"Talking"

'Thinking'

"Mental link"

"Noble Phantasms"

POV

Chapter 5: Archers and Sabers.

Ashen One POV

The journey from the hospital to Mount Enzo is silent, the knowledge of who we're fighting doesn't blend well for general enthusiasm for our group. It's at times like this I miss Siegward, I don't think the man ever frowned in his life for all the smiling he did.

"This is the place…" Caster calls out to us and we stop at the foot of a cave "The Greater Grail is through there…"

"So is Saber…" Ritsuka nervously points out.

"Shall I tell you a secret about my journey through Lothric Master?" Everyone turns to me after I speak "Nearly every single opponent I faced could have been stronger than I was, many of them were, I would walk in with no plans to defeat them, Andre's Beard most times I didn't even know they were there. The point is, even the opponents I did know exist and knew for a fact were stronger than me did not discourage me from my duty. I slew them, because it was asked of me and because I had to in order to continue my journey." I rest my hand on his shoulder and pat him slightly "The point is, you must not live in the fear of strong opponents. Even if they are Gods, demons or dragons, stand with your head held high and a sword in your hand." I slam a fist on my armour "For when you win, it makes for a greater story."

"Yeah...Yeah, your right." Ristuka smiles at me "Besides, looks like it always worked out for you."

"…"

"...Saber? Saber why did you turn away from me?" His face grows increasingly concerned, I can't really tell him that most times I would die repeatedly after encountering those strong opponents. Regaling him with my tales of how Midir quite literally turned me to Ash would not encourage him.

"Saber-san? Are you alright?" Mash speaks up, I go to answer her but both myself and Caster freeze. It seems we both sense it.

"Oh? Seems like the disciple is here." We both turn, on the far end of a ledge overlooking us stands a tall Tanned man with white hair with a fully black outfit and a red waist cape.

"This must be your Archer servant…" I say as I draw my sword and Mash stands in front of Olga and Ritsuka, I've only just noticed the white Rodent is still here. I thought it would have died by now.

"Yeah, that's him." Caster says with a smile as he steps forward and shouts to the Bowman "Are you protecting the wielder of the Holy Sword as always?"

The Bowman scoffs "I have no memory of becoming a disciple. But I can at least do the work of chasing off mundane visitors."

"Oh. So you're a gatekeeper?" Caster narrows his eyes and puts on a slightly murderous smile "I don't know what you're protecting Saber from, but let's end this here."

The Bowman says nothing as a large black bow materialises in one hand and a sword materialises in the other, "Sorry." he begins to draw the sword as one would and arrow "I don't have that kind of free time" the sword extends unnaturally and looks more like an arrow now. He's not aiming at me or Caster, I'm instantly moving to where Mash is.

"Eihwaz" Caster chants and the arrow burns up before it hits us "Don't say such sad things, Archer…" Caster laughs and swipes his arm "Unless you don't have the confidence to take me on!" and launches a wave of fireballs at the bowman.

He jumps just before they make contact and barely avoids the explosion.

"Go in now! Saber's there!" Caster calls to us.

"Let's go!" Olga shouts to us, we turn as a group and sprint into the cave.

The passage way is remarkable simple and almost looks man made "This structure is not natural is it?" I say while sprinting, Olga shouts back to me "The cave already existed, but the magus family that lived here expanded it."

"Do we need to be concerned about traps?"

"No. They'll have already been deployed at this point."

I run past the group as I spot something in the shadows, I pass Olga just as a skeleton comes out and takes a slash at her. I parry the blow and retaliate with a punch, completely destroying the skull and the construct falls to the ground.

"We must be cautious, even if there are no traps." I ignite a pyromancy in my hand to form a source of light "There are most certainly ambushes." I look back to them and they nod at me "Come, we must press on."

We continue running, I occasionally spot some skeleton attempting to catch us by surprise but they are swiftly dealt with by either Mash or myself.

I can only pray that will deal with the Bowman and join us swiftly.

Third Person POV (Caster and Archer)

Caster leapt through the air to avoid another hail of arrows, narrowly missing him as Archer continued firing.

He hit the ground and looked up as Archer prepared another sword arrow, clicking his tongue Caster slammed his hand into the ground just as Archer released the arrow. Roots burst from the brick below him and covered Caster in a protective shield just as the arrow made contact and exploded.

His cover was destroyed by Caster was able to avoid the brunt of the damage, only his robes were slightly seared by the flames, he looked over to see Archer preparing another volley of arrows.

"Like I'd let you!" Caster waved his hands again, runes forming in front of him "Ansuz!"

Archer widened his eyes and was forced to abandon his attack as the balls of flame raced towards him, he jumped to one side as they impacted the spot he was in last and the explosion sent him sailing through the air into the ground.

Skidding to a halt he looked up and saw Caster already preparing another rune based attack, he clicked his tongue and traced multiple swords to fire at him. Cu simply deflected them with his staff before they impacted him.

"Tch." Archer got up and jumped back "Protection from arrows. What rotten luck I have."

"Oh, I don't know about that." Cu sneered at him "If I were a Lancer, you would be dead by now."

"In that case, I send you back to the Throne for a retry." Archer materialised his bow again and went to project another arrow "I am the bone of my sword." A drill shaped sword materialised in Archers hands, as he drew it back the sword bent out of proportion and elongated in a manner similar to his previous arrows. Only this one was far, far more powerful.

"My Core is twisted in madness." He aimed the arrow at Caster and smirked slightly "Caladbolg!" the drill shaped arrow was released at incredible speeds headed right for Cu.

Caster simply smiled and slammed his hand into the ground "Here we go, Grand-scale!" a circle of blue light materialised under Caster, the second the arrow entered if faded out of existence.

Archer widened his eye's as more of the Circles began to appear, he jumped into the air to avoid them only to slam into something and fall back to earth. The ground cratered under the impact and Archer dismissed his bow as he stood up, scowling at Caster "You set up runes in the air!"

"Yeah," Caster admitted unashamedly "My mentor had a spell that summoned the Gate of the Underworld." he shrugged and smirked at Archer "I ripped her off, basically."

He twirled his staff until he held it like a spear "It won't do us any good to fire off projectiles anymore. From here on, let's go all out and do a normal fight."

Archer scoffed "From a Caster Class?" he held his hands out, one black and one white sword came into being in each hand "Maybe you've become smarter than usual."

"Ha!" Caster laughed and rocketed forwards to Archer "One's cleverness and one's tastes are two different things!"

He swung his staff up, he knocked Archer's swords away but when he went for a thrust he found them back in the Servants hands. The staff was parried away and Caster narrowly avoided losing his head with the return strike.

Archer went on the offensive. Caster continued to twirl his staff, redirecting attacks aimed for his vitals and joints.

"I don't know which of us has got shittier luck!" Caster laughed as he blocked another blow aimed for his chest "Me for not getting summoned as Lancer, or you for not being cable to kill a Caster in close range!"

Archer sneered but didn't respond, he broke of and went for a swipe at Casters neck. He ducked under the blow and struck Archer in the chest with his staff, knocking him back slightly.

"I guess I get first blood!"

"It's not about the first strike." Archer corrected himself and narrowed his eyes at Caster "It's about the last strike."

"Couldn't agree more!" With that, they charged again.

Ashen One POV

We arrive in a large chasm, in the centre is a giant elevated slab of rock. The power I'm feeling from it is...indescribably. Like standing in the Kiln again.

"This is…" Ritsuka stares wide eyed at the sight before him.

"An exclusive magical reactor core?" Olga says with a voice full of disbelief "This is the Holy Grail?"

"Your divine Chalice created this...monstrosity?" My voice is unusually venomous, this creation is far from divine if it's responsible for that chaos out there.

"Oh-ho?" A voice echoes throughout the chasm, we turn and stare up. There's a figure donned in black armour staring down at us.

"This feeling…her soul…" I'm wide-eyed behind my helmet, standing before her feels like fighting Midir again, and not just for the choice of location. The sheer power emanating from her is no different from him. "A...dragon…"

"That's an interesting pair of servants you have there." The figure steps towards the edge and locks eyes with us.

"Is that...Saber?" Ritsuka is slightly trembling now, Mash shields him although I can still see fear in her eyes too.

"This level of magical power!" Olga somehow goes more pale than she was previously.

"A shield is it?" Saber focuses solely on Mash "You should ready it, strange girl." She grips her sword with two hands and points it down at us "With this sword, I shall test if your protection is true!"

She leaps down the hill and crashes into the ground with enough force to send small pieces of debris flying at us.

I cloak my sword in fire, black flames are unlikely to work against the corrupted, and point it at Saber "Before you test the strength of her shield..." she walks out of the cloud, her pale yellow eyes narrow at me and this murderous feeling intensifies "...You shall have to test the strength of my arm!"

She charges me with a swing, as she does her sword erupts in a jet of magical power and I jump to the side just as the sword lands where I was. I'm under no illusions, that hit would probably have killed me.

Before she raises the sword, I stamp down on it and swing at her head. She simply blasts me back with another surge of magic and readies her weapon again.

She swings her sword at me, I swing mine to meet it.

"Huh?" The second out blades meet I'm left wondering when I was in the air.

"Saber-san!" I can vaguely hear Mash's voice as I smash into the ground, I don't know for how many metres I rolled until I stopped. All I know is that my sword isn't in my hand anymore.

My body slowly moves as I attempt to sit up, everything's blurry from the impact.

There's a vague shadow coming towards me, I blink a few times then widen my eyes as a pitch black sword comes racing to my head.

I force my legs to bend and roll away just as the blade comes down, I waste no time in getting to my feet and turning to face my opponent.

I spot my sword just behind Saber, she's already turning to face me. I activate a pyromancy and throw it directly at her, it hits a barrier before it hits her and harmlessly dissipates.

She charges to run me through, I can't match her strength so I can't block the blow or get into a punch up, I do the only thing I know worked against stronger opponents. I use her momentum against her, as she gets close, I hold my armoured wrist up at just the right angle. The flat of the blade skids across the metal and narrowly cuts my upper arm.

I kick her just behind the knee, it won't floor her but it's enough to distract her and I roll away and sprint for my sword.

I hear a clang of metal behind me, I pay no attention as I grip the handle of my blade and spin around again. Mash is standing there, shield raised blocking one of Saber's strikes.

Mash's shield is good for tanking damage but she isn't strong enough to match Saber, and she lacks any offensive capabilities beyond swinging the shield at her.

"Mash!" she knocks Saber's sword to the side and jumps away as I thrust for Saber's head. She tilts her head, I only just cut her cheek before she swings and knocks my sword aside. I'm already jumping back before she can split me in half.

This is bad, I'm faster then her but that dodge wasn't reliant on her speed. It was her skill, she's a much, much better swordsman than I. Havel lacked any of his reason and was simply moving in accordance to muscle memory, this Servant has no such issues.

"She's slow Mash." I speak to the girl next to me who nods "If you can block her strikes I can take advantage of my speed."

"Yes, Saber-san." Mash nods to me, the plan probably would have worked.

The enemy Saber has different ideas though, she raises her sword above her head and instantly it becomes charged with power "Excalibur…" she starts speaking, I widen my eyes and duck behind Mash as she also realises what's about to happen.

"Lord…" Mash raises her shield and I'm just behind her.

"Morgan!"

"Chaldeas!"

Two voices cry out at the same time, Saber releases a beam of pure destructive power right at us as Mash's shield glows and forms a protective barrier in front of us. The beam meets the shield, the shield starts the give. Mash's legs begin to falter and I stand behind her to reinforce her balance.

The beam dies down and Mash collapses to her knee's, I burst out from behind the shield straight at Saber.

She ignites her blade with magical power to blast me away, I'm faster. I coat my sword in a jet of black fire and thrust it forward "Elfreide!" it was never going to kill her, it seems that the corrupt nature of the abyss doesn't do so well against corruption of the Grail but the impact of the Phantasm itself does blast Saber back slightly, her armour is singed, parts of it beginning to crack.

I don't give her the opportunity to recover herself, she's stronger but I'm faster. If I can keep her reacting then she won't be able to do much to go on the offensive.

I swing at her head, she blocks.

I quickly remove the blade and swing at her chest, she blocks.

A slash to the legs, blocked.

A thrust to the head, dodged.

She slashes at me, I parry and kick her in the chest. She skids back slightly and I'm back on the offensive. It doesn't matter if she blocks every single one of my attacks, my speed is enough to keep her from risking an attack on me.

We clash again, she narrows her eyes at me "The strange girl is new to combat. It's obvious this is her first time in battle. You however…" A small frown makes its way onto her face "You have an air of experience about you, you've seen many battles and yet…" her sword bursts to life with magical energy and blasts me back to where Mash is "You're technique is non-existent. Some fool in armour wielding a sword and nothing more. What a joke."

I rise to my feet, I feel like I got chewed up and spat out by wyvern.

"Mash…" I call out to the girl behind me, she rises to her feet as well.

"Yes, Saber-san?" She answers me, I cast a glance over to Master and Olga. They seem to be protected by some barrier or Olga's creation.

Judging by their worried looks they know how much trouble we're in.

"Think you can still fight?"

"Yes...I can." She nods at me, determination in her eyes.

Third Person POV (Caster and Archer)

"It looks like this is the end." Archer smirked as he held his blades to Casters neck, he huffed as stared at the growing light from the cave.

"Will the shield resist the sword…" he began, Archer narrowed his eyes "...or will the sword pierce the shield."

"A long time ago." Archer replied "I heard something similar to that."

"Yeah?" Caster sneered "And what was the answer?"

"The answer was a paradox. Only a contradiction is produced."

Caster laughed loudly before replying "I don't know about that." he looked Archer in the eye, completely ignoring the swords at his throat "I always think the same thing about that story. If both things are equal, then isn't it about the skill of the person wielding them?" a pebble dropped from his sleeve into his palm "Or to put it another way if your losing because of the weapons performance, then it's humans that compensate with wisdom, yes?" he flicked the pebble up into Archer's face, it exploded in a flash of light which temporarily blinded him.

Caster used this as a distraction to jump away, Archer however, quickly recovered and thrust his blades forwards straight through Caster's chest. His body slumped forwards slightly, Archer let out a small smirk of victory before widening his eyes as branches began to grow out of Casters wounds and wrap themselves around his arms.

Archer desperately attempted to pull himself free, to little avail, as Casters body turned to wood, from the back of it Caster phased his body out, leaving the wooden duplicate of himself and Archer "Don't underestimate a Sage of the Forest!" he shouted as he leapt away.

Archer broke free of the Clone just as it exploded, Archer being knocked backwards onto the ground by the blast. He struggled back to his feet as Caster landed down on the temple roof. He pointed his staff at the ground beneath Archer, a ring of fire emerged around him and a large wooden arm came out of the ground and gripped the Servant in it's fist.

It squeezed and Archer felt himself begin to be crushed before the fist slammed itself into the ground. Caster watched with an impassive face as the arm dissipated, Archer in the centre of a small crater, quite obviously dead. The Servant vanished into motes of light and Caster turned his attention back to the entrance of the cave and kicked off into a sprint.

Ashen One POV

Saber bats my sword away with the flat of her blade, I widen my eyes beneath my helmet as she rockets a fist towards my head. I tilt to the side to avoid the punch and bring up a pyromancy in my hand. They can't hurt her but they provide a useful smokescreen. I let loose a combustion in her face, her head snaps back as the bright light blinds her briefly.

I take this as an opportunity to back away.

Myself and Mash have been able to keep her attention divided between us, I can keep her attention on myself and Mash can tank the blows.

It is a stalemate though, I can't get past her swordsman ship but in the same token Saber can't get past Mash's shield or my speed.

"Saber-san…" Mash turns to me, a worried look in her eyes "We can't keep this up."

"I know." I shake my head, scowling behind my helmet "We can only hope Caster proves victorious or that Saber makes a mistake."

"Excalibur…" Saber's voice rings out again, I stare ahead of me as she raises her sword above her head.

"My Magecraft is a cage of flames." Caster's voice echoes through the cave, I let out a breath of relief "A flaming yet verdant giant."

He runs past us, smirking at me "What kind of God slayer has trouble with a little girl?"

"You Bas-" I begin to shout out, Caster ignores me and continues his spell "Retribution. A shrine that purifier the evil of Human affairs."

He leaps in front of Saber, brandishing his staff "The one who destroys!" He points his staff at Saber "Wickerman!"

The giant wooden figure bursts from a ring of fire beneath Saber, she's tossed into the air. The giant lashes out a hand and grips Saber before taking another hand and opening up the cage in it's chest. Saber is unceremoniously flung into the chest and the door is slammed shut.

The figure stands still for a few moments before falling to the ground in a burst of flames, the explosion kicks up a wave of heat that I can feel even from the distance I am at from it.

The fire dies down to reveal Saber, she's still standing although she's a mess. Parts of her skin have already fallen away due to damage, her armour is virtually non-existent at this point. The woman is already dead on her feet, her gaze never wavers though. Even in that horrible state she's in, her eyes never lose their sense of superiority.

"Victory for the power that protects?" She calls out at us, her voice doesn't reflect any of the pain she is no doubt in "I see...Such like that innocent one…" she smiles "Ultimately, it seems that no matter how fate changes, I face the same end when alone." she's already beginning to fade away into golden sparks of light.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Caster frowns at her "Bastard, what do you know?"

"Eventually, you too will realise it, Ireland's Child of Light." Her smiles disappears "Grand order. The battle to obtain the Holy Grail has only just begun." she gets out the last word as she vanishes, leaving behind an abnormal looking crystal.

"Hey! Wait what do you mean by-" Caster stops as he stares down at himself, he's also disappearing into motes of light "Crap…" he slumps his shoulders "I'm getting sent back too." he scowls "Dammit! I don't like leaving things like this but…" he turns to look at us "Little girl! I'm leaving it in your hands and Saber? Make sure she doesn't die."

"I'll turn her into a warrior worthy of the Warriors of Sunlight." I nod to him, he laughs as he fades away "Warriors of Sunlight? Damn, I wonder if being the Son of a God of Light would make me a member."

"Wait…" I freeze "Son of-?" he vanishes before I finish my sentence, I turn to Ritsuka as he jogs over to us "Caster was a God?"

"Demigod." Olga says nonchalantly as she walks up as well, however she seems distracted by something else.

"Confirming both Saber and Caster have vanished…" Mash says as Romans picture returns "...Does this mean we've won?"

"Yes, you did a fine job Mash, Fujimaru!" He cheers and claps once, he reminds me of Siegward with his carefree attitude "The Director must be so pleased...Hey, where's the Director?"

Our group looks behind us to see Olga still staring at the spot where Saber vanished "Grand order…." she mumbles, biting her thumb "How did she know that name?"

"Director…" Ritsuka calls out to her "Is something the matter?"

"Huh?" She's broken out of her trance and turns to us, as if remembering we're still here "O-Oh right, well done Fujimaru, Mash, Saber." She frowns again "Several points are unclear, but lets call this mission complete." her face returns to a more serious look "First, let's retrieve that crystal…" she points to the strange object left behind by Saber when she dies "It's the reason Saber became abnormal and clearly the reason why Fuyuki City became a singularity."

"Yes!" Mash nods "Immediate retri-" she stops and goes wide eyed, I do the same. Our attention is instantly on a figure in the shadows.

"Well, I didn't expect you to get this far…" the voice calls out, its tone wreaks of condescension, but what concerns me is its soul. The feeling of it. "Beyond my plan's expectations and my own tolerances."

Myself and Mash tense, positioning ourselves in front of the two mages.

"Master Candidate number 48…" there's an annoyed sigh "It was my mistake to naively overlook you as an improbable child."

The figure steps into the light, he's a tall man, clothed in an odd green garment and a large hat.

"Professor...Lev?" Mash gasps in disbelief at the figure.

"Lev!? Did you say Professor Lev? He's there!?" Roman shouts out through the radio, he'd evidently shocked by this as well.

"Hm, is that Romani I hear?" Lev releases another breath "So you survived as well. I told you to come to the command room immediately…" he frowns "But it seems you didn't listen. Honestly-" his face forms into a rather hideous scowl "Trash who can't even follow orders. Just the mere sight of it makes me want to throw up. Why is it that humans always try to avoid their preordained destinies?"

"Saber…" Mash turns her head to me slightly, I nod. We both begin to back away, keeping the mages behind us.

"Lev…" Olga breathes out in relief behind me "Oh Lev! Lev! You're alive!" she attempts to run past me, I wrap my arm around her waist to stop her.

"Let me go!" She tries to wriggle free, I don't release her.

"Really...I find it hard to believe that humans would to readily confer with Demons." I shoot back, she goes lax in my arms.

"D-demons?" she says in disbelief "W-what do you-?"

"Isn't that right, Creature!" I shout out to 'Lev' "You may not be like the Demons where I am from, but the stink of chaos clings to you like maggots to a corpse!"

"Oh? I suppose I should congratulate you on seeing through my guise." Lev gives a slow clap "Even that Demi-servant could see through me. I guess it's just Olga who's too stupid." he smirks.

"L-Lev...w-what are you saying?" Olga shakes, she's in shock.

"Honestly, you were such a complication." He shakes his head "I set that bomb directly below your feet, yet you still live."

"W-what?" She chokes out her words.

"Sorry, you're not actually alive." he lets out a low chuckle "You're already dead. You're body at least, long ago." he sneers at the frightened girl in my arms "Trismegistus thoughtfully transferred you into this land after you became residual thoughts. You had no aptitude for Rayshift when you were alive, right? You can't teleport while you have a physical body." His smirk widens in a teeth baring grin "Understand? You only gained the aptitude you desired after you died! That's why you can't return to Chaldea. The moment you do, your consciousness will vanish."

"W-what...I-I'll vanish?" I stare down at her, then shoot a glance at Mash and Ritsuka. Their staring at Olga with equal looks of shock.

"It's too sad a story for you…" He speaks in faux pity "Allow me to show you the fate of the Chaldea that you devoted your entire life too."

He snaps his fingers, a portal rips itself open behind him to reveal a strange room, in the centre is a strange device with a burning red orb as its core.

"W-what is...Chaldeas is...bright red?" she shakes her head rapidly and looks over at the demon "Its a lie, right!? It's just an illusion, right!?"

"It's real. I've connected space and time just for you." His smug look returns "Having a grail allows me to do so, easily." he lets loose an inhuman cackle "Now behold, descendant of Animusphere. Behold your folly! Not a sliver of blue remains which represents the survival of the human race. Nothing but a burning, bright red. That is the outcome of this mission, isn't it wonderful Marie? After all it was your incompetence which led to this."

"Elfriede!" I point my sword and let loose a barrage of black flames, they impact 'Lev' and produce a small explosion. The flames die down to reveal a rather unimpressed looking creature in human skin.

"What a disappointment…" He sighs "Truthfully I was concerned at first, when I saw you arrive and speak of the Wizard Marshall I feared the worst." he dust his shoulder "…But if that's the best that can be done then I was worried over nothing." he shrugs "I suppose it matters not in the end." he clicks his fingers, the portal vanishes "We've already succeeded."

He turns his attention back to us and recomposes himself "I shall introduce myself properly this time. I am Lev Lainur Flauros. Dispatched to 2017 to eradicate humans. Are you listening Romani?" he looks down at us "As a fellow student of Magecraft, allow me to give you some advice. Chaldea is finished, you humans have at last reached the moment of your destruction."

"Professor Lev…" Roman speaks in a serious tone "No...Lev Lainur, is this related to why we are unable to see 2019?"

He laughs "Fool. It's not 'related' it is simply the reality that this is the end. Unable to observe the future and babbling about how it had 'disappeared' truly that was wishful thinking." he sneers "The truth is that 2019 no longer exists. It was incinerated the moment Chaldeas was dyed red. Your era no longer exists." he sighs "However it seems Chaldeas' magnetic field protected Chaldea, however it won't be able to do so for long." he shrugs "Not that it truly matters, all those outside will meet the same fate as Fuyuki city."

"So that was it…" Roman breathes out "We didn't lose contact with the outside world...we lost the outside world itself…"

"Hmph. You really are perceptive, aren't you?" 'Lev' shakes his head "A pity I didn't kill you earlier." he smiles again, teeth snarling "It means nothing in the end though, the outcome is already certain. The end of humanity was not caused by your inability to evolve or some war with an alien race. Rather it was your own folly which lost the grace of our King!"

The ground starts to shake, the cave is beginning to collapse. My grip still on a silent Olga, I back off to where Mash and Ristuka are.

"Ah? This singularity has reached it's end?" He scowls at the spot Saber died "Cursed Saber, if you'd only obeyed you would have been allowed to live. Even when given the Holy Grail she caused trouble by wanting to sustain this era." he turns back to us "Farewell Roman, Mash, Marie, Master number 48...and I suppose it's past time that your rotting carcase returned to the dirt, isn't it Saber?" he sneers at me, I don't deign him with a reply. "Believe it or not I have other things to attend to, however I'm not cruel. I'll allow you to say a final prayer." he vanishes in a flash of light.

"Olga." I turn to her "Whatever the demon said, you did all you could. That's all anyone could have ever asked."

She doesn't reply, just sitting motionless in my arms. I jump to the side to avoid a piece of falling debris.

"The underground Cavern is collapsing!" Mash calls out, she holds her shield above her and Fujimaru's head. I run underneath It and support it with my free hand.

"Fujimaru…" Olga whispers out, he turns to her "Director?"

"A-as a final order...return Chaldeas blue…" She just about whispers out, I turn to see her cheeks stained with tears.

"O-of course Director." Ristuka's eyes gleam with determination.

"Ah...that's good then…" she smiles.

"Doctor! Perform an emergency Rayshift!" Mash cries out as another boulder lands on the shield.

"Understood!" Roman replies, his tone panicked "But the singularity may collapse faster than we can get you back!" the number of boulders falling increases "Just hang on to your conciousness! We-"

"Senpai!" Mash shouts out as her shield is knocked out of her grasp. I stare up at the falling rocks about to crush us.

The Nothing.

I'm staring at a strange ceiling, Mash is standing next to me. Ritsuka is unconscious on the floor.

"Senpai!" Mash rushes to him, frantically checking him over "Doctor! Get down here!"

"R-right!" I hear a voice echo around me.

A few minutes later, a frazzled Roman appears and begins looking over Ristuka, he sighs in relief after a few moments "He's just unconscious." He stands up and turns to Mash "He's exhausted from the Rayshift but that's it."

"Thank goodness…" Mash lets out a breath and claps her hands together.

Roman turns to me then freezes, his head looking down at something "Saber? What are you holding?"

I tilt my head in confusion then stare down, my eyes widen beneath my helmet.

There in the hand I was gripping Olga with, is a small white orb of light.

"Its…" I stare at it for a few moments then hold it up to the pair "It's Olga's soul…"

AN: Olga's soul, eh?

How interesting. Wonder if that will come in handy.

Anyway we'll be moving onto a shorter Chaldea chapter next, then the France Prologue. Then we'll actually go to France.

But enough about that. Here's the Dialogue for the Ashen One if you summoned him in the mobile game.

Summoning.

"Servant, Saber. I have answered your calls. I may have no name but I shall do as you direct me to. God, Demons or Dragons. Your foes are my foes."

Dialogue 1

"Free time? I must admit, this is something unusual to me. One never strayed far from conflict in Lothric."

Dialogue 2

"I must apologise if I am lacking in social cues. Conversation isn't a common thing where I am from."

Dialogue 3

"The relationship between a Servant and a Master? Is the answer more complicated than the assigned roles?"

Dialogue 4 (If you have Enkidu)

"So...they turned away from their created purpose as well? Ha...at least I am not the only failure around here."

Dialogue 5 (If you have Siegward)

"Never mock the one who dresses like an Onion, he is a fiercer warrior than you could possible imagine. Makes a pretty good Estus soup as well."

Dialogue 6 (If you have Artoria Pendragon)

"A King, you say? Such a responsibility to place on a little girl is it not?"

Dialogue 7 (If you have Aldrich)

"Master...I realise I should not question your choices of Servants...but that thing doesn't even deserve to breath the same air as anyone here."

Dialogue 8 (If you have The Chosen Undead)

"So...he was the first was he? I see the way he stares at me, like I'm lower than a common hollow. Yet I can't help but pity him all the same, to be tricked in such a way is saddening."

Dialogue 9 (If you have Solaire)

"Oh? A Warrior of Sunlight? You pick your allies well, Master. They are as formidable as they are honourable. I was a member of such an order as well."

Dialogue 10 (If you have Pontiff Sulyvhan)

"I can't bare the sight of him. That repugnant creature does not even deserve to be remembered as a footnote in the analogues of history. If killing myself right now would ensure their death, then I would waste no time on falling on my sword."

Dialogue 11 (If you have Slave Knight Gael)

"He's a good man. Of all the undead in existence, he was probably the best of us all. He deserved a better end."

Dialogue 12 (If you have Fire Keeper)

"Ah...so she's here too? That's good, she'll stay with us all to the very end. No matter how difficult or hopeless it becomes, she'll stay with us."

Dialogue 13 (If you have Gilgamesh [Archer or Caster])

"He's an arrogant one isn't he? Yet, I hear he has quite the collection of weapons. Truly, I wonder if I could use my bottomless box in such a way...Hm? Oh nothing, simply an idle curiosity and nothing more."

Likes

"What I like? I've never really thought about that before. Few undead get the chance to experience any joy."

Hates

"Mimics. Trust me...you're better off not knowing. You'll never look at a chest the same way again."

Wish for the Holy Grail

"Wish? I suppose...I wouldn't mind being Human...to be something more than Ash, to have a choice in my life...but I can put aside my desires for the greater good."

Bond Level 1

"This will be a difficult journey ahead of us, Master. I shall remain your sword for the entire way forward."

Bond Level 2

"This is certainly thrilling, it's like being in Lothric again but...It is better to have allies."

Bond Level 3

"You are a good ally to have, what I would have given to have you by my side as I slew the Lords of Cinder...perhaps I wouldn't have died so often."

Bond Level 4

"You have been kinder to me than expected. Few have shown me such concern before, only the Fire Keeper. It seems she has some competition in that regard."

Bond Level 5

"You are a true friend, Master. Even if I were to hollow by the end of this quest. Know that the memories of our journey together shall be forever inscribed into my very soul. When we prove victorious, I shall be at ease knowing I aided a True Hero."

Birthday

"A...Birthday? I suppose this is a time for celebration. With each passing year your wisdom grows."

During an Event

"It appears there is a commotion happening, breaks from our battles are few and far between. Perhaps we should investigate?"

1st Ascension

"Ah, I indeed feel stronger. Perhaps I shall return to my God slaying self yet."

2nd Ascension

"I feel like grand, if Vordt were still alive I would challenge him to a fist fight...well, probably not."

3rd Ascension

"I'm in my prime, as I am I would fight any opponent you ask of me, Master."

4th Ascension

"I feel stronger than ever before, this power...I wonder if this is how the Lords of Cinder felt?"