters, but we will meet again." the man said, facing Saya once more.

"Who are you?" Saya asked.

"Someone who will watch with great interest."

With one last remark, the Servant dematerialized and disappeared with the wind.