* The House in Fata Morgana – Dira "Minchia!"

Chapter LXXVI: House of Wonders

Brynhildr's spear carved a path through the swarm of bronze and iron.

Although, it would be more correct to say she was annihilating anything standing in her way. The automata's sheer number may have been staggering but that was all they had going for them. Even when they tried to surround them on all sides, it didn't mean much against a Valkyria's firepower. It was to the point that Ruler and Orianna didn't even need to lift a finger in order to get through, which was definitely not something that made Brynhildr happy.

"Is my presence really necessary?!" Now that she had eliminated the entirety of the army sent against them, she finally turned to Ruler to tell him what she had on her mind. "I trusted you when you said that you needed help to thwart an imminent crisis, but we've barely met any resistance so far. Surely the Servant summoned by the Holy Grail itself shouldn't have any issue dealing with only that."

"I understand your impatience." The old man nodded with a look of resignation. "I can assure you that your help is a godsend. In truth, although I must keep this Holy Grail War in line with an iron fist, I am not a Servant fit for battle. My enemy is hidden and hasn't yet shown the full extent of his ressources."

"No, you don't understand." Brynhildr instictively clenched her fist around the shaft of her spear. "My Master might be in mortal danger as we speak; if I knew where he is, I wouldn't be here! I followed you because the threat you speak of is also a threat to him but otherwise my place is by his side."

The truth was that the situation had become an utter mess and this chaos was getting to her as well. Ever since they had approached the Ark, the Red Faction had never managed to seize control of the situation; the events unfolding all across this battlefield were disjointed and yet deeply interwoven in a way that obscured their understanding of it. To put it more simply, it was very easy to feel overwhelmed when the only information coming through was a sense of urgency.

Brynhildr had simply wanted a clear objective to strive for. That was why she had ended up giving in to Ruler's request instead of resuming her fruitless search for Ewald. She could only pray that the latter wasn't on his own and could count on their teammates' help – all Brynhildr knew for sure was that he was still alive. And since that fact wouldn't leave her mind until she had ascertained his safety, she did not appreciate being given a pointless role.

"In the first place, I have no proof of your honesty!" She continued. "If the fate of the world is truly at stake, then the least you could do is to enlighten me about it. What is the danger you told me about?"

"That's..." The old man seemed embarassed at her question.

"We cannot tell you." His aide, on the other hand, spoke without restraint. "Because we don't know what it is either."

"...Is this supposed to be a joke?" Brynhildr wasn't laughing. "We are already following your instructions when it comes to fighting, we don't owe you anything more. Are you going to tell me you've taken me on a wild goose chase now of all times?"

"Unfortunately, if I knew the true nature of this threat, I would have taken more appropriate measures." Ruler said. "All I have received is a warning from Heavens. I have become convinced that the reason behind my summoning extends beyond regulating the Holy Grail War. It is my role to prevent this threat from ever arising."

"And yet you aren't even able to tell me anything about it. You have no idea what you're trying to stop, and even though you asked me to escort you, there is no destination." The Valkyria pointed an accusating finger at the Servant of the Grail. "I can believe that these machines were sent at you, but I can tell when I am being used. If such an imminent disaster was upon us, shouldn't you have told us in advance? And yet you only recruited me when I happened to come across you."

"It wasn't supposed to be you." Orianna said, although she sounded like she was talking to herself.

"Excuse me?" Brynhildr blinked.

"I was counting on Rider of Red's presence." She elaborated. "I went to the length of contacting that guy beforehand but he wasn't here. Honestly, Rider's chariot would have been better to get around."

Brynhildr was astounded.

Putting aside Orianna's general lack of tactfulness, this was the first time she was hearing anything about it. Even though the Red Faction had made a war council before the start of the third round, Michael Argas had said nothing of the sort. Or had that fact been witheld exclusively from Brynhildr and Ewald? Because they hadn't been worthy of trust?

(No, this doesn't make sense.)

Why even conceal that kind of information? Ruler didn't even seem aware that Brynhildr had become a Servant of Red, and yet he wasn't upset at Orianna for talking too much. What was even going on anymore?

"I understand your reservation. If that is how it must be, I will not force you to aid us." Ruler said softly. "However, be assured that we are not making our move without an objective. I have already confirmed without a doubt that Ivan Pedilefey was the initiator behind the Holy Grail War, although he is surely not alone. He must be directly related to the omen of disaster I have received, of that I am certain."

"...As always, you know things you aren't telling me." Brynhildr was aware of Ruler's investigations, as she had been amongst the ones interrogated. However, he had not shared whatever answers he had reached at the end of it. "Then the one you're looking for is that Pedilefey man. But if he already knows about your presence and your intentions, how do you expect to find him?"

Ruler nodded.

"He is a being who seeks conflict. I've had the occasion to meet him face to face, and I can certainely say he is no coward." It didn't sound like he was making a compliment though. "Even though I had come to pass judgement on him, I did not feel an ounce of fear within his soul."

...

...

"Because I feel no fear, you believe I won't hide?"

"...!"

"...!"

"...!"

* Fata Morgana – Dira "Minchia!"

Even though the three of them should have been all alone amidst the field of destroyed automata, a fourth voice arose – from right behind Brynhildr. The Valkyria quickly spun around, but her spear swung through nothing but empty air. She hadn't even felt a presence, yet that voice had been very real:

"Well, you've got me!" The same voice once again came from behind her back. "Fear? To be perfectly honest, I've never felt anything of the sort; I have something of a hard time imagining how it feels."

Brynhildr turned around again, expecting the mysterious voice to elude her once again; but no, its owner was indeed standing in the middle of their group. Although 'standing' might not have been the right term, all the more since the intruder didn't have anything ressembling legs.

It was a mass of clay.

It was of the same colour as the rest of the Ark, but it was clear from a single glance that it was a much more maleable material similar to wet dirt. It was rising up from the floor like a rock from bedrock and its appearance froze Brynhildr in her tracks. It was vagely shaped into the figure of a man while his face alone was bearing such a striking amount of details that it seemed alive.

What appeared to be the unfinished statue of Ivan Pedilefey had appeared to them.

Before soon, it was adorned by countless precious gems emerging from withing the clay. They were organized by colours in such a way that they seemed to act as paint: his skin was covered in topaz and his mouth was traced by ruby, while his hair were filled in by diamonds on one side and garnets on the other. Finally, his eyes were represented by two tar black obsidian polished into perfect spheres.

"So you were here all along." Ruler's usually serene expression turned sour. "But you are still not showing your true face. Why does someone who knows naught of fear need a proxy to stand before me?"

"Be it my body of flesh and blood or my body of stone and clay, what does it matter at this point?" The statue chuckled, although the mouth of ruby was inert. "This place... this entire Ark is a part of me. Does this appearance not sit well with you? It is as much me as the Ivan you've met during your last visit. Between the body that was gifted at birth or the one that was made, which one is the real me?"

"I have not come to listen to empty words." Ruler replied vehemently.

"But you are my guests of honour!" Ivan laughed. "I would be a sham of a guest if I didn't entertain you. And this Ark is a most distinguished abode, surely not a place where guests are ever bored or rejected!"

"And I suppose those were the welcoming committee." Orianna cast a disgusted glance at the metallic carcasses laying around them.

"I hope you will forgive me for the eventful reception – your arrival came at something of a surprise, you see?" For once, the statue's face seemed to shift ever so slightly into a devilish smile. "You waited until the Red Faction had penetrated deeper into my territory before coming through the same side. I'd wondered if you would join the Red or the Black to break through, but that approach is a lot safer, isn't it?"

"Your presence is no less surprising." Ruler replied. "I had expected you to wait much longer before comig out of hiding."

"As I said, you are my guest of honour. It was never my intention to hide; on the contrary, I don't mind discussing around a cup of tea, if you will indulge me!"

"...You speak with assurance, but I know it to be nothing more than a façade." Ruler held out his arms; for the first time, Brynhildr noticed he was missing his index finger on both hands. "The reason why you've stepped forward yourself is not out of curtesy: you are running out of cards to play."

"..."

"Whatever it is you are planning, it hasn't reached completition yet – you know that I can put an end to your scheme, and so you have come to gain time."

"Whatever might you be talking about?" The statue's neck twisted and elongated until the head was only centimeters away from Ruler's face. "What are you hoping to stop?"

"Playing dumb will not fool anyone." Ruler scowled – a large tome appeared in his hands. "I am here to put an end to your lies and deceit."

"I am no liar!" Laughter echoed all around them – softly at first, but it grew wilder and thunderous. "Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! What do you think you're going to stop?! You're too late! The time is nigh – the bell is soon to ring and there is nothing you can do! If you wanted to stop me, you should have done that when you were summoned, when this Holy Grail War began!"

"...No, you are truly full of deceit." The old man didn't appear the least impress by Ivan's cries of triumph. "You must have lied to every single person who lent you their help – you pretend that you started this Holy Grail War for your own amusement, but in truth it was all for this moment, was it not? You absolutely needed a Grail War and, thanks to your role in bringing it about, it was easy to put your pieces in place."

"Who can claim they've been tricked? The Holy Grail War is still the Holy Grail War, no matter who started it! All of them were given their chance, so why would they care what I do with mine?"

"Lies. You have already made ample changes to the ritual to suit your needs: who in their right mind would summon thrice the usual amount of Servant? You may claim that it was only for your entertainment – I do not doubt that men of your ilk would find a sick pleasure in it. But it was also very convenient for you: the more people took part in the Grail War, the harder my job became. The truth is that the centrepiece of your plan is one of the Servants you've summoned on your side, and so you chose to hide the tree in a forest."

"..."

"All of it was rigged from the start. Since you messed with the very foundation of this Grail War, I can only imagine what else you've tampered with. Unfortunately for you, I was chosen so that I could see through your treachery." While he held his book with one arm, Ruler touched his forehead with his free hand. "At this very moment, Lancer of White is... inside of the Ark itself. You can surely bare entry to me since you are the master of this place – but it would be a different matter if I were to slip in through the cracks left by the Black Faction."

"... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... I could have put it to execution whenever I wanted. I was having so much fun that I wanted to let it happen on its own, but..." The statue changed shape. The gems remained, but the human figure turned into a monolith and broke off its bond with the ground. "...Your summoning was not planned. That is why, honoured guest, I will ask you to disappear."

Suddenly, the precious stones adorning the clay monolith began shining brightly. Brynhildr understood immediatly that they were charging up with magical energy – and no small amount.

"Fall back!"

She translated words into deeds and dashed toward Ruler. After circumventing the monolith, she grabbed the old man as well as his aide and scurried away. She had made her move in the nick of time: behind her, the monolith unleashed all of its accumulated energy in an explosion which shook the air. Even with a head start, the Valkyria and her charge had barely escaped its range. When the deflagration had died and the dust had settled, there was nothing left where the monolith had stood: the street was intact and immaculate, as though nothing had happened.

Yet still Ivan's voice echoed through the walls.

I have no end of surprises for my precious friends,

even when their names aren't on the list of invitations

Following these words, a massive hole appeared in the center of the streets.

Something equally large slithered out of the Ark's bowels and rose in the sky. The length of its body made it look like a gargantuan worm, but once it had completely emerged and was floating up above their heads, it was a lot more reminiscent of an Eastern dragon. And it was not alone: another colossal figure emerged from behind the row of houses on their right. It had two powerful arms which ended in sharp claws and a long serpentine neck – this one was closer to a Western dragon.

These two beings were not made made of flesh or even clay: they were motley clusters of artifacts and weapons; if not for their ability to move around, they could have passed off as pieces of modern art.

It would be a real shame if all the treasures I've

accumulated were to collect dust on this most blessed day

That's why I've prepared these children to play with you

You may call them my Treasure Golems

although they don't have individual names yet

They were not given any time to breath: the Western dragon towered over them from the rooftop of the City and, without deigning to come down, it gathered light in its open maw. The light turned into a fiery breath which poured down into the street. But it was still on a magnitude that Brynhildr could contend with: swiftly, she called upon her runes and created a barrier to shield them and, once the flames had cleared, she counter-attacked with ice and thunder. Her attack hit the Treasure Golem right in its open maw but this was nothing more than a diversion – it was not an organic creature, and so her spells could only disorient it for a short while.

She had to act while she could.

"Mannaz! Teiwaz! Berkanan!" She spread her wings and flew up in the air while summoning more runes by her side.

These were not meant to cast an attack: when she completed her spell, the runes turned into a firework-life flash of light. At this moment, the Eastern dragon swooped in closer to her and let out a wretched metallic roar. The Valkyria felt her body being subjected to an invisible force, as though the atmospheric pressure around her had increased manyfold. Then, without the dragon so much as touching her, she was knocked down from the sky.

However, she had still manage to achieve her objective.

"WheEeEEeeeeeERrrrrRRRRrrreeEEEEE...!" A familiar cry resounded; it was approaching. "AAAAAaaaREere yyyYouU!?"

There was a loud crashing noise as a knight clad in white armour slammed into the Western dragon from the side. Ganelon jumped on its head and looked around frenetically until he found Brynhildr with his eyes.

"So that is where you weEEent..."

What Brynhildr had done was very simple: she had cast a spell which would notify her presence to those within the viscinity. Once she had begun her search for Ewald she had kept track of her position; and so she had known exactly who would be close enough to feel her call, as well as how they would respond. It hadn't been a call for help but more of a challenge issued to draw enemies to her, although that didn't make much of a difference here.

And naturally, if one of them responded to it, they would drag the rest with them.

"Stop running all over the place and die already!" When the Western dragon moved its tail like a whip to hit Ganelon, another Servant made a dynamic entrance by cutting it clean off. "How many more times must I stab you until you stop moving at all!?"

Then, another massive figure hovered in the air just above the Eastern dragon.

"Who has allowed their pets in my presence?" A giant sword that shone like the moon struck the golem and sent it flying.

Even though Brynhildr had ran away from that battle out of concern for her survival, she had plunged right back into it. Ganelon, Chi You and Ravana were once again wreacking havoc and she would probably have no choice but to partake in fighting this time. But if that was how things needed to be, she didn't mind – she was made to wage battle, and so she wouldn't stay her hand as long as she had a cause for it.

The two Treasure Golem looked completely stunned by this progression of events: even though they had clearly been assaulted, they didn't even seem to know whether they should fight back.

But that was exactly what Brynhildr had been counting on.

There were many things she didn't know but from following the short exchange between Ivan and Ruler she had understood one thing: the leader of the White Faction was acting off his own accord. It was pretty much the opposite of what Alexander Lendric's attitude toward the Black Faction – as such, it was better to think of Pedilefey as his own entity rather than as a part of the White Faction. And if that was the case, then the Servants of White wouldn't necessarily choose to stand by him.

The three-way battle between Servants had now been joined by two powerful golems and had turned into a merry mess. In this confusion, no one would pay too much attention if one or two persons slipped away.

"Go!" Brynhildr shouted to Ruler and Orianna. "No matter what, that man can't be allowed to do as he pleases. I will cover your escape, so you must go now and stop him at all cost!"

"...!" Both the Servant of the Grail and the agent of the Church seemed taken aback. But Ruler quickly nodded. "Assuredly, I shall not stop until judgement has been served. I am indebted to you, Valkyria."

"Instead of talking, run!"

Everything was still as much chaos and she didn't feel as though she had really made progress. But unlike before, something had changed: she was fighting to defend. A shadow no one had seen creeping up was now hanging over their head – in order to protect everyone, in order to save him, she would go even against the worst odds.

She wouldn't die here.

Thank you for reading.

I know this is a very small chapter but because of circumstances that are both within and out of my control, I am feeding you drop by drop.

Legends Storyteller