EDIT: Corrected some pronoun error.

Part 9: Demacia: Lady of Luminosity

"So, what are you doing down here, Miss Lux?" Ritsuka asked her carefully. They were now staying in an open space beneath the dungeon. They were resting for a while and waiting for the conflict above to calm for a while, or at least shift to the other part of the city since Demacia is larger than they could imagine. All of them were sitting around the makeshift bonfire, observing it lazily and listening to the loud commotion above.

The dungeon was large enough to accommodate the smoke and the outsiders were too busy fighting each other to notice the smoke not to mention that many of the buildings were already on fire. Thankfully, Lux managed to block the entrance from the dungeon, disguising it as a meaningless rubble.

Lux was poking at the fire, stoking at the charcoals repeatedly. On her face, it was obvious that she was not happy with the current situation and it was filled with grief and regret.

"I am searching for the other Mage who ended up here, lost and that's the reason I met you down here." Then with those grief-stricken eyes, Lux stared at Ritsuka and smiled weakly. "For me, it is obvious that you and your companion were a bit different from the Mages and soldiers in Demacia but for some reason I could trust you… but what are you doing here?" the Lady of Luminosity asked.

Ritsuka just scratched the back of his head. "Were on a mission too and to investigate what was happening right here and try to resolve it as much as we can." she hoped the explanation was enough to suffice Lux.

"I see." Lux believed at the moment and was sure that they were not lying. Then an awkward silence followed.

"Err, don't you want to question us?" Maybe, Ritsuka was so used to being questioned where she came from to the point she was expecting right after telling their purpose. Lux blinked for a moment before she chuckled.

"I already declared that I trust all of you in the beginning with no hesitation and therefore, no need for some backstory but if it will make you more comfortable, have at thee." Lux said.

"We came from the Chaldea Security Organization, which served to preserve humanity by its own means. We detect singularities among the timeline and we detected a singularity right here." Ritsuka explained.

"So, from the future?"

"Yes, Ma'm and also thank you for listening." The Last Master of Chaldea then bowed down quickly.

"I see. Not the weirdest tale I've heard about." Lux added and sighed. Even if the Demacia is still in peace, she wouldn't even have the chance to experience these carefree moments. She then gave Ritsuka a weak smile.

She believed that her efforts to save the helpless were for naught until their arrival. Are they her answered pleas? There is no doubt that Ritsuka's allies are powerful on their own and she did not question them as she could sense them for real.

Although for some reason, one of his companions, a lady in a dark cowl, was really familiar with her and spoke of the devil, it seemed that the lady was trying to ask her. She looked witchy enough to be condemned by Demacians but Lux learned not to judge them by their looks and their powers.

"Child, what really happened here?" The dark lady's voice was somewhat sad and Lux was a little affected by it and she sighed again once more. She really wanted her thoughts away from that man but she has no choice.

"Sylas happened." She almost stuttered upon uttering his name. Part of the reason why she's afraid of telling his name was because she was also partly,-no, absolutely responsible for Sylas' escape and rebellion within the heart of Demacia. There's no need to tell them, right?

"A mage prisoner of Demacia who broke free and incite a rebellion, thus the civil war."

Morgana's was curious. Because of her connection to Demacia's history, she was given the privilege to gain the current situation of the Demacia. She already shared the information with her Master but the current happenings are somewhat new for her. She could sense Lux's predicament and just want to really hug her and comfort her.

Lux's cheek was trailed by a single drop of tear but quickly hid it from them as she wiped them from her face. Ritsuka's eagle eye caught it and just pretended that she didn't see it.

"It seems that the battle has ceased." Ritsuka said as she noticed that the noise above seemed to lessen.

"...or the battle has shifted somewhere." said Lux as she corrected the Master of Chaldea while gazing up the ceiling. It seemed this is the perfect time to get out. Lux then led the way as they went toward a tunnel of caves.

It was long, cold and tiring for Ritsuka but she endured it. They moved and crawled along the cave layout underneath the one of the city of Demacia. It took them several hours before Lux could find the hidden entrance to one of the abandoned houses. The pinpoint of light emanating from the few cracks was there cue.

Lux feel for the familiar rough of the trapdoor before giving it a few push, dust and dirt being disturbed indefinitely.

The entrance gave a few creaks before the Lady of Luminosity managed to push it forward. There was a loud sound but no response. Lux gave a few seconds before she dared to pop her head out inside the house.

It was a total mess and she couldn't even describe what really happened inside. As if Lux imagined that a storm happened, save for the actual destruction of the house. It's lucky that they have a cover to sneak through. Lux efforted climbing up before she invited the rest.

Ritsuka reached out and Lux pulled her out of the trapdoor. Such is the strength of the Light Mage. Lux continued scouring the entire area, to the point she reached upstairs. Ritsuka and her group just waited for a while, watching and waiting for her. Ritsuka was about to order his Servants to help Lux find whatever she was trying to search for when Lux was finished.

"No one here." She said grimly. If Ritsuka were to guess, she was looking for some people here.

"You were looking for someone I think?" Ritsuka said. Mashu was beside her too, curious about what Lux was thinking.

Lux was somehow preoccupied with her thoughts that it took her several seconds to finally realize that Ritsuka was talking to her. "Uhm, yes, I was searching for survivors." It is clear that Lux was somewhat troubled and the light from the outside just only made it clear on her face that she was pale and dark bags were apparent below her eyes.

Ritsuka and Mashu just looked at each other.

Lux hurriedly went outside and looked around and the destruction at its cause was obvious enough. Ritsuka and Mashu followed her though. Even with their mission, it is clear that they needed a guide to where they should go and Lux might be their chance.

A couple of steps and they could see that there were indeed survivors, who were approaching them. Lux seemed to be relieved that there is someone living here but upon closer inspection, it seemed that is not the case.

The closer the 'survivors' approach them, the more suspicious they are until it is revealed that the individuals approaching them were wearing armor.

Demacian soldiers.

Both Ritsuka and Mashu stood erect as Shielder prepared her shield. There's no doubt they will have to fight them. Lux seemed to be trying to not take attention from them and feigned ignorance, hoping they would leave her alone but that's not the case.

Only Diarmuid remained materialized, while the rest remained in their Spirit form. Ritsuka hoped that by looking as few as possible, they wouldn't register them as dangerous. Ritsuka really wanted to avoid fighting now, aside from the fact that being inside the walls of Demacia made his Servant feel weak for some reason.

she knew there was some kind of explanation for that.

"Miss Luxanna Crownguard!" One of the soldiers, specifically the woman among them and perhaps a high ranking official, called out the Lady of Luminosity. Lux herself stopped thinking and stared toward the owner of the familiar voice.

"Cithria..." Lux said the name with a nostalgic voice as she recognized who it was. Cithria was one soldier whom Lux considered as a true friend. She even managed to witness Cithria journey from being a recruit into one of the elite of Demacia.

Cithria was stern and serious when she faced Lux at this time but there is a hint of sadness behind those fierce eyes. It is clear that she was just following orders. Behind her were two fellow Dauntless Vanguards.

"Demacia needs you, Miss Lux. You need to return to the camp immediately." Cithria said with a commanding voice.

"Not yet, I cannot return to the camp." Lux couldn't be swayed. There's definitely a reason why she wouldn't return to their makeshift camp and one of them is her shame for the cause of this cataclysm. Cithria as well as the other respected Demacian were already aware of her reputation and yet they never cared, at least not in this time of war.

"Please just leave me alone..." Lux insisted and Cithria attempted to reach out of pity but stopped midway. She can't just let her emotions pour out. During that time, Cithria already noticed that the Lady of Luminosity was not all alone and shifted her attention at the trio behind Lux.

"You three, state your name." Cithria ordered. She's perfectly in the position to be suspicious of the new faces, especially right inside the Demacia.

"Ma'm, I'm Ritsuka Fujimaru and we're not definitely a threat." The Master of Chaldea before she bowed down respectfully, Cithria eyed her for a moment.

"Umm, I'm Mashu Kyrelight and I'm a Shie-I mean, a company of Ritsuka Fujimaru..." Likewise, Mashu followed suit while keeping her cloak closer. She might have travelled through time and space but that doesn't mean she needs to show off her rather rique armor and suit.

The last of them, Diarmuid, just simply waved. "I'm Diarmuid, a guard for these two." she was stern and his spears were laid behind her impressively.

Cithria then returned her gaze toward Lux, expecting some kind of explanation on how she managed to encounter them in the midst of battle.

"Just leave them be… they are not our enemies." Lux explained grimly. It is such a wonder that she was somewhat defensive for someone whom she just met. Nevertheless, Cithria never did push them after hearing their aforementioned name.

Cithria as well as her band of Dauntless Vanguard decided that it is more trouble than it seemed, treating them as an enemy, as they have their hands full from the previous battles, in fact, they are willing to be allies with them, seeing that they are capable enough. Suspicious as enough, they have a degree of trust for the Lady of Luminosity.

"But Sir Garen needs you!" Cithria added, which made Lux hesitate for a moment. It is true that its been a long time since she has seen her brother in good health. At the start of this unexplained war, surely her brother must have been in the frontline.

Lux admitted that she was worried about her brother this time and blamed herself for that. Everything is to be blamed on her.

"I-Is she alright?" Lux's voice was trembling. Maybe, something happened to her brother. The way Cithria avoided her gaze signifies that something really happened to her. Cithria refused to answer as it seemed that the Lady of Luminosity already knew it.

Without any word, Lux went on her way without any warning straight to their camp. Cithria and the Demacian soldiers were left together with Ritsuka's group. Mashu was immediately aware that they were in the company of Elite Soldiers, which she knew only by the glance. They would be comparable to the Knights back from the Camelot. Likewise, Cithria can recognize a warrior with only a mere look.

Cithria just sighed and then shifted her gaze toward Ritsuka and his group. An awkward silence amidst the ruins just only made the two groups uncomfortable.

"If it's alright with you, I would like to extend the invitation as well to you." Cithria offered. She wanted to be as friendly as possible and just like she assumed that the three of them were warriors, allying with them could have benefited them most.

It is only her own idea though and wondered if the rest of the Demacians agreed to her way of thinking.

Cithria wasn't blind. Demacia has a prejudice against mages and it is the sole reason why the City of Demacia was in strife.

Ritsuka has already experienced riding on the horseback during one of the singularities. This is further backuped by being trained by numerous Servants who excelled in horseback riding. That's why she is giddy riding on a white horse together with a Dauntless Vanguard. Mashu also wanted to ride one too but she must prioritize the Master of Chaldea first so that she can conserve mana and energy. Shielder and Lancer decided walking on the road is suffice enough.

Their hidden hideout was far from the City and they needed to wait for the night for cover. They took the mages who conquered the city very seriously, especially Sylas himself. They used the familiarity of their surroundings than using a torch to lead the way.

Even Lancer admitted they are formidable warriors as well and wished to have a spar with one of them.

Such is the eliteness of the Dauntless Vanguard.

Lux was also with them and was riding a fine horse too. They were trailing behind Cithria herself.

THe night itself was very quiet, with the only sound was the horses' hooves clopping on the hard ground. The Chaldeans might have thought that it was too easy being trusted by the Dauntless Vanguard but they are not naive. They have already learned it through the various Singularities they resolved. They will have to worry when they finally arrive there.

For now, they must act as harmless as possible, despite the Spirit Forms of the rest of his Servant trailing behind them quietly.

For now, being quiet is advantageous for a moment. she was aware that making a noise could gave away their position and that she admitted that the Dauntless Vanguards were already paranoid in the beginning. The Master of Chaldea was admittingly bored for a moment so she decided to look up the sky and admire the stars.

Never have she thought she would be in awe of the thousand stars illuminating the night sky, some of them even grouped closer than the rest, forming a bright, serpentine body of stars.

Scratch it, it is as if the stars themselves coalesced themselves to form a serpentine body and she was sure that does not happen in his science books or is she just as ignorant as she was? If she will be back in Chaldea, maybe she would need some lessons from Da Vinci just to satisfy himself.

Then for some reason, those bodies of stars suddenly moved gracefully and in a slender motion, like an actual body of a snake. The Master of Chaldea could only describe it with one word; it was so majestic that she forgot that she was looking at something that was unordinary, not that everything that was happening was already weird.

Ritsuka was surprised and rubbed his eyes on instincts then looked up at the night sky again.

Nothing. There were just only a thousand of stars, twinkling and blinking at her and nothing more than that. The weird movement was gone and she wondered if she was the only one who had seen it. Glancing toward his front, Cithria was unbothered while leading the way. Beside her are either Mashu and Diarmuid walking along with her.

Mashu noticed his gaze and looked back, checking upon her, smiled and just returned to her focus. Based on her reaction, the Shielder wasn't aware of what was up above.

The rest didn't even look up at the sky.

It seemed that she is the only who has seen it or it must have been his imagination. Maybe she was just sleepy, seeing that she yawned this time. Yep, she's getting sleepy.

At last, they arrived in front of a forest of large trees and they all stopped. Ritsuka has to strained his neck from looking up. The trees were absolutely humongous to the point. They were really completely ashen white and wondered if the trees here are alive or dead. Mashu as well was amazed by the sight that was behold in front of her.

Cithria seemed to be waiting for something, as well as the Dauntless Vanguard, who stood guard. Diarmuid himself also sensed something amiss but the forest was interrupting his senses. The forest looked dead but Lancer could feel the mana around them seeping into their core.

If his hunch was right, then maybe his mana too was being absorbed by the forest bit by bit. Diarmuid no need to worry about, especially when she glanced toward Ritsuka, who was also aware of the forest's uncertain capabilities. Diarmuid has enough resistance to negate this passive absorption, same for Mashu as well.

After a minute or two, various individuals sprouted out of nowhere, or more likely appeared out of their hiding place. Mashu and Diarmuid immediately noticed them and stood guard while it took for Ritsuka to notice his Servants steadfastness that they had a guest. Cithria immediately recognized the Demacian Rangers waiting for them and scouting their surroundings in order to know whether they were being followed or not.

More and more Rangers revealed by the entrance of the forest as they saw the friendlies coming back. A couple of gestures and whispered talking, the two groups were finally in agreement. One of the rangers was to act as a guide to where the camp lies.

Even though how many times Cithria has been here, even in her youth, she still get lost inside this humongous forest, not that she would tell her peers and fellow Vanguards. At least, the Rangers are here to act as guides since it is their specialty. They were better in scouting and could locate spies within and enemies afar.

What fate awaits the Chaldea in the camp? No one knows.

OMAKE: Forge, Blacksmith, Demigod

A hammer strike.

A burst of flame.

Sparks flying everywhere.

The metal ignited.

A glowing iron.

A hammer strike again.

Archer woke up from a dream… or a reality. Now he realized that he was somewhere vastly different, as Chaldea wasn't so hot as before.

He could feel the heat emanating from everywhere.

Sounds of rhythmic metal clashing filled the atmosphere. Archer tried to look up only to be greeted by stalactites hanging by the roof of the cave.

He realized he was inside of a large cave as she expected that she was inside his Unlimited Blade Works but he was in a completely different place.

Another thing that she noticed was the lava flowing freely down like a waterfall around her. Scratch it, she is not inside of a cave but a goddamn volcano. Archer wasn't scared by this fact, only curiosity.

He was fully prepared. There's no doubt that she might be facing some kind of opponents here if he found out that she was abducted somewhere, which might sound absurd for a Heroic Spirit.

Eventually, further observation inside this cave made him realize that this is not some natural formed one.

Humongous chains bound rock to rock.

Lava flowing down artificially as if guided by the curves and flows of this cave.

...and lastly, large weapons laid by the walls.

Swords. Maces. Claymores. Shields. Armors. Tools for warfare and everything.

Archer instinctively scanned them and found his head hurt as she cupped his head. It is as if they are too grand to be wielded by his like. Still, he could read pieces of their origins.

They are made by the hands of a demigod.

A Mighty Demigod of forge.

His head hurt again. Did he just witness a weapon created by a god on the same plane as Hephaestus? He looked around again and realized that she wasn't alone.

Behind him stood the largest anvil she had ever seen and looking further up she met the glowing eyes of a titan. On its head large horns similar to ram stood on its glory and magnificent carves glowing from intense heat.

In his hand it held a hammer, on the other a large sword glowing, warm from hammering and shaping. It was laid rest on the anvil.

The titan has been aware of his presence, since the sweet sound of irons clashing in rhythm stopped. Its searing, red eyes looked right to the Archer's soul.

Archer couldn't comprehend this Divine Being. In his lifetime, never have she encountered a creature similar to her, not until she turned into a Heroic Spirit of Unknown.

"Hearthblood…?"

It's voice boomed deeply, even though the titan was just above whispering. Its glowing eyes likened to molten metal adjusted to her once again.

The red archer can't even utter a word out of awe as the titan seemed to be confirming something about him. The titan then just ignored the silence then stoically.

"Nevermind…"

Then just returned to shaping the sword on the anvil, as if nothing conspired before. The red archer did not take offense on that and felt that even if he were to lash out here, the titan would just ignore her. he just kept on observing his surroundings for somewhat reason.

"You are lost, I bet..."

The titan continued, hot breath emanated from its mouth. The rhythmic clash of iron continued once more after observing the Servant the titan towered over.

"You do not belong here."

The titan added. The red archer can't even speak and thought that this might be just a kind of a glitch. He was lucky that the titan wasn't some kind warmongering Beast but a docile blacksmith whose works rivals those of other blacksmith gods.

What the titan said was true; he indeed did not belong here not because this is not his place but rather the world itself was vastly different.

This is a different earth. How the hell did he end up here?

The titan then tilted its head to the red archer. It seemed something was happening to the unmoving Servant.

"You are now going back."

The titan declared once again. It was obvious that it wasn't his doing but the red archer was aware that something was happening again.

The red archer's consciousness was blinking out. Funny though, he was transported here for no reason and will be going back without so much any clue what the heck happened.

How the hell does it work? Would he ever return to this place again?

Immediately the red archer was gone and the titan was all alone once again, just like in a millennia.

He just continued his work as usual but she does not mind having a company once in a while, even if it was someone as peculiar as a Spirit. him initiating the conversation was somewhat awkward though.

Something is happening and he could feel it down to his bone and the appearance of that Spirit just only solidified the proof.

He can't still make it whether it will be a good or bad omen.

He just continued smiting later on.